Upon being told that they need root canal therapy, many people are filled with dread, incorrectly believing that the procedure will be extremely painful. Not only is this a myth – your mouth will be numbed during the procedure, so you’ll feel little to no discomfort – but it ignores the fact a root canal is a very positive thing. If your dentist recommends one for your toothache, you should treat it as good news for the following 4 reasons.
1. If a Root Canal Can Be Performed, Your Tooth Can Still Be Saved
A badly infected tooth may eventually have to be pulled if it’s not treated. This can lead to its own problems since you need a full set of teeth to properly chew your food and maintain the balance of your bite. While there are various options for filling in empty space in your smile, it’s always better to save natural teeth whenever possible. Being told that you need a root canal essentially means that your tooth is not yet beyond salvaging and that more conservative treatment options are still viable.
2. You’ll Soon Find Relief from Your Pain
The pain associated with root canal therapy is actually caused by the very problem it’s designed to treat: an infection of the pulp within your tooth. The pulp contains the nerves of the tooth, so when it’s attacked by bacteria, you’ll experience a high amount of discomfort that will only get worse as time passes. But once a root canal has been performed, the pain will be gone, allowing you to eat and smile comfortably again.
3. You’ll Save Money on Tooth Replacements
Dental bridges, dentures, and dental implants can all be used to replace missing teeth. They also cost money to place, and in the cases of bridges and dentures you’ll need to have them replaced every few years or so. By having a root canal performed, you can avoid all the inconveniences of having to get new teeth and will ultimately save money.
4. Your Smile Will Remain Natural and Whole
Your natural teeth perform a lot of functions that you might not even think about. They keep the underlying jawbone healthy through the stimulation they provide, and each tooth prevents the ones adjacent to it from drifting out of place. By saving your tooth with a root canal instead of letting it be lost, you ensure that these functions will continue to be carried out.
The above benefits of root canals should be reason enough to take your dentist’s recommendation for saving your tooth. Of course, if you have any questions about the procedure, you can always reach out to your dental practice beforehand.
About Our Practice
Here at Endodontic Associates Saratoga, you can benefit from the wisdom and experience of three endodontists: Dr. An Nguyen, Dr. Frances Lee, and Dr. Sanfilippo. All of them take advantage of the latest advancements in dentistry to help patients overcome their tooth pain in as little time as possible. They always put your health and wellbeing first, which is why they highly recommend root canal therapy over having a tooth pulled. To schedule a consultation, visit our website or call (408) 255-6511.
