The idea of having a root canal is enough to send a shiver down your spine. The name itself isn’t at all sunshine and rainbows, but it’s a necessary procedure if you damage your root’s internal nerve endings. Thankfully, while the name itself can be a little unsettling for some, there have been a number of medical advancements in how a root canal is performed. It is a straightforward outpatient dental procedure that, once performed, will alleviate the pain you’ve been experiencing within the tooth. That is especially the case if you seek out a dental professional who uses GentleWave.
A GentleWave root canal procedure is the next generation of root canal equipment that will greatly enhance your experience, all while reducing your discomfort and even the number of times you need to see an endodontist.
Because your general practicing dentist needs to be a jack of all trades, they must have an assortment of equipment at their disposal. Due to the limited space in their office and the minimal number of root canals they perform during a given month, they may not have a GentleWave system at their disposal. Here at Southern Endodontic Specialists, we use the equipment extensively, thanks to all the improvements and benefits associated with the technology.
Minimally Invasive
If you have had a traditional root canal performed in the past, or if you are considering a dentist who does not use GentleWave, the entire procedure is far more invasive than what GentleWave is able to perform. This is because the dentist must drill a larger hole into the tooth and rely on lights and mirrors, and cameras to see the inside of the tooth. There needs to be enough space in the hole to fit the tools and visibility equipment, which means the hole needs to be more significant.
That is not the case with GentleWave. For starters, GentleWave uses multi-sonic technology (as opposed to ultrasonic, which is the technology most dentists rely on).
With multi-sonic, several different sound frequencies are produced. These wavelengths are of varying sizes and move in different directions. This allows for greater coverage within the tooth and ensures more of the dead and infected debris will be cleaned out. The technology makes it easier to work into the smaller canals of the tooth, which is not always visible to a dentist when going into the tooth to perform the root canal. The liquid cleaning technology also helps wash out this pulp from your tooth, preventing it from remaining inside.
All of this allows for a smaller opening in the tooth and improved cleaning during the root canal.
Fewer Visits To The Specialist
If you know people who have had root canals, you likely know someone who has had to go back and have a second root canal performed. Why? Because with a traditional root canal, it is relatively easy to miss some of the dead or infected pulp. The canals of a root are incredibly small and are difficult to clean out with traditional technology fully.
Over time, a lingering pain may return to the tooth, which is a sign of infection. This means you will be forced to go back to the dentist and have another root canal performed. In fact, it might require another visit and then a secondary root canal treatment, totaling at least two more visits to the dentist, which is even more time out of your life to address the situation.
With GentleWave, things are different. Thanks to the method of clearing out the root canals and washing out the debris, secondary root canals are less likely. It means you can save yourself one, if not at least two, added visits to the dentist, which lets you focus on your life. The amount of time you save alone makes scheduling a GentleWave root canal worth it.
Everything Is Shorter
Literally, everything associated with a GentleWave root canal is shorter. The treatment itself is shorter. Because the hole drilled into your tooth is smaller, and the equipment does the dead pulp removal and cleaning instead of requiring a dentist to remove it manually, the procedure can typically be done in around 45 minutes to an hour. A regular root canal can take well over an hour and is more likely to require a second visit of close to an hour.
Secondly, your recovery time is faster. As the hole is smaller, the filling will be smaller, and the less invasive nature of the procedure means less inflammation will occur around your tooth and gums. All of this adds up to a faster recovery. Plus, because you are less likely to require a second root canal performed on the same tooth, your mouth can be back to normal and pain-free more quickly, while a traditional root canal might end up requiring weeks of your time until you’re fully back to normal.
Simply put, if your options come down to a traditional root canal and a GentleWave root canal, there’s no comparison between the two. And, if it comes down to a dentist who uses traditional methods and an endodontist that utilizes GentleWave technology, you owe it to yourself to schedule an appointment with the endodontist.
Schedule Your GentleWave Root Canal Today
If you have been told you are in need of a root canal, or if you are experiencing pain from a tooth and you want to identify the cause of the problem and what is going on, contact the staff at Southern Endodontic Specialists today. GentleWave technology will help ensure the procedure is faster and less painful if a root canal is necessary. You will be able to return to your everyday life with regular eating habits sooner than ever. So, if you’re ready to take care of your current dental condition, Southern Endodontic Specialists is just a phone call away.