2511 Oakcrest Ave., Greensboro, NC 27408
(located in the Oakcrest Dental building)
PH: 336-282-2868
Root Canals
In the past, if you had a tooth with a diseased nerve, that tooth probably would have been lost. Today, with root canal therapy you can save that tooth. Inside each tooth, runs the nerve and blood supply which constitutes the pulp. When the pulp is diseased or injured it can lead to pain, problems, infection and abscesses. Root canal therapy is when we remove the pulp and damaged nerve tissue, clean, sterilize, and seal off the pulp space to protect it. This tooth stays in your mouth and functions just like your other teeth. In most cases, a crown will be necessary to surround and protect the tooth. The root canal treated tooth could last a lifetime if you continue to care for your teeth and gums with regular check-ups.
There are a lot of common misconceptions about root canals. Come see us to discuss any concerns or questions you may have about root canals.
Root Canal Myths
Myth #1: Root Canal Therapy Is Painful
Root canal therapy is used to alleviate pain. Most people who have root canal therapy admit they did not experience any pain during the appointment and felt better afterward.
According to the American Association of Endodontists, the perception that root canal therapy is painful stems from early treatment methods used to perform the procedure. Pain relief treatments today are much more advanced and many patients equate the pain of a root canal with having a filling replaced. If you are having tooth pain the day of the procedure, the treatment used eliminates the discomfort immediately and you should leave the office feeling much better than you did when you arrived.
Myth #2: Completing a Root Canal Requires Several Appointments
Root canal therapy may be completed in one to two appointments. Factors that determine the number of appointments necessary to complete a root canal include:
- The extent of the infection
- The difficulty of the root canal
- Whether a referral to a root canal specialist, known as an endodontist, becomes necessary
Myth #3: Root Canal Therapy Causes Illness
The idea that bacteria trapped inside an endodontically-treated tooth will cause illness, such as heart disease, kidney disease, or arthritis, stems from research conducted by Dr. Weston Price from 1910 to 1930 -- almost 100 years ago. Recent attempts to confirm Dr. Price's research has been unsuccessful in proving that root canal treatment causes illness.
Bacteria can be found in the mouth at anytime. Even teeth free from decay and gum disease have tested positive for bacteria.
Myth #4: Teeth Need to Hurt Before Root Canal Therapy Becomes Necessary
Teeth that require root canal therapy are not always painful. In fact, teeth that are already dead may require root canal therapy to prevent the tooth from becoming infected.
Your dentist will examine your teeth thoroughly during your regular check-up. It is usually during this routine appointment where your dentist will discover a tooth that has died or is on its way. Tests used to confirm a dead tooth include:
- Temperature testing
- Percussion testing
- Using a pulp vitality machine
Myth #5: The Benefits of Root Canal Therapy Don't Last Very Long
A common misconception is that the benefits of root canal therapy don't last very long after the procedure has been completed. This myth originated after patients experienced their tooth breaking months after a root canal was performed on their tooth. Our patients who receive a root canal usually have a custom made porcelain crown covering the affected tooth. These teeth can and usually do last a lifetime.
I bit down on a cherry pit and cracked my filling. I called Dr. Farless's office and they told me they would work me in to come on by. I appreciated that.
- Julie, Summerfield
Are you a new patient?
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Are you a new patient?
Visit our New Patient section for all you need to know about our practice, what to expect on your first visit and to download printable forms.
