Root Canal Myths Explained | Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS
Root canal … does reading those two words bother you? If you’ve heard horror stories about root canals, and you’re skeptical, hesitant, or just flat-out scared about the procedure, then this article is a must read for you! Patients who base their dental decisions off perceptions can end up having to pay more for bigger procedures at the end. These patients tend to leave any dental work to the last minute. When they are in crucial pain and have no other choice, they then visit the dentist. Don’t be this patient! Dr. Kezian has put together a list of myths that patients base their worries on; reading them can help you overcome any fears you may have regarding that “dreaded” root canal procedure.
Myths, that is all they are:
“A root canal treatment is so painful!”
The treatment of the root canal itself is not a painful procedure. In fact, you’re completely numb throughout the entire thing. What people associate with the word root canal, is the pain they were feeling prior to coming to the dental office. Like we mentioned above, sometimes patients avoid the dentist to the point where it is too late … where the pain is too much to tolerate. So yes, needing a root canal causes pain, but the procedure does not. On the contrary, the procedure is what relieves you of the pain. So don’t hesitate, if you’re experiencing any pain, look forward to the procedure because it will be what causes you to smile again!
“You don’t need a root canal if there is no pain.”
This topic kind of transcends the first one, except, root canals don’t ALWAYS hurt. Sometimes, some teeth require root canals and the patients won’t even be aware of it. This is possible because teeth have nerves. If the nerve inside the tooth dies, then you don’t feel anything because technically there is no nerve response. In cases like this, you need a root canal to prevent any abscess or infection from occurring.
“Root canals can lead to an illness.”
This is definitely a myth that should be avoided. Some patients think that the bacteria inside your mouth that is present during the root canal procedure can eventually make you sick after the procedure is complete. This is not true. If anything, the bacteria is cleaned out thoroughly from inside the roots of the teeth. Plus, there is a number of bacteria in your mouth every day, at any given time. Not doing a root canal when it is needed is what can cause problems. But because some patients don’t know they need one, this is a situation we wish we could change. We hope that patients keep their routine dental appointments to have their teeth checked on every six months and avoid the possibility of needing a root canal.
“Root canals don’t even last long.”
You might have heard this from a patient who received a root canal treatment and then had to have the root canal redone or might have had to have the tooth removed. Unfortunately, some root canals might need to be re-treated, but that is not because the treatment itself does not last. Everyone’s case is different from the next person’s, and depending on the amount of decay or infection or just simply, the prognosis of the tooth, some may need to be redone. This does not mean yours will need to.
Also, some patients have had to remove the teeth after a failed root canal. This may have been because the tooth broke or cracked. After a root canal, the tooth can become more weak because the blood supply in the tooth has been removed. To prevent this from happening, your dentist will recommend getting a crown on top of the root canal treated tooth to give it the support it needs. Patients who do not get the crowns can end up cracking or breaking their tooth down the line. To avoid this, make sure you speak to your doctor about what type of crown is best suited for your case.
Call your dentist today!
These were some of the myths that pertain to root canals. Now that you are aware of them, you will know how to go about them. Don’t hesitate to come to the dental office. Dentists are here to help you and relieve your pain. If you have more questions about root canals, please feel free to call us. Our staff will be happy to help you out and answer any questions you may have about the root canal procedure. It’s easier to handle the situation when you are in the know. Call us and let us help you out. You can reach us at 323 467 2777.
Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777