If you’re like many people in Texas who need root canal treatment, the first question you may have is, “why?”

Why is a root canal treatment necessary? There are many potential reasons. The most important to understand is that root canals can help to save your natural tooth. It does this while eliminating the inflammation, infection, or pain deep within the root of your tooth. The more you understand about the conditions that cause this pain and inflammation, the better you will understand the need for root canal treatment. Lovett Dental West U is familiar with the procedure and can guide you through what it involves so you can get the dental care you need today.

Are Root Canals Painful?

dentist performing a root canalThe American Association of Endodontists lists the following reasons as potential contributing factors necessitating root canal treatment:

  • Deep decay
  • Repeated dental procedures
  • Faulty crowns
  • Cracks or chips in teeth
  • Injuries to the tooth (even when there is no visible indicator of the injury)

If left untreated, inflamed or infected pulp can cause a great amount of pain and may even lead to an abscess. Failing to treat an abscessed tooth with dental services can be life-threatening.

The conditions requiring root canals are painful. The procedure itself is not. This is thanks, in large part, to the use of local anesthetic to kill the pain. Many patients do experience some degree of tenderness around the area in the days following the procedure. However, this pain is often considerably milder than the inflammation and tenderness of an infected tooth.

The beauty of a root canal saves the natural tooth allowing your tooth to function as normal soon after the procedure.

Who Needs a Root Canal?

Root canals can become necessary at any time, as long as you still have your natural teeth. The reasons listed below are common indicators you may need a root canal from a general dentistry dentist:

  • Cracked teeth due to injury or genetics
  • Tenderness and swelling of the gums
  • Problems related to a previous filling
  • Sensitivity to hot and cold
  • Pain when chewing food or biting into something
  • Pimples on your gums

Another indicator that you may need a root canal is the darkening of your gums, which indicates deep decay. However, lingering sensitivity to hot and cold is the first thing many patients notice indicates the need for a root canal.

Why is Saving the Natural Tooth with a Root Canal So Important?

Most people understand that missing teeth affect the beauty of your smile. While that is certainly an important reason to preserve your natural tooth through root canal treatment, it is only one reason.

Your mouth does a lot on an average day. And every tooth working together helps your mouth accomplish its important daily tasks.  Think about all the things you use your mouth for:

  • Speaking
  • Biting
  • Eating
  • Drinking

A single missing tooth places additional strain on the teeth next to it and leaves those teeth vulnerable to additional damage, decay, and loss. It also affects your ability to chew, how you speak, and much more.

What Happens During a Root Canal Procedure?

Once the need for a root canal is determined, your dentist will administer a local anesthetic to numb the tooth. Once the tooth is numb, the dentist will apply a dental dam to protect the area during the procedure.

Next, your dentist creates an opening in the tooth’s dental crown and uses tiny tools to remove the plum from the chamber and reshape the space for the filling. Once this is complete, your dentist will fill the chamber. Afterward, a temporary filling is placed to close the opening; this will be removed on a follow-up visit when a crown is placed on your tooth.

As you can see, there is no reason to fear a root canal. The procedure is generally painless, and the benefits are far-reaching. Lovett Dental West U is here to help with all your dental care and root canal needs, so call us at 832-617-5530.