What Is A Root Canal?

What Patients Can Expect

Though root canals have a fearsome reputation, what patients can expect nowadays is to be comfortable during the procedure. They will discuss what sort of anesthesia will work best for them during their consultation with the endodontist. It is best for the patient to remain awake during the operation so they can follow instructions given by the oral surgeon. During the treatment itself, the patient simply sits in a dentist's chair. The oral surgeon will inject the area around the tooth with a numbing agent, and the patient may have received a sedative or laughing gas. Some endodontists allow their patients to watch a movie or listen to music during the procedure. The operation and the follow-up visit usually take about an hour and a half each.

Advantages Of A Root Canal

One of the chief advantages of a root canal is it removes the infection from the body. Infected teeth can not only be extremely painful, but it is possible for the infection to migrate to other areas. The pain itself can interrupt the patient's daily life and make it impossible to sleep. Root canals also greatly lower the risk of a dental abscess and its attendant symptoms of fever and malaise. Root canals can also spare the patient's natural tooth, though many teeth treated with one still need a crown. If the tooth cannot be saved, clearing away the infection and inflammation in the area makes it possible for a dental implant or a bridge to be installed.