There are many people wo are concerned about the possibility of a root canal. A root canal may be the only way to save a tooth that is infected, and millions of root canals are performed each year. They are incredibly safe and effective, despite myths you might hear about them online.
Your dentist may recommend a root canal and you may be nervous about it. Understanding common root canal myths can help give you some peace of mind.
Your dentist may recommend a root canal and you may be nervous about it. Understanding common root canal myths can help give you some peace of mind.
Myth 1: "A root canal is necessary if you suffer from tooth pain."
It is not always an infection that causes tooth pain, but dental pain is a warning that problems are developing. This is one of the reasons why it is necessary to have regular dental visits (as well as many other reasons).
Tooth pain is often associated with a root canal, a common misconception. If you are experiencing tooth pain, there may be many reasons for it.
It is possible to experience toothaches due to cavities, cracked teeth, gum disease, and sinus pressure, for example. A trained professional can perform tests to rule out other issues before recommending root canals.
Many times early intervention can stop tooth pain before it progresses to a tooth infection and help you to avoid needing a root canal!
Tooth pain is often associated with a root canal, a common misconception. If you are experiencing tooth pain, there may be many reasons for it.
It is possible to experience toothaches due to cavities, cracked teeth, gum disease, and sinus pressure, for example. A trained professional can perform tests to rule out other issues before recommending root canals.
Many times early intervention can stop tooth pain before it progresses to a tooth infection and help you to avoid needing a root canal!
Myth 2: "There is pain associated with root canals."
There is nothing better than modern technology. Root canals are now as easy to perform as filling cavities with today's anesthesia and procedures.
Most of the time, your tooth can be fixed without experiencing any pain. A skilled dentist will minimize your discomfort during the procedure by using pain management techniques.
When you have a root canal, your dentist will remove the damaged part of the tooth and, as a consequence, you stop experiencing toothaches. A root canal will reduce the amount of pain you experience.
Most of the time, your tooth can be fixed without experiencing any pain. A skilled dentist will minimize your discomfort during the procedure by using pain management techniques.
When you have a root canal, your dentist will remove the damaged part of the tooth and, as a consequence, you stop experiencing toothaches. A root canal will reduce the amount of pain you experience.
Myth 3: "Root canals are worse than pulling teeth."
Natural teeth cannot be replaced perfectly. Dental implants have come a long way and are now adequate for restoring function and appearance to your mouth, but they still don't match natural teeth. Dr. McAdams always says "if you can fix a tooth, you should! It's always better than pulling it."
Whenever possible, it is always better if you are able to save your natural tooth rather than extract it from your mouth. If a tooth undergoes a root canal treatment, it will still serve to improve your function and appearance.
More good news! Root canals require much less recovery time than extractions and dental implants. In addition, it poses no threat to adjacent teeth or supporting tissues.
Whenever possible, it is always better if you are able to save your natural tooth rather than extract it from your mouth. If a tooth undergoes a root canal treatment, it will still serve to improve your function and appearance.
More good news! Root canals require much less recovery time than extractions and dental implants. In addition, it poses no threat to adjacent teeth or supporting tissues.
Myth 4: "Illness is caused by root canals."
The internet is a wildfire for misinformation. We believe finding a practice you can trust, and putting your trust in your doctors and dentists is the most important thing for the future of your health.
A root canal does not increase the risk of illness or disease based on scientific evidence.
In the early 1900s, flawed research gave rise to this myth, but has since been discredited. Root canals have stood up to rigorous study and are highly regarded for their ability to treat infection safely.
A root canal does not increase the risk of illness or disease based on scientific evidence.
In the early 1900s, flawed research gave rise to this myth, but has since been discredited. Root canals have stood up to rigorous study and are highly regarded for their ability to treat infection safely.
A Root Canal: What You Can Expect
X-rays will be taken of the affected tooth and testing performed in order to determine if a root canal is necessary. If you need a root canal, your dentist will determine if your procedure would be best performed in their hands or if a specialist is needed for a complex case.
Local anesthetics are administered first to keep you comfortable during the procedure.
A dental dam is very important and is used to isolate the infected tooth. The surgery location is thus protected from contamination by saliva or debris.
The tooth is prepared by your dentist or endodontist, and the decay and infected pulp inside the tooth are removed using a drill.
Cleansing and shaping are done to your teeth's roots and medications are placed inside the roots during the procedure and usually placed in the canal afterwards for a period of 1-2 weeks. A temporary filling is placed on the tooth at the end of the procedure. Before the permanent filling can be applied, you will need to heal.
After the tooth has healed and symptoms are resolved, you will have to remove the temporary filling and replace it with a permanent one to seal the tooth at your second appointment. This process also involves permanently filling and sealing the root channel at the same time.
The post-procedure phase
Some patients experience soreness after the anesthetic wears off. You can opt for over-the-counter pain medicine or ask your dentist for a prescription pain reliever.
The infection may require antibiotic treatment if it infection has spread beyond the root of the tooth. In the hours following your procedure, numbness is likely to persist for 2-4 hours. If you are experiencing any numbness, you should not eat until the symptoms have completely disappeared.
After the procedure, the tooth may be tender for the first few days, so you should eat softer foods and chew on the opposite side of your mouth.
Keep your oral hygiene habits as good as possible! A toothbrush should be used twice a day, and flossing should be done once a day.
Local anesthetics are administered first to keep you comfortable during the procedure.
A dental dam is very important and is used to isolate the infected tooth. The surgery location is thus protected from contamination by saliva or debris.
The tooth is prepared by your dentist or endodontist, and the decay and infected pulp inside the tooth are removed using a drill.
Cleansing and shaping are done to your teeth's roots and medications are placed inside the roots during the procedure and usually placed in the canal afterwards for a period of 1-2 weeks. A temporary filling is placed on the tooth at the end of the procedure. Before the permanent filling can be applied, you will need to heal.
After the tooth has healed and symptoms are resolved, you will have to remove the temporary filling and replace it with a permanent one to seal the tooth at your second appointment. This process also involves permanently filling and sealing the root channel at the same time.
The post-procedure phase
Some patients experience soreness after the anesthetic wears off. You can opt for over-the-counter pain medicine or ask your dentist for a prescription pain reliever.
The infection may require antibiotic treatment if it infection has spread beyond the root of the tooth. In the hours following your procedure, numbness is likely to persist for 2-4 hours. If you are experiencing any numbness, you should not eat until the symptoms have completely disappeared.
After the procedure, the tooth may be tender for the first few days, so you should eat softer foods and chew on the opposite side of your mouth.
Keep your oral hygiene habits as good as possible! A toothbrush should be used twice a day, and flossing should be done once a day.
Scottsdale, AZ Root Canal Surgery From McAdams Dental
It may seem intimidating, but root canal therapy eliminates pain and restores function to the tooth by removing infection and infection-causing bacteria. There is no need to fear root canals anymore because they are a common procedure that is intended to relieve pain.
Thousands of root canals have been performed successfully at McAdams Dental. During these procedures, we strive to minimize pain and discomfort. An infected tooth can be comfortably saved with a root canal.
Call McAdams Dental at (480) 991-4727 or go to our contact page to learn more about root canal surgery in Arizona.
Thousands of root canals have been performed successfully at McAdams Dental. During these procedures, we strive to minimize pain and discomfort. An infected tooth can be comfortably saved with a root canal.
Call McAdams Dental at (480) 991-4727 or go to our contact page to learn more about root canal surgery in Arizona.
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