Myths About Root Canal Treatment

The hollow section of the tooth that contains the nerve tissue, blood vessels, and other cells is known as the root canal. The root canal, also known as the pulp is not a dental treatment as most people believe. It is in fact, a part of the tooth. The tooth is nourished and moisturized by the pulp. The pulp is located in the crown and roots which make up a tooth. The tooth root helps to attach the tooth to the jawbone. However, the pulp that provides nourishment and moisture to the teeth can become infected, irritated, and inflamed together with the tooth’s nerve. This can be caused by deep tooth decay and other serious conditions.

The treatment procedure for this infection is called endodontic therapy, also known as root canal treatment. During endodontic treatment, the infected pulp and tooth nerve is removed, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. If this treatment is not carried out as soon as possible, an abscess might form, and the surrounding teeth tissues might be infected.

Treatment for a root canal infection should commence immediately after it is discovered because delay can be dangerous. This is because the bacteria behind the infection multiplies and spreads rapidly. Although, a root canal infection can only be ascertained through a dental x-ray, below are the symptoms that a pulp infection gives. These symptoms may come and appear to go, only for them to intensify and worsen.

• Discomfort while chewing, speaking, or biting.
• Tooth sensitivity.
• Loose tooth.
• Abscessed tooth.
• Tooth discoloration.
• Facial swelling
• Gum swelling.

The soothing wonders of a root canal treatment notwithstanding, a lot of people avoid getting it. This is because of the various myths they have heard which makes them keep wondering “is root canal safe?”

11 Myths About Root Canal Treatment

• A root canal treatment is extremely painful. This is the most common myth about root canal treatment. However, this is false as a modern-day root canal treatment procedure is painless. It serves as a pain reliever.
• I do not feel pain, therefore I do not need a root canal treatment. A pulp infection at a stage could be painless making you think it just went away. However, the pain that follows the absence of the fistula (a “pimple” that drains pus from infection), is excruciating.
• I do not need a root canal treatment when I could just extract the affected tooth. The bacteria in a pulp infection multiplies and spreads rapidly. If a root canal treatment is delayed, it could cause colossal damage to the whole teeth in the mouth. An infected pulp does not necessarily need a tooth extraction. Also, there is nothing better than having your natural teeth, therefore, saving the tooth should be your first option.
• A root canal is a key to many illnesses. This claim is a false one as a root canal helps to fix a problem. It doesn’t create more problems for your oral health.
• A root canal treatment requires a lot of visits to a dental clinic in Vernon. With the advancement in technology, you can get endodontic therapy in a dental visit or two.
• The root of a tooth is removed during a root canal treatment. The point of a root canal treatment is to save a tooth. The infected pulp in the tooth is removed while the tooth root is left untouched.
• I cannot have a root canal treatment while pregnant. Modern-day technology helps to minimize the radiation exposure of X-rays. Precautions will be taken if you are pregnant to prevent your unborn child from radiation exposure. However, you should let your Vernon dentist near v1t 5j4 know that you are pregnant beforehand.
• Dental attention is not needed again after a root canal treatment. A root canal treatment is not the end of your dental health. And during your recovery time, you need follow-up appointments with an emergency dentist in Vernon, BC, to nurse your tooth back to health.
• The pain of a pulp infection disappears immediately after a root canal treatment. After a root canal treatment, the pain from the inflammation, infection, and irritation does not disappear right away. The pain subsides substantially and is gone a few days or weeks after treatment.
• A root canal treatment has a low success rate. A root canal treatment, when gotten from a qualified endodontist, has a 95% success rate.
• Tooth crowns cause root canal infections. A crowned tooth does not have anything to do with a root canal infection. The only cause of a root canal is an irritated, inflamed, and infected pulp and tooth nerve.

Root canal treatments help to preserve your oral health and should not be avoided.