Two simple words have the ability to strike fear into the heart of anyone, no matter how old they are — root canal. However, with the advancements in dental technology and the popularity of endodontists in recent years, root canals don’t have to be scary or painful, especially if you prepare yourself beforehand!   The first step to preparing for your root canal is knowledge, both about what causes a root canal in the first place and what a root canal really is.   Why Do I Need a Root Canal? According to the American Association of Endodontists, there are typically four common causes ..read more

Root Canals are a relatively standard dental procedure, with an estimated 15.1 million performed annually in the United States alone. Although a general dentist can perform a root canal, endodontists are trained in advanced procedures to ensure that you feel as little pain and discomfort as possible.   A root canal no longer must be a thing that’s feared or put off—let our staff at Southcenter Endodontics help care for you before and after your root canal procedure.   But First, Remind Me, What is a Root Canal? When the inner tissue of your tooth, the pulp, gets inflamed or infected ..read more

The words “root canal” strike fear in just about everyone. The truth is, this procedure doesn’t have to be scary and often can provide relief from tooth pain once and for all. But what is a root canal, and how do you know if you need one?   What is a Root Canal? A root canal is a procedure that removes the infected or inflamed pulp from the inside of the affected tooth. This infected pulp can cause an abscess to form, leading to pain, discomfort, and further issue. At the first sign of an infection, a root canal should be performed.   There are several steps taken in a root canal pro ..read more

Up to 20% of Americans avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety or fear. Of those Americans, about 5-10% are so fearful that they have odontophobia, or a fear of dentists.   While we can’t change what made you fearful of dental professionals in the past, our team at South Center Endodontics can change your perception of what a highly skilled and trained endodontics team is like for your future!   What is an Endodontist? Did you know that less than three percent of dentists classify as an endodontist? You probably didn’t, because most people don’t know the difference between the ..read more

You’ve just heard the words you were dreading, “It looks like you need a root canal.” Your dentist did a full dental exam to determine the root of your pain, and it’s the one thing you didn’t want to hear. Before you go running for the hills, know it’s all going to be okay. Root canals aren’t the procedure they were in the past. Today, they’re fairly painless and you’ll feel better in no time.   We know that hearing you need a root canal is still unsettling no matter what, but we want to alleviate some of your anxieties by explaining what happens during your first visit to an endodontist ..read more

You might have panicked a bit when you first heard your dentist mention a root canal, but after learning more about a root canal, how painless the procedure has become, and why it’s best to save the natural tooth, you likely feel less nervous. The one question you may still be asking yourself is, “what happens after?” The way you take care of your teeth after a root canal is as important as the procedure itself. Here’s what to expect after your root canal. The most important thing to know is that your endodontist will give you specific care instructions tailored to YOU. If you have any questio ..read more

At some point throughout history, a root canal became synonymous with pain, discomfort, and the worst possible way you could spend your day. In our previous post, we tell you everything you need to know about a root canal and explained why this is no longer the case, but what is painful and uncomfortable is having your natural tooth pulled instead of saving it by having a root canal. Below we explain why it is a better idea to work with your endodontist and save your natural tooth. Endodontists specialize in saving your natural tooth. On top of the eight years of school most dentists attend, e ..read more

When you hear someone talk about needing a root canal, it’s normally not something they’re excited about. Root canals have gotten a bad reputation over time, but once you understand why you might need a root canal and what happens during a root canal, it becomes less frightening. Below are some of the common causes of a root canal according to the American Association of Endodontists.   Deep Decay Deep decay develops from an untreated cavity. Although you may think going to the dentist every six months isn’t necessary, it’s actually very important! Your dentist can check for cavities an ..read more

Root canals are often mistakenly described as painful and unpleasant. Although that may have once been the case, with advances in modern medicine, today a root canal is a fairly painless procedure. To understand a root canal procedure, it’s important to first understand the inner workings of a tooth. Your teeth are made up of more than the enamel you see when you look in the mirror- inside your teeth, you have a soft tissue called pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. When the pulp inside your tooth becomes inflamed or infected it can cause pain, sensitivity, te ..read more

Less than three percent of dentists are endodontists, according to the American Association of Endodontists (AAE). As such, it’s no surprise that many people don’t know what endodontists are. However, the procedure that endodontists perform is widely known: the root canal. Endodontics is a specialized field in dentistry that focuses on problems associated with the interior of the tooth (also known as the tooth pulp). And while this most commonly refers to root canals, endodontists are also experts at diagnosing tooth pain and can sometimes perform procedures other than root canals in order to ..read more