Dr. Parisa Norouzi

If you were recently informed that you need a root canal, chances are the minute you left your dentist’s clinic, you immediately began scouring the Internet for information on this well-known — but highly misunderstood — dental treatment.

The Internet can be a great place to gather helpful information, but it is also plagued by unreliable sources & dangerously inaccurate information that can lead unknowing online researchers astray.

The following are common myths & misinformation about root canals & tooth pain that are prevalent online. While finding out you are in need of a root canal can be frightening, the more you know about this tooth-saving procedure & what it can do for your toothache & oral health, the calmer & more confident you will feel when you return to the dentist’s chair.

Myth #1: You only need a root canal if you are experiencing tooth pain.

Sometimes teeth that have died no longer cause pain & need to have a root canal in order to avoid becoming infected. We have several tests that allow us to know when a tooth has died & needs to receive a root canal.

Myth #2: Root canal treatment is painful.

A root canal relieves tooth pain associated with progressive & destructive decay that has reached the root of a tooth & caused infection. With the use of cutting-edge dental technology, along with anesthetics & sedation dentistry, having a root canal feels similar to receiving a filling & can be just as painless.

Myth #3: Root canals cause illness.

It’s hard to miss this myth if you are searching for information on root canals online. This myth is based on poorly designed & long-since debunked research that took place almost an entire century .Not only are root canals safe & effective, they eliminate bacteria from the infected roots of teeth, improving both your oral health & your overall health.

Myth #4: The benefits of root canal treatments are temporary.

Root canal results are long-lasting. They relieve patients’ toothaches & preserve the affected tooth indefinitely. The final restoration or crown is the key to successful results. A well-made & well-fit crown combined with good at-home oral health practices & routine visits to the dentist can ensure that your tooth lasts a lifetime.

Myth #5: Tooth extraction is a good alternative to root canals.

An extraction is a traumatic procedure that actually allows more bad bacteria to be introduced into the bloodstream. There is no adequate replacement for a natural tooth. A root canal with a good restoration is not only cost effective, it allows you to keep your natural tooth. Bridges, implants, & other replacement alternatives require additional treatments, more time in the chair, & elevated cost.