Being told you need a root canal can come as a shock, especially if you aren’t experiencing any pain. After all, if you believe those old Hollywood tropes, you need to have both an agonizing toothache and a painful recovery when you get a root canal. Surprisingly, however, neither of those things are true. In fact, not only do you not need to be in any pain to need a root canal, but this treatment is also for more than just standard tooth infections, and it (really!) doesn’t hurt. Here are a few reasons why even though you may feel fine, you could still need a root canal.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a treatment performed by your dentist to remove infected pulp from a tooth and replace it with synthetic pulp that not only prevents further infection, but it also helps stabilize the tooth so that it remains alive and does not need to be extracted. Though they get a bad rap as being painful, your mouth will be numbed for your root canal, so you shouldn’t feel it. Following treatment, you will likely feel some soreness for two to three days, however this pain is typically less severe than it was before your treatment and is only temporary.
What Else Do Root Canals Treat?
In addition to infected teeth, root canals can also be used to treat teeth with:
- Excessive decay
- A large chip or crack
- A damaged crown
While these procedures all have treatment in common, they may not cause any pain or sensitivity prior to diagnosis. This can sometimes confuse patients, because they don’t understand why if there’s no discomfort there’s any reason to intervene. The problem is that though they may not be painful, they can easily worsen and become painful, and even if they don’t, they can still eventually require an extraction or root canals in multiple teeth if not treated promptly.
Do I Really Need a Root Canal?
Though it may not be the best news, if your dentist tells you that you need a root canal, it really is a good thing. Teeth that can still be treated with a root canal have excellent odds of survival, meaning they likely won’t need to be extracted. Your dentist’s main goal is always to preserve your natural teeth, so you can rest assured that if you have been told you need one, your tooth still has a great chance of staying healthy following treatment.
Remember, you don’t need to be in pain to need a root canal. In fact, you may not even have an infected tooth. If your dentist has recommended a root canal, don’t despair. This smile-saving treatment will protect your teeth and can even prevent the need for more serious interventions like tooth extractions!
About Dr. Bishop
Dr. Deborah Bishop earned her BS in biology from Birmingham Southern College and her Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Alabama School of Dentistry and served as an adjunct clinical professor in the endodontics departments there as well. Dr. Bishop is a current, active member of the American Dental Association, Alabama Dental Association, University of Alabama School of Dentistry Alumni Association, Birmingham Southern College Alumni Association, Southern Endodontic Study Group, American Association of Endodontists, American College of Dentists, International Academy of Endodontists, International College of Dentists, and the Alabama Association of Endodontists.
To schedule an appointment for a root canal, please visit our website or call us today at 256-882-5161.