If your dentist has told you that you need a root canal, don’t panic. While this treatment has gotten a bad rep for being a painful and intense procedure, it isn’t all that bad. Each year, millions of teeth are routinely saved with a root canal and that makes it one of the most essential treatments you’ll find in downtown Seattle.

A root canal is a form of endodontic treatment that deals with the inside of your tooth. For this to work, it is important that you understand how the tooth is built, so you can benefit from it. Beneath the enamel exterior is an additional hard layer to the tooth. This is known as the dentin. Your dentin surrounds the soft tissue in the tooth that is also known as the pulp of the tooth. It is within the pulp that you have blood vessels, connective tissue and even the nerves of the tooth. Because of its shape, the pulp section will go from the crown of your tooth, to the area where it surrounds the root. This is a vital part of the growth of the tooth and essential for its development.

Usually, those who need a root canal will experience pain that lasts. There may be some degree of sensitivity when you experience food or drinks that are hot or cold. Over time, there may be swelling and drainage that occurs. However, there may be some teeth that experience nothing at all. Depending on the severity of the tooth, your dentist will determine if a root canal in downtown Seattle is the best choice for you. While most dentists will work to save your teeth, there may be a case when the only solution available is a tooth extraction.

While the process of a root canal might seem disheartening, the truth is that most teeth feel better when the root canal is done. That is because the bulk of the pain is stemming from the inflammation or infection that appears in a tooth. After the surgery, your dentist will determine what pain medication is best for you, and will also prescribe antibiotics. It is important that you take these until you have finished the course. After a few days, you should notice a significant improvement in how your mouth feels. If an infection does spread, it can compromise the surrounding teeth with an abscess.

Most teeth can be treated with this process without any trouble at all. However, there are some cases where the manner the tooth grew in the mouth makes it impossible for the dentist to restore the teeth. In other cases, there might be a fracture in the bone of the tooth and that means that it is unsaveable.

When in doubt, it is best to speak to your dentist in downtown Seattle about the options that you have. That way, you are able to find the best course of action to save your teeth and ensure that you continue to have healthy, brilliant teeth for the years to come.