More than 25 million root canals are performed each year in the US, according to the American Association of Endodontists. That comes out to about 41,000 procedures each day. In other words, root canals are “pretty normal” when it comes to the dental world and meeting the specific needs of a patient.
A root canal is a procedure where the decay and bacteria are extracted from the tooth pulp, root and nerve. This is followed up by disinfecting the area with antibiotics. The empty roots will then be filled. In order to prevent any further decay, the area is sealed. It’s a relatively quick procedure with minimal discomfort and many long term benefits.
Signs you’re a good candidate for a root canal:
If you have any of the following symptoms, it would be wise to schedule a dental visit to see if a root canal could alleviate nagging pain:
- Loose, permanent teeth
- A cracked or chipped tooth
- Swollen gums
- Sensitivity to hot and cold
- Tooth discoloration
- Stubborn, persistent tooth and/or gum pain
A root canal is often viewed as scary, but thanks to modern day technology, there’s very little pain involved. Since a person needing a root canal is often already in extreme pain, the root canal treatment actually provides ease from discomfort and recovery time is very minimal. Let us help you get on the road to relief!