Root canal treatment is among the most misunderstood and feared dental procedures. For patients, the mere mention of them conjures up images of discomfort, pain, high costs, and endless dental visits. But how much of this is true, and how much is rooted in outdated perceptions of the treatment?
Here, we’ll tackle the common misconceptions about root canal treatment, so you can stop fearing it and book that dentist appointment you’ve been avoiding.
What is a root canal treatment?
Before we dive into the misconceptions about root canal treatment, it is important to understand the treatment itself.
Root canal treatment is a vital dental procedure to save your natural tooth when infection or damage affects its inner tissue. This specialised therapy removes infected pulp while preserving your tooth’s natural structure.
The procedure of root canal treatment is as follows:
- We examine and take X-rays to assess the infection
- We administer local anaesthetic to ensure pain-free treatment
- We remove the infected pulp with specialised instruments
- We clean and disinfect the canal thoroughly
- We fill it with a biocompatible material
- We seal it with a temporary filling and later add a permanent crown.
Fact vs fiction: the truth about root canal treatment
Image: Pexels
Modern root canal treatments show impressive success rates. Studies reveal that 85-95% of treated teeth stay functional after the procedure. However, considering one in seven Australian adults suffers from general dental anxiety, it’s no surprise that many fear root canal treatment and believe the many myths surrounding it.
Let’s explore these misconceptions and determine if they’re fact or fiction, so you can feel more comfortable getting root canal treatment.
Fiction: Root canal treatment is painful
Is root canal treatment painful? No! Root canal treatment has a reputation for being painful, but this is outdated. Studies have shown that only 17% of surveyed root canal patients thought it was their “most painful dental experience”, while others said it felt like getting a filling (i.e. minimal discomfort).
Your dentist will utilise local anaesthetic and advanced techniques to keep you comfortable. You should only feel light pressure during the treatment.
The only pain associated with the root canal is due to the initial tooth infection or inflammation, which the treatment alleviates. Post-treatment soreness is normal but temporary—it can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and should be gone in a few short days.
Fact: Root canal treatment requires multiple appointments
Root canal treatments usually involve 1-3 appointments lasting around 30-90 minutes. The number of visits depends on factors like:
- The severity of the infection: More severe infections may require additional cleaning or medication between visits.
- Location of the tooth: Molars have multiple roots and are more complex to treat, often requiring more time than front teeth.
- Personalised treatment plans: Your dentist will evaluate your case and design a schedule tailored to your needs, ensuring a balance between effective treatment and comfort.
Fiction: Root canal treatment is not as effective as tooth extraction
Root canal treatment is highly effective for saving natural teeth. When properly cared for, it allows the tooth to function normally for years. In contrast, tooth extraction removes the tooth, creating a gap often requiring additional treatments like implants, bridges, or dentures to prevent complications like shifting teeth.
While extractions are necessary in extreme cases, root canal treatment is preferred as it preserves the natural tooth, avoids more invasive procedures, and maintains the structural integrity of the jawbone and bite alignment.
Fiction: Root canal treatment can make you sick
Stories linking root canal treatments to illnesses like cancer or heart disease have been widely debunked. Modern research shows no correlation between root canal treatments and illness; in fact, studies have shown that patients who underwent required root canal treatments had a 45% reduced risk of cancer than those who didn’t.
This finding highlights the importance of properly addressing dental infections!
Talk to the team at Swansea Dental Practice about your root canal treatment options
At Swansea Dental Practice, we prioritise your comfort and care. We deliver exceptional root canal treatment using modern technologies and techniques, including:
- Advanced diagnostic X-rays to assess infection extent
- Modern anaesthetic techniques for comfortable treatment
- State-of-the-art cleaning and disinfection procedures
- Permanent restoration options with fillings or crowns
- Post-treatment care and monitoring.
Fast action matters if you are experiencing tooth pain. A successful root canal can save your natural tooth and restore full function. Book an appointment with our team today—we will assess your condition, provide root canal treatment options, and answer all your questions to ensure excellent results.
