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Root Canal Myths
Say the words “root canal,” and most patients will immediately tense up. Perhaps it is this element of fear that is at the heart of the apparent confusion about the process. A root canal is a procedure where an infected tooth can be treated without having the tooth pulled. The dentist makes a small hole in the tooth to remove the cavity, along with the infected nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth roots. The inside of the roots are then cleaned and shaped, and a rubbery filling material is placed to block infection from the tooth.
Contrary to yet another dental myth, the procedure is usually not painful and is successful about 90 percent of the time. However, in some cases, the tooth that has had root canal can become sensitive again. This can happen if the roots get re-infected, if there is an extra nerve within the tooth that was not removed the first time, or if the tooth roots become fractured. Protecting the tooth with a crown and regular dental visits help most root canal teeth succeed.
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