For many patients, hearing the word “root canal” ignites a sense of fear and anxiety. No one wants to go through the process where the dentist is using sharp needle-like files inside the mouth. Fortunately, most of the concerns are unfounded. Before you see your family dentist reno to discuss RCT, here are some things to know.
- RCT helps reduce pain: Usually, patients assume root canal therapy is going to be a painful procedure, but that’s not the truth. In most cases, patients visit a dental clinic because they have pain and discomfort in an infected tooth. RCT is meant to reduce that pain, and as for the procedure, your dentist will use local anesthesia, which means you will not feel any discomfort. Those needles (called dental files) do not poke.
- RCT can save an infected tooth: Dentists usually try to do their best to prevent extracting a tooth damaged by decay or infection. You need a root canal when a tooth is infected on the inside, which essentially means the pulp is affected. A root canal is the best way to save the tooth from extraction, and while the procedure may sound complex, it is still better than removing the tooth.
- RCT is very common: Yes, you heard that right. Root canal therapy remains one of the most endodontic treatments at dental clinics. It is a safe procedure, especially with an experienced dentist working on your tooth, and you have little to worry about the steps involved. It is only in very few cases that patients need retreatment.
- A toothache isn’t always an indicate the need for RCT: Pain in a tooth is scary and often hard to endure, but that doesn’t always mean you will need root canal therapy. Toothaches could result from cavities, gum disease, and other underlying issues, and while painkillers can help, you still need to see your dentist if you have recurring pain in a tooth.
- Some patients have no symptoms at all: Infection of the pulp doesn’t just vanish. At times, patients experience symptoms like toothaches and an abscess in the gums, but others may not have any symptoms at all. Your dentist may discover an infection in a tooth during a regular dental exam, and they may confirm the same after taking X-rays.
- RCT may require more than one appointment: While dentists complete root canal therapy in just one appointment, many patients may need to revisit the clinic to complete the procedure. If the canals are curved, calcified, or hard to reach, your dentist may space the work into two to three sessions. You will get a temporary filling until the process is done.
- RCT involves cleaning the tooth entirely: Your dentist will numb the infected tooth and clean it using dental files, ensuring all the pulp, nerves, and bacteria are removed. The procedure also requires cleansing the tooth with antibiotic agents and then sealing it with a filling.
- You need a crown after RCT: A dental crown is used to encase a tooth entirely, and while crowns are used for cosmetic reasons, too, it is almost necessary to get one after root canal therapy. Even after the sealing material, the treated tooth is fragile and prone to breakage and injury. A crown helps restore the full function of the tooth and will last for years to come. You need at least two appointments to get the dental crown.
Final word
If you have any questions about root canal therapy, don’t shy away from asking relevant questions when seeing your dentist in Reno. They will explain the procedure and discuss your health history in detail. Done right, root canal outcomes can last a lifetime.