Root canals have a horrible reputation as being the most tedious, painful, and time-consuming dental procedure currently performed. Unfortunately, they are necessary in many cases. Root canals are usually performed to prevent the spread of decay or disease from one area of the mouth to another. Clearly, they serve a vital purpose, but many patients put them off or avoid them altogether. Here are a few myths about having a root canal in North Sydney, to help encourage dental patients to seek them out when necessary.
Myth #1: They Are Incredibly Painful
One of the most pervasive myths about the dental industry is that root canals are among the most painful procedures performed. Indeed, they were once incredibly painful procedures, often performed in cases when there were other non-surgical options. In modern dentistry, however, root canals are practically painless procedures, only performed when there is no other way to prevent the spread of tooth decay. Between the modernised procedures used, and the effectiveness of anaesthetics and painkillers, there’s no reason for this procedure to be painful.
Myth #2: Root Canals Cause Physical Illness
Another myth that unfairly follows these procedures around is that root canals can cause physical illness. A quick look online will result in hundreds of websites and articles proclaiming that root canals can cause everything from a minor fever to weeks long cases of the flu. Thankfully, none of this is true. This particular myth can be traced back to the 1920s when a particular dentist was attempting to encourage more patients to receive tooth extractions instead of safer and less costly root canals. Dentists made more money from extractions than root canals at the time, hence the creation of the myth.
Myth #3: If Your Tooth does not Hurt, You do not Need A Root Canal
Root canals are generally performed to remove dead and decaying tissue from a tooth. They are done to prevent tooth decay from spreading to the gums and nearby teeth. In most cases, as a tooth dies the patient will be in an incredible amount of pain. Once the tooth has died, however, the pain may disappear. The absence of pain does not mean that a root canal is no longer necessary. In fact, the absence of pain means that a canal should be scheduled for as soon as possible. It is a strong indication that the tooth itself has died, and that decay may rapidly spread. To know more details, contact KB Village Dental today!
