Root canal therapy, often called a root canal, is surrounded by plenty of incorrect information and negative connotations. However, this endodontic procedure actually eliminates inflamed and infected tissue from inside your tooth to restore its functionality and relieve pain.
If you’ve been told you need root canal therapy, it’s natural to feel a little worried and fearful about getting the procedure done, especially because of the many myths about root canals.
At his practice in Statesville and Hickory, North Carolina, expert endodontist Robert Scott Nance, DDS, MS, PA, leads our team in tooth-saving procedures, such as root canal therapy. This month’s blog dispels common myths about root canals to help you feel at ease before getting one.
Movies and TV shows can portray root canals as something to be avoided because of the pain you’ll experience. However, that’s just not the case with modern dental technology.
Modern technology has allowed for significant pain reduction during root canal therapy. We use anesthesia to make sure you remain comfortable. In fact, the pain levels aren’t any different than getting a cavity.
Remember, the goal of a root canal is to relieve pain, not cause it.
A root canal saves your natural tooth. When you extract and replace a tooth with a crown or bridge, you lose optimal chewing function and the look of your natural tooth. Not to mention, the rest of your oral health is often impacted when you get tooth replacements.
Root canals have a high success rate, saving your natural tooth and reducing your risk of repeat infections.
Back in the 1920s, researchers conducted a study claiming that root canals can put you at a high risk for contracting arthritis, cancer, or systemic diseases later in life. However, it was later dismissed since no scientific evidence backed it.
In fact, more recent studies have shown that endodontic procedures can actually improve your health and reduce your risk for cancer.
Since it’s called a “root canal”, it’s natural to think that root canal therapy removes infected tooth pulp and the tooth root. However, the goal is to save this portion of your tooth, not remove it. The damaged or diseased tissues inside the tooth root are removed, not the actual root.
Many people believe that a root canal is only necessary when tooth pain and sensitivity are present. However, that may not always be the case. Endodontists like Dr. Nance are trained to test tooth pulp for signs of infection, even when pain isn’t present.
To learn more about what to expect during root canal therapy, schedule an appointment with our team by calling your nearest office location today.
