Why Root Canals are GREAT
The best, cheapest, and most painless way to save an infected tooth is a root canal. It alleviates pain, reduces temperature sensitivity, stops the spread of infection, and is cheaper than other methods - including simple extraction. Unfortunately, it's also constantly misunderstood. Here are a few reasons why they aren't the dental boogeyman they're frequently portrayed as.
Less Painful & Shorter Healing Time
The stereotype of root canals being painful horror shows is all wrong. Root canals actually have a shorter healing time and are less painful than extraction!
The procedure has two parts. First, the removal of infected pulp from the tooth, and then applying a crown over it. This frequently happens over two visits, but it's not uncommon for it to happen all in one. If your tooth is in really bad shape, it can take more than that.
Healing from a root canal takes about two days, and most of the aftercare consists of chewing on the other side of your mouth, avoiding hot drinks, and being careful with how you brush. You can also expect a prescription for ibuprofen or another anti-inflammatory. Even if your mouth doesn't hurt, it's important to take it anyway to reduce swelling.
On the other hand, extraction frequently involves stitches and being waylaid for multiple weeks. If you've had your wisdom teeth extracted, you're familiar with the basics. Only soft foods for over a week, no smoking or using straws, a rigorous course of intense medication, and you'll frequently have to irrigate the surgical site. If you're not careful enough, you can get a dreaded dry socket. While the rumors about root canals being painful are untrue, the rumors of dry sockets most certainly are not.
Aesthetics
If you're not going to the dentist because you're in pain or the sort of person who flosses daily, this is the main reason you'll be seeking treatment - and this is another place where the root canal shines over the competitors.
Simply removing the tooth in question can place a hole right in the center of your smile. In contrast, a root canal has a crown placed on top - meaning it can look identical to your untreated teeth. Your new crown can last for years, meaning you'll be able to smile confidently for years to come.
Cost
When you think 'root canal', you think 'expensive treatment', right? Not really. When you extract a tooth, you put your mouth in a strange position. Suddenly, something that's supposed to be there isn't, and the rest of your mouth has to compensate. This can result in teeth shifting out of alignment and a painful, unnatural bite pattern, which necessitates more dental work.
To stop this from happening, many people with extracted teeth have bridges put in or get a dental implant - both vastly more expensive options than the simple filling-and-crown you get with a root canal. Additionally, root canals are covered by almost every dental insurance plan, but as predominately aesthetic options, implants and bridges are not.
Thank you for taking the time to dispel a few rumors about root canal therapy! If you're in need of endodontic treatment, please contact us here at the Charlotte Root Canal center to make an appointment.