There's No Need to Dread the Modern Root Canal

by Kevin Smith Author

"Root canal." It's one of the most dreaded phrases you can hear from your dentist. Root canal procedures have a reputation for being long, painful, and generally miserable. But root canals have come a long way. Knowing the facts about root canals can allay your fears and allow you to make reasoned decisions when you're looking for affordable dental in Newnan, GA.

What Is a Root Canal?

You already have a natural root canal inside every tooth. The canal is the channel inside the root(s) of each tooth, and that canal contains pulp, or soft tissue. A root canal procedure is more correctly called an endodontic treatment, because it is a treatment for the inside ("endo") of your tooth ("odont"). This treatment becomes necessary when the pulp inside your tooth becomes infected or inflamed. Common causes of this condition include traumatic injury to the tooth, a broken tooth, or deep decay. The pain that patients sometimes associate with root canals often is, instead, the pain that comes from the infection or abscess. A root canal procedure's purpose is twofold: first, to alleviate any pain, and second, to save the tooth. That's right - hearing "root canal" is actually good news for your natural tooth.

After applying anesthesia, your dentist will begin by creating a small hole in the crown of the affected tooth. That hole will allow the dentist to use delicate instruments to clean the infected pulp from the inside of the tooth and disinfect the area. Once the inside of the tooth is disinfected and the canal is shaped, the dentist will fill the opening with a rubbery substance called gutta-percha. A cap plug will then be applied to temporarily keep the material in place. Once the tooth has had a chance to heal, your dentist can continue with a plan to restore your tooth. This might include placing a crown on the tooth, or a crown plus post, or other restoration.

Which Hurts More: The Procedure or the Cost?

You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that many people find root canal therapy to be no more painful than having an average filling done. As to the cost, that depends on the complexity of the procedure, but many dental insurance plans cover at least part of the cost of a root canal. Be sure to check out affordable dental in Newnan when comparison shopping for dental care.