Root Canals Get a Bad Rap

At 1st in Smiles in Plano, TX, we’re constantly amazed at how many horror stories and myths still exist about root canal procedures. Those horror stories and myths are holdovers from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when dentistry wasn’t nearly as advanced as it is today.

It’s time for the horror stories and myths to leave forever. With the wide array of technology and the advanced techniques of modern dentistry, getting a root canal from Dr. Rick Barfield at 1st in Smiles no more painful than getting a filling.

What Is a Root Canal?

Problems with teeth sometimes impact the dental pulp – the tissues, nerves, and blood vessels – inside teeth. That can happen if you have a cavity that is too deep for a filling, an infection or abscess in a tooth, or an injured tooth that leaves the pulp exposed to possible infection.

Root canals remove the dental pulp. An added benefit is that once the nerve is removed, the pain from an infection is gone. No nerve, no pain signal to the brain.

The procedure itself is straightforward. Dr, Barfield will carefully numb the area and then open the top of the top. A series of precision tiny dental probes and files are used to thoroughly remove all the pulp from the inside of tooth, even down to the very bottom of the root canals. Those now-empty canals are filled with a biocompatible material.

As needed, Dr. Barfield will add medication to ensure there’s no further problems with infection, and then seal the opening. Depending on your particular circumstances, he may place a filling or a temporary dental crown to protect your tooth. Removing the tooth’s blood supply can cause it to become brittle over time, so Dr. Barfield may recommend placing a permanent crown. The entire process may take one to three appointments, depending on your needs.

After Your Root Canal

The root canal procedure itself is completely painless. There can be some swelling of the tissue around the tooth afterward and some sensitivity to heat or cold. Most people find that the symptoms disappear within a few days, but feel free to call our Plano, TX office if you have any concerns.

Still Nervous About Getting a Root Canal?

At 1st in Smiles in Plano, TX, we understand that many people are anxious about seeing the dentist – much less having a “dreaded” root canal. We have a strict no-judgement policy; our goal is to help you be as relaxed and comfortable as possible during any procedure.

That’s why we offer three levels of dental sedation for our patients. Depending on the need, we can take the edge off your anxiety, make your anxiety disappear completely while you’re in the chair, or leave you with little or no memory of your root canal. If you’re concerned about being able to tolerate the procedure, be sure to ask our staff. We’ll help you choose the level of sedation that’s right for you.

Save Your Tooth!

A severe toothache is almost always a sign of infection. Left untreated, the infection can lead to complete loss of that tooth or even loss of neighboring teeth as well. Toughing out a bad toothache is a really bad idea.

Save your teeth by calling 1st In Smiles today at 972-380-8105. You can also contact us online to request an appointment.