Dr. Boehler answers your questions about Root Canals

 

Nothing strikes more fear in patients (or makes them look at me like I am the Grim Reaper) than when I tell them they need a Root Canal. I am here today to answer the most common questions and give some insight into this treatment and how it has changed over the years. I hope this will give you the knowledge you need to understand this procedure and what to anticipate.

DO YOU REMOVE MY ROOT(S) WHEN I HAVE A ROOT CANAL DONE?

This is a very common misconception. Inside of every tooth is a canal that houses the nerves and blood vessels of the tooth that keep it alive and provide nutrition. When a tooth is attacked by bacteria or has trauma, the nerve and blood vessels become inflamed and eventually die. This is what causes the pain, swelling and often times draining of pus to occur. When the bacteria leaves the tooth and enters the bone around the root, it begins to actually dissolve the adjacent bone and that is what a dentist sees on the radiograph. In order to resolve the invasion of bacteria and resulting infection, the dentist will create a small opening into this canal and using very small brushes, clean the inside and walls of the canal. The empty canal space is then filled with an inert material called gutta percha to prevent further bacteria from having a place to hide and hang out. (See the radiographs above). The root is maintained. If the root were removed then the tooth would be very mobile and would fall out (much like a baby tooth does).

I HAVE HEARD HORROR STORIES OF SEVERE PAIN DURING A ROOT CANAL. IS THIS TRUE?

Endodontics (the branch of dentistry concerned with diseases and injuries of the soft tissues inside a tooth, the dental pulp) have changed dramatically over the years and root canal therapy is no longer the painful, torturous procedure of years past. Better acting anesthetics, the use of antibiotics prior to the procedure, high speed dental drills and advanced techniques are all available to help make a root canal therapy procedure comfortable. Having a root canal therapy doesn't cause pain, it relieves it.

MY FRIEND HAD A ROOT CANAL AND THEN THE TOOTH CRACKED AND THEY HAD TO GET IT EXTRACTED ANYWAY. WHY IS THAT?

Most teeth that need root canal therapy have had large decay, large fillings, cracks, fractures or trauma that all weaken the tooth structure. Most teeth that have then had root canal therapy require a full coverage crown to hold the tooth together. In addition, since the tooth no longer has a blood supply bringing nutrients to it, it will become brittle over time and will be more prone to fracture. A crown will help protect from this as well. Root Canal Therapy has a 80-95% success rate.

ISN'T HAVING A ROOT CANAL EXPENSIVE?

Root Canal Therapy ranges between $600 and $1100 depending on the tooth. However, the cost for an extraction and replacement of the tooth with either a bridge or an implant is significantly more costly.

IF THE TOOTH ISN'T BOTHERING ME, WHY DO I NEED A ROOT CANAL?

Some patients may experience tooth pain initially and then it goes away on its own or with the help of antibiotics. Just because it has stopped hurting doesn’t mean it is no longer infected. Root canal treatment is designed to disinfect the inside of the tooth (the source of infection) and stop the spread of infection.

Some patients may never experience pain with an infected tooth. In fact, root canal infection is often discovered through routine radiographs and/or clinical examination. The tooth may have a chronic infection that the body has accommodated enough to not have gone beyond the patient’s pain threshold.

Until the source of the infection is resolved, the body will continue to have to try to fight it, causing overall fatigue and an increased susceptibility to other infections.

My goal is to always strive for pain free dental visits, in a calm environment. It is important to me that my patients are given the knowledge about their procedures so that they can make informed decisions about their treatment. I hope this review of Endodontics and Root Canal Therapy has been helpful.

With warmest smiles to you all!-

-Dr. Angela Boehler

"The Youth Fairy"