Root Canals have a horrible reputation: the terrifying name, the horror stories from the dental chair, and everything else surrounding the title. In reality, root canals are not that bad. Millions of teeth are treated and saved by root canals each year, relieving pain and making teeth healthy again. Root canals are something many adults have to deal with, so we are here to break down the procedure to make those nerves go away when you hear from your dentist that you need a root canal.

A root canal treatment is nothing like the scary stories you hear about, with the help of modern-day dentistry. Root canals are very similar to a routine filling and can usually be completed in just one trip to your dentist. A root canal is relatively painless and extremely effective. When you undergo a root canal, the inflamed pulp is removed, and the inside of the tooth is carefully cleaned and disinfected, then filled and sealed.

A root canal’s advantages are efficient chewing, regular biting force, natural appearance, and protection for other teeth from excessive wear or strain. How do you know if you need a root canal? There are a few symptoms people experience, which means that a root canal is necessary. Symptoms may include severe pain while chewing, pimples on the gums, a chipped tooth, sensitivity to hot or cold, swollen gums, and darkening gums.

After a root canal procedure, most patients can return to school or work. Your mouth is numb for around 2-4 hours following the procedure, so the only advisory given is not to eat until the numbness is gone. Root canals are an easy procedure. You can eat up to 1 hour before a procedure, and you can receive local anesthesia not to feel any pain.

At Cakmes Dental, we promise to give efficient and pain-free treatments. Our doctors and dental team make the experience as easy as possible for our patients, breaking the stigma of root canals being painful and scary. If you are experiencing any tooth sensitivity or pain, please give us a call or head to our website. We’ll let you know if a root canal can help stop your pain.