Being told you need a root canal can make even someone who normally feels comfortable at the dentist a little nervous. Root canal anxiety is often fueled by stories about painful treatment, uncertainty about what will happen or memories of dental care from years ago.
Fortunately, modern root canal treatment is designed to address the source of an infected or inflamed tooth while keeping you comfortable throughout the procedure.
If you’re nervous about a root canal, understanding why the treatment is needed, what happens during the appointment and what options are available to help you relax can make the experience feel much more manageable.
Why Are People Afraid of Root Canals?
Root canals have developed a reputation that doesn’t always reflect the way the procedure is performed today.
For some people, the anxiety comes from expecting the treatment itself to cause significant pain. Others are nervous about dental instruments, injections, being unable to see what’s happening or simply spending an extended amount of time in the dental chair.
Sometimes the fear starts before a patient even knows whether a root canal is necessary. A persistent toothache or severe sensitivity can lead someone to imagine the worst before they’ve had the tooth examined.
Understanding what’s actually involved can help separate the treatment from some of the myths surrounding it.
Why Would You Need a Root Canal?
You might be wondering “what is a root canal“? Inside each tooth is soft tissue known as dental pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels.
When this tissue becomes inflamed or infected because of deep decay, cracks, trauma or other damage, it may not be able to heal on its own.
Root canal treatment removes the affected tissue from inside the tooth, cleans and disinfects the space and seals the tooth. A dental restoration is then used as appropriate to help protect the treated tooth.
In other words, the root canal is intended to address the problem causing your symptoms—not create the problem.
If you’re experiencing a persistent toothache, significant sensitivity, swelling or another change involving a tooth, a dental examination can help determine what’s actually happening.
Does a Root Canal Hurt?
This is probably the biggest concern behind fear of root canals.
Local anesthetic is used to numb the treatment area before the procedure begins. The goal is to keep you comfortable while your dentist accesses and treats the inside of the affected tooth.
Patients can experience some tenderness or sensitivity after treatment as the surrounding tissues recover. Your dentist will explain what to expect afterward and provide instructions based on your individual procedure.
It’s also important to remember that a severely inflamed or infected tooth can itself cause considerable discomfort. Root canal treatment is performed to remove the affected tissue and preserve the tooth when possible.
What Happens During a Root Canal?
Knowing what to expect can make an unfamiliar procedure less intimidating.
While treatment varies depending on the tooth and individual circumstances, the general process involves:
- Numbing the area. Local anesthetic is used to keep the treatment area comfortable.
- Accessing the inside of the tooth. A small opening allows the dentist to reach the affected pulp.
- Removing the affected tissue. The canals inside the tooth are carefully cleaned.
- Disinfecting and filling the canals. The cleaned spaces are prepared and sealed with an appropriate dental material.
- Restoring the tooth. Depending on the tooth and extent of damage, a restoration such as a dental crown may be recommended to protect it.
Your dentist can explain the specific treatment plan for your tooth before beginning the procedure.
What If You’re Extremely Nervous About Your Root Canal?
Tell your dental team. Trying to hide dental anxiety can actually make the appointment more stressful. When your dentist knows you’re nervous, the team can explain what’s happening, answer questions and work with you to make the experience more comfortable.
Some patients also benefit from agreeing on a simple signal, such as raising a hand, if they need the dentist to stop briefly during treatment.
For patients with more significant dental anxiety, sedation options for root canal treatment may also be available. Depending on the patient and procedure, options can include nitrous oxide or other forms of dental sedation.
Your dentist can determine whether sedation is appropriate and explain what to expect with the option being considered.
Can You Avoid a Root Canal by Having the Tooth Pulled?
Fear sometimes leads people to wonder whether extracting the tooth would be easier than having root canal treatment.
These treatments serve different purposes.
Root canal therapy is generally used when the tooth can be treated and preserved. Extraction removes the tooth completely and may create a need to consider how the missing tooth will eventually be replaced.
There are situations in which a tooth cannot reasonably be saved and extraction becomes appropriate. The decision should be based on the condition of the tooth and your overall oral health rather than fear of one particular procedure.
What Can You Do Before Your Appointment to Ease Root Canal Anxiety?
If you’re feeling anxious in the days leading up to treatment, a few simple steps may help.
Ask questions beforehand. Uncertainty can make dental anxiety worse. Ask your dentist what your particular treatment will involve and approximately what you should expect afterward.
Tell the office you’re nervous. Letting the dental team know ahead of time gives them an opportunity to discuss ways to make you more comfortable.
Avoid relying on frightening stories online. Someone else’s dental experience doesn’t tell you what your treatment will be like.
Discuss sedation if your anxiety is significant. If fear has caused you to delay dental care in the past, ask whether a sedation option may be appropriate.
Most importantly, don’t allow anxiety to keep you from having a painful or potentially infected tooth evaluated. Delaying treatment can allow an existing dental problem to become more complicated.
Root Canal Anxiety vs. Root Canal Myths
Sometimes anxiety comes from misconceptions about the treatment itself.
You may have heard that root canals are dangerous, that removing the tooth is always better or that the procedure causes extreme pain. Claims like these can make an already-nervous patient even more apprehensive.
Our guide to root canal myths takes a closer look at common misconceptions surrounding the procedure and separates them from what patients should actually know.
Worried About Getting a Root Canal in Shorewood, IL?
You don’t have to arrive at your appointment pretending you’re not nervous.
At Shorewood Family Dental Care, we understand that root canal treatment can cause anxiety for some patients. We’ll explain your treatment, answer your questions and discuss ways to help you remain comfortable throughout your visit.
Learn more about our root canal treatment in Shorewood, IL or explore our dental sedation options if anxiety has made dental treatment difficult for you in the past.
Call 815-725-5991 to schedule an appointment or talk with our team about your concerns.
