Few words make people wince like “root canal.” Most of that fear comes from stories that are decades old. Here’s what’s true today, and what isn’t.
Myth 1: “Root Canals Are Extremely Painful”
The pain people remember is usually the infection, not the treatment. An infected nerve can throb for days. The root canal is what stops it. With the tooth fully numbed, most patients say the procedure feels a lot like getting a filling. You may be sore for a few days afterward, and over-the-counter pain relievers usually handle it.
Myth 2: “It’s Better to Just Pull the Tooth”
Pulling a tooth can seem simpler and cheaper at first. But a missing tooth lets the teeth around it drift, and the bone underneath starts to shrink. Replacing it later with a dental implant or bridge usually costs more than saving it. When a tooth can be saved, saving it is almost always the better choice.
Myth 3: “If It Doesn’t Hurt, I Don’t Need One”
Some infected teeth don’t hurt at all, especially once the nerve has died. The infection can still spread to the bone around the root. That’s why we sometimes find a problem on an X-ray before you feel anything. Other signs to watch for:
- A tooth that has turned darker than its neighbors
- Swelling or a pimple-like bump on the gum near one tooth
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after you finish eating or drinking
Myth 4: “A Root Canal Takes Several Long Visits”
Many root canals are done in a single visit of about an hour to an hour and a half. You’ll usually come back for a crown to protect the tooth, since a treated back tooth can become brittle.
Myth 5: “Root Canals Make You Sick”
This idea comes from research done about 100 years ago that has since been disproven. The American Association of Endodontists is clear that there’s no valid evidence linking root canal treatment to disease elsewhere in the body. Leaving an infected tooth untreated is the real risk.
What a Root Canal at Siena Dental Looks Like
Our dentists perform root canal treatment in our Leander office. We start with digital X-rays, and a 3D CBCT scan if we need a closer look at the roots. If you’re nervous, we offer sedation, from nitrous oxide to oral sedation. When the tooth is ready, we place your crown here too, so you don’t need to go anywhere else.
If a tooth is hurting now, call (737) 766-7226. We hold time for same-day emergency visits Monday through Thursday.
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