Once a dentist decides that one of your teeth is badly decayed or infected, you will likely be advised to undergo a root canal procedure. Back in the old days, this was something that would cause shivers to run up your spine. A root canal procedure has earned the unfortunate reputation for being truly painful, a reputation it doesn’t deserve today.
Now, the procedure is no more painful than placing a filling on your teeth. Thanks to recent advancements in dental technology, a root canal procedure is less painful than what is very commonly believed by many people.
The Use of Anesthetics
Among the first steps of a root canal procedure is the administering of local anesthesia. This is to numb the tooth, along with the surrounding tissues, letting you feel virtually little pain as your tooth is being treated. Keep in mind, though, that a tooth with an acutely inflamed pulp may take a while to get numb, and the dentist won’t start the procedure until it is.
Drastic Changes
Back then, root canal procedures can last for as long as 90 minutes. Thanks to recent technologies, however, a single root canal appointment can last between 30 to 60 minutes. The duration, however, is not the only thing that changed in this procedure.
For one, endodontists are now using digital imaging to diagnose root canal problems, along with ultrasonic instrumentation to remove old canal fillings and clean canals. Also, these endodontists are also operating microscopes to accurately locate and seal root canal systems. All these advancements make for a better treatment of a decayed tooth.
Now that root canal procedures are less painful and more effective, it’s time to consider undergoing this procedure to save a badly-damaged tooth.
Sources:
A Step-By-Step Guide To Root Canal Treatment, Dear Doctor
An Overview of Root Canals, WebMD
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