Root canals are a common procedure that many people undergo at least once in their lifetime. With the help of Dr. Tyler McCabe, your friendly family dentist in Ocean Springs, you can get a pain-free root canal procedure performed. If you don't know a lot about this dentistry procedure, we're going to share with you five of the most common myths that people hear about it.
They're Extremely Painful
Root canals are one of those dental procedures that get a bad rap. With modern-day technology and anesthetics, there's virtually no pain associated with this procedure. You will hear the dental drill and feel the vibrations, but there will be no pain present. This is because you'll be given a local anesthetic to numb the area prior to treatment.
Tooth Pulling Is a Better Option
In most cases, having a tooth pulled is considered a last resort. You need to realize that your teeth are an imperative part of not only eating but also keeping your jawbone and overall posture intact. A root canal is a corrective procedure that will remove infected pulp while still allowing the hard shell of the tooth to remain in position. This helps to ensure your jawbone and posture remain unaffected.
This Procedure Removes the Roots of Your Teeth
This isn't really the case as any family dentist in Ocean Springs can attest to. A root canal procedure is aimed at removing the infected pulp and nerve of the tooth. This pulp is located within the roots and crown of the tooth. The roots and outer shell of the tooth remain fully intact. This is because the roots are what hold your teeth in your jawbone. If they were removed, the tooth would fall out.
It Will Increase Your Odds of Getting a Disease
If you've done any research on root canals, you may have stumbled across this myth. It's the result of a poor study done nearly 50 years ago that linked diseases, like cancer, to root canals. With modern-day technology and science, it has been determined that the root causes of the illnesses people developed were just unknown at the time of the study. There is no scientific evidence out there that links root canals to increased risks of systemic illnesses.
If There's No Pain, You Don't Need It
It's commonplace for people to think that tooth pain leads to a root canal. In reality, not all infected tooth pulps cause pain. Rather, a root canal should be performed when a proper diagnosis of an infected tooth pulp is determined, regardless of the prevalence of tooth pain.
If you're in need of a root canal in Ocean Springs, then be sure to contact Dr. Tyler McCabe for an appointment today.