Helpful Information About Root Canal Therapy

Have you been told that you need root canal therapy, but you’re unsure why or what the procedure entails? If so, you’re not alone. It’s quite common for patients not to understand a dentist’s recommendation for root canal treatment, especially since there is not always pain associated with the diagnosis.

If you’ve been told that you need root canal treatment, even if you’re not experiencing discomfort, the following information may be helpful in understanding why the therapy was recommended. If you have remaining questions or would like a second opinion for treatment already recommended, we invite you to make an appointment with our friendly and experienced dentists at Concord Woods Dental Group.

Why is Treatment Needed?

Each patient will have a reason specific to their oral health when they receive a recommendation for root canal therapy, but the procedure is most commonly needed to remove bacteria from the pulp of a tooth. The bacteria are either currently causing an infection or placing the patient at risk for future infection if left untreated. If left untreated, a patient will experience an increased level of pain along with an increased risk of abscess, systemic infection, and tooth loss.

A few other common reasons that a dentist may recommend root canal therapy is to treat a tooth that is cracked, has an exposed nerve, or is slowly dying. It’s always preferred to take measures to preserve the health of a natural tooth rather than extract it and replace it with a dental implant, dental bridge, or partial denture.

As mentioned, patients may not always exhibit symptoms indicating the need for root canal therapy, but a few of the most common that could be experienced include:

• Severe pain when chewing or biting food.
• Swollen or tender gums.
• Lingering tooth sensitivity.
• History of tooth trauma.
• Previous root canal therapy.

The above list of symptoms may seem varied, but when you choose an endodontist near you, such as Dr. Abdennour at Concord Woods Dental Group, you’ll know that you’re receiving care from a practitioner specializing in studying diseases of the dental pulp who uses advanced methodologies to treat them.

A Virtually Pain-Free Treatment

Not only is root canal therapy efficient and cost-effective, but the American Association of Endodontics (AAE) writes that “treatment is virtually painless and often leaves you with less discomfort during recovery than if you have your natural tooth extracted.”

The AAE also writes that “Thanks to modern techniques and effective anesthesia, patients who experience root canals are six times more likely to describe it as painless than patients who have a tooth extracted.”

You may have heard stories from friends, family members, or co-workers that a root canal procedure is painful, but when you partner with a practice such as the team at Concord Woods Dental Group, you’ll know that our commitment to gentle dentistry is equal to our commitment to excellence in dentistry.

What to Expect During Your Consultation

When you visit us for your root canal consultation, our dental care team will need to take an x-ray or a series of x-rays of the tooth and the surrounding area to diagnose the condition accurately and plan the most effective treatment.

This visualization allows our endodontist to identify signs of infection even if you are not currently experiencing dental discomfort. Our endodontist’s digital radiography and 3-D imaging ensure detailed tooth anatomy images to see the root canals and any related infections. Also, as a visual diagnostic tool, this imaging allows us to show patients the location of the infection and how it could impact supporting tissues if left untreated, so all guesswork about the diagnosis is removed.

We’ll also design a treatment plan for your root canal therapy that may include adjunct therapy such as a dental crown if the tooth receiving the treatment requires added structure and support to maintain strength and functionality.

How We Can Help You Maintain Your Smile

For more than twenty years, our team of dental professionals has cared for patients of all ages and backgrounds to help them maintain their natural teeth for a lifetime – and we look forward to doing the same for you. Along with first-class dental care, Concord Woods Dental Group offers our patients flexible payment options for root canals and all comprehensive dentistry we provide near you.