Common Misconceptions about Root Canal Treatments

Root canal treatments are tried and true. In fact, the treatment has been performed in some way or another for centuries. With such a long history, root canals have been vulnerable to myths and misconceptions, giving them a confusing reputation. Thanks to modern technology, today’s root canals are about as quick and easy as having a filling done. In this blog post, we’ll clear up some common misconceptions about this important, tooth-saving procedure.

It’s Painful

A lot of patients worry that they’ll be in excruciating pain during the procedure. That’s just not true. During the procedure, the area is numbed. Most patients report feeling little to no pain while undergoing their root canal. After the fact, you can expect to experience some minor pain and sensitivity, but it should be easily addressed by over-the-counter pain medications and will ease up after a few days.

Choose Extraction Over Root Canal

There’s a persistent belief out there that it’s better to pull the tooth than to go through a root canal. We believe that, whenever possible, it is best to save the natural tooth, which is what a root canal allows us to do. While we offer fantastic restorations, such as dental implants, that do a good job mimicking the natural look and feel of the tooth, nothing beats the real thing.

It’s a Long, Drawn-Out Treatment

Some people falsely believe that root canals are a long process, taking multiple appointments over a long period of time. On the contrary, root canals are almost always completed in one or two visits to the dentist. The time it takes to complete the procedure will depend on certain factors such as the extent of the damage, but your dentist should be able to let you know what to expect before getting started.

Quality Dentistry at CarolinasDentist

A lot of the myths around root canals, and other dental procedures, have roots in history. While dental care might have been scary and painful in decades past, we’re proud to say that’s just not the case anymore. For an easy, pain-free experience, choose the team at CarolinasDentist to address all of your dental needs.

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