Root Canals: Relieving Pain, Not Creating It

Despite efforts made by the dental community to help patients discern the truth regarding root canal therapy, it remains the most feared dental procedure. The American Association of Endodontists believes that most people with a fear of root canal therapy base it on someone else’s experience, rather than their own. While this proves that inaccurate information is continuing to circulate, it is even causing some to seek tooth extraction as an alternative to having a root canal. Even so, dental professionals urge patients—do not believe the hype. Root canals are designed to relieve pain, not create it.

To better determine fact from fiction, consider the following myths associated with root canal therapy:

Myth #1: Root Canal Therapy is painful.

When it comes to root canal therapy, patients should understand that the goal of treatment is to eliminate any pain or discomfort they are feeling—not cause additional pain. For the most part, root canal therapy is prescribed when the pulp of a tooth is infected, if the tooth is severely broken, or if the nerve of the tooth is dead.

Dentists note that when patients come into a root canal procedure anticipating pain, they are more likely to believe that it is painful, even though it is not. Thus, gaining a healthy perspective beforehand is important.

Myth #2: Root Canal Therapy makes you sick.

The idea that root canal therapy causes patients to become sick stems from information relating to bacteria and its connection to heart disease, kidney disease, arthritis, diabetes, and more. While inflammation from infection in the mouth can certainly contribute to systemic disease, patients should understand that root canal therapy is designed to remove harmful bacteria from infection or tooth decay. In fact, choosing not to have a root canal is far more risky.

Myth #3: Tooth extraction is the best alternative to root canal therapy.

As a rule, it is always ideal to save a patient’s natural teeth, whenever possible. This is what root canal therapy does.

When teeth are extracted, or pulled, patients face bone loss, shifting of adjacent teeth, and problems with surrounding tissues. While tooth extraction is appropriate for some cases, it shouldn’t be considered an option based on false information regarding root canal therapy.

Knowledge is Power

In regards to root canal therapy, Dr. Patel and the team at Lawrenceville Family Dental Care believe that knowledge is power. In other words, when patients know the truth, they have the power to make the best decision. Is your tooth causing you pain? Have you been told that you need a root canal? Call Lawrenceville Family Dental Care today.

Posted on behalf of Lawrenceville Family Dental Care