The Truth About Root Canals

Over the years, root canals have developed a bad reputation that’s unwarranted. In many cases, a root canal is the best way to relieve the pain of a bad toothache and restore the health of your tooth. Today we want to set the record straight and clear up some of the most common misconceptions about root canals.

Do I need a root canal?

Root canals are used to eliminate infection deep within the tooth. But how can an infection like this even start?

Sometimes, a tooth is chipped or cracked which allows bacteria to quickly invade deeply within the tooth. Other times, a cavity is left untreated and grows, with cavity causing-bacteria advancing beyond the outer layer and invading the inner chamber of the tooth.

Whether you need a root canal or not is a decision that only your dentist can make. But there are a few warning signs to watch out for. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your dentist:

• Sudden sensitivity to pressure, heat, or cold

• Painful toothache that doesn’t go away on its own

• Any swelling, redness, or tenderness around a tooth

These are all signs of infection and a root canal might be the best course of treatment to relieve pain and restore your health.

What is a root canal anyway?

Maybe it’s the name that scares people. You can think of a root canal as being pretty similar to getting a big filling. It’s not that different. Your dentist will remove the decayed or damaged portion of your tooth, as well as the infected nerve and blood vessel in the center of the tooth. After cleaning out the infection within the tooth, a sterile filling goes into the tooth roots (where the nerve was) to help keep the inside of the tooth clean and healthy. 

The difference is that with a root canal, the final restoration will usually be a crown, not a filling, but in some cases a filling is sufficient - again, your dentist can make that call. Because more tooth structure is removed during a root canal, a crown will usually be more stable, durable, and secure than a filling, especially for a back tooth (molar or premolar) that has to withstand chewing forces. The crown also acts as a cover for the remaining tooth structure, protecting it from further damage.

Are root canals uncommon?

Not at all! In fact, they’re one of the most common dental procedures around. Recent estimates show that there are over 15 million root canals done every year. 

That’s about 1 every 2 seconds!

Does a root canal hurt?

A lot of the fear of root canals comes from horror stories about root canals gone wrong — often from people who had a root canal years (or even decades) ago. Today, dental anesthesia is better than ever before and there are more options to help reduce feelings of worry and anxiety.

Here at Batchelor Dentistry, we offer NuCalm, a holistic and natural method of sedation that can greatly reduce anxiety. Our #1 goal is to help you be as comfortable as possible before, during, and after every visit to our office.

Will I need a crown?

Because teeth that need a root canal are typically fairly compromised to begin with (due to large existing fillings, cracks, or maybe even new tooth decay), a crown is usually needed to restore the shape, appearance, and function of your tooth. But the crowns at Batchelor Dentistry aren’t like the crowns you may have had before.

In the past, a crown required a goopy impression, a temporary crown, and multiple trips to the dentist. Not anymore!

We offer CEREC same-day crowns which allow you to get a crown made in under 2 hours. We create a high-tech 3D image of your mouth and mill your crown from a solid block of porcelain-like material right here in our office. You’ll get a beautiful tooth-colored crown that fits your mouth perfectly without the need for an impression, temporary crown, or trip back to our office.

Should I just have my tooth pulled?

In some cases, a tooth extraction is the best course of treatment to relieve pain and infection, and help restore your dental health. However, we tend to think of extractions as a last resort rather than our first option. We’ll do whatever we can to keep your natural teeth for as long as possible and a root canal can often help us do that.

Why is it beneficial to preserve your natural teeth? When a tooth is lost, you also begin to lose bone in your jaw. This process is known as resorption and eventually leads to a “sunken” facial appearance. With a root canal, you can keep your tooth’s root in place, preventing the complications associated with tooth loss.

How long does a root canal take?

You can expect your root canal to take about 60-90 minutes. The time for the crown is about 2 hours if you’re having a same-day crown made here at our office.

Is a root canal a permanent treatment?

With proper care and regular check-ups and exams, you can expect your root canal and crown to last for years or even decades. In some cases, however, your tooth may eventually need to be extracted and replaced with an implant or other restoration.

But let’s take things one step at a time. A root canal can help you keep your natural tooth for years or decades longer than you might’ve thought possible. 

What happens if I don’t get a root canal?

Ignoring tooth pain won’t make it go away. In fact, once you start to notice pain in your tooth it will almost always get worse over time. A tooth in need of a root canal can also lead to a serious infection known as an abscess if not treated promptly. Symptoms of advanced infections include:

• Persistent bad breath and a bitter taste in the mouth

• Fever and swelling of the lymph nodes

• Red and swollen gums, or even a swollen face

• Skin that’s warm to the touch

If you see these warning signs, talk to an emergency dentist today.

Will my dental insurance pay for my root canal?

Our office can review your insurance coverage and help you understand how much of any treatment might be covered. But if you don’t have dental insurance, don’t worry. We offer a variety of payment plans and financing options, including CareCredit and our very own in-office dental health membership plan.

Schedule your appointment at Batchelor Dentistry

Do you have a toothache? Have you been told you need to have a tooth extracted because of extensive decay? Schedule an appointment at Batchelor Dentistry to learn more and to find out if a root canal is the best choice for your dental health.