Debunking the Myths of a Root Canal

The thought of having a root canal isn’t a welcoming one. So when it becomes a reality, you may find yourself envisioning all kinds of frightening scenarios related to the procedure. This may stem from the fact that misinformation abounds online and in social circles regarding what a root canal entails. The truth is, a root canal is quite beneficial to the overall health of your mouth, helping to protect your natural teeth while protecting against infection and keeping your mouth healthy overall. Here, we debunk some of the myths of a root canal procedure:

Myth: Having a root canal is painful
Truth: Quite the opposite. A root canal helps get rid of the pain you have due to the infection in your tooth. And when the procedure is done, your dentist will provide a local anesthetic to numb the area, making the procedure pain-free. May patients report that it feels a lot like when they’ve had routine dental work.

Myth: A root canal pulls out the roots of the tooth
Fact: Because the purpose of a root canal is to save your tooth, it would be silly to remove the roots of your tooth. What really happens with a root canal is cleaning and shaping the inside of the canals, along with getting rid of bacteria-laden pulp and nerve tissue, which disinfects the area.

Myth: A root canal is worse than getting your tooth pulled
Fact: There was a time when tooth extraction may have been more widely used, but the majority of dentist today agree that saving your tooth rather than pulling it is the better way to go.

Myth: If you’re not in pain, you don’t need a root canal
Fact: It’s possible to still need a root canal even if you’re not experiencing any pain. If your dentist finds that the pulp of your tooth is damaged or infected, regardless of pain, a root canal may be necessary.  

To learn more about the truth behind a root canal procedure, please contact Drs. Kraut, Rogoff, Newsome and Kakanantadilok at the Montefiore Department of Dentistry. Our office is located in the Bronx and can be reached at 888-700-6623. We look forward to meeting you!