Myths About Root Canals

Horror stories regarding root canals are well-documented. In the early days of dentistry, a root canal was something that you wanted to avoid. Today, thanks to advances in dental technology, the procedure is not as bad as used to be.

The verdict on root canals is already out. There is a lot of misinformation regarding out there. The negative connotations have given the operation a bad rap in the dental community. Here are the top 4 myths about root canals that need to be dispelled.

4. They are painful – Anytime you have dental work done it is going to be at least slightly uncomfortable. It is a means to an end. This doesn’t mean root canals are as painful as you think. It used to be an excruciating process. Today, root canals are as harmless as getting a cavity filled. They do take a bit longer, though.

3. They require a lot of office visits – In the early days, the operation required a series of follow-up visits. Dentists needed to check on patients to ensure the procedure was successful. Today, thanks to technological advancements, the whole process takes just a couple visits. This also serves to make them cheaper.

2. You don’t need one unless you’re in pain – Canals are needed when there is an abscess on the inside of the tooth. The infected pulp is drilled out and replaced. It is sort of a filling for the interior of your tooth. Without pain, there still could be some level of infection. It could just be small enough that it is isn’t noticeable yet. A root canal may be necessary to prevent the situation from getting worse. You can never be too careful when it comes to oral health.

1. It is better just to pull the tooth – This may seem like the easiest option, but it is preferable to keep the original tooth. When you get a new tooth, it changes the way you chew. This can cause damage to other teeth in the mouth. It is important that you keep your original teeth as long as possible.

These are 4 commonly heard myths about root canals. The procedure is not as arduous as it once was. You shouldn’t avoid getting one if you fear the dentist. If you think you may need one, pay a visit to one of the great dental offices for root canals Charlotte has to offer like Charlotte Dental Partners.