7 Misconception and Facts About Root Canals
There is a misbelief that root canals are extremely painful. Many people state it is the scariest procedure in dentistry. This might have been true decades ago, when dental procedures needed many appointments and dental professionals didn’t use modern techniques; however, nowadays, thanks to modern dentistry, all dental procedures are safer, quicker, and more comfortable for the patient. Almost all of them are nearly pain-free, and guess what? A root canal in Yaletown is one of them.
Look no further to know about five myths regarding root canals, and the truth about them.
Myth #1 - It Is Very Painful
Fact: As we stated above, this might have been true decades ago; but to present, root canal therapy at our dental office in Yaletown is not painful. Many people confuse the pain derived from the infection with the treatment itself; but root canals are performed to achieve the exact opposite, which is to eliminate the pain.
Our root canal dentist in Yaletown will provide you with local anesthetic and, if you are too anxious, you can discuss the need for conscious sedation.
Myth #2 - The Recovery Is Not Uncomfortable
Fact: Every patient is different, and while some won’t feel any discomfort after undergoing root canal therapy, some might. Keep in mind that this is a treatment where a dentist removes the infected pulp of your tooth, so normally you will feel mild pain for the next two days up to two weeks. The good news is that it is tolerable, and it can be relived with any over-the-counter pain medication like Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen
Myth #3 - The Procedure Will Kill Your Tooth
Fact: It is exactly the opposite; the procedure will save your tooth. A healthy tooth doesn’t need to undergo root canal therapy; nevertheless, if you need one, it is because the pulp inside your tooth has been damaged due to trauma or a large cavity. Root canal treatments are the best option to avoid a dental extraction in these cases.
Myth #4 - It Is Best to Go for a Dental Extraction
Fact: The best treatment is the one that extends the life of your tooth. When you miss a tooth, the neighboring teeth can misalign to occupy the space, causing malocclusions; also, small daily chores such as chewing and biting become uncomfortable.
Myth #5 - The Procedure Requires Many Dental Appointments
Fact: In most cases, root canal treatment requires one visit to any dental clinic near you. The tooth has to be highly abscessed to require two visits to the dentist.
You can even get your tooth prepared for the permanent restoration (dental crown) on the same day.
Myth #6 - You Don’t Need a Root Canal for Non-Vital Teeth
Fact: Many patients think that only an aching tooth needs treatment. However, the pulp inside the tooth can be necrotic due to bacteria and asymptomatic. If this is your case, you still need to undergo root canal therapy because if you leave the tooth untreated, bacteria will spread to the bone and cause further issues.
Myth #7 - Root Canals Increase the Risk of Cancer
Fact: Studies have shown that root canals don’t increase the risk of having cancer; on the contrary, there is documentation about patients that underwent root canal treatment who have a 45% lesser risk of developing this disease.
We hope that this guide helped you to learn the truth about root canals, as there are many misconceptions about them.
If you think you need to undergo root canal therapy, feel free to visit our dental office. We have a team of professional endodontists that will be looking forward to helping you save your tooth for better quaity of life.
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