Are you worried about your upcoming root canal treatment? Many people feel uneasy about this common treatment. For many years, myths were spread around, causing people to put off much-needed treatment. The good news is that these myths aren’t true, and you don’t have anything to worry about. Read on to learn about some common root canal myths and what your dentist has to say about them.
Myth 1: Root Canal Treatment Is Painful
Back in the day, this may have had some truth to it. However, with modern dental technology and anesthetics, you won’t feel any more discomfort that you would if you were getting a dental filling. For most patients, root canal actually relieves the pain that the infection inflicts. This procedure does not cause the excruciating pain that many associate with it. Most of the time, your tooth can be treated quickly and comfortably. If you are experiencing discomfort after your procedure, this can be easily remedied with over-the-counter pain relievers, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Myth 2: You Should Get a Tooth Extraction Instead
If your tooth is in good enough condition where your dentist can save it, this is the ideal option. Root canals have a high success rate and often last for an entire lifetime. Even though there have been some great advancements in tooth replacement options, no artificial tooth replacement is quite as good as the real thing. If you were to choose a dental implant, this could mean many more appointments and a much longer recovery time. This would also considerably add to the overall cost. Bridges can compromise your surrounding teeth. In the end, it is best to save your natural tooth if possible.
Myth 3: Root Canals Can Make You Sick
This is a myth that simply isn’t sick. This is a misconception that having a root canal means that you are more likely to become sick or contract an illness. This claim is based off of poorly designed research that took place in the 1920s. This was debunked a long time ago, as people at the time didn’t understand the causes of many different diseases. The good news is that there is no valid scientific evidence that shows that a root canal can make you sick or cause you to develop an illness somewhere else in the body.
Root canal treatment might sound scary, but these days they aren’t worth stressing about. According to the American Association of Endodontists, this common dental procedure saves more than 15 million teeth every single year in the United States. It will be over with before you know it!
About the Author
Dr. Paul Scott is a skilled endodontist who has performed over 35,000 root canals in his career! After graduating from Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago and serving in the United States Navy, he went on to receive his Certificate in Endodontics and Mast of Science degree from Northwestern University. To learn more about root canal treatment or to schedule an appointment at his office in Melbourne, visit his website or call (321) 722-0550.