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The prospect of a root canal can provoke fear and loathing. Its reputation as a gauntlet of pain is widespread and of long standing.
But many people have been relieved to find that root canal treatment generally does not live up to its nefarious image. The tooth in need of a root canal is a greater cause of pain than the root canal treatment itself.
If a tooth's nerve and pulp is inflamed or infected, if gums are tender, or if heat or cold are a cause of pain and sensitivity, these may be warning signs that you are in need of a root canal.
Pulp and nerve tissue must be removed from the tooth. If infection is present, a medication is applied inside the tooth. At the next appointment, the tooth is filled with a sealer paste and gutta perch. It is topped off with a filling.
Later a crown, or crown and post are possible ways of covering the tooth to protect it and make it functional again.
"Root canal treatment is highly successful; the procedure has more than a 95% success rate. Many teeth fixed with a root canal can last a lifetime."
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/root-canals?ecd=wnl_day_052610
Add a Comment3 Comments
For those that are about to get a procedure done on them in the near future, do not worry. There will be several ways for you to feel better afterwards. Dealing with the pain might seem difficult, but if you prepare ahead of time, you’ll be okay.
March 18, 2012 - 8:30amThis Comment
always ask if the dentist is using formaldehyde in your root canal. there is a small group of disrespected dentists in the US and worldwide that use a material that has formaldehyde as it's active ingredient and also contains lead and mercury. This material is permanently sealed within the tooth and is known to cause serious and permanent damage. The FDA rejected it for approval in 1993, the ADA does not recommend it, all accredited US dental schools teach NOT to use it. watch the NBC Philadelphia video at http://www.worstrootcanalever.com
May 28, 2010 - 3:46pmThis Comment
I think I've had three root canals at this point, and each one went well and totally solved the pain problem. I also used to struggle with TMJ (before I got adult braces) and the endodontists were very careful to work slowly so that I could rest my jaw and make the procedure as pain-free as possible. I would tell people not to worry if they have to have one done.
May 28, 2010 - 9:37amThis Comment