The idea of a root canal may seem scary or even distressing when patients aren’t familiar with the procedure. Many individuals fear or avoid endodontic treatments such as root canal therapy due to the common misconceptions that is can cause pain or illness. However, contrary to popular belief the exact opposite is true. Root canal therapy repairs and saves badly damaged teeth. The longer a patient postpones root canal therapy the fewer chances they have of saving the tooth.
The following are six common misconceptions about root canal treatment. Dismissing these myths can ease a patient’s anxiety when it comes to receiving root canal therapy from a Dentist in La Crete:
1. Root Canal therapy is painful: This myth is the most widely circulated and the number one reason why patients are so fearful of treatment. This may have been accurate decades ago, but with modern technology and the use of anesthetics, root canal therapy is not any more painful than receiving a dental filling. In reality, root canal therapy relieves pain rather than causes it. The pain triggered by a severe toothache is generally a result of damaged tissues in the tooth. This can be easily treated by an endodontist at a Dental Clinic in La Crete. The endodontist will remove the damaged tissue quickly and seal the tooth off from any further issues.
2. Root canal therapy causes patients to experience illness: Articles on the internet or elsewhere that claim root canal therapy increases a patient chances of becoming ill or contracting a disease are completely false. As of today, there is no valid, scientific evidence correlating root canal therapy to the development of diseases in the body. If anything, it helps prevent tooth loss and the spread of oral health issues in the mouth.
3. Pulling a tooth is better than having root canal therapy: Patients who find root canal therapy intimidating may think that a tooth extraction is a better option. Saving a patient’s natural teeth if possible, is always the most ideal option. Artificial teeth can replace natural teeth, but they simply do not feel or function the same. This is why dentists in La Crete continuously consider root canal therapy as a treatment option. The success rate for endodontic treatment is extremely high and, in many cases, the results of root canal treated teeth can last a lifetime. Root canal alternatives such as bridges or Dental Implants require supplementary treatment time and additional treatment to the adjacent teeth and the supporting tissue. Furthermore, these forms of teeth replacement are typically more expensive than root canal therapy.
4. If there is no pain present, root canal therapy is not necessary: Patients receiving root canal therapy most commonly suffer from severe toothaches. That being said, in some cases, pain isn’t always present in patients who require root canal therapy. When the nerve in the tooth dies, pain or discomfort is diminished. However, root canal therapy is still necessary even if the tooth is dead as it can become infected if left untreated. Pain is not a reliable indicator for root canal therapy. Visiting a La Crete dental clinic for a routine check-up can determine if there are signs or symptoms present.
5. Root canal therapy is a temporary solution: The idea of root canal therapy as a quick fix is yet again another misconception. One of the advantages of root canal therapy is that it is generally long-lasting. In fact, If the crown is well-made by a Dentist in La Crete and if the patient practices a good oral hygiene routine, the preserved tooth can last indeterminately.
6. Root canal therapy is a lengthy process: Many patients falsely believe that root canal therapy will take multiple appointments to be completed. In most cases, root canal therapy can be completed in as little as one or two visits to a La Crete dental clinic. The treatment time for root canal therapy differs for each patient. The severity of the infection and the difficulty of the procedure are both factors to be considered by endodontists when establishing a time frame for their patients.