Debunking 5 Myths about Root Canals: Separating Fact from Fiction

"Root canal treatment/ RCT removes the infected tissue from the inside of the tooth without affecting the outer structure, giving remarkable results with minimal discomfort. It is a safe way to save a severely damaged tooth!"

·       Root canal treatment or RCT treats infection at the root of a tooth, removing infected tissue, cleaning, and shaping the root canal, and filling the root canal with medicated material.

·       RCT is the most performed procedure in the USA, with over 15 million procedures performed each year, as Americans are more concerned about dental health.

·       The RCT procedure does not hurt the tooth or make it prone to damage, but removing the infected pulp from the inside of the tooth helps maintain healthy dental care.

·       Root canal treatment in Bangalore is on the rise, as patients in India are now also becoming aware of dental health and prefer saving their teeth instead of removing them.

RCT, an acronym for root canal treatment, is performed to correct dental decay or a cavity if left untreated for so long and spreads into the pulp chambers, affecting the nerves and the blood vessels spreading to the roots. However, understanding the necessity of root canal treatment necessitates understanding the structure of teeth, which clarifies when and why RCT should be performed to save the teeth from further damage. Root canal treatment procedures in Bangalore have a record number of appointments, as expert Endodontists practicing at Dr. Karishma Aesthetics relentlessly help patients make the right decision at the right time to avoid further damage and debunk some of the most common myths surrounding the procedure.  

Why is Root Canal Treatment Performed?

Every tooth has two parts, i.e., Crown and Roots. The Crown is made of three parts:

·       The outermost layer is called enamel.

·       The middle is dentine.

·       The innermost part is known as the pulp/ pulp chamber.

The root's outermost layer is cementum, the middle is dentine, and the innermost layer contains nerves and blood vessels, called tooth pulp (the most vital part of a dental structure, which provides nutrients for your tooth). When dental decay, which starts from the enamel, is left untreated for too long, it may affect the pulp chambers, spreading to the roots and resulting in an abscess or sinus formation. However, a root canal treatment is recommended to restore oral health.

Following are the most common myths of root canal treatment must be understood in the light of reality with the right information:

Myth 1: Root canals Are painful procedures.

Fact: Days have gone by since root canal treatment was painful, and the procedure has been infamous due to our fear of complications. Thanks to modern advancements in dental technology and anesthetics, root canals are now relatively painless, giving the best results with minimal discomfort or side effects. Moreover, only expert endodontists should perform root canal therapy, as they are specially trained in RCT and are more likely to be able to treat dental problems than a general dentist.

Myth 2: Root canals are dangerous.

Fact: A common myth surrounding root canals is that the treatment can hurt teeth and make them more prone to damage or fracture. However, this is not true, as the treatment only removes infected pulp canals from the inside of the tooth and does not affect the outer structure. Moreover, root canals are a safe, effective, and result-centric method of treating an infected tooth.

Myth 3: Root canals take a long time.

Fact: Root canal treatment solves complicated dental concerns and treats infected pulp/ pulp chambers (the soft tissue inside the tooth) that have been badly decayed or infected. In addition, root canals help clean and disinfect the inside of the tooth and then fill and seal it. But root canal treatment takes less time than anticipated, requiring only one or two clinic visits to complete the therapy, depending on the extent of tooth damage.

Myth 4: Root Canals Cause Illness.

Fact: Root canal treatment does not cause any illness nor is it risky concerning overall health. Instead, it is a safe procedure that protects teeth from further decay or damage. A root canal causes illness; this myth circulated from outdated research and was later proved false by modern scientific studies. Moreover, root canals remove infected tissue from within the tooth, eliminating harmful bacteria and preventing the spread of infection.

Myth 5: It is Better to Extract the Tooth Than to Get a Root Canal.

Fact: The root canal treatment removes infected tissue, saving teeth from unwanted extraction that might be a case due to severe damage or trauma. Thus, preserving natural teeth is always a preferred choice, which only sometimes favors extraction, a case of receiving a root canal. Still, by removing the infected dental pulp and sealing the tooth, expert endodontists at Smilecare Kaesthetics can preserve the natural structure and function, limiting the need for more extensive dental procedures, i.e., implants or bridges.

If you are experiencing tooth pain or suspect needing a root canal, do not hesitate to call 9108969006/ 7624809006 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Karishma Aesthetics, an expert in root canal treatments in Bangalore.