If you have sensitive or painful teeth, you may need to get specialized root canal treatment. The root canal is a common dental procedure with a great success rate, but lots of myths about it have proliferated. This has naturally made people quite nervous about it.
Here, Dr. Cliff Compton, a premier dentist in Concord, NC, explores the truth behind the most common myths about root canal treatments.
First Myth: The Treatment is Painful
Most people hear the words “root canal” and automatically link this treatment with pain and distress. However, with advanced endodontic treatment and procedures, a root canal treatment is no more uncomfortable than having a filling placed. Our experienced dentist numbs the tooth and the surrounding area to ensure you are completely comfortable throughout the entire procedure.
Truth: The pain actually comes from the tooth being infected. Root canal procedure relieves pain because it eliminates infected, damaged tissue within the affected tooth. Our mission is to provide quality family dentistry for patients of all ages. If you feel tooth pain and think you may need a root canal treatment, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
Second Myth: Root Canal Causes Illness
Information on the internet and other sources claiming that you can become ill or get a condition like sleep apnea is false. This incorrect allegation was founded on a poorly designed and long-debunked study conducted many years ago at a time before modern medicine understood the cause behind many conditions and illnesses.
Truth: There is no valid scientific study that links root canal procedure with body infections and illnesses. A root canal is designed to remove infections from the tooth. If an infected, or abscessed tooth is left untreated, it will not only cause a severe toothache, but the infection can also spread to areas of the face and neck.
Third Myth: Tooth Removal is Better than Root Canal Treatment
Your natural tooth works best for chewing and eating and it is important to keep them as healthy as possible so that you can continue to enjoy the wide variety of foods necessary to maintain the proper nutrient balance in your diet. If possible, visiting our Concord, NC dental office for emergency dentistry to save your natural teeth is undoubtedly the best option.
Truth: Root canal treatment allows your teeth to have an extended lifetime. So, it’s sensible to consider this treatment instead of extracting your teeth. If it is determined that tooth extraction is the best option, there are restoration treatments, such as dental implants or bridges that can restore functionality and the aesthetics of your smile.
Endodontic treatment, along with appropriate restoration, is a cost-effective way to treat teeth with damaged pulp and is usually a less expensive option than extraction followed by the placement of a bridge or an implant.
Learning the truth about root canal misconceptions could relieve your mind if you plan to get one. Root canal treatments have helped patients worldwide to keep their natural teeth for a lifetime. Finding and treating tooth infections early on is one reason why regular dental visits are so important.
For more information about root canal treatment and other dental treatments, such as TMJ/TMD treatments, contact Dr. Cliff Compton today.
