Worried that your upcoming root canal will cause problems?
At Glenside Dental, our general dentist Glenside knows the ins and outs of endodontics and root canals and can assuage any fears or concerns you may have. If you have any questions, please contact our friendly team.
Here, our general dentist Glenside answers common myths about root canal therapy.
Crowns equate to root canals
A crown does not equate to needing a root canal.
As our general dentist Glenside will tell you, a crown is used to rebuild a tooth that has been damaged on the surface. On the other hand, a root canal is used to remove any infections from the pulp or underneath the gums. The two can be performed together, but this is on a case-by-case basis, and you can have a crown fitted without needing a root canal.
Root canals are uncomfortable
No, they aren’t!
The origin of this myth is a bit clearer – when many patients need to have root canals performed, they are suffering from dental abscesses that are uncomfortable at the best of times.
Before conducting a root canal, your mouth and jaw will be numbed, and once the treatment is over and the infection is under control, any discomfort should subside.
Root canals delay extractions
No, they don't; this is a common myth that dates back to a time when root canals were not very long-lasting and prone to failure.
With advances in modern technology, root canals can now last the rest of your life without an issue, and the procedure aims to restore the tooth rather than delay extractions. For our team to conduct a root canal, your tooth will have to be in generally good condition so that it is more likely to survive the procedure.
If your tooth is too badly damaged or decayed, we will simply extract it.
You will need lots of appointments to complete it
Many variables go into predicting how long a root canal will take; one of them is the number of roots that a tooth has.
As you know, the front teeth have a single root, others have 2 and some of the molars have 4. Therefore, if you have an infected molar tooth, it is only logical that this procedure will take longer than a root canal performed on a single-rooted tooth.
However, if you need multiple appointments, our team will aim to have all the work completed within two sessions as this will lower the risk of any secondary issues occurring with the tooth. In between sessions, we will fit the tooth with a temporary crown, so you can eat and bite into food using the tooth.
Pregnant women can’t have root canals
There is no evidence to suggest that a pregnant woman can’t have a root canal.
Yet, many people have concerns because, with a root canal, you would also need to have x-rays performed so that our team can better assess the situation. Irrespective of where you are in your pregnancy, this x-ray would be very low in radiation and will have no impact on your baby's development.
If you have any more questions about root canals and pregnancy, feel free to talk to our team.
DISCLAIMER
All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.