Root Canals: The Good… And The Not-So-Bad!

Root canals have gotten a bad reputation over the years. Public perception of root canals makes them seem like a complex, painful procedure. Despite the fact that 15 million root canals are performed every year, many people don’t understand what root canals are or why they’re such a valuable dental solution.

In this article, Redmond Art of Dentistry will explore common misconceptions about root canals and discuss why root canal therapy is a useful, powerful dental tool that shouldn’t be feared!

What Is a Root Canal?

Root canal therapy is a specialized technique used to treat teeth in advanced stages of decay. In a way, a root canal is quite similar to a filling, though it involves the removal of more of the tooth. In cases of severe tooth decay, the pulp at the root of the tooth becomes infected and inflamed. This causes enormous pain to afflicted patients and, if left untreated, will cause tooth loss.

Root canal therapy is used to treat this issue. During the procedure, infected tissue is removed from the tooth with a dental drill, and the tooth is opened up so that affected pulp can be extracted. Then, the entire tooth is cleaned both inside and out to remove any trace of infection. The interior of the tooth is refilled with a material called gutta percha, which will mimic the original pulp.

Finally, the tooth is filled with a temporary filling, and a dental crown is placed, usually after letting the tooth heal for several weeks. That’s it!

Why Do Root Canals Have Such a Bad Reputation?

The primary reason root canals have a bad reputation is simply due to public misunderstanding about what a root canal actually is. Most people think that root canals are incredibly invasive and painful, but, in fact, it’s the opposite.

With modern sedation and local anesthetic techniques at Redmond Art of Dentistry, patients can have a root canal performed at a minimum of discomfort and recover completely in only a few days.

The Facts: Why Root Canals Are a Good Thing!

The best way to fight back against negative perceptions of root canals is by understanding the truth about root canal therapy. Here are just a few of the reasons why root canals are great!

• They’re affordable – Root canals are quite inexpensive compared to the cost of replacing an extracted tooth with a dental bridge, implant, or false teeth.
• You can keep your natural tooth – Because your natural tooth is preserved during the procedure, you can maintain a beautiful, healthy smile.
• Pain from infection is relieved – Infection of nerve pulp can be incredibly painful—much more painful than a root canal. A root canal can relieve your pain and help you get your life back to normal.

Want to Learn More About Root Canals? Visit Redmond Art of Dentistry Today!

As you can see, there’s absolutely no need to fear root canal therapy! So if you suspect you may have an infected tooth that requires root canal treatment, visit Redmond Art of Dentistry!

Dr. Daniel Bickel specializes in performing minimally invasive root canal therapy, and he can explain every step of the process to you. At our comfortable, patient-focused facility, you’ll receive friendly, customized treatment that meets your every need.

Don’t let tooth pain from an infected tooth hold you back. Contact Redmond Art of Dentistry now at (425) 883-1331, or visit our office at 16455 NE 85th St #101 Redmond, WA 98052. Dr. Bickel can help you understand the entire process and decide if root canal therapy is the appropriate treatment for you!

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY