What to Expect During Your Root Canal
By Edward Farajzadeh | Published on June 16, 2010 | 0 Comments
The root canal is one of dentistry’s most dreaded procedures. But, according to Edward Farajzadeh, DDS, a dentist in Poway, California, thanks to modern dental techniques and sedation options, a root canal needn’t be any more stressful than a walk in the park. So what can you expect from your root canal procedure? “Root canals have gotten a bad reputation,” says Farajzadeh. “In actuality, a root canal can be an extremely effective way to provide relief to a patient who’s in pain.”
What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal, says Farajzadeh, is a procedure used to save a tooth that has become infected or is badly decayed. Signs that a root canal may be needed include a severe toothache, tooth discoloration (darkening), tenderness or swelling in the gums around a tooth or prolonged sensitivity (after the stimulus has been removed) to hot, cold or pressure. During a root canal, your dentist removes the tooth’s nerve and pulp, and then cleans and seals the inside of the tooth to prevent further decay. “The idea is to remove the diseased nerve,” Farajzadeh explains, “in order to get the patient into a much more comfortable situation.”
The advantages of a root canal, Farajzadeh says, are many. First, a root canal will allow you to retain your existing tooth, preventing the need for extraction and replacement with an implant or other artificial restoration. Second, a root canal prevents infection from spreading to surrounding tissues. Without the procedure, Farajzadeh says, the infection could create not only an extremely painful situation, but also swelling in the face, neck or head. Third, although the root canal does involve the removal of the tissue inside the tooth, it does not affect the tooth’s function or appearance. Furthermore, root canals have an extremely high success rate – over 95% according to Farajzadeh.
Will It Be Painful?
Given that a root canal involves the tooth’s nerve, one would expect the procedure to be extremely painful. And anecdotes from older friends and family would seem to support that assumption. But, according to Farajzadeh, “Nearly every time we perform a root canal, we’re able to get the patient numb enough and comfortable enough that he won’t experience any kind of pain during the procedure.” Farajzadeh says that new, updated anesthesia techniques are available that make numbing the area in preparation for a root canal much easier and more effective. There have also, in recent years, been changes to the way root canals are performed that have made the procedure faster and more comfortable for the patient.
Farajzadeh says that in the past, root canals required a patient to return to the dentist’s office two, three or even four times in order to complete treatment. Today, however, dentists are able to perform a root canal, in most cases, within a single appointment. While there may be some discomfort after the procedure (temporary sensitivity to hot or cold is normal), Farajzadeh says that in most cases, it can easily be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
What Are My Options?
If you are someone who finds visits to your dentist’s office particularly stressful, Farajzadeh says, there are ways to help relieve your anxiety and make your root canal a less frightening experience. At A Poway Dental Group, Farajzadeh’s practice, sedation is always an option for patients who request it. Sedation dentistry, sometimes called “relaxation” dentistry, involves the use of one or more sedation techniques to keep a patient calm and relaxed during dental procedures.
“If a patient is particularly afraid,” says Farajzadeh, “we do have an anesthesiologist available who can sedate the patient to make the procedure more comfortable.” If you believe that sedation would be beneficial for you, he says, don’t be afraid to ask your dentist about the options available. “You shouldn’t delay a root canal simply because you’re afraid of the procedure – your tooth and your oral health may be at stake,” he says. “There are many options available to make your procedure as comfortable and stress-free as possible.”
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.