If you’ve been informed that you need a root canal, you might not be overjoyed at the prospect. You might have reservations over how painful it will be, how long it will take and the long term prognosis for your tooth. However, while it can be tempting to search online for an answer, that can lead to further confusion. While many of us have heard of root canal therapy, the procedure is often misunderstood. So, to stop you from mixing helpful advice with unreliable or inaccurate information, we’ve put together a list of myths to be wary of.
1. root Canal Treatment is Painful
If you need a root canal, then chances are you are in some amount of pain. This will be caused by the infection in the root of your tooth. But that pain has nothing to do with the procedure itself. In fact, the treatment to fix that infection and save your tooth is relatively pain-free. A local anaesthetic will ensure that the area surrounding your tooth is numb so you can’t feel anything. And, for anxious patients, there is always the option of different types of anaesthesia and even sleep dentistry.
2. The Benefits of Root Canal Treatment Are Temporary
While a tooth is no longer technically alive once a root canal is performed, that doesn’t mean it will eventually need to be extracted. In fact, the benefits of root canal therapy are extremely long-lasting. Once you have a permanent filling or crown fitted over the tooth, if you maintain good oral hygiene, your tooth could be preserved indefinitely.
3. Root Canal Treatment is Expensive
If you search online for how much does root canal cost, you’ll no doubt get a variety of answers. However, there is no reason why you can’t find cheap root canal treatment near me in Bexley. In fact, root canal therapy provides extremely affordable teeth care in relation to the alternatives. While the cost will depend on who performs the treatment, whether the root canal has been performed before and the complexity of the case, it will no doubt be cheaper, not to mention less invasive, than having a dental implant or bridge to replace a missing tooth.
4. A Root Canal Is No Better Than An Implant
While some patients may opt for extraction over root canal therapy, that is by no means the better option. Not only will it cost more in the long run, but it is worse for your overall oral health. By having a root canal, you conserve more healthy tooth structure, which will always be stronger and more functional than a prosthetic. By choosing to have a root canal, you are choosing long-lasting and affordable teeth care.
5. Any Dentist Can Perform Root Canal Therapy
While root canal therapy is a general dentistry procedure, that doesn’t mean that all Sydney dentists can offer the same level of treatment. When looking for what dentist does root canals, you will want to find out how much experience they have. When molars are infected, the complex root canal system can be difficult to find and clean. The more experience your dentist has with a variety of cases, the more chance yours will be a success.
6. If You’re Not in Pain You Don’t Need a Root Canal
When an infection reaches the root of your tooth, it often causes significant pain. However, that doesn’t mean that no pain means there is no problem. Some patients will have a small pimple near the infected tooth that drains fluid and stops the pressure from building. That can stop the pain, but the infection will still be there. Ultimately, if the root of your tooth is either damaged or infected, a root canal will be necessary regardless of symptoms. The alternative, doing nothing, could well lead to tooth extraction down the line.
7. The Root of Your Tooth Will Be Removed
The aim of root canal therapy is to save your natural tooth, so it most certainly does not involve removing the tooth or the root. Instead, the canals are cleaned and shaped internally, the nerve tissue and pulp removed, and the root filled. By doing this, your dentist can help you to retain the look, function and feel of your tooth for years to come.
8. You Won’t Need Ongoing Treatment
Firstly, root canal treatment often requires a few appointments. The root may be cleaned and then temporarily filled; this gives your dentist the opportunity to ensure the infection is entirely removed before placing the permanent filling. What’s more, often the permanent filling won’t be strong enough to withstand the chewing forces of your back teeth. You may have to have a crown fitted over the filling at a later date. Either way, you’ll want to ensure you have regular appointments with your dentist to not only check up on your root canal but to stop any further decay in your other teeth.
