The Most Common Myths About Root Canals Debunked

Nobody likes hearing that they need a root canal.

In fact, if you speak to a dentist near you, they’ll likely tell you that this phrase is enough to strike fear in the hearts of most of their patients.

And if you’ve been told that you need one, your concern is totally understandable - the root canal’s past reputation as an absolutely barbaric procedure is enough to make most people shudder.

Fortunately, most of that you’ve likely heard about them is a myth.  Medical technology has come a long way, and for the vast majority of people, root canal treatment is NW Calgary is quick, easy and (relatively) painless.

Here are four of the most common myths about root canals that just won’t die.

Myth #1 - Root Canals Are Extremely Painful

When most people think of a root canal, the first thing they think about is intense pain.

And it makes sense - a root canal involves going deep into the inner layers of the tooth where all of the nerves are located.  Combine that with stories from previous generations (when they genuinely were painful experiences), and it’s easy to understand why patients immediately leap to this conclusion.

But the reality is that things are much different today than they were in your grandparents generation.  Anesthetic technology has really come a long way, and the vast majority of people can expect only a mild amount of discomfort.

In fact, most patients report that it’s really no worse than having a cavity filled.

Myth #2 - Root Canals Require Multiple Dental Trips

Another persistent myth is that root canal treatment near you will require multiple trips to a dental clinic.

Again, this may have been true in the past.  But, like anesthetic technology, dental technology has really come a long way over the last few decades.

While there are always exceptions and cases that are more complicated (a dentist in NW Calgary can get a better sense of what’s going on), most people can generally expect to get their root canal done in one or two visits tops.

Myth #3 - Pregnant Women Shouldn’t Have Root Canals

This myth comes from the fact that a root canal requires both anesthetic and an x-ray - and when most people imagine both of those things, they tend to think that they’ll be hazardous to the health of a woman who’s pregnant.

The reality is that both of these technologies can be used without causing any harm.  The x-ray is focused on the mouth (the abdomen will be protected during the procedure), and most root canals can be performed with a local anesthetic that’s safe for women who are pregnant.

Myth #4 - It’s Better To Just Pull The Tooth

The idea that it’s better to just pull a tooth than have a root canal comes from an old misconception that root canals cause the human body to be more susceptible to illness later on down the line.

It also comes from a belief that a root canal is simply a temporary procedure, that the tooth will eventually need to get pulled, and that it’s better just to “get it over with now”.

Both of these ideas are myths.  The notion that root canals cause illness is based on a long debunked study from the early 20th century, and the fact of the matter is that, with a little care and upkeep, teeth treated with a root canal can last a lifetime.

And at the end of the day, while implant technology is absolutely fantastic, nothing beats keeping your real teeth, and you should do everything you can to help maintain them.