Understanding Root Canal Procedure

It is crucial for a patient to understand that Root Canal Treatment (RCT) is one of the most efficient tooth infection treatments. It eradicates the infection, halts the progression of the disease and gives the tooth its normal functionality. RCT addresses the root of the problem, preventing you from losing your teeth or spending a lot of money on dentures.

Root Canal Treatment Procedure Explained :

Root Canal Treatment is a multi-step process aimed at removing infection and restoring the tooth. This tooth infection treatment is better than extraction because it saves the tooth and also guarantees a healthy mouth for a long time. Let’s now look at the RCT procedure briefly:

• Diagnosis: The dentist first locates the affected tooth with the help of an X-ray. 

• Removing the Infected Pulp: The dentist removes the dying or infected nerve tissue within the tooth to resolve pain and infection.
• Cleaning and Disinfecting: The dentist cleans the canals to remove infection and prevent future bacterial growth.
• Filling the Canals: The dentist fills the cleaned canals with gutta-percha to restore form and prevent reinfection.
• Sealing and Restoring: The dentist seals the tooth and, if necessary, crowns it to restore strength and functionality.

Top 10 Root Canal Myths and Facts

Let’s bust some of the most common root canal myths and talk about the actual root canal facts:

Myth 1: The root canal procedure is extremely painful.

Fact: Modern Root Canal Treatment (RCT) is painless, all thanks to the latest advancements in anaesthesia and dental technology. The patients describe it as painless, as having a filling done on a tooth. However, some patients may experience mild discomfort and pain during the procedure and after treatment, which they can relieve by taking prescribed medications. The myth has its origin in old practices, but modern methods make the procedure comfortable for most patients.

Myth 2: It’s better to extract the tooth than get a root canal treatment.

Fact: This is absolutely false. Saving your real tooth with a root canal procedure is always preferable to extraction. Root canals treat infection and return tooth usability, while extraction can cause bone loss and misalignment of neighbouring teeth. Furthermore, the restoration of a missing tooth with implants or bridges may be expensive and may take a lot of time, while RCT is more effective and reasonable.

Myth 3: Root Canal treatment weakens the tooth permanently.

Fact: While a tooth may lose some strength after an RTC procedure, it can be reinforced with a dental crown. Advanced technology makes it possible for the treated tooth to work like any other tooth and may last a lifetime if well taken care of. Teeth undergoing RCT are not as fragile as people think.

Myth 4: Only painful teeth need a root canal procedure.

Fact: Pain is not the only indicator of needing a root canal treatment. In some cases, there may be no pain at all, while there is an infection or decay destroying the pulp of your tooth. A check-up can help to diagnose problems before they cause discomfort and can save your tooth before the situation becomes more severe. 

Myth 7: Root canal treatment often fails.

Fact: Root canal treatment is the most predictable and effective tooth infection treatment available today. RCT procedure has a high success rate, ranging from 86% to 98%, according to the European Journal of Dentistry (EJD). The majority of failures are due to poor technique or lack of retreatment, which can be easily addressed. However, you must consult a qualified dentist with the necessary skills and modern tools for RCT to ensure the success of your procedure.

Myth 8: Root canals require multiple long appointments.

Fact: Root canal procedures can often be completed in just one or two visits, depending on the complexity of the case. Technological improvements in the dental field have made it easier and faster to do. Longer treatments are not common and are only used for certain or complicated cases.

Myth 9: RCT procedure leads to cancer and other harmful health conditions.

Fact: This myth has been scientifically refuted many times. There is no credible evidence linking root canal treatments to cancer or systemic illnesses. The procedure is a safe and effective way of treating tooth infections and is endorsed and performed by dentists all over the world.

Myth 10: In case of failure or recurrence of pain after a root canal treatment, tooth extraction is the only solution.

Fact: Root canal retreatment or endodontic surgery can help in many cases after an unsuccessful root canal procedure. Endodontists have the ability to treat chronic cases without having to pull out the tooth. Retreatment is still possible if the teeth can still preserved.

Conclusion

Dispelling the root canal myths that are not true helps patients make an informed decision on their dental health. Knowledge is power, and this right information erases fear and brings the focus to root canal treatment as a way to save natural teeth and avoid future issues.  Thus, it’s important to receive reliable information and professional treatment from the specialists of dental clinics.

Root canal treatment is a painless procedure when done at Gnathos Dental with the help of our team of expert dentists and the latest equipment. Come to us to get professional and personalised dental care and have a painless experience.

FAQs

Q1. Why root canal treatment is not painful anymore?

Anaesthesia and modern-day technologies make the process completely painless and help the patients feel comfortable during the treatment.

Q2. What is the success rate of root canal treatment?

RCT has an overall success rate of 86 – 98%, and therefore, it is very reliable and effective.

Q3. What are the most common root canal treatment vs tooth extraction myths?

The one major misconception that causes people to avoid root canal procedure is that tooth extraction is less complicated and less risky than RCT. However, it is actually the opposite since RCT is much safer and more effective when it comes to maintaining the natural tooth.

Q4. Can you tell some root canal myths that are not true?

Myths like root canal procedures being painful, weakening the tooth, and taking long appointments are false, thanks to advancements in technology.

Q5. How root canal treatment saves teeth?