Myths about Root Canal Treatment and Tips for Quick Recovery
Nov 01, 2020
Root canal treatment is one of the misunderstood dental procedures. In this article, we seek to demystify some myths associated with the treatment
For most patients, root canal treatment is among the scary dental procedures. This fear is due in part to common myths about the treatment.
Root canal treatment is used to remedy tooth decay. During the procedure, your tooth’s damaged area is extracted. The space left behind is disinfected and sealed with fillings.
The Procedure
If your dentist suggests a root canal treatment is what you need and wonder what to expect, the following are the steps and procedures you can expect:
- X-ray To assess the damage your tooth has due to the decay, your dentist will request for an X-ray. If you have existing X-ray images of your decayed tooth, it is wise to carry them.
- Anesthesia Before starting the procedure, your dentist will administer local anesthesia to the affected area. The anesthesia numbs the area under treatment, making the dental surgery painless.
- Pulpectomy After anesthesia, your infected pulp is extracted. If not removed, the infection may spread to other areas making this procedure perhaps the most crucial. You may lose your tooth if the infection spreads.
- Filling Lastly, the exposed root will be sealed with cement after being filled with gutta-percha material.
Common Myths
Below are some of the popular myths about the treatment:
- The treatment causes illness In the early 1900s, it was said that the treatment causes illness resulting from the bacteria trapped in the teeth after the procedure. Recent studies, however, debunk this myth. Modern research has found it is normal for bacteria to be present in the mouth and teeth.Researchers suggest the diseases associated with the procedure during the early 1900s were caused by poor hygiene.
- The procedure is often not successful Root canal therapy is among dental procedures with very high success rates. Provided you maintain oral hygiene and ensure surrounding gums and teeth are healthy, your restored tooth can last a lifetime.
- It is usually painful Another common myth is that the procedure is painful. Anesthesia is administered by your dentist, which numbs your tooth, making the surgery painless. Advancement in technology associated with this treatment has also helped to make the procedure fast and painless.The only pain you experience is a result of the infection. This treatment is to remedy the problem. For your anxiety, your dentist may offer you relaxing medicine like Nitrous Oxide to cool your nerves.
- Root canal procedure involves the removal of your whole tooth This treatment aims to restore or save your tooth. During the procedure, only the infected pulp and nerve tissue of your tooth is extracted. A fraction of the root’s inner part is also removed to ascertain all the bacteria is eliminated. This common belief is, therefore, not true.
- Extracting the whole tooth is an excellent alternative to root canal therapy According to Dr. Anna Auletta, a dentist in Clearwater, the best dental procedure is always the one that saves your natural tooth. With an artificial tooth, you may be forced to avoid certain foods. Root canal therapy, therefore, is the best option for treating an infected pulp since it saves your tooth.The procedure has a high success rate and is also cheaper compared to getting implants or bridges.
How to Care for the Tooth After the Treatment
Despite having a high success rate, how you care for your restored tooth is a critical factor to consider. A treated tooth has the potential to last a lifetime with proper care.
The following are ways you can care for your teeth after the treatment:
- Avoid chewing on hard foods and surfaces to prevent damage to your root canals or break your teeth.
- Maintain good oral hygiene. You accomplish this by brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing at least once.
- Make regular visits to your dentist for examinations and cleaning. Through these visits, dental complications are avoided or identified during their onset, making them easy to treat.
Root canal therapy is a very efficient procedure with a high success rate. Due to misinformation, there are myths about the treatment that makes people feel anxious about it. At Dental Arts Clearwater in Clearwater, we do our best to make the procedure effective and convenient for you both financially and health wise.