When you hear the two words, “root canal,” what comes to mind? You may think of a painful procedure or you may think of a procedure that occurs when your tooth is sensitive to both hot and cold. The procedure itself sounds much scarier than it actually is and there are some myths that surround what the procedure is and how it is performed.
At C S Family Dental, we believe it is important for you to understand what a root canal is. It can be difficult to have all of the facts, especially when people tend to spread myths around about the procedure. You have likely heard many of the myths and it is our intention to completely debunk them for you, so that you are better informed and you can make the necessary decisions for your oral health.
Okay, let’s take a look at some of these myths.
Myth 1: Root canal treatment can cause you to become ill.
Patients have come into our office saying they saw information on the Internet that a root canal procedure can cause them to become ill. This claim is very false and there is no data to show that this procedure makes you ill. In fact, the procedure stops infection and further deterioration of the tooth and surrounding teeth.
It is important to know that the root canal procedure is safe and it is an effective procedure to fight back against an infected tooth. This procedure can SAVE a tooth and prevent further problems and loss of the tooth.
When it boils down to it, there is no true and adequate replacement for any of your natural teeth. Even if you do receive an artificial tooth, you may still run into complications with the way the tooth feels or you may lose one of your dental implants. It is important to do what you can to save as many of your natural teeth as possible and endodontic treatment is one effective way.
Myth 2: Root canals are painful.
It is no surprise that this is a circulating theory about the procedure. Many people think that root canals are painful – even people who have never had one done before. This myth is just that – a myth.
The procedure can be related closely to that of a filling and does not have any long-term pain or side effects tied to it. Many people have thought that the procedure is painful because the pulp of the tooth needs to be removed. With technology and medicine today, patients are made and kept as comfortable as possible throughout the procedure.
At C S Family Dental, we will provide all patients with a local anesthetic to numb the area. You will experience no pain throughout the procedure.
Myth 3: Pulling the tooth is a better option.
No. Pulling your teeth is NOT the best option. In fact, the best option is to SAVE your teeth whenever it is possible.
Nothing is able to replace your natural tooth the correct way. Now, there are artificial tooth offerings that can simulate your natural tooth, but there are always going to be downsides to not having your natural tooth. It is important that you try to keep as many of your natural teeth as possible because they aid you in chewing the foods you love, talking, and smiling throughout life.
When you come into our office, we will work alongside of you to evaluate your teeth and determine which teeth can be saved. A tooth extraction will ONLY be recommended when there is no other option or other options have failed.
Endodontic Treatment is Highly Successful
Endodontic treatment is very successful and has worked for millions of patients throughout the entire US. It is important that you do not simply think of your teeth as replaceable because this is not true. You NEED your natural teeth and if you do not have them, you will find it more difficult to function and even enjoy your favorite dishes.
Root canal treatments are designed to last a lifetime and once you have one, it is unlikely that you will need to have another one. Recurrent root canal procedures only occur when the first root canal was done incorrectly, so it is important that you choose a reputable dentist to work with.
If you do have to have an extraction, you will need to think about tooth replacement options. To simply leave the tooth missing, you will run the risk of your permanent teeth shifting or bone loss. There are many tooth replacement options, which include bridges, dentures, and dental implants.
The biggest downside to tooth replacement options is that they require a much more detailed procedure and they do have the possibility of failing. For example, a dental implant may not root itself in your jawbone and may eventually come loose or fall out. In addition, you may have already suffered from bone loss, which would mean that you need to have a bone grafting or sinus lift procedure performed.
Millions of patients are treated using root canal procedures and they continue on to live a healthy, normal life with their natural teeth.
Come in Today for a FREE Consultation
If you are interested in learning more about our endodontic treatments, contact our office now. When you come in for your consultation, Dr. Alex Sohn will look over your teeth and identify any that need to have dental work performed on them. We will evaluate your teeth for any decay, dental problems, and even oral cancer.
If you need to have a root canal or other work performed on your teeth, we will schedule you in for an appointment. Dr. Sohn will provide you with all of the information you need to know about your upcoming procedure. We welcome you to ask us any questions at this time as well.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sohn, contact C S Family Dental today. We look forward to helping you keep your natural teeth in tip top shape.
