4 Facts About Root Canals

Are you facing a root canal in the near future? If so, you are probably wondering what is going to happen, both during the procedure and afterwards, during your recovery. The unknown can be pretty scary, giving patients many, many sleepless nights while they are waiting for their procedure. The more knowledge someone has about a procedure, the more they are able to prepare themselves, both physically and emotionally.

We want our patients to have the best care possible without unnecessary concern and anxiety, so we have put together four facts about root canals to educate you about the procedure and recovery period and to alleviate fears.

The pain is minimal and the benefits are great

For most people, the reason they go to see an endodontist is because of pain. The toothache is caused by damaged tissue that needs to be removed. When the endodontist removes the tissue, the pain goes away. During the procedure, you will be given a local anesthetic to numb the area, and if you are nervous, nitrous oxide (better known as “laughing gas”), to take the edge off. Patients that have received root canals often say it feels like getting a filling for a cavity.

One thing is for certain, after receiving a root canal your teeth will be healthier and the pain you experienced from the damaged or infected tissue will be erased. During the first few days after your root canal, you may experience minimal pain in the area around the tooth, which can be treated with anti-inflammatory medicine. After the initial root canal, you will receive a permanent crown that will protect the tooth and keep your smile looking beautiful.

You may need a root canal even if you are not experiencing pain

As we mentioned, most people come into the office because of pain, but not always. Some people will get a small, white “pimple” on their gums next to a damaged tooth. The fistula, the medical term for the “pimple,” is a sign that infection is draining from a tooth. It is not painful and can come and go over a period of time, which may give the illusion that the infection is clearing up. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The infection will not go away unless treated with a root canal and can spread to other teeth.

If you get an x-ray taken during a cleaning, it may also show damaged pulp that will need to be treated. Your dentist or endodontist will be able to easily tell if the tooth will need a root canal. Once again, these things do not go away on their own. Once you get a damaged tooth or an infection, it is there to stay unless you get treatment.

A tooth extraction is NOT a good alternative to a root canal

It may seem easier to just pull the tooth, especially if the tooth is a back molar and not easily seen when you smile. While that may seem logical to you, the truth is the longer you can keep your natural teeth, the healthier your mouth will be. Advantages of keeping your natural teeth include:

  • Effective chewing
  • Normal biting in both force and sensation
  • Maintaining a natural appearance
  • Protection for your other teeth against wear and strain

You can replace missing teeth with dentures, partial dentures, dental implants or fixed dental bridges; however, these alternatives can be much more expensive than saving your tooth with a root canal treatment.

Root canals do NOT cause illness

You may have heard about research done in the 1900s by a Dr. Weston Price, claiming that root canals contributed to an increase in illness and disease in patients. This claim has since been discredited and the reality is that there is no correlation between a root canal and disease in other parts of the body. Root canals are performed to remove the bacteria that is causing the tooth problem, so once the bacteria is removed, there is no longer an issue to be concerned about.

For the past decade, Dr. Budig has been providing endodontic care for patients in Jackson and Douglas Counties. He is a Board Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics and is currently a member of the American Association of Endodontics, the American Dental Association and the Kansas Dental Association. Dr. Budig is dedicated to providing exceptional and advanced treatment to all his patients. If you are in need of dental care, call Dr. Budig’s office today to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Christopher Budig
Dr. Budig is Overland Park's premier Endodontist. As a Board Certified Diplomate with over a decade of experience, he specializes in providing painless root canal therapy. Using the most advanced technology available, Dr. Budig strives to give his patients a safe and pain free experience.