Novato Sedation Dentist Effectively Manages Dental Anxiety during a Root Canal

Written by Dr. McConnell on Sep 15, 2015

Feeling dread at the thought of having a root canal? Your reaction is very common, and it may be a result of a prior negative experience, dental anxiety, or all the unfortunate misinformation about the of the procedure. But with advances in dental technology, and up-to-date sedation options, the Novato Sedation Dentist can perform the procedure efficiently, and restore your oral health.

Why do I Need a Root Canal?

If a tooth starts to decay and is not treated, the decay can eventually penetrate into the root canal of the tooth. This is the space inside the root of your tooth that holds pulp, nerves, and tissue. Usually the first sign of root canal infection is severe pain and discomfort. Once the root canal becomes infected by decay, a root canal is necessary to save the tooth.

Root canal therapy is necessary to completely remove the infected material from inside your tooth. We start by numbing the area to be treated so that you feel no discomfort. The dentist then makes a very tiny hole in the back of your tooth. This provides access to the inner portion of your tooth so that the infected material can be removed completely.

Once the infection is removed, the inside of the root canal is thoroughly cleansed. The tooth is then sealed and filled for protection. It may be necessary to place a dental crown over the tooth to protect and strengthen it.

How can you help me relax?

We understand that root canals can cause anxiety for many people. Sedation can be very helpful in overcoming this fear, and our team is trained to use different sedation methods to help you relax during the procedure. One option is nitrous oxide sedation (laughing gas) that will help you feel very calm while we are treating your tooth.

If you have more severe anxiety, we can prescribe an oral medication to be taken before you arrive at our office. With sedation dentistry, many patients feel no discomfort, and have little or no memory of the procedure at all.

Please Contact Our Office for More Information

Our Novato Sedation Dentist understands that you may be anxious about having a root canal. But it is very important that you get immediate care or you risk losing the tooth. Please contact our office so that we can answer your questions and provide the treatment you need.