First Class Clinic Dubai
5 Root Canal Myths, Busted
5 Root Canal Myths, Busted
Quick Answer
Root canals are not especially painful with modern anaesthesia, saving your natural tooth is usually better than extraction, and the treatment does not cause illness. Delaying treatment can allow infection to spread.
Few dental treatments have a worse reputation than the root canal, and most of it is undeserved. Many fears come from old techniques or internet myths. Here are five of the most common, and the facts behind them.
Myth 1: Root Canals Are Very Painful
The pain people associate with root canals comes from the infected tooth, not the treatment. With modern local anaesthetic, the procedure feels similar to having a filling. Any soreness afterwards is usually mild and manageable with standard pain relief.
Myth 2: It Is Better to Pull the Tooth
Your natural tooth is usually the best chewing tool you have. Removing it can lead to bone loss, drifting of neighbouring teeth and the need for an implant or bridge. Root canal treatment aims to save the tooth so you can keep using it.
Myth 3: Root Canals Make You Ill
The claim that root canals cause disease dates back to research from a century ago and has not been supported by modern evidence. The treatment removes infected tissue and seals the tooth, which actually reduces infection.
Myth 4: You Can Wait Until It Gets Worse
Tooth pain sometimes goes away because the nerve has died, but the infection can continue silently and spread to the jaw. Waiting can lead to abscess, swelling and a more complicated treatment or extraction.
Myth 5: A Root-Treated Tooth Will Not Last
With a good seal and a protective crown, a root-treated tooth can serve you for many years, often a lifetime. Good hygiene and regular check-ups are key.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
- Severe or throbbing toothache
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold
- Swollen or tender gums, or a pimple on the gum
- A darkened tooth
- Pain when biting
What Happens During Treatment
After local anaesthetic, your dentist removes the infected pulp, cleans and disinfects the canals and seals them. A temporary filling protects the tooth until a crown is fitted. Treatment takes one or two visits.
If you have tooth pain, do not wait. Our dentists at First Class Clinic can see urgent cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does a root canal take?
Usually 60 to 90 minutes per visit, over one or two visits.
Q: Do I need a crown afterwards?
Usually yes, particularly for back teeth.
Q: Can a root canal fail?
Occasionally, and retreatment is sometimes possible.
Q: Is it safe in pregnancy?
Treatment for infection is usually considered safe; tell your dentist you are pregnant.
Q: What if I ignore it?
Infection can spread and cause serious problems.
Book a Consultation
Have a question about your own case? Book a consultation with our doctors in Umm Suqeim. Serving patients from Umm Suqeim, Jumeirah, Al Safa, Al Manara, Al Barsha, Downtown Dubai and across the UAE.
Book an Appointment