If you have a bad toothache and your tooth becomes sore when exposed to hot or cold temperatures, your dentist may tell you that you need root canal treatment. You may be nervous, but there is no need to fear. There are many misconceptions about root canal treatment.
Myth #1: Root canal treatment hurts.
Truth: Root canal treatment relieves pain. It does not cause it.
This myth started because root canals did cause pain decades ago. However, with modern technology and anesthetics, root canal therapy causes no more discomfort than having a filling placed. A toothache is often caused by infected tissues in the tooth. During root canal treatment, your dentist will remove this tissue from the tooth, which relieves the pain.
Myth #2: Root canal treatment causes illness.
Truth: There is no scientific evidence linking root canal treatment to disease elsewhere in the body.
Root canal therapy is a safe and effective procedure. Root canal treatment eliminates infection from the root canal. This prevents further infection in the tooth and saves the natural tooth. A study made in 2013 even found that those who have had multiple root canal treatments have a 45 percent reduced risk of cancer.
Myth #3: A good alternative to root canal treatment is extraction (pulling the tooth).
Truth: Saving the natural tooth when possible is always the very best option.
No dental restoration can completely replace your natural tooth. Artificial teeth sometimes make eating and speaking properly difficult. Keeping your natural teeth will allow you to speak with confidence and continue to enjoy the wide variety of foods you love. Root canal therapy is less expensive and less invasive than extraction and the placement of a dental bridge or dental implant. Root canal treatment has a high success rate and the treated tooth can last a lifetime. Placement of a dental bridge or a dental implant means much more treatment time.
If you need root canal therapy, your dentist will answer any questions and ease any concerns you may have. Root canal treatment can allow you to keep your natural teeth for a lifetime!