| Altamash Dental Clinic

Imagine the horror when you’re at the dentist’s clinic hoping to get your tooth cavities filled and instead, the dentist says “You’re going to need a root canal”. And suddenly you start thinking of the severe pain associated with the process; the injections, the X-rays, the drilling. It sends chills down your spine, doesn’t it? While your fear is justified to some extent, you’re blowing it way out of proportion.

Yes, it is a little painful, but with the correct procedure and an experienced dentist, you need not worry about it too much. Join us to discover why a root canal can be a lifesaver for your teeth and why Altamash Dental Clinic is your best bet.

Demystifying the Dread: Everything You Need to Know About Root Canals

Unlike what some may think, a root canal is not a scene from a torture movie, it is a minimally invasive procedure carried out to save a severely damaged/broken/decayed tooth. Think of your tooth as a building, the crown is the top part, and the basement contains the pulp. The pulp is a collection of nerves and blood vessels.

When the pulp gets infected or inflamed (through decay, trauma, or cracks) it causes immense pain. This is where the root canal comes in. Here’s what happens during a root canal:

Local anesthesia: The dentist injects local anesthesia into the area surrounding the base of the tooth. And this is the only part where you feel the pain, that too just a little bit, more or less like an ant bite.
Access and Cleaning: An opening is made in the crown to access the pulp, the infected pulp is removed and the canals are carefully cleaned and disinfected using saline.
Filling and sealing: The now empty chamber is filled with biocompatible material to prevent future infections. The crown is sealed to protect the tooth. There is an additional step of adding a capping on the tooth in case the natural tooth is severely broken.

Following are the reasons a root canal may be necessary for you

Severe toothache: This is the most common symptom, often described as a "throbbing" or "pulsating" pain.
Sensitivity to hot and cold: If your tooth reacts sharply to temperature changes, it could indicate inflamed pulp.
Facial swelling or tenderness: Infection can spread beyond the tooth, causing swelling in the surrounding gums and jaw.
Discoloration: A darkened or discolored tooth may be a sign of internal damage and infection.
Broken or cracked tooth: If the fracture reaches the pulp, a root canal may be needed to prevent further damage.

Common Myths and Misconceptions Surrounding Root Canals

Root canals are incredibly painful

Reality: Thanks to modern anesthesia and techniques, root canals are virtually painless procedures. Many patients report feeling minimal discomfort, similar to a routine filling. The extra pain just stems from the prick from the anesthesia injection.

Root canals weaken the tooth.

Reality: Although the tooth structure becomes slightly less resilient after a root canal, it does not become significantly weakened. With proper care, a treated tooth can last for decades. Covering it with a cap can reinforce it even more.

Root canals are expensive and unnecessary.

Reality: Compared to the cost of losing a tooth and requiring an implant or bridge, root canal treatment is often more affordable in the long run. Additionally, saving a natural tooth is always preferable to extraction for both oral health and aesthetics.