“Root canal treatment is not something to fear. It saves teeth, relieves pain, and helps you keep your natural smile for years to come.”8 min read
Root Canal Treatment
What Linden Dental wants you to know.
For many patients, few phrases cause more anxiety than “you need a root canal.” Decades of jokes and old wives’ tales have given this common procedure an undeserved reputation.
Inside every tooth, beneath the enamel and dentin, lies soft tissue called pulp — nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. When it becomes infected from deep decay, a crack, repeated procedures or trauma, it can cause significant pain and lead to abscesses or tooth loss.
A root canal removes the damaged pulp, cleans and disinfects the tooth, then fills and seals it. A crown typically follows to restore strength and function.
Why Save the Tooth?
Your natural tooth is worth keeping.
Natural teeth let you bite and chew efficiently, distribute force evenly, and keep your jaw and neighboring teeth aligned. Extracted teeth need a bridge or implant to prevent shifting, bone loss and bite problems — often costlier and slower.
With proper restoration and hygiene, a treated tooth can last a lifetime.