Troy, OH Dentist Answers Your Questions about Root Canals

Written by Dr. Bentley on May 16, 2017

Troy, OH dentist Dr. Mark Bentley knows that nobody looks forward to having a root canal. For many people, the bad reputation that surrounds root canals makes it difficult to seek treatment when needed.

If this sounds familiar, you should know that your concern is very common, but seeking prompt treatment for root canal pain often makes the difference between saving and losing the affected tooth. Advances in dental technology and techniques have made root canals efficient, and enduring the pain of an infected root canal is completely unnecessary.

Why We Perform Root Canals

The root canal is the space within the root portion of your tooth that contains its pulp and nerves. “Root canal” is also commonly used to describe the procedure that involves treatment of a decayed or infected root.

Root canal therapy is necessary when the nerve in your tooth becomes infected due to decay or severe periodontal disease. We are able to save the tooth by removing the pulp, nerves, bacteria, and any decay present within the root canal.

The dentist then fills the space with medicated dental materials, allowing us to restore your tooth. Root canal treatment has a very high rate of success in saving teeth, and the treatment usually lasts a lifetime.

How Can You Help Reduce My Anxiety?

We are very sensitive to the fact that, no matter how well-informed you are about the procedure, you may still experience anxiety. Protecting your oral health is our top priority, and we don’t want you to forgo treatment because you’re fearful about the procedure.

The Troy, OH dentist offers oral conscious sedation that will calm you so that you can get the treatment you need. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is very effective for mild to moderate anxiety. If you experience severe anxiety, we can prescribe a calming medication that will help you relax before and during treatment.

How Do I know if I Need a Root Canal?

If you are experiencing pain, please contact our office. We will get you in as quickly as possible to determine the source of the pain and get you the relief you need. The sooner the problem is addressed, the more choices you will have for sedation and a pain-free procedure.