Why There's No Need to Fear Endodontic Treatment
For many people, the thought of having endodontic treatment—meaning a root canal—is highly unpleasant. There are some very persistent myths about root canals that mean people are much more afraid of them than they need to be. The truth is, root canals aren't anywhere near as bad as many people think—and they're an important and helpful dental treatment that can save teeth that might otherwise have to be extracted.
Root Canals aren’t Painful
One of the biggest myths about endodontic treatment is that it's very painful and unpleasant. This is the main reason why people dread the thought of having a root canal, but it’s a complete myth! There’s no need to fear the pain of endodontic treatment, thanks to all the advances in dental techniques and technology that have been made in the last few decades.
The truth about root canals and pain is simple: in the hands of a good dentist, you’ll feel little to no pain at all. A root canal is performed on an infected tooth because it’s badly damaged or diseased, and is causing a lot of pain for the patient. After the procedure, the pain is gone and the tooth is in much better shape. So rather than causing pain, endodontic treatment stops the pain.
Dental Sedation is an Option
For some people, it’s not just the pain that makes the idea of a root canal so frightening—it’s also the fact of having dental treatment at all. People who suffer from dental-related anxiety sometimes avoid having essential dental treatment even if they’re in pain. The problem is, if a tooth is badly damaged to the point where a root canal is needed, it’s vital to get treatment to prevent extensive infection and tooth loss.
If dental fear is preventing you from having the endodontic treatment you need, talk to your dentist about the possibility of dental sedation. For a root canal, this typically means you’ll have an oral sedative before the procedure. This relaxes you and makes it much easier to get through the procedure.
Don’t Wait to Have Vital Dental Treatment
If you’re feeling nervous about having a root canal, there’s no need to worry! In the hands of a skillful dentist the procedure is completed quickly and with very little discomfort. And dental sedation can make the whole process much easier to deal with. If you need a root canal, remember that it’s important to have the procedure in order to save the tooth, so don’t put it off any longer!