When most people hear the word root canal, they shudder with fear and dread. However, most of the common myths about root canal treatment are quite false, and not all that many people need it or should even get it done in the first place. Here are some of the most common myths about root canal treatment so you can make an informed decision about whether or not you actually need to have it done to save your teeth!

A lot of people say that having a root canal is more painful than other dental procedures. The truth is that r

7 Myths about Root Canal Treatment

When most people hear the word root canal, they shudder with fear and dread. However, most of the common myths about root canal treatment are quite false, and not all that many people need it or should even get it done in the first place. Here are some of the most common myths about root canal treatment so you can make an informed decision about whether or not you actually need to have it done to save your teeth!

Myth #1: It hurts more than other dental procedures

A lot of people say that having a root canal is more painful than other dental procedures. The truth is that root canals and fillings aren’t any more painful than many other dental procedures and are often less traumatic.

Myth #2: Root canals will always lead to tooth loss

That’s false. A 2007 study published in The Journal of Endodontics found that root canals can, in fact, save teeth that would otherwise have to be extracted.

Myth #3: It causes long-term pain

One of the most common myths is that root canal treatment can cause long-term pain, headaches or weakness. False! All studies have shown that people with a root canal are just as likely to experience future pain as those without a root canal. In fact, most people are amazed at how comfortable they feel immediately after their procedure.

Myth #4: Only older teeth need root canals

There’s no hard and fast rule that says only older teeth need root canals. In fact, any tooth can be in jeopardy of a root canal when exposed to too much decay. The pulp (which contains blood vessels and nerves) can also become inflamed due to trauma or an inherited condition called dentinogenesis imperfecta.

Myth #5: The recovery time is too long

a common root canal treatment myth is that patients need to take too much time off work. Root canal treatment takes just a few hours, and when it’s completed, you can resume normal activity immediately. When you’re not feeling well or when you have any kind of oral discomfort (and you will know if it hurts), then simply remember to stay away from any high-impact activities until your dentist gives you the go-ahead.

Myth #6: There’s no point in repairing a tooth that needs a root canal

It’s better to just pull it out. While root canals have become common dental practice, they’re still misunderstood. One of those misconceptions is that there’s no point in getting a tooth repaired if it requires a root canal—you may as well just pull it out. A lot of people also believe that you’ll feel pain for weeks after undergoing treatment for an infected tooth. But neither of these things are true, especially because root canal treatments are now performed with very little pain involved.

Myth #7: It’s cheap and quick if you choose to do it yourself
Many people still believe that root canal treatment is cheap and quick if you choose to do it yourself. This isn’t true at all. It’s a tedious procedure and will take some time to complete, but when left untreated can result in irreversible damage to your teeth and be far more expensive in the long run. Root canal treatment has come a long way over recent years – so much so that most of our patients don’t experience any of its side effects at all!