Myths and Facts about Root Canal Therapy
By: Stephen Price DDS | Monday, April 15th, 2019 | Root Canal
Monday, April 15th, 2019
Root canal therapy is a common dental treatment that is performed when a tooth has become deeply infected. Most people have heard stories about this beneficial dental procedure that don’t paint the best picture. The myths that revolve around root canal therapy can create so much confusion that a person may not know what to do when told they need this treatment. Here, we offer facts to offset the myths that may prevent you from obtaining the care you need to up-level your oral health.
MYTH: A root canal is a painful dental procedure.
The fact here is that most dental treatments were pretty uncomfortable at one time. When we say “at one time,” we mean over a century ago! Since the dawn of dentistry, a lot has changed. Where anesthetic was once lacking, it is now readily available. This is to say that, should you undergo a root canal, your dentist will numb your tooth first. If you’ve ever had a dental filling, you have a good idea of what it would feel like to have a root canal. The primary difference between the two is not a sensation but the time it takes to complete treatment. It’s that simple.
MYTH: A root canal is only necessary when you have a bad toothache.
Fact: Some people do experience pain that stems from an infection in the pulp chamber of a tooth. However, this is not guaranteed. An example of this is when a tooth’s blood supply is poor or non-existent or the tooth is no longer vital. Even without pain, an infection can occur and be seen on dental x-rays.
Myth: Pain goes away immediately after a root canal.
Fact: The primary benefit of root canal therapy is thought to be pain relief. Judging by the fact that a tooth may not even hurt before treatment, we can see this is a myth. Many people believe that, if they do have pain, it will be immediately relieved after their root canal has been treated. Sometimes, pain decreases gradually and may still feel sore for several days after treatment. This doesn’t indicate that a root canal has failed, just that there may be some lingering inflammation.
There is no reason to fear root canal therapy. Your comfort and future oral health are important to us and we take care of the recommendation and performance of dental procedures. For more information or to schedule your visit in our Burke office, call (703)-935-2879.
