Carlsbad Dental Blog

Carlsbad Root Canal - 5 Myths to Dispel

Tweet

 

The prospect of needing a root canal done can be terrifying. These procedures can be tricky to perform, and they are typically quite expensive. The reality is, much like most of the dental advice that we give, the best approach is not to let the situation get out of hand. As a simple rule of thumb, the longer you wait, the more it's going to cost to fix.

In an effort to help simplify things, getting a root canal in Carlsbad needn't be a mystery to you. Here are 5 myths that we encounter that we will dispel to help you get through the procedure armed with accurate knowledge.

1. My root canal was unavoidable. Wrong, Think prevention rather than repair. The reason a root canal is necessary is that the nerve chamber in your tooth has been breached thereby allowing access by bacteria. Once this happens, there's no turning back, a root canal is in your future. Your best bet is not to allow yourself to get in this situation by practicing active oral hygiene consistently.
   
2. Root canals are 100% covered by insurance. The cost of a root canal can vary depending on the insurance you have. Your carrier may or may not cover all, or any of it. The best way to understand your financial exposure is to talk to your insurance company prior to getting the treatment done. There may be some things that you can do to decrease cost in advance if you take the time to investigate.
3. Only Endodontists may perform root canals. Dentists may also do your root canal if your root structure is not complex. You should bear in mind that going to a endodontist could cost you up to 50% more for the same work. Be sure that this is truly warranted as often, root canals can be handled by your family dentist so check with him/her first.
4. Root canals hurt when they are being done. This is incorrect, your dentist will numb the area just as he/she would when doing a filling so that you won't feel any pain. In reality, once your root canal has been completed, you will be relieved of the pain that brought you in for the procedure in the beginning.
5. Having a root canal done means that my tooth and/or roots will be removed. This is not what happens. When you have a root canal done, the insides of the roots are cleaned of dead and damaged tissue, and a crown is fitted after the procedure. The purpose for having a root canal done is to save the tooth, not remove it.

Don't be afraid of coming in to the dentist if your teeth hurt. The solution that he will provide, such as a root canal, will relieve you of your pain, not cause more.

(Photo credit: Steve Snodgrass)