4 Questions to Ask Before Getting a Root Canal

More than 15 million root canal procedures are performed annually, but if you’re one of the millions who have never had a root canal before, you may have questions about the procedure and what to expect.

Patient education matters at Indiana Emergency Dental. We offer urgent dental services in Indianapolis and Bloomington, IN. Below are four smart questions to ask before the root canal begins.

1. How long will the procedure take?

A simple root canal procedure usually takes an hour or less. If you need a more complex root canal, or if you need a root canal on more than one tooth, your dentist will let you know.

2. Will it hurt?

Typically, root canals do not hurt. You may be in pain before the root canal begins, but your dentist will numb the area before starting. The dentist may also use dental sedation to help make the experience more comfortable.

3. Why do I need a root canal?

Root canals are treatments for dental infections. A dental infection is a bacterial infection inside your tooth, affecting the pulp. If you have an infection, the root canal can save the tooth.

4. What happens if I postpone the procedure?

A root canal is an emergency dental procedure that must be performed as quickly as possible. Postponing a root canal allows the infection to spread. Postponement may lead to a tooth extraction instead of a root canal. The infection could also spread to other body parts, leading to serious health problems.

If your tooth is infected, don’t wait. Schedule your root canal in Indianapolis and Bloomington, IN. Call Indiana Emergency Dental to make an appointment and get started with your emergency root canal procedure.