The prospect of a root canal can inspire fear in even the bravest dental patient. However, there’s no need to fear this procedure. You’ll find that root canals aren’t nearly as painful or uncomfortable as their reputation implies, and often they are the best option for saving your teeth from being extracted. In the long run, root canals can preserve your natural tooth, allowing you to retain a healthy bite.
The Problem
It used to be that infected or damaged teeth had no hope of being restored and were addressed by being extracted. This tactic had many drawbacks. Tooth extractions bring on their own slew of dental problems if the tooth is not subsequently replaced, including causing neighboring teeth to shift, distorting your healthy bite, and diminishing jaw bone density over time.
How Can a Root Canal Help?
A root canal keeps as much of your natural tooth as is possible, maintaining your jaw strength and keeping your other teeth healthy and in place.
During root canal treatment, the infected tooth pulp is removed, and the interior of the tooth is cleaned, filled, and sealed. After this is done, a crown or filling is applied to the tooth to protect it. After this work is done, your tooth will work just like any other healthy tooth. This procedure can be done in as few as two dental appointments, one for the procedure and the second for crown delivery. A root canal is a conservative approach to dentistry, saving the patient time, money, and discomfort.
Benefits of Saving Your Natural Tooth
A root canal saves your natural tooth, and that provides many immediate and long-term benefits, such as:
- Preserves a natural appearance
- Maintains a normal bite
- Protects other healthy teeth
- Improves chewing efficiency
Make an Appointment with Southwest Family Dental
If you have a damaged or infected tooth, don’t wait till it’s causing excruciating pain before coming in to see us.
Make an appointment at our Bakersfield dental office so we can discuss options and restore your oral health.