The words “root canal” have a reputation. For decades, they’ve been the punchline of jokes. The thing everyone dreads. The dental procedure that supposedly hurts more than anything else. But most of what people know about root canals is completely wrong.

At Horizon Family Dental Care in Hanover, we perform root canals regularly. And we hear the same fears from patients every time. So let’s clear up the confusion once and for all.

Myth #1: Root Canals Are Extremely Painful

This is the biggest myth out there. And it couldn’t be further from the truth. The pain you’ve heard about isn’t from the root canal itself. It’s from the infection that makes the root canal necessary. When the nerve inside your tooth becomes infected or inflamed, it can cause severe, throbbing pain.

The root canal actually relieves that pain. We numb the area completely before we start. Most patients tell us the procedure itself felt no different than getting a filling. They remember the relief afterward.

Fact: A root canal takes away pain. It doesn’t cause it.

Myth #2: It’s Better to Just Pull the Tooth

Some patients think they’re saving themselves trouble by having the tooth extracted instead of getting a root canal. But that’s usually a mistake. Keeping your natural tooth is almost always the better option. Your natural tooth helps you chew properly. It keeps surrounding teeth from shifting. It also helps maintain the shape of your jawbone.

When you pull a tooth and don’t replace it, other teeth can drift into the gap. That can cause bite problems and jaw pain. Replacing a missing tooth with an implant or bridge takes more time and costs more money than a root canal.

Fact: Saving your natural tooth with a root canal is healthier and more affordable in the long run.

Myth #3: Root Canals Cause Illness

This myth has circulated for nearly a century. It’s based on outdated research from the 1920s that has since been thoroughly debunked.

No scientific evidence links root canal treatment to heart disease, arthritis, or any other systemic illness. The American Association of Endodontists and the American Dental Association both confirm that root canals are safe and effective.

Fact: Root canals are safe. They treat infection and eliminate bacteria.

Myth #4: The Tooth Will Eventually Fall Out Anyway

A properly performed root canal, followed by a good dental crown, can last a lifetime. The restored tooth is strong and functional.

The key is the crown. After a root canal, the tooth becomes more brittle. Placing a crown protects it from cracking. With good home care and regular dental checkups, that tooth can serve you for decades.

Fact: A root canal can save your tooth for life.

Myth #5: Root Canals Take Multiple Visits

Some root canals can be completed in a single visit. Others require two visits if the infection is severe or if we want to make sure the tooth is healing properly.

But even with two visits, it’s not the long, drawn-out process people imagine. Most appointments are about an hour.

Fact: Root canals are usually completed in one or two short appointments.

What Actually Happens During a Root Canal?

We start by completely numbing the area. Then we make a small opening in the top of the tooth. We remove the infected pulp from inside the tooth and thoroughly clean and disinfect the inside. We fill and seal the space with a special material.

Then we place a temporary filling. In a follow-up visit, we remove that filling and place a permanent crown.

That’s it. No drama. No pain. Just a tooth that’s healthy again.

Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back

If your dentist in La Plata, MD, recommends a root canal, it’s because you have an infection that won’t heal on its own. Ignoring it won’t make it go away. It will only get worse. The longer you wait, the more complicated the infection can become. And the more likely you are to lose the tooth.

Call our La Plata office today to request an appointment. We’ll answer all your questions, help you feel comfortable, and take care of your tooth the right way.