It’s Root Canal Awareness Week
March 30 to April 5 is the 8th Annual Root Canal Awareness Week
How much do you know about root canals? Many people needlessly fear this dental procedure and avoid treatment, which results in unnecessary pain and suffering and sometimes even the loss of a tooth that might otherwise have been saved. In honor of Root Canal Awareness Week March 30 to April 5, California Dental Group’s expert endodontists (root canal specialists) want to share the following information about root canals with you.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a procedure that allows for the removal of inflamed or infected tissues inside of a tooth and its root. Severely decayed portions of the tooth can also be removed. The entire tooth will be sterilized and filled with an inert material, then capped with a crown to provide a durable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing restoration. Typically the endodontist performs the procedure but refers the patient to a regular dentist for placement of the permanent crown.
Isn’t It Painful?
According to data from the American Association of Endodontists, most patients who have had a root canal performed by an endodontist report that the procedure was “virtually painless.” The procedure, which is done with appropriate anesthesia, is certainly much less painful than the alternative of living with a severely decayed or infected tooth.
How Do I Know if I Need a Root Canal?
Common signs that you may need a root canal include:
- An abscess (or pimple) on the gums
- Prolonged sensitivity to hot and cold
- Severe toothache pain
- Swelling and/or tenderness upon touching teeth or chewing
- Cracked or broken teeth
If you experience any of these symptoms you should visit an endodontist immediately. They can provide an expert assessment of the severity of the damage to your tooth and advise you of your best course of action.
What Are the Benefits of a Root Canal?
The main benefits of root canal therapy include relieving dental pain and saving seriously damaged teeth from extraction. This last benefit is especially important considering that many people who lose a tooth never get it replaced with any type of bridge, denture, or implant, leaving themselves open to difficulties chewing, speaking, and smiling. Failing to replace a tooth can also contribute to bone loss in the jaw, which may cause other nearby teeth to suffer as well. According to an AAE survey, 58 percent of individuals who had a tooth extracted never replaced it. In many of these cases, a root canal could surely have helped save the tooth!
