Root Canal Awareness Week is from May 7 to May 13. The purpose of this week is to recognize the importance of this dental procedure and honor the people who perform it. During a root canal, your dentist or endodontist will remove the pulp of an infected tooth and replace it with an inert material such as composite resin.

Despite being a common procedure, there are plenty of myths surrounding root canals. John P. Belbas, DDS, a dentist serving the Lakeville, NY, area since 1987, dispels a few of the myths about this tooth-saving procedure.

Myth #1: Root Canals Are Painful

One of the most common misconceptions about this dental procedure is it’s painful. When modern dentistry was in its early stages and dentists had a limited understanding of how to ease oral pain, root canals were more painful than they are today. In modern day, however, this procedure is used to relieve the pain caused by an infection of the tooth pulp. Additionally, your dentist or endodontist will apply a local anesthetic to reduce the pain associated with the procedure.

Myth #2: Extractions Are a Good Alternative to Root Canals

In the early 20th century, many dental practices advocated for performing tooth extractions in lieu of root canals. While it seems more efficient to simply get rid of the tooth causing problems, it isn’t a sound replacement. A root canal allows your dental practitioner to save your natural tooth while also getting rid of the infection. A tooth extraction will cost you your natural tooth, and the open wound can lead to further infection.

Myth #3: Root Canal Can Lead to Disease

This myth comes from a study done during the 1920s that has long been debunked. It suggested that patients who had root canals were more at risk of developing cancer and other diseases. However, recent studies have found that patients who undergo endodontic treatment are actually up to 45% less likely to develop cancer.

If you need a root canal treatment, call (585) 346-5220 to arrange an appointment with Dr. John P. Belbas, DDS. For more information on this and other procedures, including teeth cleaning and whitening, visit the practice’s website.