3 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Fear a Root Canal

Many people (upwards of 24%) are afraid of the dentist. And we understand why. The tools, sounds, and smells can easily set you on edge. Add the fear of pain, and it’s not hard to see why many aren’t thrilled about scheduling a dentist appointment. 

That’s where our team of experts at Rifkin Dental comes in. 

Here, we debunk some of the myths surrounding the dentist's chair. We give you an inside look into root canals so you can walk into our office with confidence that you’re getting the best — and most comfortable — care possible. 

What is a root canal and why do I need one?

Simply put, a root canal is a dental procedure that gets rid of bacteria and decay deep within your tooth. Beneath the white enamel and the layer of dentin below it is soft tissue called the pulp, which contains blood vessels, nerves, and other connective tissue. 

Any breach in your tooth, like an injury, crack, or chip, can expose the pulp to painful inflammation and damaging infection. Fortunately, your adult tooth no longer needs the pulp to survive, so removing it and the infection is a no-brainer — and that’s exactly what a root canal does. 

During your procedure, we carefully make a small incision in your tooth that allows us to reach the infected area. Then, we clear away the decay and seal the tooth with a temporary crown or filling. Later, you return for a permanent crown and leave our office with a like-new tooth. 

If the thought of treating your tooth like an excavation site makes you feel uneasy, here are three things you should know about root canals that will put your mind at ease. 

#1 Root canals are routine

It’s estimated that dentists all over the country perform over 15 million root canals every year. Root canals aren’t excessively invasive or complicated, and our team of qualified dentists has many years of experience performing this routine procedure. 

#2 Root canals aren’t painful

Despite the rumors, root canals aren’t painful. Before we begin, we make sure you’re completely comfortable by numbing the treatment area. If necessary, we also place a small layer of rubber around the affected tooth to protect it as we work. 

You may feel some discomfort as the numbing agent wears off, but these side effects are minimal and can be treated with cold compresses and over-the-counter pain medication. 

#3 Root canals save your tooth

Often, the only thing standing between you and permanent tooth loss (or other serious oral health complications) is a root canal. This simple procedure is the best way for our team to quickly and completely remove the infected pulp and save your tooth. 

Still have questions about root canals? We want to answer them. Call or click to request an appointment at either our Carmel or Yorktown Heights, New York, office today.