Many people learned everything they know about root canals from cartoons and comedy movies that portray them as grueling ordeals carried out by sadistic dentists. While this portrayal can certainly be funny, it is not true to life and may scare some people away from getting a needed dental treatment. Here are three popular misconceptions about root canals along with the truths behind them.

FALSEHOOD #1: ROOT CANALS HURT

Many people believe that root canals are miserably painful, but modern methods, technologies, and anesthetics render these procedures completely painless. In fact, getting a root canal can eliminate the root cause of an agonizing dental infection, giving the patient much-needed relief so they can live their lives comfortably. While you may experience some discomfort or soreness for a few days after the treatment, it will gradually subside, can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication, and is far easier to deal with than a continuing toothache.

FALSEHOOD #2: ROOT CANALS CAUSE ILLNESS

In the 1920s, Dr. Weston A. Price published a paper reporting that root canals lead to infectious diseases and other illnesses. While this research was heavily criticized in its day and has since been thoroughly discredited, the misinformation it produced still persists on the Internet. Root canals are safe treatments that effectively eliminate painful infections, and they may even prevent dangerous secondary infections such as sepsis or pneumonia that may result from untreated tooth decay.

FALSEHOOD #3: TOOTH EXTRACTIONS ARE BETTER THAN ROOT CANALS

Some people are so anxious about root canals that they think it would be better to have their aching teeth extracted. Dentists only recommend tooth extractions as a last resort, and having one unnecessarily can lead to a range of oral health issues such as the remaining teeth shifting out of alignment, bone loss in the jaw, and dental damage due to chewing pressure being redistributed unevenly. Root canals can safely save an infected tooth from extraction, allowing it to last for much longer than it would have otherwise.

Don’t let misinformation scare you away from getting the oral healthcare you need. If your dentist recommends a root canal, you can rest assured that it is in your best interest.

ABOUT THE PRACTICE

Liv Endodontics offers the finest endodontic services available in Livingston, NJ. Led by Drs. Nassim Kohly, Ali Forghani, Ramin Rahmani, and Christopher Higgins, the staff ensures that each patient receives effective treatments that address their needs while maintaining a friendly and welcoming office environment. Areas of expertise include root canals, apicoectomies, endodontic microsurgery, and emergency dentistry. To learn more about how root canals can help patients live comfortably, contact the practice online or dial (973) 577-6500.