It is interesting to note just how many people refer to root canals in the same language they might refer to torture or some other sort of unbearable hardship. This is a terrible injustice to the root canal because it is a real hero in the dental world. With today’s amazing technological advances, they are faster, easier, more accurate and almost painless and it is why Dr. Visger of Trail Ridge Dental in Longmont, CO offers them as part of our endodontics treatments.
For those who don’t know, endodontics are treatments that have to do with the inside of a tooth. The root canal is all about the interior of the tooth. It becomes necessary when decay has penetrated the tooth and made it into the pulp or interior. This is where there are blood vessels and nerves. It is also why the toothache that so often leads to a root canal is so amazingly painful compared to other lesser cavities.
To perform the root canal, the dentist removes much of the crown and then removes all of the decayed material in the tooth. This means that the nerve has to go as well. The roots are cleaned and then everything is filled with an inert compound that prevents further decay or discomfort. The tooth is topped with a temporary crown, and then in roughly a week, the new crown arrives and is bonded to the remainder of the tooth.
The technologies that we use in our office ensure that any endodontics are done with the least amount of discomfort possible. Some patients even describe the treatments as pain free. This is a major reason to get the root canal done as soon as the doctor suggests it.
While you may want to forgo the procedure and ask us to remove a tooth that is diseased to that extent, we always recommend that patients work with us to do all that is possible to save their natural teeth. Though we can offer dentures and other solutions to missing teeth, the long-term health of the gum and jaw are always best when the natural roots are there, and healthy.
Our goal is to keep your teeth and gums as healthy and attractive as possible. Though endodontics treatments are not the most fun you will have, they are important and essential. If you need a root canal we promise it will be fast, as painless as possible, and a very wise choice.
If you have questions about root canals, or wish to discuss your options, give us a call at 303-772-6960. You can also use our online contact form and one of our staff will get back to you promptly.
