Dentist in West Jordan | Root Canal Therapy
YOU HAVE JUST BEEN INFORMED that you require a root canal. Chances are, you started scrolling immediately through the world wide web to learn as much information as possible.
The internet is an incredible place to gather information in today’s world. Still, it can also be plagued with dangerous misinformation from unreliable sources.
Holt Dental Care, your denist in West Jordan, would like to break these outdated stigmas. The root canal procedure has been advancing for years and is nothing to fear. The following are common questions associated with the procedure that we would love to debunk:
Is a Root Canal Painful?
Thanks to Hollywood, there is a stigma that root canals are an excruciating dental procedure. But you must understand that dentists perform them to relieve severe tooth pain and save your tooth. The treatment procedure itself should not cause any pain at all.
Dentists or endodontists use local anesthesia to numb the tooth and surrounding areas before the procedure. So, you should feel no pain at all during the process. The anesthetic turns off the nerve signals that tell your brain something hurts. However, mild pain and discomfort are typical for a few days after the procedure.
They are needed when a cavity spreads to the tooth’s root and infects the pulp, causing inflammation. This inflammation or infection is where the pain comes from, not the procedure itself. The procedure saves your natural tooth and avoids extraction.
Do Root Canals Cause Cancer?
A myth claims that 90% of cancer patients have had a root canal treatment in the past. Even though it has gained popularity thanks to the internet, no research supports this claim.
The correlation is most likely that cancerous infections and inflammation lead to a need for the procedure instead of the other way around. Much research shows a link between chronic disease, inflammation, and cancer.
Is Tooth Extraction a Better Option?
Sometimes, patients opt for a tooth extraction to avoid spending extra time and money on a root canal procedure. Unfortunately, some patients must understand that a tooth extraction will eventually require more extensive dental work and costly tooth replacements.
It is always better to try and preserve the tooth. Even though there have been significant advances in dental implants, there is still no equivalent replacement for the natural tooth. Also, extraction and implantation are much more expensive and painful than root canal treatment.
Often, Dr. Holt recommends dental extraction when root canal treatment is still an option. For this reason, it’s essential to consult an endodontist for a second opinion. Doing this will ensure the best possible endodontic treatment plan for you.
Visit Holt Dental Care, Dentist in West Jordan, Today
We hope debunking a few myths will help you make a better decision about the future of your smile. At Holt Dental Care, your dentist in West Jordan, Utah, we are root canal specialists and have your best interest at heart. Call us if you have questions or concerns about saving your infected tooth.We look forward to meeting you and helping you save your smile!