Why Root Canals Are Nothing to Be Afraid Of

If you were to come up with a compendium of terms designed to strike fear into the average heart, then "root canal" would certainly be on your list. This type of procedure is very commonplace in dental surgery, however, and while it can be a little complex, is certainly nothing to be afraid of. When you consider how new technology, equipment and procedures have been introduced in recent years, there is even less cause for worry if you need to schedule a root canal into your future. So, what are some of the latest changes?

Better Tools

You may not have heard of nickel-titanium, but in the hands of an experienced dentist, this material makes a lot of difference. Previously, the instruments used by the expert would be made from stainless steel or similar, but now files and other tools are made from this space-age development instead. This makes it a lot easier for the dentist to reach some of the more challenging locations within your mouth, as nickel-titanium is very flexible and lightweight.

Easier Cleanup

The dentist can also use ultrasound technology to help them shape the root canal and get rid of any infection very effectively. High-frequency vibrations are trained into the area in question, and these effortlessly and painlessly remove any obstruction. This allows the dentist to complete a root canal more efficiently and this translates to less time in the chair for you.

Seeing Clearly

The dentist is also able to see much more clearly now due to very precise microscopes and fibre optic lights that illuminate the area. This means that they can "zero in" on the infection and use these tools to augment their view.

Getting to the "Root"

To effectively treat a root canal, the dentist needs to find the "apex" of the root itself and work backward from there. In the past, this might have presented a challenge, but once again, technology comes to the rescue. An electronic tool emits sound waves that make short work of this task and ensure that the dentist completes this treatment with no issue.

New Sealant

Once all the work has been done, a new type of product known as "gutta percha" is used, which is chosen for its hypoallergenic properties and is a very effective sealant. It will help prevent the formation of bacteria and complete the job with a minimal amount of irritation.

Overcoming Resistance

As you can see, the dentist has a raft of tools and new procedures to help get your root canal treatment completed with the least amount of invasion.


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