Tooth pain, and even fairly substantial decay, does not necessarily mean a dental patient must have his or her tooth removed. In fact, dentists attempt to preserve patients’ natural teeth whenever it is possible. One of the most commonly utilized means of doing so is Root Canal Therapy in Ann Arbor MI.
Many patients experience some anxiety when hearing they might need a root canal, but the reality is much less frightening than modern myth has made it out to be. After all, root canal treatments are intended to alleviate pain, not to cause it. The dentist performing the procedure will always use a topical anesthetic to numb the area prior to performing the procedure, and patients can always stop their dentists to ask for additional numbing if it begins to wear off.
The reason the area must be completely numbed is that root canal therapy in Ann Arbor, MI involves removing the soft tissue inside of the tooth that has become infected. This tissue, often known as the pulp, contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues that are all essential for growing healthy teeth during the development phase. Once the teeth are fully grown, though, they can survive just fine without it.
Those who are still on the fence about whether or not to have a recommended root canal performed may want to consider the alternatives. If the tooth is left untreated, it will eventually need to be removed. This will lead to all kinds of secondary problems, including unnatural strain and wear on surrounding teeth, migration of the other teeth in the jaw, and difficulty biting and chewing. The missing tooth, or teeth, will have to be replaced with either a dental prosthesis or an expensive implant, which will require much more serious oral surgery.
Most root canal treatments require just one visit to the dentist and minimal healing time. This is a very small price to pay for keeping a natural tooth instead of going through all the pain and hassle of having it replaced. Browse our website for more information about root canals and other dental therapies designed to increase a patient’s comfort and preserve their natural teeth.
