You might be nervous about your upcoming root canal treatment. Your dentist has probably already assured you that you will be nice and numb and should not feel a thing. Whether your general dentist is performing the procedure or you are seeing an endodontist or root canal specialist, you might be surprised a few times as the procedure progresses. Check out these potentially surprising things that you may encounter during your root canal.

The Use of a Dental Dam

If you haven't had a lot of dental work done before, you might be surprised when the dentist places a dental dam over your tooth. The way it works is that first a metal clip is placed on your tooth, then the square of rubber, which is the dental dam, is placed over it. A square-shaped frame holds it in place.

The reason a dental dam is important is that once the canals of your tooth are cleaned out and widened, it's important that no saliva get in. Also, it keeps pieces of the tooth from falling into your mouth.

Being Under a Surgical Microscope

You might not expect to literally be under a microscope, but many endodontists and some general dentists use surgical microscopes during root canal therapy. Because the light of the microscope is very bright, you might be given sunglasses to wear to protect your eyes.

Why is it used? The access to the canals in your tooth are very small, and a microscope can help the dentist see them more clearly. Because everything is magnified, you'll be asked to stay very still; even tiny movements look large when you're under a scope.

The Smell of Bleach

While your canals are being cleaned out, you might detect the smell of bleach. Don't worry! The cleaning solution used is often sodium hypochlorite, which is the same type of substance used in the bleach you clean your bathroom with. It's more diluted than cleaning-grade bleach, however, and it is also sucked up immediately by the small suction that the dental assistant will be holding. It's also used in very small amounts, so you don't have to worry about ingesting it or having it hurt you in any way.

The reason this type of solution is used is because it kills bacteria easily and effectively. It's gentle enough to use in the body but strong enough to kill germs and reduce the chance of infection.

As with any dental procedure, if you are unsure as to why something is being used, don't hesitate to ask your dentist! He or she would be happy to explain the equipment or product being used and how it helps improve your tooth's prognosis. For more information, contact an expert like those at Pinon Hills Dental.