Root canal therapy, which is sometimes referred to simply as a “root canal,” has a bad reputation. In fact, you may have heard that it is extremely painful or that it can make you sick. Those things are not true! This blog post reveals the truth behind those and other popular myths about root canal therapy. You may be pleasantly surprised by what you learn.
Myth #1: Root Canal Therapy Is Painful
Dental technology has come a long way in recent decades. While root canals may have been painful in the past, the situation is quite different today. Thanks to anesthesia, sedation, and advancements in treatment techniques, patients typically feel little to nothing during treatment. Some soreness is normal after the procedure, but it is usually easy to manage with rest and over-the-counter pain medications.
Myth #2: Root Canal Therapy Can Make You Sick
Around 100 years ago, a dentist conducted a series of experiments and concluded that root canal therapy can lead to cancer and other serious illnesses. In the years since then, that theory has been solidly debunked. The old research was deeply flawed and has never been duplicated. The fact is that root canal therapy is a very low-risk treatment that offers many more benefits than risks.
Myth #3: Root Canal Therapy Is Only Necessary if You Are in Pain
In many cases, a severe toothache indicates that root canal therapy is necessary. However, some patients need this procedure even though they are not experiencing any pain or other obvious symptoms. This can happen if there is a relatively new infection in a tooth or if the nerve inside a tooth has died. It is always wise to listen to your dentist’s treatment recommendations, or at the very least, seek a second opinion.
Myth #4: A Tooth Extraction Is a Good Alternative to Root Canal Therapy
A tooth may be so badly damaged that removing it is the best course of action. Most of the time, though, root canal therapy is the vastly superior option because it allows you to retain your natural tooth. Therefore, it is the most conservative treatment option. It can also spare you from spending thousands of dollars on premium tooth replacement, such as a dental implant.
Myth #5: The Benefits of Root Canal Therapy Are Temporary
A successful root canal has the potential to provide a lifetime of benefits. In fact, many patients enjoy several decades of reliable function from their treated tooth. It must be noted, though, that there are rare instances where a root canal fails and retreatment becomes necessary.
Has this blog post taught you anything new about root canal therapy? Share it with your friends so they won’t believe false rumors about this treatment!
Meet the Practice
Indy Dental Group is proud to serve patients throughout the greater Indianapolis area. We offer root canal therapy and a host of other restorative services. If you would like more information about a particular treatment, we are ready to answer your questions. Contact us via our online form or call our Carmel office at 317-571-1900.