IF YOU’VE EVER been told you need a root canal, chances are your first reaction wasn’t excitement. For decades, root canals have had a reputation that’s far worse than the reality, and misinformation about endodontic treatment continues to scare patients away from care they genuinely need. Let’s set the record straight on some of the most common myths floating around out there.
Myth #1: Root Canals Are Extremely Painful
This is probably the most persistent myth in all of dentistry. The truth is that root canal therapy is performed under local anesthesia and is no more uncomfortable than getting a routine filling. Most patients are surprised by how manageable the experience actually is. The pain people associate with root canals is usually the pain caused by the infected tooth before treatment, not the procedure itself. A root canal doesn’t cause pain; it relieves it.
Myth #2: It’s Better to Just Pull the Tooth
Some patients assume that extraction is the simpler, cheaper solution. But losing a natural tooth sets off a chain of consequences, including bone loss in the jaw, shifting of surrounding teeth, and the eventual need for bridges or implants, which can cost significantly more than saving the original tooth. Endodontists are specialists trained specifically to preserve your natural teeth, and keeping your real tooth is almost always the better long-term outcome for your oral health.
Myth #3: Root Canals Cause Illness
This myth can be traced back to poorly conducted research from the early 20th century that had disastrous consequences for several decades. Countless teeth that could’ve been saved were pulled. Worse, many perfectly healthy teeth were removed due to the mistaken idea that teeth-pulling could cure an unrelated condition.
Modern science has thoroughly debunked any connection between root canal treatment and systemic disease. Major health organizations, including the American Association of Endodontists, confirm that root canals are safe and do not contribute to illness elsewhere in the body. Leaving an infected tooth untreated, on the other hand, can lead to serious health complications.
Myth #4: If the Tooth Doesn’t Hurt, It Doesn’t Need Treatment
Not all infected or damaged teeth cause obvious pain. In some cases, the nerve inside a tooth can die, eliminating the sensation of pain while the infection continues to spread. Regular dental checkups and X-rays are essential for catching problems that aren’t making themselves known through discomfort. By the time a tooth becomes painful, the issue may already be more advanced.
Myth #5: A Root Canal Means Multiple Long Appointments
While complex cases occasionally require more than one visit, many root canals are completed in a single appointment. Endodontic technology has advanced dramatically over the years, with tools like digital imaging, rotary instrumentation, and enhanced magnification making procedures faster and more precise than ever before.
Make Sure You’re Getting Reliable Root Canal Information!
The bottom line is that endodontic treatment is one of the most effective ways to save a tooth and get out of pain. If your dentist or endodontist has recommended a root canal, trust that the recommendation is rooted in your best interest. Don’t let old myths stand between you and a healthy smile.
