People seem to cringe when they hear the words root canal. I know that I used to when I was young. But reading the truth about these 10 root canal myths can help you get a better sense of what having a root canal really is all about.
According to the American Association of Endodontists, the perception of root canals being painful began decades ago when root canal treatments were painful. At Maple Smiles Dentistry with modern technology and better anesthetics, root canal treatments are no more painful than having a filling. Knowing what to expect while having a root canal can help ease a lot of anxiety.
With today's cutting edge technology, most root canals can be performed in one or two visits to our Dental office in Chilliwack.
Many people believe that having a crown on a tooth means that the tooth will eventually need a root canal. Crowns do not cause the need for root canal therapy. If a crowned tooth does require a root canal, it could be that the tooth has abscessed or that decay has gotten underneath the crown and reached the pulp of the tooth.
There is no evidence to support that root canals cause illness. However, there is evidence to support the fact that people who have had root canals are no more at risk for developing illness than people who have never had root canals.
At Maple Smiles Dentistry, when the dentist performs a root canal treatment, he or she removes the pulp tissue (nerve) from inside of the tooth. The roots of the tooth are not removed.
Pregnant women can and do have root canals. Having a root canal does require a small x-ray, but the radiation exposure is very minimal and the x-ray is aimed at the mouth, not the abdomen area. If you are pregnant and we need to take an x-ray, we use a lead apron to cover your belly. The anesthetics that we use at Maple Smiles Dentistry are also safe for pregnant women.
Be sure to let us know beforehand if you are pregnant.
If you have your tooth properly restored, maintain good oral hygiene and visit our Dental office for regular checkups, your natural tooth could last for the rest of your life.
While a throbbing toothache usually results in the need for root canal treatment, many times a tooth can require root canal treatment when there is no pain present. Our Dentists are specially trained to test a tooth to see if the pulp has been infected or damaged. If this is the case, a root canal would be necessary to save the tooth.
Keeping your natural teeth for as long as possible is very important for proper eating and chewing functions. There are several options available for missing teeth, such as dentures, partial dentures, dental implants and fixed dental bridges, however, these alternatives can be much more expensive than saving your tooth with a root canal treatment. We can discuss about all the options when you book your appointment at Maple Smiles Dentistry.
After having a root canal, it is extremely important to make a follow-up appointment with your dentist to have the tooth permanently restored. After the pulp of the tooth has been removed, the tooth can become very dry and brittle. Having a permanent restoration will help protect your tooth from fracturing.
