17 MAY 2017 Modern Root Canals: Fact vs. Fiction

When your dentist tells you that you may need a root canal, there’s no need to panic. Although you may have heard your friends and family complain about how painful the procedure is, dentistry has come a long way in the last few years and have made root canals simple and almost completely pain-free. Here, we separate fact and fiction when it comes to this common procedure.

Myth: Root Canals Destroy Your Teeth

The area underneath a tooth’s enamel is called the pulp. When bacteria spread deep into this sensitive and vulnerable area, it causes very painful infections and abscesses. Root canals remove these harmful and damaging bacteria and protect your teeth from future damage.

First, your dentist or endodontist will numb the area around the affected tooth. At Denton Oak Dentistry, we even offer sedation dentistry for nervous patients that want to feel more at ease during their procedures.

Next, your dentist or endodontist will remove the infected pulp and clean the inside of the tooth. Then, using a material called gutta-percha, they will fill your tooth canal to protect the root from further damage. Depending on the extent of the damage, they may also need to put in a crown over the root or a post in your tooth for support.

Myth: Root Canals Are Very Painful

Since your dentist or endodontist will numb the area around the infected tooth before the procedure, you won’t feel a thing. Although you may experience some pain or sensitivity in the days following your procedure, it is much better than the excruciating pain that you will inevitably experience if you put off having a root canal at all and allow the infection to spread further.

Myth: You Only Need to Worry About a Root Canal if You Have Tooth Decay

Extensive tooth decay is only one of the many reasons why people need root canals. You may also need a root canal if you’ve experienced a traumatic injury to your tooth pulp, have very deep fillings, or have had many procedures performed on that one tooth.

Myth: The Recovery Process After a Tooth Canal is Too Long

You should only feel some pain for a few days after your root canal and your body heals. You can proceed to brush and floss as you usually would, but be sure to be gentle.

If you think you may need a root canal, do not hesitate to contact us and schedule an appointment today!