This post from Vaca and Kirby Dental in Longview addresses one of the most feared dental procedures: the root canal.
If you find out you need a root canal, don’t panic. When we recommend this procedure, it’s to repair and save a damaged or infected tooth.
Why do people fear root canals? Simple: they have the reputation of being extremely painful. But in most cases, the patient is already in pain because of the damaged or infected tooth. Root canals will eliminate that pain.
And the procedure itself? The area being treated is completely numb from local anesthetics.
Root Canal Therapy
During the root canal procedure, we remove the pulp inside the affected tooth. You may think of a tooth as bone-like, but in reality there is a soft pulp inside. It surrounds the nerves and blood vessels within.
When this pulp is damaged or infected it leads to a lot of pain, as well as a darkened apperarance. Once we have removed it, the space it leaves is filled and the tooth is sealed. Then it’s covered with a crown, which protects it and gives it a natural look.
Some patients report tenderness or pain in the days immediately after the procedure. But it’s usually minimal, and easily controlled with over-the-counter pain medication, what you may already have in the medicine chest at home.
At Vaca and Kirby Dental in Longview a root canal is nothing to fear. Patients from Gladewater, Hallsville, and New Diana come to our practice for a full range of general and cosmetic dentistry. Call to schedule an appointment with us today!
Contact Vaca & Kirby Dental:
903-663-0861
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
3121 H G Mosley Pkwy
Longview, TX
85605
