If you need a root canal, then you might be nervous about the procedure. This is perfectly normal. After all, most people believe that root canals are painful and difficult. And while that may have been true long ago, a root canal treatment today is a simple outpatient procedure. So what happens during a root canal treatment- and how do you know if you need one? We’ll give you the answers in the article below.
Understanding Tooth Decay
Before we talk about root canals, it’s important to understand the basics of tooth decay. While our teeth are very strong, they aren’t invincible. Teeth are vulnerable to bacteria, which can lead to tooth decay. This decay begins to break down tooth enamel. If left untreated, it can form a hole in the tooth, leading to further damage and also intense pain.
Who Needs a Root Canal Treatment?
During the early stages of tooth decay, a dental filling is used to fill the hole caused by the cavity and protect the healthy part of the tooth. However, cavities that are left untreated will require root canals. The root canal treatment removes damaged soft tissue from inside the tooth. This procedure can often save a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted.
Root Canal Treatment Procedure
While root canals are more complex than regular dental fillings, they are still common and easy dental procedures. Most root canals are outpatient procedures with minimal recovery time. From a patient’s perspective, the experience is similar to a regular dental filling. Your mouth will be numbed to ensure that you are comfortable. Then, your dentist will use a series of tools to remove damaged material. The dentist will then clean the remaining site and restore the tooth, using either a filling or a dental crown.
Root Canal Therapy in Houston, TX
The Noble Smiles team offers root canal treatments, as well as many other cosmetic and restorative dental procedures. Regardless of your needs, we can help you get a healthier smile. Explore our website to learn more about what we do, then click the link above to book your appointment.