Four toothy truths about root canal treatment to ease pain, avoid extraction

Rethink everything you may have heard about root canal therapy. At Downtown Dental Services, Dr. Tony Lu and our team often encounter patients with unfounded fears about this common procedure. These patients are surprised by how easy it is to ease their toothache and regain their healthy smile. Plus, if you are still apprehensive about treatment, we offer sedation dentistry to help you relax. For now, get to know the following four toothy truths about root canal treatment at our downtown Cleveland, Ohio office.

No. 1: Root canal treatment relieves pain. It doesn’t cause pain.

Root canal therapy is associated with pain because the conditions it treats are often quite painful. This treatment is frequently called upon when other restorative dental procedures (such as fillings and crowns) are inadequate to resolve severe and deep decay. By removing the source of the infection or inflammation inside the tooth, root canal therapy finally eases persistent and intense toothaches, pressure, and swelling. 

No. 2: “Root canals” may be the only way to preserve teeth. 

Think of treatment as a potential “last resort” for your natural tooth. When other procedures are not appropriate, root canal therapy still has the power to “save” the tooth from extraction. It’s like giving your formerly severely damaged tooth a clean slate. The inflamed or infected tissues that produce pain and threaten the tooth’s structure are removed. The canals containing these tissues are reshaped and sealed off to prevent further damage. The last step to sustained health and avoiding tooth loss typically involves securing a dental crown to the natural, treated tissue. 

No. 3: Treatment has a 97%-plus success rate.

The American Association of Endodontists reports that more than 97% of root canal-treated teeth “survive.” So, this is not only a well-established procedure but a predictable one. You can do things to prevent the (rare) risk of failures. Notably, be sure to maintain follow-up appointments as Dr. Lu has advised. During one of these visits, he will bond your permanent crown to the treated tooth. By restoring the strength and structure of the tooth with a crown, it is no longer vulnerable to reinfection and can heal properly. 

No. 4: Modern root canal treatment is painless and fast. 

Removing tissues and reshaping and sealing the treatment site can be completed in one appointment. Plus, we only start the procedure after it has been confirmed that the area to be treated is fully numb. You should not feel any sensations as we sterilize the inside of your tooth. If you are still worried about treatment, let’s discuss options to keep you calm. Downtown Dental Services is pleased to provide a commonly requested “helper” to ease anxiety and fear: oral conscious sedation. This relaxing medication is taken by mouth as a pill or tablet. But first, let’s take a peek inside your mouth! Call (216) 616-1155 to schedule your visit at our downtown Cleveland, OH office. So, we can finally put toothaches and other tooth-related worries behind you. 

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