Many patients feel nervous about dental appointments, but if you’re overly anxious, you might avoid recommended services, which can harm your dental health or lead to progressive problems that are more likely to become an oral emergency.
For example, if you’ve been informed that you need a root canal, you might question whether it’s truly necessary. This can be especially true if your tooth doesn’t hurt or if a previous toothache disappeared. Continue reading to learn more about why it’s still important to go through with the procedure!
What Happens During a Root Canal?
Before getting started, your dentist will numb your mouth and/or provide sedation to help you feel calmer and more comfortable. Then, they use special instruments to make a small opening in your enamel and remove damaged or decayed material from the pulp inside your tooth. The final step typically involves disinfecting the area and sealing it with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha to prevent further decay or infection.
Most providers will then place a dental crown over the treated tooth to restore its function and appearance. Some dentists even have on-site milling machines to create same-day CEREC (chairside economical restoration of esthetic ceramic) restorations to reduce wait times.
Why Do I Need a Root Canal?
Are you wondering why your dentist recommended this procedure? You might think it’s unnecessary, but a root canal can sometimes be the only way to relieve a severe or persistent toothache, treat a dental infection, or save a tooth that might otherwise need extraction.
Unfortunately, any damage to your enamel makes it easier for unhealthy bacteria to penetrate the sensitive nerves inside. For instance, if you have a cavity and it goes untreated for too long, you can eventually develop worsening dental disease that is unlikely to resolve on its own and can spread to neighboring teeth, your gums, or your jawbone.
Do I Need a Root Canal if My Tooth Doesn’t Hurt?
You might expect your dentist to suggest this procedure if you arrive with a persistent toothache, but what if your discomfort faded before your appointment, or you felt perfectly fine to begin with?
Discomfort may be a common complaint among patients needing a root canal, but it’s not a prerequisite for this service. For example, a tooth infection can develop without hurting or with minimal sensation, such as mild sensitivity. Disease or decay can also kill the nerves in affected teeth, so they can no longer sense pain or send signals to the brain. This can make it seem like a toothache fixed itself, but that’s not usually the case.
Oral issues don’t usually fix themselves and tend to progress the longer they go unaddressed. That means you still need to treat the damaged or diseased tooth to prevent contagious decay or infection from spreading.
If you’re unsure why your dentist recommended a root canal, feel free to ask! Most providers are happy to share as much information as you need to feel confident moving forward.
About the Practice
Patients at Windermere Dentistry benefit from three experienced dentists who are passionate about helping them build and maintain beautiful, healthy smiles. Dr. Zogaib, Dr. Thakkar, and Dr. McKissock share decades of combined experience, and today, they collaborate to offer a complete menu of services, including root canals, to meet your unique needs under one roof. Their caring approach, combined with advanced technology, delivers more comfortable, accurate treatment results you can count on. If you’re concerned about dental disease or decay, you can request an appointment on the website or call (407) 909-1099.