When it comes to root canal treatment, almost everyone cracks a joke about how much it will hurt, and that’s the end of that. Luckily, your caring family dentist in Austin, TX knows that many times people are seeking real information, but don’t know where to turn for answers. When a tooth has a severe issue, it may be possible to save the tooth with a root canal treatment. The visible portion is then usually covered with a natural-looking artificial crown, and your life can continue as usual.
Question: Why Would I Need A Root Canal Treatment?
Answer: A tooth’s nerves become damaged in many ways. A cavity may have allowed infection into the the pulp (center) area of the tooth. A tooth can be damaged by a blow to the mouth, or a crack can let infection in. In some cases, repeated treatments to the same tooth can eventually mean root canal treatment is needed. There are even cases where the nerve can fail for unknown reasons, leading to tooth pain and a root canal procedure.
Question: Is It Going To Hurt?
Answer: Your tooth will almost certainly be hurting before the root canal treatment. When it comes to the treatment itself, your mouth will be numbed in the appropriate areas, so the procedure will not hurt. Delivery of the anesthetic is by injection at the site, and when people have discomfort, it is usually during the initial numbing. Most patients agree that the initial injection is worth it, to repair a distressed tooth.
What Are Options If I Don’t Want A Root Canal Treatment?
Answer: You always have the final say in your dental care decisions. We will advise you of our best assessment, and we generally recommend the most conservative procedure. Our caring team is on hand to support you before and during the procedure. Afterwards, we are just a phone call away. A damaged tooth cannot repair itself, so if a needed root canal treatment is not performed, the next option may be to extract the tooth, and replace it with a dental implant.
We Are Glad to Share Root Canal Treatment Knowledge!
If you are concerned about a tooth, and wonder if it might need root canal treatment, please call us. Schedule a visit with your dentist in Austin, TX by contacting Austin General Dentistry today at 512-346-5540.