Root Canal Myths Debunked

Although the word “root canal” might induce feelings of fear, stress, or uneasiness, this is the exact opposite of the truth. You might be shocked to discover that addressing an extensively damaged or decayed tooth through a root canal procedure can help you find your peace. Read on to see why root canal pain and other misconceptions are simply not true.

Myth #1: Root canal therapy is excruciating.

Generally, root canal pain is far worse than the treatment itself. Well, you might be wondering, “what is a root canal, and how does Green Meadow Dental ensure that they aren’t painful?” Here’s what you can expect from us:

• Step 1: Before starting treatment, our root canal specialist ensures that the patient is comfortable by numbing the area with local anesthesia.
• Step 2: The dentist places a rubber dam around the tooth to prevent bacteria from entering the tooth. Plus, dental dams keep the surgical site nice and dry.
• Step 3: Carefully, our root canal dentist accesses the inner tooth and cleans out any infected tissue while preserving the tooth root.
• Step 4: Then, the dentist carefully disinfects the inside of the tooth, packs it with material, and seals it with a rubbery dental sealant to avoid reinfection.
• Step 5: Typically, a dental crown is placed on top of the tooth to restore strength and beauty.

Myth #2: Root canals are a drawn-out process.

One question we’re often asked is, “how long does a root canal take?” On average, it takes a dentist 30 to 60 minutes to complete root canal treatment. But if you are undergoing treatment on a larger tooth with multiple roots, it can add about half an hour to your overall treatment time.

Also, another factor to consider is the amount of infection in your tooth. If you receive prompt treatment and have minimal infected tissue, our dentist should be able to tackle this problem in a single appointment. However, you might require an additional appointment if the bacterial infection spreads.

Myth #3: Root canal therapy induces illness.

While there’s plenty of information on the internet, it’s not always true. Some websites claim that you’re more likely to contract a disease or fall ill after root canal therapy, but this is false information. This claim was based on antiquated, poorly designed research conducted almost a century ago. This was long before modern dentistry understood the roots of many diseases, and there’s no scientific evidence supporting this claim.

Conversely, the American Association of Endodontists supports that root canal therapy is safe and can save a tooth from dental extraction.

Myth #4: Root canal treatment is expensive.

If you’re worried about covering root canal costs out of pocket, then don’t. After your deductible has been met, dental insurance plans commonly cover up to 80% of the cost of root canal therapy. If you don’t have access to insurance, speak with a Green Meadow Dental team member to learn more about our discount plans, CareCredit, and other financing options.

Ask Our Newington, CT Dentist About Root Canal Therapy

Do you believe you could benefit from a root canal in Newington, CT? If so, schedule an appointment as soon as possible by calling (860) 891-6867 or using our handy widget.