Maybe you’re feeling some pain in a specific tooth and are afraid you might need a root canal. Or maybe the dentist turns to you and says you need a root canal treatment. While you may be afraid to go through with it, the procedure can actually help relieve pain, protect your natural tooth, and prevent gaps in your mouth.
Read on to learn some root canal statistics and how your Edinburg family dentist at Heroes Dental can help you throughout your root canal procedure.
What Is a Root Canal?
Unless you work in the field of general dentistry, you may not know what a root canal is. Inside each tooth is a pulp that supports that tooth for growth, strength, and protection. However, if the pulp is inflamed or infected, you might need a root canal to remove the pulp, stop the pain, and protect your dental health.
During a root canal procedure, your dentist will drill a tiny hole in the top of your tooth to retrieve the pulp. The hole is then filled with a biocompatible material – also called gutta percha – to support the tooth. Your dentist will then place a crown on top of the tooth for extra protection.
What You Need To Know Before Getting a Root Canal at Your Edinburg Family Dentist
Root canals sound scary and painful, but knowing more about them can help you be prepared for what’s to come. And with improvements in dental technology and anesthetics, root canals are safe procedures with reduced pain – similar to that of a cavity filling.
• Risks of a Root Canal
Like with any dental procedure, there is a small risk of failure. With a root canal, the most common risk would be that the seal didn’t stick all the way or developed a crack. This might lead to a repeat infection and dental procedure.
• Disqualifying Factors
If your dentist wants you to get a root canal because of an infection, you won’t be able to complete the procedure until the infection is gone. Your dentist will prescribe an antibiotic to kill the infection before proceeding.
• What To Expect After a Root Canal
Tooth sensitivity, swollen gums, and inflammation are considered normal after a root canal. You’ll want to follow your dentist’s instructions for aftercare to help heal and protect your teeth.
• Preparing for a Root Canal
Preparation is key to a successful root canal procedure. You’ll want to avoid any alcohol and tobacco use for 24 hours before the procedure. You should also eat, drink plenty of water, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, and get plenty of rest before you visit the dentist.
How Common Are Root Canals?
Root canals are a pretty common procedure in the United States. With more than 15 million performed each year, according to the American Association of Endodontists (AAE).
Check out these U.S. root canal statistics:
- About 287,000 root canal procedures happen each week.
- More than 41,000 root canals are performed every day.
- Each endodontist performs about 25 root canals each week.
- On average, general dentists perform two root canals every week.
With so many root canal procedures done every year, you most likely know someone who will have one done this year.
Learn All the Root Canal Info You Need To Know at Heroes Dental
The root canal experience may be slightly different for everyone. Some people need special aftercare or antibiotics before starting the root canal procedure. You also may need an updated x-ray, dental examination, and pulp test before scheduling a root canal appointment.
From prep instructions to after-treatment dental care, you can trust Heroes Dental to guide you through the whole root canal process. Our Edinburg family dentists have performed many root canals and are thrilled to help you on your way to better dental health!