Root Canal Treatments Can, Should Be Pain-Free

 

 

 

 

 

At Galleria of Smiles, our patients’ oral health is a high priority. However, we consider patient comfort a high priority as well. That’s why  sedation dentistry  is always an option if you need that most dreaded of dental procedures — a  root canal treatment.

People have a lot of misconceptions about root canal treatment. We will be discussing those misconceptions in a moment, but we want to touch one right now. Root canal treatments don’t have to be painful. In fact, we don’t believe they should hurt any patient at our Tulsa, OK, dentist office.

Call 918-302-2401 today or  contact us online  to learn more about how sedation dentistry can make a big difference in your root canal treatment.

 

Myths And Facts About Root Canals

Let’s start with the biggest myth of them all — root canal treatments are painful.

There may have been a time when that was true, but they certainly don’t have to be in modern dentistry. A big reason is we have sophisticated sedation dentistry.

Nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation is more than enough to prevent patients from feeling pain during a root canal procedure. If you want to be absolutely certain that you don’t feel anything, then you can try IV sedation (more on this a little later).

Whatever sedation option you choose, you can rest assured that your treatment will be as painless as possible at Galleria of Smiles.

Unlike unfortunate myth is that root canal treatments make people sick. This myth persists because the internet has kept alive a false idea promoted in the 1920s.

Multiple studies over the years have shown that root canal treatments are safe and effective ways to remove infections from teeth. The Journal of the American Dental Association even published a special issue in 1951 on the benefits of root canal treatments.

The final myth relates to the one we just mentioned. This myth states that tooth extraction is better than a root canal treatment. The irony of this is that tooth extractions can increase the number of bacteria entering your bloodstream.

If a tooth can be saved, then a root canal treatment is the better option. If a tooth is too far gone, then a tooth extraction may be needed. As dental professionals, our preference will be to save a tooth whenever possible.

 

Signs That You May Need A Root Canal Treatment

You wake up one morning with a toothache that seemed to come out of nowhere. For weeks, you have noticed that your teeth are much more sensitive to heat (like your morning coffee) or cold (like a scoop of ice cream).

When you look in the mirror, you notice that one of your teeth has become much darker than the rest. You may notice some swelling of your gum tissue as well.

These are just a couple symptoms of an infected tooth, which is why you might need a root canal treatment.

You may experience ongoing low-level pain. You also may notice that a certain tooth hurts when you apply pressure, such as when you are biting or chewing food.

Tooth infections develop when bacteria reaches the dental pulp. This is a soft connective tissue at the center of your teeth. Pulp can be found in the pulp chamber as well as the root canals. These are the openings that allow blood vessels and nerves to enter your teeth.

Your pulp can become exposed to bacteria in a variety of ways. Untreated tooth decay is one of those ways. Untreated gum disease can lead to infected teeth as well. Broken or cracked teeth can leave your pulp exposed, too.

No matter the reason, we urge you to call our Tulsa, OK, dentist office as soon as you are able if you notice any of the symptoms of an infected tooth. You can reach us at 918-302-2401.

 

Root Canals And Sedation Dentistry

We mentioned earlier that dental sedation can prevent you from feeling any pain during your root canal treatment.

With our three levels of sedation, we are confident we have something to help you stay pain-free throughout your procedure.

Nitrous oxide is the lowest level of sedation dentistry. This takes effect and wears off quickly, which makes it good for people with mild anxiety about their procedure.

Oral conscious sedation can put you in a calm, comfortable, and relaxed state before you get to the dentist. This can be a good option for people with moderate anxiety.

IV sedation is the strongest form of sedation we offer. Because of the training required for IV sedation, it is not available everyone. So, if you are having severe anxiety about your infected tooth, contact Galleria of Smiles about this option.

 

Here To Help

If you have a tooth infection, our dentist office in Tulsa, OK, is ready to end your pain with a root canal treatment and sedation dentistry.

Just call (918) 496-8010 or fill out our  online appointment form  to get started.