We all dread hearing the phrase “root canal” even if we don’t know why. You may have heard horror stories about them in the past, but there’s no reason to be scared. A little information is all that’s needed to take the mystery out of root canals. If you’re in need of a root canal in Lincoln Park, Dental Professionals of Lincoln Park wants to help answer your burning questions about the procedure.
What is a Root Canal?
If you’ve never had a root canal before, you’re probably wondering exactly what they are. First and foremost, “root canal” is the name of the area in the tooth itself. In the center of every tooth is a pulp chamber, which houses a nerve, blood vessels, and connective tissues. When a tooth’s pulp becomes irritated, root canal procedures are used to treat the decay, damage, or infection causing the discomfort.
Why Should I Fix it?
Given the bad press surrounding root canals, it may be tempting to leave these problems unsolved, but this course of action is strongly discouraged. Leaving infection, decay, or damage untreated can be incredibly painful. Without a root canal procedure, you may develop an abscess, swelling (which can quickly spread to your face or neck), or even experience bone loss. In many cases, this ultimately leads to the complete loss of the tooth.
What to Expect
Our root canals in Lincoln Park take time, but you will be comfortable and numb throughout the entire experience. During the procedure, our dentists will work to remove all infected pulp by drilling down into the afflicted tooth. Afterwards, your tooth will be shaped, cleaned and filled in order to prevent any future problems. Sometimes, all that’s needed is a filling. In other cases a crown may be necessary to ensure your tooth is both properly protected and that you can chew comfortably.
Getting your first root canal is a daunting experience, but with the right information it doesn’t have to be frightening. If you are in need of a root canal in Lincoln Park, we urge you to act sooner rather than later. Contact us today for questions, concerns, or scheduling!