For one reason or another, root canals have gotten a pretty bad reputation among patients. Some people absolutely dread the procedure, when the reality is that root canals can be a great way to relieve a painful toothache.
If you want to know a little more, here are some of the most common myths about root canal treatments, and why they aren’t what they seem.
Myth 1: Root Canals are Painful
This is maybe the most common misunderstanding that people have about root canals. Often, people hear that the treatment is necessary and expect it to be extraordinarily painful, when in fact the opposite is true.
This may come from an outdated understanding of the procedure—root canals used to be uncomfortable, but dental anesthetics have advanced considerably since then. The fact is that you likely won’t experience any discomfort during a root canal.
Myth 2: You Only Need a Root Canal If You’re in Pain
Root canals are typically used to treat toothaches that are deep within the tooth, which makes many people think that you need to be in intense pain to need one. However, many of these toothaches are caused by bacterial infection attacking the root pulp.
At a certain point, the infection will have degraded the root pulp to such an extent that you can no longer feel the tooth at all. This is a sign that the situation has gotten worse, not better. In such a case, you may desperately need a root canal even if you aren’t in any pain.
Myth 3: Extractions are Better than Root Canals
When a tooth on the verge of dying due to an infection, you really only have two ways of dealing with it; root canal, or extraction. Of these two, extraction tends to be the more intensive option requiring long healing times that carry the risk of further infection.
Moreover, you’ll also have to deal with the consequences of having one less tooth, or find a tooth replacement option that will work for you. Root canals avoid each of these problems, which is why most dentists will recommend them over extractions.
About the Author
Dr. Deborah Bishop is an endodontic specialist who prides herself on being able to make use of the latest in dental technology to give her patients the care they deserve. She earned her doctor of dental surgery from the University of Alabama School of Dentistry, then completed her endodontic residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has held numerous leadership positions across several dental organizations, including the American Dental Association and the Alabama Dental Association.
If you have any questions about root canals, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (256) 882-5161.