When most people think about the prospect of root canal therapy from their dentist, they tend to experience anxiety about the procedure. This is typically because it is touted as extremely painful to bear. However, this is not usually the case. Although you may experience some discomfort during the healing process, the actual procedure is necessary to alleviate a myriad of dental pain. Here is some information to help you familiarize yourself with the procedure and try to take some of the anxiety out of facing this type of treatment.

What does the root canal refer to

The root canal comprises of tiny passageways that originate from the hollow pulp chamber within your tooth. These passageways run all the way from the pulp chamber to the roots of your teeth. Root canal therapy is carried out with the aim of trying to save your tooth in the event that the soft tissue has become either infected or inflamed.

Why would you require root canal therapy

There are a several reasons why you would have to get a root canal done by your dentist. The most common cause is a bacterial infection in the pulp of your teeth. This tissue will have to be extracted through root canal treatment to prevent the infection from spreading to other healthy areas of your teeth. Another reason you may require root canal therapy is if you have acquired some trauma on your teeth that has caused the pulp to be exposed. It should be noted though that although pulp is healthy living tissue, it has no consequence to your teeth in your adulthood as its primary function is to aid in tooth development as you grow up. As such, eliminating it through root canal therapy will not have any adverse effects to the general health of your teeth.

Could you opt for an alternative treatment

Since some people fear the pain associated with root canal therapy, they tend to prefer alternative treatment methods from their dentist. However, if your root canal is infected, the only other option you would have would be to extract the entire tooth. This can come with its own set of problems as your teeth may gradually become misaligned due to the gap that is left behind. Additionally, if the tooth is an incisor, removing it may make you develop bite problems, difficulty when masticating and more. As such, dentists would prefer to try to save the tooth rather than remove it in its entirety.