Root canals have a fairly bad reputation among the public. The mere mention of one can cause people to get upset, remembering the stories they have been told, or their past experiences from years ago. However, many of the stories that people who have never had root canals tell are either full of outdated information or myths.
The following are three common root canal Lakeview myths debunked that will hopefully make you less terrified the next time someone brings it up.
1. They Are Painful
A root canal should not be painful. In fact, you should be so numb you do not actually feel anything during the procedure. Not just that, but this is not a procedure done to cause pain, but to help relieve it.
Some of these stories of “painful” root canals could be from years ago, but there have been many technological and medicinal advances since then to help make the root canal procedures of today entirely painless.
2. They Do Not Work
Your dentist would not recommend having a procedure done that would not benefit you and your oral health. Contrary to popular belief, when a root canal is done well, then it should last an entire lifetime. This is true for around 85 percent of root canal procedures that are done. However, there are instances where the damage is worse than your dentist initially thought, making a root canal pointless.
3. A Sensitive Tooth is Normal After the Procedure
If your tooth is sensitive months after the treatment, it is not normal, and is the sign of something gone wrong. You should return to the dentist immediately to have it examined, and the cause of your discomfort determined. This could be a sign that during the procedure, the area in question was not cleaned properly or the tooth may have broken all the way at the root.
It may be a sign of an infection, but it may also be a sign of a fractured tooth. While an infection can be treated, a fractured tooth cannot and will therefore have to be extracted.
Root canals are not nearly as scary as you think they are, and they can provide a lot of relief if you have pain in a tooth. Your dentist can help determine if you need one, and can even refer you to a specialist that can perform it for you.
The dentists at Dental Professionals of Lincoln Park can do a root canal in Lakeview, and they will ensure that your experience is as comfortable as possible. Contact them today to set up a consultation appointment.
