Forget the Myths: Get the Facts about Root Canals

They are some of the most feared words in the English language, causing dread and anxiety for the patients who hear them. They are five words that can inspire panic in even the strongest of men and the bravest of women. Those five words – “you need a root canal” – are enough to send most patients scurrying off to the internet in search of information about a dental procedure that has achieved an almost notorious status among average people. If you’ve recently heard those words from your dentist, chances are that you have experienced those initial moments of trepidation. If so, then it is important to dispel the myths you may have heard, and get the real facts about root canals.

Are Root Canals Painful?

Naturally, one of the prime reasons for the fear patients experience has to do with a commonly held belief that root canal procedures are extremely painful. In reality, it is typically no more painful than getting a filling. The fact is that your root canal will actually help to eliminate pain that you may already be experiencing.

Root Canals Offer Only Temporary Relief, Right?

Some people assume that a root canal offers little more than temporary relief. For most people, however, the results of a root canal last for many years. The whole purpose of a root canal is to save a tooth, and in that regard these procedures are incredibly effective and long-lived.

Is Pulling the Tooth Just as Good?

Some people actually believe that a tooth extraction is just as good as getting a root canal. Nothing could be further from the truth! In fact, all manner of problems can occur when a tooth is pulled. The procedure itself is traumatic for the mouth, and the resulting gap in the teeth undermines your dental strength and integrity. Worse, the very act of extracting that tooth could result in bacteria being sent into the bloodstream, causing even more difficulties. It is always better to work to save the tooth.

Only Patients with Tooth Pain Need Root Canals, Right?

While many people assume that tooth pain must be present before a root canal could ever be justified, the reverse is actually true. In many instances, there is no pain because the tooth is effectively dead. That, of course, might mean that you have no lingering pain – but it may also mean that infection is more likely to set in. A competent dental checkup can determine whether or not a root canal procedure is the right solution.

At Ebenezer Dental, we understand that a root canal procedure is a frightening proposition for most of our patients. That’s largely due to decades of misinformation, and a failure on the part of the dental community to properly explain the real-world benefits these procedures can offer. That’s why it is so important to educate patients about these common myths and dispel those misconceptions once and for all. If you want to learn more about how the best dentist in midtown Manhattan can help you with your root canal issues, give us a call today.