Sometimes a root canal is necessary to save a badly decayed tooth. You may not be looking forward to the procedure, because you believe some of the common myths surrounding them. William U. Britton DDS, MAGD, specializes in gentle dental care and excels at calming nervous patients in his Chillicothe, OH, office. His staff ensures that you always have a full understanding of the treatment, including root canals. Here they debunk some of the most common myths surrounding this procedure.

3 Common Misconceptions About Root Canals

1. You’ll Know When You Need One

A badly decayed tooth that requires a root canal will hurt a lot, and you can’t go about your daily activities until you get some relief. But there are some cases in which a root canal is necessary even though you are not in pain. For example, it’s possible that the nerves inside your tooth have died or have been removed during dental treatment. To ensure that you don’t get an infection, the roots of your teeth must be cleaned out as well.

2. Extraction Is a Better Choice

Some might argue that it’s better to remove a severely damaged tooth instead of trying to save it with a root canal procedure. While dental implants provide a great alternative to missing teeth, saving the tooth is usually the better alternative. This option keeps the roots of your teeth in place and doesn’t require surgery. A root canal is also better than extracting the tooth and replacing it with a dental bridge, because your neighboring teeth would have to be worked on to become bridge anchors.

3. Root Canals Are Too Expensive

While a root canal certainly isn’t a cheap dental procedure, the actual cost depends on the dentist and your insurance. However, the only alternative that’s cheaper is a tooth extraction without filling the resulting gap in your smile. That’s because replacing a missing tooth with an implant or a bridge is usually pricier than paying for a root canal to save the tooth. If you decide to skip the root canal procedure and do nothing, you’ll probably have to come back to the dentist later when you’re in a lot of pain.

If your tooth requires a root canal, you don’t have to panic. Give the staff at William U. Bretton DDS, MAGD, a call at (740) 772-2225 to make an appointment for a consultation. This dental office specializes in treating patients who are frightened of dental treatments. Visit their website for more information about root canals.