Myth: Root canal treatment is painful
Root canal treatment is typically recommended because the pulp inside a tooth is inflamed or infected—and that condition can be painful. The procedure is intended to remove the source of that pain. With local anesthesia and modern techniques, many patients describe the experience as similar to having a filling or another routine dental procedure.
Some tenderness after treatment can be normal while the tissues around the tooth heal. Follow the instructions provided by the office and call if pain is severe, increasing, or lasts longer than expected.
Myth: A root canal causes illness
There is no credible scientific evidence linking properly performed root canal treatment to cancer or other systemic disease. That claim grew from a century-old theory based on flawed research that could not be reproduced under controlled conditions.
Modern endodontic care follows established infection-control procedures and is specifically designed to remove bacteria and damaged tissue from inside the tooth.
Myth: Extraction is always better
When a tooth can be predictably saved, keeping it preserves your natural bite and avoids the need to replace the missing tooth. An extraction may still be appropriate when a tooth cannot be restored, but replacing it with an implant or bridge can involve additional treatment, healing time, and cost.
The right recommendation depends on the condition of the tooth. Your evaluation will include an honest discussion of whether root canal treatment, extraction, monitoring, or another option makes sense.
The best treatment is not the same for every tooth. The goal is a clear diagnosis and a plan grounded in your individual situation.