Tooth decay is a progressive disease, and how you treat it depends on how much it’s progressed by the time you detect it. As one of the more involved forms of tooth decay treatment, root canal therapy is often the last resort to save your tooth from the destruction of severe tooth decay. However, the procedure often has an unfortunate and unfairly negative reputation, prompting many patients to prolong treatment and place their smiles at further risk. Today, we bust some common myths about restorative root canal treatment and why the procedure shouldn’t be postponed once it becomes necessary.
Myth: Root canal treatment hurts
Fact: A root canal treatment involves the extraction of infected tissue from the interior of your tooth, but the procedure does not cause discomfort, as many believe. On the contrary, removing the infection relieves the often-debilitating discomfort of infected tooth nerves and tissues.
Myth: Root canal treatment isn’t necessary
Fact: Aside from pain relief, root canal treatment is designed to stop tooth infection from spreading through your tooth’s roots and into the surrounding gums and jawbone. Not only is root canal treatment a necessity; undergoing treatment as soon as possible can determine the success or failure of your restoration.
Myth: Tooth extraction is a better solution than root canal treatment
Fact: Tooth extraction is often required when decay has progressed too far for a root canal treatment to address effectively. If your tooth can still be saved, however, then your dentist will work to preserve as much healthy tooth structure as possible, rather than extracting the tooth and then having to replace it.
If You Need Root Canal Treatment
If your tooth is severely infected, or if you’ve had a previous tooth filling fail, then speak with your dentist about the benefits of root canal treatment. To learn more, schedule a consultation with your dentist by calling Syosset Dental in Syosset, NY today at 516-433-2211 or 516-921-1678.
