ROOT CANAL TREATMENT - MYTHS BUSTED

1. ROOT CANAL TREATMENT - MYTHS BUSTED ROOT CANAL CAUSES PAIN – The root canal procedure is carried out under local anesthesia. The root canal procedure is done to clean and remove the infected pulp tissue and replace it with a biocompatible material to relieve the pain of patient. The right treatment would never cause you any pain. ROOT CANAL NEEDS MANY VISITS TO THE DENTIST – With the progress in dentistry, it is now possible to perform a single visit root canal procedure in almost all cases, except when the root canal cannot be dried for obturation owing to infectious discharge. ROOT CANAL TREATMENT IS MANDATORY IF CROWN IS TO BE PLACED–The latest materials and technique demand minimum removal of the tooth structure avoiding any insult to the underlying pulp tissue. An undermined decay or developed periapical pathology creates the need of root canal treatment, not the crown.

2. ROOT CANAL CAUSES ILLNESS –No existing studies are known to support this. A root canal procedure is performed to remove an existing pulpal pathology or infection and prevent the loss of tooth which would have otherwise occurred. ROOT CANAL CANNOT BE DONE IN PREGNANT PATIENTS –The root canal treatment can be done in pregnant ladies as well during the first trimester with adequate shielding and protective equipments. The second trimester is the safest for all elective procedures including root canal treatment. ROOT CANAL TREATMENT WEAKENS THE TOOTH – The root canal treatment aims to remove the decay and infection from the tooth. It replaces the lost tooth structure with tooth like but stronger restorative material restoring its health as well as function. ROOT CANAL TREATMENT IS NOT NEEDED UNLESS THE TOOTH HAS PAIN – An asymptomatic tooth with an underlying periapical infection results in the loss of surrounding bone and decreases the prognosis of the tooth. Root canal treatment in such a tooth can be done to remove the infection and completely heal the surrounding bone by using ideal protocol. Thus increasing the life of the tooth. IT IS BETTER TO EXTRACT THE TOOTH THAN UNDERGO ROOT CANAL –It is the best option to preserve and protect the natural teeth for as long as possible. Root canal treatment is done to save an infected tooth. Removal of the tooth is advises only when saving the tooth by root canal is not possible. The author is a professional writer working with the health and dentistry industry since 7 years. He writes articles on root canal treatment in India and dental implants in India.