Nervous About a Root Canal? Facts to Ease Your Mind

While spending a couple hours getting a root canal probably isn’t your idea of fun, it may be the best chance you have at saving your tooth. Pulling teeth to “avoid the hassle” of getting a root canal can actually lead to more costly, complicated dental work in the long run. If you have the option of saving your natural tooth through a root canal procedure, you’ll discover the many benefits of this easier-than-you-realize dental treatment.  

Here at 54th Street Dental in New York, New York, Meriem Boukadoum expertly performs root canals for patients of all ages who need to save a decayed or damaged tooth from extraction. We want our patients to understand the many benefits of a root canal procedure and how the experience is probably much less painful than you think. 

Your natural teeth look, function, and feel best

While dental implants are the next best thing to your natural teeth, they’re still prosthetic teeth. Anytime you have the option to save a natural tooth, you’re keeping your mouth as healthy as possible with minimal dental work. Natural teeth are built to last a lifetime, as long as you take good care of them, so when a root canal can prevent tooth loss, it’s definitely your best option. 

Root canals are virtually painless

Contrary to popular belief, root canal procedures are practically painless. We do everything we can to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure. A root canal is similar to getting a cavity filled, so if you’ve ever had that experience, then you already know most of what to expect during and after a root canal. 

For many people, a root canal procedure actually alleviates the pain you’ve been experiencing from an infected tooth. During treatment, Dr. Boukadoum removes the infected pulp that contains nerves to relieve symptoms that you’ve been dealing with, including:

• Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold foods
• Painful chewing
• Swollen, tender gums
• Jaw and mouth pain

After the pulp and nerves are gone from your tooth, Dr. Boukadoum fills the empty space with dental material and seals the tooth. Once you’ve healed, you’ll no longer experience pain and discomfort from that tooth. Root canals can also help prevent the spread of infection from your tooth to other areas of your mouth and your whole body. 

You can most likely return to your daily activities

Another benefit of a root canal procedure is that you can usually continue on with your day right after your dental appointment. While your mouth may be numb for a couple of hours, most people return to their daily activities without further delay. 

Generally less expensive than extractions and restorations

Everyone is different, but typically, a root canal ends up being a less expensive dental treatment than if you opt for a tooth extraction and restoration. After a root canal, depending on the condition of your tooth, you may need a crown to protect the tooth from further decay. 

If you extract the damaged tooth instead of having a root canal, you have to replace the missing tooth with a dental implant or a bridge. Leaving an empty space in your mouth isn’t a good option, since the adjacent teeth are likely to shift out of position and into the space your tooth once occupied. The absence of a tooth root also leads to deterioration of the jawbone tissue in that area.

If you still have questions, Dr. Boukadoum takes the time to dispel some of the common misconceptions about root canals so you can learn your options for a healthy mouth. During your exam, she examines your mouth to pinpoint the source of your pain and recommends the best treatment. Rest assured that if a root canal is your best option, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the procedure and the long-term outcome.

Take the first step toward improving your oral health. Give us a call at 212-333-3200 to schedule a dental exam, or request an appointment online anytime.