Common Root Canal Concerns
If you are considering undergoing root canal treatment, you likely have questions about the procedure and what to expect. There are many common root canal concerns we hear from patients. However, many people are surprised to find out that a root canal is actually a routine procedure that should be quick and painless. Unfortunately there is a common misconception that a root canal is painful, and highly invasive. The good news is that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, when you undergo a root canal at Precision Endodontics, other than being able to choose your own music, getting to meet our dental therapy dog and awesome office staff, the procedure itself should be relatively boring and unremarkable. Many people are actually surprised when we tell them we’re all done, as they thought we were just getting started.
To help people alleviate peoples fears and misconceptions, we wanted to provide answers to some of the most common root canal concerns we hear from patients at our office. If you have questions about root canal treatment, please contact our office today and let us help you get the answers you need to make an informed decision about your health. We welcome the opportunity to serve you.
What Is The Success Rate of a Root Canal?
Another one of the common root canal concerns we hear is about the success and failure rate. The good news is that the success rate for root canal treatment is actually very high. When we complete treatment on a tooth that had no prior infection and was just beginning to show symptoms, a crown installed by your dentist will give you years – or even decades – of success with your tooth.
At Precision Endodontics, we invested in the latest technology to allow our doctors to be able to perform root canals in the least invasive way, and using the most precision. All root canals performed at our office are done microscopically and we always utilize 3D cone beam computed tomography to give us a 360 degree panoramic view of your mouth.
Common Root Canal Concerns Regarding Aftercare
Another one of the common root canal concerns we hear from people is in regards to aftercare. People fear that their tooth will become brittle following a root canal, but that is not true. Your tooth is actually healthier after the procedure. You leave our office with a temporary filling and return to your dentist for a crown or other permanent restorative procedure.
Many patients are referred to us by their dentists who will usually recommend some type of restorative treatment after we complete our root canal. If the tooth is a big molar with large fillings or significant decay, the most frequent recommendation is to cover the tooth with a crown or cap to protect it. For front teeth, we may be able to provide a treatment that eliminates the need for major restorative work. Every tooth we work on is unique and depends on their specific set of circumstances, but we always try to save your original tooth whenever possible.
Click Here To Download The Complete Root Canal Guide
After your root canal, you may wonder what to expect. When the anesthesia wears off, there is usually some soreness or a dull achiness. Ibuprofen (if you can take it) will usually manage any minor pain or discomfort you may experience once the anesthesia wears off. We recommend that you avoid chewing on the tooth and generally stick to a diet of soft foods until you see your general dentist. You should avoid eating sticky or chewy foods to ensure your temporary crown stays intact.
Common Root Canal Concerns Regarding Retreatment
Most root canal treatments are successful. However, root canal retreatment is sometimes needed. Cases that were done elsewhere are sometimes sent to us for evaluation and help in developing a remedial plan. A root canal procedure that fails is usually attributable to bacteria that remains in the canal or, gradually seeps back in the canal and re-infects the tooth. It’s important to maintain proper oral health care routines before, and after root canal treatment as you want to avoid the potential for bacteria to reinfect the area. If you had an unsuccessful root canal performed by another dentist, we would be happy to retreat your tooth and ensure your root canal is performed properly.
If you or someone you love is considering root canal treatment, look no further. At Precision Endodontics, we have two convenient offices located throughout Western New York in West Seneca and Williamsville, New York. We pride ourselves on providing the finest endodontic (root canal) treatment available in a comfortable and relaxed environment.
We have a “make no compromises” philosophy which places our practice in the top-tier of premier endodontic practices in the US. We even have a dental therapy dog “Coco” to assist those with dental anxiety.
Contact us today for root canal treatment that is smooth, pain-free and precise.
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