When someone says “root canal,” most people shy away in fear. Thought of as the most painful, miserable dental procedure, the fear of getting hurt during a root canal keeps thousands away from the dentist every year. But should you really be scared about an impending root canal? Or is a root canal only a simple, routine procedure that dentists do every day?
Myth One: Root Canals are the Most Painful Dental Procedure
A root canal is not the most painful thing that you’ll have to endure during your life. In fact, most root canals result in less pain than the patient is already feeling. The reason to get a root canal is because the pulp of the teeth has been infected and is dying. During a root canal, your nerves are numbed just like they are numbed during a filling or extraction. Thus, a root canal is no more painful than these procedures. The American Associated of Endodontists suggests that the fear of root canals is due to how painful this procedure was in the past when modern medicine was not being used. These days, root canals are more annoyingly uncomfortable than painful.
Myth Two: I’ll be Fine without a Root Canal
Avoiding a root canal is not a way to avoid the pain! The need for a root canal arises because the pulp of your teeth has become infected. The pain of your teeth rotting from the inside out is far more serious than having a root canal done with analgesia. You can also suffer from serious infections if a dying tooth is left on its own for too long. Therefore, get a root canal before the rotting tooth becomes a problem. The pain you will be avoiding in the long run should be the only reason you need.
Myth Three: Root Canals Take Several Appointments
Many years ago, it was standard for root canals to take several appointments. These days, a root canal can usually be completed in one dentist visit. Sometimes, an extensive root infection will take two appointments to fix, but these instances are rare. You may need two appointments if your infection is so far gone that a dentist needs extensive time to repair the tooth. This is why seeing a doctor for a root canal sooner rather than later is important. Often, a dentist will suggest a root canal even if you aren’t feeling pain. For these low-key infections, your procedure should take only one appointment.
Myth Four: Your Teeth Will Break After a Root Canal
One hundred years ago, it wasn’t uncommon for a tooth to break after a root canal. This was due to the fact that these teeth weren’t getting the blood and nutrients they need. These days, many dentists crown teeth who have had root canal infections to prevent breakage.
Busting the Myths of Root Canals
When you think of getting a root canal, don’t automatically assume that it will be the most excruciating experience of your life. Instead, understand that root canal misconceptions arise from how the procedure was done over one hundred years ago. In those days, a root canal was painful. These days, modern medicine eases the pain and your worry. So, does a root canal hurt? Not nearly as much as you may think.
I had a root canal procedure done last year. It took two appointments and didn’t hurt at all. Also it wasn’t nearly as expensive as I thought it would be.
I’m trying to decide weather or not to get a root canal. It’s very expensive, and I don’t have insurance. I currently have a temp crown on (tooth was cracked, but has never had decay). After the crown prep, the tooth hurt a whole bunch to chew on. Now the pain is almost unnoticible, intermittent (maybe every 3-4 days), and only occurs after chewing hard food with the tooth all day long.
Both my dentist and the endodontist say the tooth does not show any sign of infection. The endodontist thinks the pain will resolve with a stronger permanant crown. The dentist is not certain I need a root canal either, but he thinks I should get one, just in case. He says that once the zirconia crown is on, if a root canal is done through the top, the hole in the crown will be impossible to seal because filling material does not bond well to zirconia and will eventually let in decay. He says it may not be possible to replace the crown without breaking my natural tooth and that I will likely end up losing the tooth if I have to have a root canal after the permanent crown is on. Because my teeth are naturally small, he says there is not enough room to do a porcelain fused to metal crown instead.
Other than cost, is there any real downside to having a root canal done on a tooth that doesn’t need it?
If I have the root canal done (it’s a first molar), is it likely to take more than one appointment if there is no pain or infection prior to the procedure?
I am getting a root canal today and im pretty nervous. Hopefully it wont be as painfull as everyone says
Ok, so during the root canal, I felt some small pinches of pai, but it wasnt intense. I now have to get a crown.
im having one on thursday. im scared as i have heard alot of horror storys. my dentist said to ignore the storys as its pain free?
I had my first root canal today. I had a white filling replaced and it went bad. I was so scared I almost didnt go. I was crying on the way there. I should not have been worried. My endodontist numbed me really good on the front at back of the gum. I had no pain at all. It took about thirty minutes. I am sore tonight which is normal. The terrible sensitivity in the tooth is gone already. I had my first cold drink in weeks. The tenderness is well relieved with the 800 milligram ibuprophen they gave me. In a few days i will start the crown prep. The worst is over now. Dont be scared. Its really just long and tedious, not painful.
I have to get one today at 8:00 am. But it did not hurt at all and I am 10 years old and I was a sleep during the root canal so it does not hurt
i have to one tomorrow i hope it wont hurt my freinds and parents say you cant feel it! The last time i went to the dentist the only thing was the sounds that got to me!
Im having root canal tomorrow very nervous hhope it goes well! I wonder if it hurts
I’m getting my first root canal in about 2 hours, I’ve been freaking myself out since last week. I’m glad I found this post it somewhat took the edge off but I’m still kinda nervous.
Im trying to decide if I should or shouldn’t get one. My tooth hurts a lot when I chew or drink cold drinks. So should I? My dentist already recommend it
im only 12 and gettin a root canal on 2/6. really scared and my teeth hurts relly bad rite now