Root canals! Most people are so misinformed about these procedures, they use them as a synonym for the worst kind of misery you can imagine. How many times have we heard someone say, “ I’d rather have a root canal than (insert something dreadful here)”? Enough that we think it needs to be addressed and corrected, that’s for sure! Instead of being the worst dental procedure imaginable, root canals might actually be one of the best! Why? Endodontics is a branch of dentistry that saves teeth from extraction! That’s right – that root canal is designed to save even a dead, infected, or severely damaged tooth so your bone-stimulating tooth roots stay in place and you don’t have to worry about costly tooth replacements. What’s more, endodontic root canals stop your toothache in its tracks. How does it work? Inside your tooth is a network of blood vessels and nerves called pulp that helped feed and support your tooth as it was growing in, but stopped being needed after your dentition was fully developed. This pulp can become infected all the way into your root canals, causing severe pain and leading to all kinds of problems with both your smile and your health. During a root canal, we simply open your tooth, clean out the pulp, sterilize the inside of your tooth, fill everything with special material, and seal it all with a beautiful and supportive crown. Infection is removed or prevented, your pain ended, and your own tooth is saved!