When talking about root canals and other dental procedures, Tijuana, Mexico is not really the first thing that comes to mind. This Mexican destination is first and foremost known for its breathtaking beaches and laid-back, balmy days, but recently, more and more people are flocking to Tijuana for their high quality dental services and highly qualified dental professionals.
Tijuana, at present, is experiencing a development boom in its various boroughs and neighborhoods—skyscrapers populate the city’s landscape, along with offices of multinational corporations and some of the best healthcare institutions in the continent. Tijuana is at the heart of the new niche in the healthcare industry called “dental tourism.”
If you have not heard of this term before, then let us explain it to you. Essentially, dental tourism is the act of seeking better yet inexpensive health (in this case, dental) services and care in a different country. Dental tourism is perfect for people who are looking for inexpensive alternatives to their current dental care situation, while visiting a new country and getting in some vacation days at the same time.
A root canal is a very common dental procedure—if the dental clinic has a dentist, it is very likely that this procedure is offered to the clinic’s patients. While a root canal might be very common, dentists from different schools of thought and practices still debate over whether this procedure should be performed on a particular patient with a certain dental history. Yes, it is quite common, but it does not mean that all dentists would perform it on their patients upon mere request.
The term “root canal” originally refers to the funnel of soft tissue inside the tooth. This funnel runs from the root of the tooth up to the surface. A tooth might have more than one root canal, if it has two root stems. Inside the root canal is the tooth’s main nerve tissue.
Root canal treatment is often prescribed to a patient who is suffering from tooth infection or decay. This procedure is specifically designed to address the prevention of further infection or decay that can lead to tooth loss. The root canal’s soft tissue will be completely removed, and dental grade cement poured into the tooth in its place.
The treatment for root canal often involves anesthesia to aid with the pain that the patient will experience during the procedure. Since the tooth’s root canal contains a nerve, the drilling to get to the infected or decayed area will definitely cause pain isolated to the area.
Because of the delicateness of the procedure, root canal treatments often cost a lot, especially in a dental clinic located in the United States. In Tijuana, Mexico, patients would get high-caliber dental care and services from highly qualified dental professionals in well-equipped clinics at a fraction of the cost. Dental tourism is hitting two birds with a single stone—you get the best healthcare with comparatively cheaper prices, and you get to enjoy the beautiful city of Tijuana, too!