Taking the Fear out of Root Canal Therapy

Ever heard of the expression, “I’d rather have a root canal”? With all the root canal horror stories we’ve seen on TV and in movies, it’s no wonder root canal treatments are the most feared Boise dental procedure. Despite the common belief that root canals are horribly painful, in reality they cause very little pain and discomfort. In fact, a root canal will actually relieve tooth pain, and your Boise dentist at Summit Dental Group is here to help.

First of all let’s put the Boise dental root canal therapy misgivings to rest once and for all. Drilling a properly anesthetized tooth does not cause pain. In fact, it actually relieves serious tooth pain cause by infections. Your Boise dentist will suggest a root canal if you have a diseased tooth or infected nerve (both serious threats to your Boise dental health). If you’re experiencing swelling around the gums, discoloration or pain of the tooth itself, make sure to see your Boise dentist right away for a full evaluation of the situation.

What Really Happens in the Boise Dentist Chair During a Root Canal Therapy Treatment

After you’re seated comfortably, your Boise dentist will use a local anesthetic on the tooth in question. After placing a rubber dam around your tooth to keep it clean and dry, your Boise dentist will use a small drill to clear a tiny path to the Boise dental pulp. Your infected pulp, nerve tissue and any debris will then be removed, and the pulp chamber and canals are completely cleaned and disinfected. Depending on your unique case, your new, healthy tooth is then permanently sealed, or temporarily sealed along with medication to heal up any remaining infection. Lastly, your Boise dentist completes any necessary restoration work like Boise crowns and bridges or posts to protect your tooth and make it good as new.

Still nervous about the drill? We hope not. Root canal therapy is a safe, and common Boise dental procedure that allows people to keep their natural teeth instead of undergoing preventable extractions. While 100% pain-free dentistry may not exist, our patients tell us all the time that their root canals were far less painful and stressful than they expected. With today’s major advances in medicine and dentistry, there’s no reason to fear the Boise dental drill. Instead, it’s time to embrace today’s wonderful technology. It might just be what helps keep your teeth healthy, and pain-free for years to come!