Just hearing the words root canal is enough to make many people squirm. It’s become the gold standard for things people dread, right up there with public speaking and filing taxes. But the root canal of today is not the root canal of your grandmother’s era. Or even your mother’s. And much of what people “know” about the procedure is simply not accurate.
Let’s bust some myths and give you the real story.
Myth #1: Root Canals Are Excruciatingly Painful
This is the big one. And it’s completely backwards. The pain people associate with a root canal isn’t from the procedure itself. It’s from the infection inside the tooth that makes the procedure necessary. That throbbing, intense ache that keeps you up at night? That’s what a root canal actually fixes.
During the procedure, we use local anesthesia to numb the area completely. Most patients tell us the experience feels no different than getting a routine filling. In fact, the relief from the infection is almost immediate once the treatment is done.
Myth #2: It’s Better to Just Pull the Tooth
We understand the temptation. If a tooth is causing problems, why not just remove it and be done? Every tooth in your mouth plays a role. When you lose one, neighboring teeth can shift into the gap. Your bite can change. Chewing becomes uneven. And over time, the bone that supported that tooth begins to deteriorate.
Replacing a missing tooth with an implant or bridge is possible, but it’s more expensive, more invasive, and takes longer than a root canal. Saving your natural tooth is almost always the simpler, healthier option.
Myth #3: Root Canals Cause Illness
You may have heard outdated claims that root canals can lead to other health problems like heart disease or arthritis. This idea comes from research done nearly a century ago that has since been thoroughly debunked.
Modern science shows no link between properly performed root canals and systemic illness. In fact, leaving an infected tooth untreated is far more dangerous to your overall health. The bacteria from an abscess can spread to other parts of your body, causing serious complications.
Myth #4: You Only Need a Root Canal If Your Tooth Hurts
Not always. Sometimes a tooth is already dead or dying, and the nerve inside has stopped sending pain signals. You might not feel a thing. But the infection can still be present and slowly damaging the surrounding bone.
That’s why regular X-rays during your checkups are so important. They catch problems we can’t see and you can’t feel.
So What Actually Happens During a Root Canal?
Let’s demystify the procedure. It’s really just a deep cleaning inside your tooth.
We start by numbing the area thoroughly. Then we create a small opening in the top of the tooth. Using tiny instruments, we carefully remove the infected pulp from the canals inside the root. We clean the space, disinfect it, and fill it with a special material to prevent future infection.
Finally, we seal the tooth and usually place a crown on top to protect it. That’s it. The whole process typically takes one or two visits.
Protect Your Tooth Today
If your dentist recommends a root canal, try to hear it as good news. It means your tooth could be saved. It means the pain you’ve been feeling can be resolved. And with modern techniques and anesthesia, you can expect a comfortable experience.
At Levesque Dentistry, we’ve been caring for Nashua smiles for over 80 years. Dr. Tara, Dr. Keith, and our team are committed to making your visit as calm and painless as possible. We explain everything upfront, answer all your questions, and go at your pace.
If you’ve been avoiding a root canal out of fear, give us a call. We’d love to show you how different it can be.