TL;DR — The Short Answer
A root canal is a straightforward, highly effective procedure designed to relieve severe tooth pain and save your natural tooth from extraction. Despite old myths, modern root canals are practically painless and feel very similar to getting a routine cavity filled. At our Midtown Omaha clinic, we prioritize your comfort, using this treatment to safely remove infection, preserve your bite, and protect your overall oral health.
Watch Dr. Parr explain exactly what to expect during a comfortable root canal procedure.
Why Do Root Canals Have a Bad Reputation?
If you feel anxious when you hear the words “root canal,” you are not alone. For decades, root canals have had a reputation for being painful and lengthy. However, this is one of the biggest myths in dentistry today! The truth is that a root canal doesn’t cause pain; it actually relieves the intense pain caused by an infected tooth. Thanks to modern dental advancements, new technology, and excellent local anesthetics, the procedure is now a very comfortable experience. In fact, patients who have had a root canal are six times more likely to describe the experience as “painless” compared to those who haven’t.
What Exactly is a Root Canal?
Inside every tooth is a soft core called the dental pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. If a tooth becomes severely decayed or cracked, bacteria can enter this pulp and cause a painful infection. Because an infected tooth cannot heal on its own, the infection will eventually spread into your jawbone if left untreated.
During a root canal, our goal is to gently clean out that infected pulp, sanitize the inside of the tooth, and seal it up so you can keep your natural tooth for years to come. More than 15 million teeth are saved this way every single year!
Step-by-Step: What to Expect During Your Visit At Parr Dental, we believe in being completely straightforward and honest about your care. We want you to feel relaxed and informed. Here is exactly what happens during the procedure:
- Step 1: Numbing for Your Comfort. First, we will take an X-ray to see the exact shape of your roots. Then, we will use a local anesthetic to completely numb the tooth and the surrounding gums. You may feel a slight pinch initially, but the numbing takes effect almost immediately, so you won’t feel pain during the treatment.
- Step 2: Protecting the Tooth. We will place a small, rubber-like sheet called a “dental dam” over your tooth. This simply keeps the tooth clean, dry, and free of saliva while we work.
- Step 3: Cleaning the Infection. We will make a tiny opening in the top of the tooth. Using very small, precise instruments, we will carefully remove the infected pulp and bacteria from inside the root canals.
- Step 4: Sealing it Up. Once the inside of the tooth is perfectly clean, we fill the empty space with a safe, biocompatible rubber-like material called gutta-percha. This seals the tooth and prevents any future bacteria from getting inside.
- Step 5: Restoring Your Smile. In most cases, we will place a temporary filling to close the opening. At a follow-up visit, we will place a permanent, custom-made porcelain crown over the tooth to restore its strength and make it look completely natural.
Root Canal vs. Tooth Extraction: Which is Better?
Sometimes patients ask, “Wouldn’t it be easier and cheaper to just pull the tooth?”
As a conservative dental practice, our philosophy is always to preserve your natural teeth whenever possible. While pulling a tooth (extraction) might seem like a quick fix, it leaves an empty space in your smile. Over time, the surrounding teeth will shift out of place, and you can actually lose bone density in your jaw.
To fix those secondary issues, you would eventually need a dental bridge or an implant, which requires more appointments and is often much more expensive in the long run. By choosing a root canal, you preserve your natural bite alignment, maintain your jawbone health, and keep your original smile intact. Nothing looks, feels, or functions quite like your natural tooth!
“Don’t let the fear of a root canal keep you in pain. Our father-and-son team is dedicated to providing gentle, judgment-free care to get your smile back on track. Call our Midtown Omaha clinic today at (402) 556-7794 to schedule an evaluation with Dr. William or Dr. Pat Parr.
FAQ’s:
Q: Does a root canal procedure actually hurt? Dr. Parr: No. Modern anesthetics ensure the procedure is almost always painless. We guarantee you will be comfortable before we begin. Most of our Omaha patients say it feels similar to a routine cavity filling.
Q: How long does a root canal take? Dr. Parr: Most root canals can be completed in just one or two visits to our 67th and Grover St. office. A typical appointment lasts between 60 and 90 minutes, allowing you to return to your day in Aksarben or Midtown quickly.
Q: Is it better to pull the tooth or get a root canal? Dr. Parr: Saving your natural tooth is almost always the best long-term choice. A natural tooth preserves your bite alignment, maintains jawbone health, and is more affordable than replacing a missing tooth with an implant later.
View Our Detailed Root Canal FAQ for Answers on Aftercare, Risks, and Financing.