Root Canal Treatment is not painful – it relieves pain!
The truth about RCT to preserve damaged teeth
Root canal? Relax! Root canal therapy or treatment is often compared to some of the most undesirable and unpleasant aspects of our lives – as in, “I’d rather have a root canal than [insert the worst-case scenario or situation here]. At Integrated Family Dentistry, we would never offer such an unpleasant service. The truth of the matter is RCT, for short, is a common, well-tolerated, pain-relieving, safe, and straightforward dental procedure. Our dentist, Dr. Mercedes Del Valle, also has considerable expertise in a range of highly precise and painless treatments. She has helped many of our neighbors in Eugene, Oregon, preserve their failing teeth with RCT. In fact, RCT has a very high rate of success, and treatment failures or complications are rare.
So, what is root canal treatment exactly?
Each tooth is a sum of many parts. The white enamel protects the inside of the tooth. The tooth’s crown (the white part visible above the gum line) is also stabilized in the jawbone by roots. These roots contain canals, which are made up of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. When these pulp tissues at the center of the tooth are compromised by decay or other forms of trauma, that’s when the trouble happens. Due to the presence of nerves, individuals with such deep damage may experience painful sensitivity and toothaches. An abscess or infection may develop. Without proper and prompt treatment, the abscess can spread to other parts of the face, head, jaw, and neck or even become a dangerous systemic infection.
Fortunately, Dr. Del Valle puts the brakes on pain and the risk of potentially serious complications. She does so with root canal treatment. This treatment simply involves “cleaning” the infected or inflamed insides of the tooth. Dr. Del Valle opens up the tooth. You won’t feel anything because she precisely applies a numbing medicine before treatment. Once she reaches the canal, special instruments and techniques are used to sterilize the tooth. The nerves and other damaged tissues are removed. With the nerves gone, you won’t be able to experience “ouch!” – that aching, painful tooth. You can finally sleep through the night, concentrate on work or school, and enjoy eating again.
Dr. Del Valle also reshapes the affected canals and seals up the treatment site. That way, the treated tooth is protected, and healing is encouraged. Once the tooth has fully healed and a permanent crown or other restoration is ready, it will be cemented to restore its strength and prevent further or future damage from occurring. It’s that simple! We help you avoid the need for extraction and the loss of a tooth, followed by potentially costly replacements like bridges, dentures, and implants.
Of course, the best treatment is no treatment at all. If it’s been a while since you saw your dentist or are concerned about a tooth, do not wait to reach out to us. Call Integrated Family Dentistry today at (541) 204-3939 to schedule an appointment at our downtown Eugene, OR, office.
