Tampa Dentists Harold T. Enlow, Jr., D.M.D. & Frederick A. Vance, D.D.S.
Explain Important Details About Root Canal Procedures
What is a root canal?
(Dr. Enlow) A root canal is a treatment that we have to do sometimes if we want to save a tooth that we would otherwise have to extract because the inside of the tooth, or the pulp of the tooth, has become infected. When a person gets a cavity the cavity starts as just bacteria attacking the hard tissues of the tooth, the hard structures. But, if that cavity is not dealt with before it gets very large then that decay and the bacteria can spread until they get to the inside of the tooth. When that happens a filling doesn’t work any longer. We have to actually go into the inside of the tooth, clean out the inside of the tooth, and put a filling that goes all the way to the tip of the root of the tooth.
How do I know I need a root canal?
(Dr. Enlow) The indications of a patient – that they need a root canal – are usually given to them by the dentist. The reason for that is sometimes they seek care because of discomfort from a tooth that needs a root canal. Sometimes a tooth that needs a root canal is not uncomfortable, but we can tell from x-rays and our exam of the tooth that the nerve is involved. When that is true, then the only thing that we can do to save the tooth is a root canal – otherwise, the tooth would have to be extracted.
How successful are root canals?
(Dr. Vance) Root canals are typically 84% successful across the United States. We find that our success rate is better than the norm, better than the average. We’re probably in about the 92% success rate.
Are root canals painful?
(Dr. Vance) Generally you’ll hear of the horror stories of a root canal because the patient has allowed it to get to an acute situation where they have extreme infection. Under those circumstances, yes, they can sometimes be painful. We call those hot teeth. But, if we take the time to medicate patients prior to doing the root canal, bring them back, we can generally make most root canals painless. For those patients that are apprehensive, we can sedate. We have different levels of sedation from oral sedation to IV sedation. IV would be the indication for those that are really fearful or concerned that they would have pain. We can allay that and assure people that they’re not going to experience pain. They can just simply be relaxed and for all intents and purposes not remember a thing.
