Four myths about root canals

Four myths about root canals

Root canals have a bad reputation. There's a lot of misconceptions surrounding this common dental procedure, which is used at Total Dental Care in Pekin, Illinois to remove an infection from the inner tissues of a tooth. Dr. Stephen Dickey have up-to-date information about root canals that helps their patients feel more at ease about having one done at Total Dental Care.Root Canals

Myth 1: Root canals are extremely painful.

Maybe it's their name, maybe it's outdated information; root canals have possibly the worst reputation of all dental procedures. At Total Dental Care in Pekin, our staff is unanimous in telling our patients that this information is false. In fact, a recent dental industry study found that most people who are perpetuating the "tall tales" about root canals haven't actually experienced one. The truth is that a root canal doesn't cause pain; by clearing away infection, it actually alleviates the discomfort a lot of people feel from the infection coming into contact with the nerves inside the tooth.

Dr. Dickey and Dr. Conroy often suggest their patients think of root canals by their milder (and more accurate) clinical name - endodontic (meaning "inside the tooth") therapy.

Myth 2: Root canals can cause illnesses, including cancer.

The Internet is full of misinformation about health-related issues, even those that have been proven false long ago. One such myth is based on research done in the 1920's, a time when medical knowledge was still in its infancy. The idea was that root canals introduced bacteria from the tooth infection into the bloodstream, resulting in further infection and possibly even cancer. However, in the 1950's, it was proven that those research methods were false and not properly controlled. 

Myth 3: It's better to have an extraction.

While some conditions necessitate extraction, or a tooth being pulled, root canals are actually the preferred method of treatment at your Pekin dentist's office. Why? Because they leave the natural tooth's structure intact, ensuring that other teeth have the support they need to remain healthy and stable. Pulling a tooth and leaving the space open can cause decay to build up and the neighboring teeth to shift.

Myth 4: If you ignore a toothache, it will go away.

Many people are under the impression that a toothache can be "cured" by allowing it to progress until the inner tissues "die." This practice is discouraged by your Pekin dentist, as the infection can spread to the jawbone or other areas of the body. A root canal arrests the process of decay and restores your tooth to a healthy state.

If you think you might be in need of a root canal, forget the myths and contact Total Dental Care in Pekin, Illinois for the facts.

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Total Dental Care

 (309) 347-7055

13 Olt AvenuePekin, IL 61554

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