Root canals have been given a bad rap and are often avoided like the plague. But, do they deserve their negative reputation?

The thought of having a root canal performed might make you uneasy or even fearful. This is likely due to the misconceptions that root canals and other endodontic treatments are painful and/or cause illness. Actually, the truth is the exact opposite. And, to help you understand why the doctor’s at Eagle River Dental would like to provide you with some common myths surrounding root canals.

Root canal myths

  1. Root canals are painful treatments

Years ago, root canals might have been painful, but today there's anesthetics and modern technology involved making root canals as painless as having a cavity filled. An endodontic treatment like a root canal can remove damaged tissue that causes a severe toothache, actually relieving the pain.

  1. A tooth extraction is superior to a root canal

The best option is saving natural teeth if it's possible. You just can't replace the function and appearance of a natural tooth with something artificial, and that's what makes a root canal treatment so important. Root canals have a high success rate, and many teeth treated with root canals last a lifetime.

Having to replace an extracted tooth with an implant or bridge will require more time in treatment and could lead to further procedures for supporting tissue and neighboring teeth.

  1. Root canals cause illness

There's a lot of misinformation on the internet or elsewhere that claim receiving a root canal will increase your chances of becoming ill or contracting a disease in the future. This is simply not true. There's no scientific, valid evidence that links root canals to disease elsewhere in your body. This myth is based on poorly designed research conducted many, many years ago, long before diseases were understood by modern medicine.

Why root canals don't deserve their bad rap

First of all, each year, millions of teeth receive root canal treatments and are saved. In fact, there are over 41,000 root canals being performed every day, according to the American Association of Endodontists.

Endodontic treatment today is nothing like it was. It's similar to a filling and can often be completed in a single appointment, depending on your personal circumstances and the condition of your tooth. A great fear of many is root canals are painful, but the treatment that's performed by trained dental professionals like Mike Crookston, DDS Eagle River Dental should be relatively painless.

Root canal therapy might be the best type of treatment for a tooth that's damaged, infected, or decayed. This endodontic treatment removes the nerves, pulp, and any bacteria and saves your natural tooth. Medicated dental materials are then used to fill the space left behind to restore your tooth's function.

You'll be back to biting, chewing, and smiling with ease in no time.

Book an appointment today with Eagle River Dental to see if a root canal is the best treatment option for your teeth problems.

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