There are few more anxiety-inducing terms in dentistry than "you're going to need a root canal." Root canals' fearsome reputation results from several unfounded but often perpetuated myths.
We're here today to help root canals shed their bad rap by digging into – and debunking –the two most common of these myths!
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy involves a procedure in which a severely damaged tooth's internal ¨pulp,¨ consisting of nerves, blood vessels, and tissue, is removed. In a root canal, a dentist uses special tools to remove the damaged pulp, clean the tooth's remaining space, and seal it with a special filling material to prevent the re-entry of bacteria. This process not only relieves severe pain but also helps prevent further decay, saves a portion of the natural tooth, and creates an environment conducive to healthy tissue growth.
Common Root Canal Misconceptions
Root Canals Are Painful
The most common misguided myth about root canals (no thanks to their portrayal in pop culture) is that they are painful. This is wholly untrue! Ensuring a calm, comfortable, and pain-free experience for the patient is at the top of the list of priorities for any dentist performing a root canal.
In fact, not only is root canal therapy far less painful than is often suggested, but advances in dental and anesthesia technology have made it so that it's basically painless! The reality is that whatever discomfort a patient might feel during or after a root canal almost certainly pales in comparison to whatever issue brought about the need for the procedure.
Tooth Extraction Is Preferable to Root Canal Therapy
Also, many believe that extracting a decayed tooth is preferable to a root canal. This is also untrue since root canals save a portion of the natural tooth, which is preferable for maintaining the health of the bite, gums, and jawbone and keeping the remaining teeth in alignment.
This, of course, is only the beginning! Schedule a consultation with your dentist to further dispel these and other myths about root canal therapy.
Pain-Free Root Canal Treatment in Coeur d'Alene and Sandpoint, ID
If you're in the Coeur d'Alene and Sandpoint areas and would like to learn more about what's true and what's not about root canal therapy from a friendly and empathetic dental care team, contact dentist Dr. Hatta Clark and the team at either of North Idaho Dental Group's two locations to schedule a consultation!