How learning about Root Canal Treatment can help you manage anxiety

If you’ve had a bad dental experience in the past or simply don’t like sitting in the dental chair, dental anxiety can keep you from receiving the oral health care that you need. At Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio, we are committed to providing patients in the San Antonio, Texas area with a comfortable and relaxing dental experience. One of the easiest ways we have found for patients to combat dental fears is to be well-educated about the procedure they will be undergoing. Read on to learn more about root canal treatment and how it restores your smile to health.

It is a pain-relieving procedure

Root canal treatment has a reputation for being painful, but if performed correctly it is a pain free procedure that provides of pain relief. If you have had a tooth infection, you know how painful it can be. Root canal treatment removes the infection and inflammation that are causing your pain, providing immense relief.  After the treatment is complete and the pain is relieved, you will be able to chew comfortably and your tooth will feel the same as your other teeth.

Root canal treatment saves your natural tooth

Root canal treatment is designed to save a severely compromised tooth due to decay or disease that has significantly damaged the tissue inside the tooth, called the pulp. It is helpful to think of it as treating a cavity, but instead of treating decay at the surface of the tooth, root canal treatment removes the infection that has reached the center of the tooth. In many cases, this is the only way to save a tooth that will otherwise need to be extracted.

Some patients ask us, “Why not just have the tooth extracted?”  That is always an option, but preserving your natural tooth with root canal therapy is better for your oral health and function, not to mention your schedule and wallet! Missing teeth negatively affect your oral health and put a greater load on your remaining teeth. There are excellent tooth replacement options available nowadays, but they are typically costly, may take many months to complete, and simply can’t match the function and appearance of natural teeth.

It is important to have root canal treatment performed in a timely fashion

Unfortunately, delaying treatment can result in the progression of the disease and the need for tooth extraction. That’s why it’s essential to contact your dentist if you are experiencing symptoms such as:

• Severe tooth pain
• Swelling in the jaw
• Discoloration of a tooth
• Swollen and tender gums
• Prolonged tooth sensitivity
• Formation of a pimple on the gums

We specialize in performing root canals

Drs. Rick Davis and Rick Schwartz at Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio have undergone extensive training specifically in treating root canal problems. We are equipped with the latest techniques and technology to keep you comfortable throughout your procedure and provide excellent long-term results. For anxious patients, we also provide the full range of sedation techniques, to keep you calm and relaxed throughout your procedure. 

To schedule your appointment at our San Antonio, TX office, call (210) 405-0473 today!