Are you experiencing persistent tooth pain or suspect that you may require a root canal? It’s likely that you’re familiar with the procedure and its notoriety. Root canals have always had a bit of a bad rap. The Lytle Family Dentistry & Orthodontics team has heard horror stories about how unbearable and costly endodontic procedures are. Fortunately, root canals are rarely as scary or expensive as they seem. Root canals are a straightforward, standard procedure when completed with the proper precautions and experience.
Let’s look at the top five myths surrounding root canal treatments and why their inaccurate, outdated information shouldn’t prevent you from seeking this essential dental care for your family’s oral health needs.
1. Root canals are painful.
At one point in history, root canals were considered a painful procedure, possibly because the inner tooth pain endodontic treatment can be horrendous. Fortunately, anesthetic and sedation science has caught up with modern times, making this treatment much more comfortable for patients. Additionally, many patients finally feel much-needed relief after recovery. Therefore, committing to endodontic treatment is more sensible than wallowing in pain.
2. Root canal treatment removes the tooth’s root.
Contrary to popular belief, root canals aim to preserve the tooth root—not remove it. Because tooth roots are responsible for anchoring each tooth in place, maintaining jaw density, and other vital mechanisms, endodontic treatment focuses solely on repairing the inside of the tooth and saving as much structure as possible.
3. It’s always better to pull a tooth.
If a tooth can be saved, many dental professionals prefer saving it at all costs. For instance, if a tooth still has a healthy tooth root, but the crown and inner dental tissue are compromised, endodontic treatment can prevent the need for extraction and prolong the life of the natural tooth.
4. Root canals lead to illness.
While there is misinformation across the internet claiming that root canal therapy is linked to contracting systemic diseases, this false claim has been debunked for decades and is not linked to valid scientific evidence. In fact, research supports the idea that treating cavities effectively helps reduce the risk of head and neck squamous cell cancer.
5. I don’t need treatment if I don’t have a toothache.
While a telltale sign of endodontic troubles is a toothache, sometimes, severely infected or damaged tooth pulp does not cause discomfort. Our Lytle family dentists are trained to take a closer look at teeth (through X-rays and other diagnostics) to determine whether root canal therapy is needed (or not).
Schedule a Successful Root Canal
From scary stories to wild rumors floating around the web, there is no shortage of misinformation about root canals out there. But don’t let these myths make your decision for you. Allow Lytle Family Dentistry & Orthodontics to help separate fact from fiction at your next endodontic treatment consultation. Call (830) 264-2694 for more information about root canals in Lytle, TX.
