I'm Nervous About Having a Root Canal

Many people worry about increased pain during and after a root canal. Truthfully, however, the procedure relieves rather than increases tooth or jaw pain. Plus, modern dental techniques and materials mean root canals offer a long-lasting solution for preventing future tooth loss.

Our team at Beaufils Dental offers comprehensive general and cosmetic dentistry for the entire family from a state-of-the-art facility in Cooper City, Florida. Our specialists are well aware of the anxiety a trip to the dentist can cause, especially when you’re facing a root canal.

Because understanding what happens during a dental procedure can help calm fears, we’re happy to provide a few facts about root canals.

Root canal basics

One of our main goals here at Beaufils Dental is to create healthy smiles by preserving your natural teeth whenever possible. A root canal is a dental procedure that can save a severely damaged or infected tooth that might otherwise require extraction.

During the procedure, your Beaufils Dental specialist removes the infected jelly-like pulp at the center of your tooth. After cleaning away any surrounding infection and prepping the canal space, they fill and seal the chamber with a biocompatible dental material (usually gutta-percha) that restores strength and structure to the affected tooth.

Our team uses 3D imaging technology to examine, clean, shape, and fill the root canal. According to research, this advanced system provides superior results compared with traditional 2D radiographs, helping ensure a successful root canal that can last a lifetime.

Your dentist may also recommend a custom-fit permanent crown to cap and further protect the treated tooth. For your convenience, we offer same-day crown services at Beaufils Dental.

Why would you need a root canal rather than a filling?

A filling can address small to moderately sized cavities on the surface of a tooth. However, once the damage or decay reaches the pulp, you require a root canal to prevent further infection, inflammation, and pain.

Because tooth pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue, infection in the area is particularly painful. It’s also worrisome since easy access to your bloodstream means the infection can quickly spread to other sites.

At Beaufils Dental, we always consider the most effective and conservative treatments for alleviating tooth pain and protecting oral health. In some cases, a root canal is your best option.

Are root canals painful?

The idea of a root canal may sound intimidating. However, when performed by an experienced professional, it’s a relatively straightforward procedure that relieves rather than increases your pain.

Before beginning a root canal, your dentist thoroughly numbs the area around the damaged tooth with a local anesthetic. That prevents you from feeling any pain during the procedure, which usually takes less than an hour.

Discomfort after a root canal is usually mild, responds well to over-the-counter pain relievers, and should resolve within a day or two at most. In fact, if you do experience moderate or throbbing pain after a root canal, we want you to call the office since this is atypical.

In addition, if you have dental anxiety or are feeling particularly tense about the root canal, please let us know. We can prescribe a sedative that helps calm your nerves.

For more information about what to expect before, during, and after a root canal, schedule a visit at Beaufils Dental. Call the office or request an appointment online.