16 September 2025
Just hearing the words "root canal" can make many people feel anxious. This procedure has a notoriously bad reputation, but the truth is, a root canal is a modern, pain-relieving treatment designed to save your natural tooth and stop an infection.
At Raines Over the Rockies Family Dentistry in Lakewood, CO, we want to dispel the myths. A root canal shouldn't make you sweat. It's a routine, comfortable procedure that can be the difference between losing a tooth and keeping it for a lifetime.
What Is a Root Canal?
To understand a root canal, you have to understand the inside of your tooth. Beneath the hard outer layers of enamel and dentin is a soft inner tissue called the "pulp." This pulp contains the tooth's nerves and blood vessels.
If deep decay, a crack, or an injury allows bacteria to reach the pulp, it can become infected. This infection is what causes a severe, throbbing toothache. If left untreated, the infection can lead to an abscess (a serious pocket of pus) and bone loss in your jaw.
A root canal is a procedure to fix this. Your dentist simply:
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Gently removes the infected pulp from inside the tooth.
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Thoroughly cleans and disinfects the inner "canals."
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Fills and seals the empty space.
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Restores the tooth with a permanent filling or, most commonly, a dental crown to protect it.
Signs You Might Need a Root Canal
While some infected teeth are "silent" and show no symptoms, most will send clear warning signs. Call our Lakewood office if you experience:
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A severe, persistent toothache, especially when chewing or applying pressure
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Extreme, lingering sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
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A small, pimple-like bump (an abscess) on your gums near the painful tooth
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Darkening or discoloration of the tooth
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Swollen or tender gums near the tooth
Why is a Root Canal Better Than an Extraction?
Saving your natural tooth is always the best option. Pulling a tooth leaves a gap that can cause your other teeth to shift, affecting your bite and appearance. Replacing it with a dental implant or bridge is also more complex and expensive than simply saving the tooth you already have with a root canal.
This procedure preserves your tooth and prevents the damage from worsening.
The Raines Over the Rockies Difference
We understand the anxiety some patients feel. That's why we prioritize your comfort at our Lakewood office. We will numb the area completely and offer sedation options so you don't experience any pain or anxiety.
With modern technology and a caring team, a root canal is a simple, comfortable experience. Don't suffer from a toothache any longer.
If you have a painful tooth, learn more about our gentle Root Canal Therapy in Lakewood, CO, and call us for an appointment today!
