5 Root Canal Myths you Can’t Believe

It is no surprise that most people fear going to the dentist to get an oral issue treated. Dental treatments are often considered to be painful, and therefore feared. One such treatment is the root canal therapy. Root canal is a treatment to repair a badly infected or damaged tooth. However, the inaccurate information available about root canal therapy instills fear and prevents patients from making an informed decision. Here are 5 root canal myths that prevent you from gaining the benefits of the treatment for your oral health.

1) Root Canal is Extremely Painful

If you have an infected pulp, severely damaged tooth, broken teeth, or a dying nerve, you might be recommended a root canal treatment. Root canal treatment is performed to treat the damage and alleviate the pain. The myth that the treatment is painful began decades ago because of the procedures used then. But with modern technologies today the procedure is quite comfortable and painless. Most people, who undergo a root canal today, often describe it as painless and feel much better afterward.

2) Tooth Pain is a Necessary Condition for a Root Canal Treatment

It is not necessary for your teeth to hurt to have a root canal treatment. In fact, teeth that are dead might cause no pain, and require a root canal to prevent infection. A dentist may be able to identify a dead tooth during your regular checkups, and suggest the treatment. Hence, your teeth need not necessarily hurt for receiving a root canal treatment.

3) Effects are Temporary

This is another common misconception that originated when patients experienced tooth breaking after months of root canal treatment. Root canal removes the damaged nerve from inside of the tooth, hence, eliminating blood supply from inside the tooth, making it brittle. The filling covering the tooth might also wear off, due to pressure from grinding and eating. Technically, it is the filling that has failed and not the root canal therapy.

4) Root Canal Treatment Causes Illness

When searching for information on root canal treatment, you may come across a myth that says the treatment causes disease in the body. This stems up from a research conducted by Dr. Weston Price centuries ago. It says that bacteria trapped inside an endodontically-treated tooth causes diseases. However, the truth is that there is no scientific evidence that connects any disease to root canal. An endodontic treatment, like the root canal therapy, is designed to eliminate bacteria and prevent infection to save the natural tooth. Moreover, the presence of bacteria is found even on healthy teeth and gums.

5) Tooth Extraction is a Better Alternative

This is a myth responsible for driving patients toward extracting the tooth rather than saving it. Nothing can replace your natural teeth. Saving your natural teeth is the best option. Endodontic treatment, such as root canal, along with appropriate restoration is a cost-effective way of saving and keeping your natural teeth.

These root canal myths have originated decades ago, and do not apply in today’s era of modern technologies and comfort. Endodontic treatment has allowed people to save their teeth, chew efficiently, and maintain their appearance and smile. Consulting a dentist for such dental treatments allows you to make an informed decision.