Five Myths About Root Canal Treatment That Should Be Corrected

Root canal treatment has a negative reputation for most people. Often, this treatment is associated with pain, and some people would instead choose to undergo tooth extraction than root canal treatment. However, a missing tooth due to tooth extraction may lead to several dental problems such as shifting of the teeth, jawbone loss, gum disease, and more.

Root canal treatment is a procedure done to repair and save the tooth from extraction. It is usually necessary when the tooth is badly damaged or becomes infected. During the procedure, the tooth’s nerve and pulp are removed. Removing the tooth’s nerve doesn’t affect the teeth’s health because it only functions as a sensory or to provide the sensation of hot or cold.

A lot of people fear root canal treatment due to inaccurate information, believing such incorrect information would only prevent the person from undergoing that procedure to restore the tooth and to stop further damage to the person’s oral health.

We have prepared a list of common myths about root canal treatment that some people still believed up to this day.

• Root canal treatment is painful

Most people believe that root canal treatment is painful. However, that is not true, because the infection causes the pain they usually felt in the tooth. This procedure is done to alleviate pain. The procedure itself is not painful. A local anesthetic is administered to the patient to numb the affected tooth and the surrounding area.

• Tooth extraction is a better option than root canal treatment

Keeping the tooth through a root canal treatment is much better than having it extracted completely. Most dentists prefer root canal extraction than tooth extraction because this allows them to save and restore the tooth. If the procedure is performed correctly and properly taken care of, the restored tooth can last for many years or even a lifetime.

• Root canal treatment is only needed when pain is present

Usually, tooth pain results in the need for root canal treatment. However, that is not always the case. A tooth may need root canal treatment even if there is no pain present. A tooth that has died no longer causes pain. Dentists usually conduct several tests on the patient’s tooth to know if the tooth had already died and needs root canal treatment.

• Root canal treatment causes illness

No evidence supports the claims that root canal treatment causes illness to a person. In fact, people who have undergone root canal treatment are no more at risk for developing illness compared to those people who refused to undergo this procedure.

• The effectiveness of root canal treatment is only temporary

One of the common misconceptions of root canal treatment is that it does not last long. However, root canal treatment results are long-lasting, and it helps relieve the patient’s tooth pain. It also preserves the affected tooth indefinitely. Final restoration or crown on the restored tooth is needed to avoid it from being damaged or from breaking. With proper oral hygiene and regular visits to the dental clinic, the tooth may last a lifetime.

For inquiries about Root Canal Treatment in Waukee, IA, book an appointment with us at Lush Family Dental. You can also visit us at 2505 SE Encompass Drive Waukee, IA 50263.