Root Canal Myths

Myth #1

“Root Canal Therapy Is Painful.”

Root canal therapy is intended to alleviate pain and save the tooth. If you are suffering from pain the day of your appointment, your apprehension and fear may heighten the sensations you feel. But most people report they experienced little or no pain during the appointment and felt better later.

The procedure is usually undertaken because the tooth causing pain has infected pulp, is broken or has a slowly dying nerve. The misperception that root canal therapy is painful stems from early and long-outdated treatment techniques.

Myth #2

“Teeth Must Hurt Before a Root Canal Is Needed.”

Teeth that require root canal therapy are not always painful. Sometimes an unhealthy tooth presents with no symptoms, but can at some point in time. Your dentist thoroughly examines your teeth during a regular check-up. It is usually at this appointment that the dentist discovers an unhealthy tooth, using tests such as temperature, percussion, or bite testing, and also looking at radiographs.

Myth #3

“Root Canal Therapy Can Cause Illness.”

The idea that bacteria trapped inside an endodontically-treated tooth will cause heart or kidney disease or arthritis stems from research conducted almost 100 years ago by Dr. Weston Price (1910 to 1930). Recent attempts to confirm his research have been unsuccessful.

Bacteria can be found in the mouth at anytime; even on teeth free from decay and gum disease.

Myth #4

“A Root Canal Takes Several Appointments.”

Root canal therapy is usually completed in one or two appointments. Factors that determine the time necessary include the amount of infection found, the difficulty encountered in cleaning the canal(s), and the extent of restoration needed to ensure the tooth functions properly.