Thanks to generations of television and big-screen comedies, the mere mention of the term “root canal” is enough to send most people into some degree of anxiety, if not out-and-out panic. In reality, while it may be good for some easy laughs, the notion that root canal therapy is painful or otherwise frightening is wildly inaccurate.
In reality, any discomfort associated with a root canal is rare, minimal when it does occur, and usually a far cry from whatever brought the need for the procedure in the first place – and what awaits if you need a root canal and simply refuse to get one.
What Is a Root Canal?
Root canals are straightforward and common dental procedures in which a tooth’s infected or decayed internal “pulp,” consisting of nerves, blood vessels, and soft tissue, is removed.
Removing the pulp from a damaged tooth offers multiple benefits. In the immediate term, this alleviates a patient’s (often severe) physical pain. Longer-term, it allows a dentist to thwart further decay while also saving the natural tooth's structure.
In a root canal, the dentist first numbs the tooth and surrounding gums to ensure a pain-free procedure for the patient. Then, using special tools, they remove the damaged pulp, thoroughly clean the space in the tooth, and fill the remaining void with a protective material that creates a healthy environment for healthy tissue to grow back.
Debunking Root Canal Myths
Root canal therapy gets a bad rap due to several unfounded myths. The most common of these is that the procedure is extremely painful. This is entirely untrue. Not only is root canal therapy far less painful than pop culture suggests, but any discomfort involved in the process is often minimal (if not non-existent), and very often, there is no comparison to the damage necessitating the procedure.
Another common root canal myth is that the procedure raises the risk of illness or infection. This, too, is completely false. As we just said, the primary aim of a root canal is to fight infection and damage!
Finally, many people believe that extracting a severely damaged tooth is preferable to a root canal; this is not usually the case. As a root canal allows a dentist to save a portion of the natural tooth, the procedure preserves the patient’s natural bite, promotes healthy gums, prevents dental misalignment, and provides stimulation that helps maintain jawbone density.
Pain-Free Root Canal Therapy in Mount Pleasant, SC
If you’re in Mount Pleasant and want to learn more about root canal therapy and whether it’s an appropriate treatment for you, contact dentist Dr. Jason Annan and the East Cooper Smiles team to schedule a consultation. For those searching for 'emergency dental near me,' we are here to provide prompt and expert care.