Root canal therapy, often dreaded and misunderstood, is a common procedure that can save your natural tooth and prevent the need for more extensive dental work. As an endodontist, I would like to address some common myths and misconceptions about root canal treatment to help you understand what root canal therapy entails and why it’s beneficial.
Myth 1: Root Canals Are Extremely Painful
Fact: Modern root canal therapy should be painless.
Many people associate root canals with severe pain. Certainly the pain experienced caused by inflamed or infected tissue in or around the tooth can cause severe discomfort leading to the need for the root canal treatment. However, advancements in both the types of anesthetic available and the method of administering the anesthetic routinely take this pain away prior to and during the procedure. Most patients typically say that getting a root canal is no more uncomfortable than having a cavity filled.
Prior to starting the procedure, local anesthetic is used to numb the affected tooth and surrounding tissues, ensuring you feel minimal discomfort. In our office we also use a topical pre-numbing anesthetic gel on a cotton tip applicator (“Q-Tip”) prior to the injection of the local anesthetic. We do our best work when you as the patient are comfortable. So our goal throughout the procedure is your comfort. Post-treatment soreness is typically managed with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen, Advil or Motrin. If there is any evidence of infection, an antibiotic will also be recommended both prior to and after the root canal treatment. In the rare event that over the counter medication does not alleviate the post-treatment discomfort, prescription strength pain medication can be prescribed, although most patients report only needing the over the counter medication.
Myth 2: Extraction Is Better Than a Root Canal
Fact: Saving your natural tooth with a root canal is often the best option.
While tooth extraction might seem like an easier and/or cheaper solution, it can lead to more complex issues down the road. Teeth have a tendency to shift and it is our adjacent and opposing teeth that maintain our teeth in their current positions. Even a single missing tooth can result in shifting and misalignment of the adjacent and/or opposing teeth, affecting your bite, and even leading to localized bone loss in the jaw. Root canal therapy preserves your natural tooth, your smile, the integrity of your bite, and your overall dental health. Replacement of an extracted tooth involves either a bridge, which can affect the integrity of the adjacent teeth, or an implant. Both treatment options of either a bridge or an implant are typically more costly, more involved and more time consuming than saving the existing tooth with root canal therapy and a crown.
The American Dental Association (ADA) emphasizes that no dental restoration can completely replicate the function and appearance of a natural tooth. By opting for a root canal, you retain your natural tooth and avoid the potential complications and costs associated with extraction and replacement with either a bridge or an implant.
Myth 3: Root Canals Cause Illness
Fact: There is no scientific evidence linking root canals to systemic illness.
This myth stems from outdated research on older Endodontic techniques and instruments and has been disproven by modern science. Current studies published in the Journal of Endodontics, the Journal of Dental Research, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on modern Endodontic techniques show that successful root canal therapy is safe and does not lead to other systemic health issues. The bacteria involved in root canal infections are effectively eliminated and the tooth is sealed to prevent future infections. Of course, nothing we do in dentistry will last forever. The oral cavity is a very harsh environment with the repetitive stress we put on the teeth by chewing and the bacteria, both good and bad, that are constantly present in our mouth. Over time this repetitive use of our teeth and constant exposure to bacteria and abrasive foods can take its toll on our teeth and all of the dental work that we have invested in to maintain our teeth. For these reasons it is important to have your dentist take x-rays of all of your teeth, including root canal treated teeth on a yearly basis to make sure the tooth and surrounding tissues have healed properly and are free from infection.
Myth 4: Root Canal Therapy Is Only a Temporary Solution
Fact: With proper care, a root canal-treated tooth can last many years and even a lifetime.
Root canal therapy is designed to be a long-term solution for infected or damaged teeth. The success rate for root canal treatment is very high, and with good oral hygiene practices, treated teeth can function normally for many years. Of course, root canal treatment is only one step in returning your tooth back to functional health. After the root canal procedure it is important to follow-up with your dentist to have a definitive restoration placed on the tooth to protect both the integrity of the tooth as well as seal off the internal portion of tooth where the root canal treatment was performed. It is also important that the precipitating factors that led to the need for the root canal in the first place be addressed so that these same factors do not contribute to further issues with the recently root canal treated tooth or cause a need for Endodontic treatment on a different tooth. Your dentist may recommend changes to your oral hygiene habits, mouth guards to protect your teeth from wear and tear from clenching and grinding habits, or replacing old worn out fillings. Regular dental check-ups and yearly x-rays are essential to monitor the health of all your teeth and dental work, including the root canal treated tooth and address any potential issues early on.
Myth 5: Root Canals Are Only Necessary When You Have Severe Pain
Fact: You might need a root canal even if you’re not experiencing pain.
Not all teeth that require root canal therapy cause pain. Sometimes, the tissue inside the tooth can become inflamed or infected without causing noticeable pain. Although many teeth present with symptoms such as unusual sensitivity to hot or cold, biting sensitivity, swelling, or a constant tooth ache, many times the tissue in the tooth can die “silently” and the patient is not even aware. If this happens, the dead tissue inside of the tooth is prone to becoming infected. The infection eventually progresses out the tips of the roots and can cause an infection in the bone. Many times these infections are “low-grade” infections and cause no noticeable symptoms. Even though these infections can be considered “low-grade” the infection exiting the root will result in a deterioration of the bone adjacent to the root. This is evident on the X-rays as shadows in the bone around the tooth roots. Even though these “low-grade” infections are asymptomatic, eventually the infection will overcome the immune system and symptoms will develop or a dental abscess with swelling will occur. When identified, it is important to have these teeth treated before they become more serious and harder to treat. Early intervention can prevent development of more significant symptoms and the need for more extensive and costly treatments.
The Root Canal Procedure: What to Expect
Understanding the steps involved in root canal therapy can alleviate much of the anxiety surrounding the procedure. Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect:
1. Consultation, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning: Your dentist and our office will take X-rays and advanced CBCT imaging to accurately diagnose and plan both the Endodontic and Restorative treatment for the affected tooth. Not all teeth are candidates for Root Canal treatment, so it is important to make certain that the tooth can be saved and that a Root Canal is indeed the appropriate treatment for that particular tooth.
2. Anesthesia: Topical pre-numbing gel followed by local anesthesia is administered to thoroughly numb the tooth and surrounding area.
3. Checking for Profound Anesthesia: We then check the tooth and surrounding tissues to make sure the area is numb enough to begin the procedure. If it is not, then more anesthetic is administered and the area is re-checked.
4. Accessing the Tooth: A small opening is made in the biting surface (molar) or tongue side (anterior) of the tooth to access the affected pulp tissue inside of the roots.
5. Cleaning and Shaping the Root Canals: The canals inside of the roots containing the affected tissue or infection are cleaned and shaped with Endodontic files and disinfecting solutions to allow for filling.
6. Filling the Canals: The cleaned canals are filled with two biocompatible and anti-bacterial materials consisting of a bio-ceramic sealer (cement) and a rubbery based compound called Gutta-Percha that acts as a piston to push the sealer into all aspects, including irregularities and grooves in the root canal system.
7. Root Canal Seal and Temporary Restoration: A permanent sealant is placed over the root canal filing material for further protection and a temporary filling is placed in the initial opening made at the beginning of the procedure.
8. Permanent Restoration: After an appropriate healing period of several days to two weeks, your dentist places a definitive permanent restoration on the tooth. This typically involves a crown to further seal and prevent any leakage of bacteria or saliva into the internal portion of the tooth and also to protect the tooth from cracking or fracturing in the future.
Aftercare and Recovery
After your root canal, it’s normal to experience some tenderness in the treated area. This discomfort is usually mild, temporary and controlled by over the counter anti-inflammatories such as Ibuprofen, Advil or Motrin. Some tips to ensure a smooth recovery include:
- Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until it’s fully restored by your dentist.
- Take all medications recommended by Dr. Baur or his Staff.
- Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing the area at least twice a day.
- Attend all recommended follow-up appointments with our office or your dentist.
In conclusion, Root Canal Therapy is a reliable way to save your natural tooth and relieve pain caused by infection or inflammation . By understanding the facts and dispelling the myths, you can approach this procedure with confidence and clarity. If you have any concerns or questions about root canal therapy, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office.
For more information, you can refer to the following reliable sources:
1. American Association of Endodontists (AAE) - https://www.aae.org
2. American Dental Association (ADA) - https://www.ada.org
3. National Institutes of Health (NIH) - https://www.nih.gov
References
- American Association of Endodontists. Root Canal FAQs. Available at (https://www.aae.org).
- American Dental Association. Root Canals. Available at (https://www.ada.org).
- Journal of Endodontics. Various articles on root canal therapy. Available at (https://www.jendodon.com).
- Journal of Dental Research. Various articles on dental health. Available at (https://www.iadr.org).
- National Institutes of Health. Research on root canal safety and efficacy. Available at (https://www.nih.gov).