Root Canals: Saving Your Natural Teeth with Restorative Care

Root canals tend to stir up a sense of dread. The reality is that a root canal is a vital procedure that allows you to save your natural tooth. If your restorative dentist in St. Louis, MO, suggests you need a root canal, it’s important to understand the benefits and dispel some of the myths.

What Is a Root Canal?

If you have a tooth with an infection or damage, the dentist may suggest a root canal. The goal is to remove the source of the infection, the pulp, and save the tooth’s root. The root is the part that embeds into your jawbone to secure the tooth.

With the pulp gone, the dentist can access the canals that hold the infected pulp and clean them out. Then they can place a filling or crown on what is left of the tooth.

What Is the Benefit of a Root Canal?

A root canal is a restorative dental procedure. It allows you to maintain a significant portion of your natural tooth instead of having it removed and replaced with a prosthesis. This procedure also rids the tooth of the infection to prevent further damage and to keep it from spreading.

With your tooth still in place, you can chew naturally and maintain your beautiful smile.

What To Expect During a Root Canal?

One of the biggest myths surrounding root canals is that they are painful. While that may have once been true, with modern anesthesia techniques, they aren’t any more painful than getting a filling.

As with most dental procedures, you may experience mild discomfort after a root canal, and the tooth may be sensitive. That will clear up in a few days. Eventually, you’ll return to your dentist in St. Louis, MO, and get a permanent filling or crown.

Call today to learn more about restorative dentistry in St. Louis, MO.