Our Orland Park root canal dentists totally understand that root canal therapy can seem like a scary or daunting procedure. We are here to assure you that this dental treatment is much less intimidating than you may think! And, even more importantly, root canal therapy can potentially save your smile. Keep reading to learn more about the ins and outs of root canal treatment.
Q: How is a root canal different than having a regular cavity removed?
A: The difference between a root canal and regular cavity removal basically has to do with how severe the cavity/dental infection is to begin with. If you necessitate root canal therapy, this means that a cavity or dental infection has made its way all the way into the dental core of your tooth. When we remove a standard cavity, our team takes out the affected enamel and dentin and then restores the tooth. During root canal therapy, we will take the damaged enamel and dentin as well as the inner core of the tooth (nerves, roots, pulp). We then seal the remaining healthy tooth structure and repair the tooth with a restoration.
Q: How long does root canal treatment take?
A: The entire process is completed in one appointment. We make root canal therapy as quick and efficient as possible for our patients
Q: Is it going to be really painful?
A: The short answer is, “no.” Modern dental technology as well as pain-numbing agents have greatly improved the patient’s experience during root canal treatment. Most people report to our team that undergoing root canal therapy was similar to having a standard filling in terms of discomfort.
If your dentist recommends a root canal for your smile, we highly encourage you to complete this treatment in a timely manner; you absolutely do not want to allow the dental infection to further intensify and spread. Please call our Orland Park root canal dentists if you have further questions or if you would like to schedule a personal consultation.