Top Myths About Root Canal Treatment in California

At California Dental Group, we’re always interested to hear what people have heard about root canals. Many people believe that they’re incredibly painful, are only a last ditch effort, and that it’s better to just remove the tooth. We will always assess your needs before making our final recommendation, but in some cases a root canal is the best, least painful, and fastest way to treat dental issues. Read on to learn some of the most common myths about this common dental procedure.

Myth:  It’s better to simply remove the teeth

While it is sometimes necessary to extract teeth, in most cases a root canal treatment is better than doing so. Our goal is almost always to preserve as much of your tooth as possible. There are many ways to do that, such as fillings and crowns, and sometimes a root canal is part of the process. Generally, a root canal is performed when the pulp in your teeth is either inflamed or infected.

In some cases, if the infection has gone too far before we get there, then the tooth may need to be removed. However, the goal is almost always to remove the infection so we can save the rest of your tooth. A root canal is often the best way to do that.

Myth:  Root canals are incredibly painful

You’ve likely seen the movies or scenes in TV shows that show how painful a root canal is. The truth is that with today’s techniques, it’s almost pain-free. At California Dental Group, we take every step possible to ensure you don’t feel a thing.

Myth:  Root canals make you sick

Absolutely not. More than a century ago, dentists believed that root canals could make other illnesses worse. However, as researchers looked into the issue, they found no evidence of it. In fact, in 1951 there was a special issue of the Journal of American Dental Association published specifically to explain the science behind root canals, that they were healthy, and that the doctors 100 years ago who believed root canals made people sick didn’t know nearly as much about how illnesses are caused as they do today.

Myth:  You only need a root canal if your tooth hurts

This isn’t necessarily true. It is true that healthy teeth don’t hurt and that you don’t need a root canal on healthy teeth. That said, you can have decay within your teeth and infection in your pulp for a long time before it gets bad enough to cause pain. It’s entirely possible that when you visit us for your cleaning and exam, we’ll locate an infection. In that case, we may be able to perform the root canal before the tooth ever starts hurting.

If you have tooth pain, or you’re just due for a cleaning, contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 right away! We are here to provide you with quality, comprehensive dental services.