Many patients become agitated when they’re told they need a root canal. But this isn’t because the procedure is worse than another treatment. It has more to do with the myths people believe about root canals. Fortunately, we’re here to help debunk these problematic suppositions.
At Downtown Dental Studio, we offer many different oral health treatment options, from regular dental cleanings to crown lengthening and gum surgery. Fadi Beydoun, DMD, MS, Alexander Kimon, DMD, and Karina Zaygermakher, DMD, not only provide safe, healthy root canals, but they also want patients to have all the facts before their procedure begins
Yes, a root canal is performed when the tooth pulp has become infected and begun to decay. In some cases, people are so nervous about the idea of a root canal that they don’t know what the procedure is. (But more on that later.) It’s common to have a friend or family member say, “Just have the tooth pulled. You’ll be better off.”
It’s always better to keep as many of your natural teeth as possible. When someone gets a tooth pulled and doesn’t fill the space with an implant, it can be extremely unhealthy for their mouth in the long run. What’s more, even if they do get an implant, it takes time for their new device to feel comfortable, whereas their own tooth is already a natural fit.
This is very untrue. Over 15 million root canals are still performed every year, with 41,000 performed every day! This is done because root canals are still the best way to treat a tooth for infection and decay if the tooth is still healthy enough to avoid being pulled.
This is another harmful myth that makes people avoid the treatment they need. At the same time, many patients needing a root canal experience this kind of throbbing toothache; some people who still require the procedure experience different kinds of pain or no pain at all. It’s always important to let your provider test the tooth and tell you if a root canal is necessary.
The myth that root canals cause illness is actually linked to a debunked study from the 1920s. In this study, it was falsely claimed that root canals are linked to other diseases. However, getting a root canal helps you avoid illness, as infected tooth pulp can spread to the tooth root and eventually cause problems in other parts of your body.
This is probably the most pervasive myth about root canals. While the process can be uncomfortable, this is mostly based on past root canals that didn’t offer the comforts we have now. The procedure itself is well-managed when it comes to pain, and patients are given medications to minimize pain after the fact, making it much less severe.
When people shy away from this procedure because of their fear of discomfort — either choosing a less suitable treatment or avoiding their provider entirely — they risk several issues occurring as a result of their infection. It’s always better to get the procedure, and thanks to anesthesia, a root canal isn’t more painful than the average dental procedure.
There’s nothing to fear when it comes to getting a root canal. The myths surrounding this procedure are mostly based on outdated evidence and wild misconceptions. We are here to help you learn about the process and support you as you get the best treatment for your oral health.
If you’d like to make an appointment at our New York City, NY office in the Financial District, call 212-964-3337 or make one online at your convenience. We can’t wait to see you smile!
