According to the American Association of Endodontists, 65% of women and 53% of men are afraid of needing root canal treatment. Are you one of them? If so, why? For many patients, the root of their fear is actually a myth about root canals that they’ve heard from a friend or read on the internet. With this in mind, keep reading to learn a few prominent myths and why they simply aren’t true.
Myth #1: The Root Canal Procedure Hurts
Hands down, one of the most common myths about root canal treatment is that it hurts. There are a few reasons that’s not the case. The first is that your endodontist will thoroughly numb the area of your mouth that they’ll be working on before they start. The second is that advancements in both technology and the field of dentistry have made the process of eliminating the infection quicker and more efficient than ever before. Simply put, it’s not a long, excruciating, painful procedure; that’s a myth!
Myth #2: Root Canals Make You Sick
This myth largely stems from poorly designed research by a man named Dr. Price. If you can believe it, this was back in the 1920s and, although his findings have been discredited multiple times throughout the coming decades, people continue to spread this myth. The reality is that not getting a root canal when you need one can cause the infection to spread, which can negatively impact your oral and overall health.
Myth #3: You Only Need a Root Canal If You’re in Pain
It’s true: pain is a common symptom of a severely decayed or damaged tooth. However, it’s not the only one. Dark discoloration on one tooth, bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, and even a change in your bite could be signs of trouble. That’s why you may need a root canal even if you aren’t in pain!
Note: It’s also possible for a toothache to seemingly go away overnight. Although the pain is gone, the root of the problem isn’t. In other words, this often happens because the infection has “killed” the root of the tooth, making it no longer able to register pain.
Myth #4: The Results of Root Canal Treatment Are Only Temporary
The reality is that root canal treatment can eliminate an infection in its tracks, saving your tooth both now and decades from now. Even the restoration used to protect your tooth moving forward can last for 10+ years with proper care!
About the Practice
At Worcester Endodontics, we help patients with everything from traumatic dental injuries to root canal treatment. When it comes to the latter, it’s very common for patients to feel a bit nervous and apprehensive at first, which is why we focus on being compassionate, using a gentle touch, and answering any and all questions about this tooth-saving treatment. If you would like to get in touch with us to learn more, reach out to us via our website or by phone at (508) 755-3636.