ROOT CANAL FACTS
We know the importance you place in your health care.
Specializing in the therapy, research and diagnosis of root canals, Dr. Spradley is dedicated to providing the most comprehensive service in a relaxed and inviting environment.
Today with modern technology and anesthetics root canal therapy is no different than having a filling placed. We like to say root canal therapy is boring for the patient and boring is good. Some of our patients even fall asleep.
With today’s cutting edge technology, most root canals can be performed in one office visit in about 45 minutes.
When the dentist or endodontist performs a root canal treatment, he or she removes the pulp from inside of the tooth. The roots of the tooth are not removed.
The purpose of endodontic therapy (a root canal) is to disinfect the root canal system. This allows the patient to keep their tooth. The only other way to rid the body of infection, if endodontic therapy is not performed, is to extract the tooth.
If your tooth is properly restored, and you maintain good oral hygiene and visit your dentist for regular checkups, your natural tooth should last for the rest of your life.
While a throbbing toothache usually results in the need for root canal treatment, many times a tooth can require root canal treatment when there is no pain present. Dentists and endodontists are specially trained to test a tooth to see if the pulp has been infected or damaged. If this is the case, a root canal would be necessary to save the tooth.
Keeping your natural teeth for as long as possible is very important for proper eating and chewing functions. There are several options available for missing teeth, such as dentures, partial dentures, dental implants and fixed dental bridges. However, these alternatives can be much more expensive than saving your tooth, and nothing is as good as your natural tooth.
Pregnant women can and do have root canals. Having a root canal does require a small x-ray, but the radiation exposure is very minimal and the x-ray is aimed at the mouth, not the abdomen area. If you are pregnant and your dentist needs to give you an x-ray, he will use a lead apron to cover your belly. The anesthetics that dentists use are also safe for pregnant women.