If you are dealing with a severe toothache or damage to the natural tooth resulting in pain and discomfort, it is time to contact the dentist for an evaluation. Dr. Daniel Bearley of Bearley Dental in Charlottesville, Virginia, is a dental professional who is pleased to offer a range of solutions for patients in his state-of-the-art office. In situations where patients deal with pain in a tooth, root canal treatment may be necessary to save the tooth from extraction. This procedure includes removing the dental pulp inside a tooth that keeps it alive, eliminating the pain and discomfort patients are dealing with.

Do root canals hurt?

It is a common misconception that root canal therapy hurts. The condition itself that brings patients in for treatment is what is often causing the pain, and root canal therapy eliminates the pain effectively by removing the pulp within the tooth that keeps it alive—and houses the nerves that cause pain.

Is there an alternative to root canal therapy?

There is not. Root canal therapy is often performed as the last effort before removing a tooth permanently. Patients often fare better with their natural teeth in place whenever possible, so maintaining the tooth in the smile is highly desirable compared to permanent extraction.

How long does a root canal treatment take?

The time needed for root canal therapy is relatively short. Patients can speak to Dr. Daniel Bearley about what they can expect before, during, and after root canal therapy regarding discomfort and care of the natural tooth. Root canal therapy can be a desirable option for many of our patients facing possible tooth loss due to infection or injury to one or more teeth in the smile.

Video Transcript

Root canal therapy is a very common procedure. It has a reputation of being undesirable and painful. But when done properly it is actually painless. Every tooth in your mouth is composed of a crown and a root. When a cavity or bacteria penetrates the tooth, the root and its nerves become irritated. As a result, the bacteria within the pulp cavity needs to be removed and cleaned in order to restore the tooth to its healthy state. Following the procedure, the tooth is fragile and consequently is restored with the natural crown for a lifetime of durability. Root canals have a success rate of 95% or greater. Most root canal are diagnosed by patients’ sensitivities to a specific tooth. Be sure to consult your dentist any symptoms or discomfort occur.

Learn more about root canal therapy

Dr. Daniel Bearley and his team at Bearley Dental are committed to providing new and established patients in the community of Charlottesville, VA, with solutions for their smile, whether general, cosmetic, or restorative dentistry. If you think you could benefit from root canal therapy or other dental procedures, we welcome you to book an appointment at our facility. We are conveniently located at 901 Preston Avenue, Suite #200, and accept new patients who call our office at (434) 443-8034.