For most people, visiting the dentist isn’t much of an ordeal, but when told that they need root canal treatment, many patients will still hesitate or wonder if there is a better alternative. The good news is that root canal therapy’s bad rap is undeserved. The procedure is typically quick and minimally invasive, and in addition to restoring your tooth, it also alleviates the intense discomfort caused by the infection in your tooth. The most important thing everyone should know about root canals, however, is that the treatment may be your best option for saving your tooth before extraction becomes necessary.
Root Canal Treatment is Simpler than You Think
Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic treatment, is the process of cleaning away bacteria and infected tooth tissues from inside of your tooth’s pulp chamber. The pulp is located at the center of the tooth, so root canal treatment may seem invasive. But the procedure can be completed by creating a small access point in the tooth, and the use of anesthesia and dental sedation makes your treatment significantly more comfortable.
Root Canal Treatment is a Last Resort
If you haven’t been told that you need root canal treatment, but you exhibit tooth decay, then you can avoid the need for RCT if you seek treatment immediately with a tooth filling. A filling can stop a cavity from growing and prevent decay from reaching your tooth’s pulp, strengthening the tooth while saving its pulp tissues and root canal from infection. If you do need root canal treatment but hesitate to receive it, then you might give the infection in your tooth time to grow worse and require tooth extraction by the time you visit your dentist again.