Few terms in dentistry inspire anxiety in patients quite like, “You need a root canal.” In reality, this fear is completely unfounded!
Root canals get an undeserved bad rap due to various myths. We’re here today to discuss exactly what a root canal is and identify and debunk a couple of misguided myths!
What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a procedure in which a tooth´s severely damaged or decayed internal ¨pulp¨, which consists of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue, is removed. In a root canal procedure, a dentist, using special tools, removes the damaged pulp, cleans the remaining empty space, and seals it in order to prevent bacteria from re-entering the tooth. This procedure alleviates (often quite severe) pain in the immediate term, prevents further decay, saves a portion of the natural tooth, and creates a healthy environment for tissue to grow back.
It’s worth noting that atop the list of priorities for any dentist performing a root canal is ensuring a pain-free experience for the patient. This brings us to the first and most prevalent root canal myth.
Common Root Canal Misconceptions
The most common misguided myth about root canal therapy (no thanks to TV and movies) is that it’s painful. This is completely untrue!
Not only are root canals significantly less painful than pop culture would suggest, but advances in technology and anesthesia have also made it so, at this point, they’re basically painless! In fact, whatever discomfort a patient might feel during a root canal is barely a blip compared to whatever issue actually necessitated the procedure!
Additionally, some people believe that the extraction of a decayed tooth is preferable to a root canal. This is also untrue, as root canals, in saving a portion of the natural tooth, benefit the health of a patient’s bite, gums, and jawbone, and prevent misalignment among remaining teeth.
A consultation with a dentist can help further dispel these and other myths and inform a patient of the benefits of root canal therapy.
Root Canal Therapy in Van Nuys, CA
If you’re in the Van Nuys area and would like to learn more about root canal therapy, contact dentist Dr. Peter Suh and the team at The Dental Care Center to schedule a consultation appointment.