If you've been told you need a root canal, you might be dreading it. Don't be — modern root canal treatment is one of the most misunderstood procedures in dentistry.
Myth #1: "Root canals are extremely painful"
Reality: Root canals relieve pain, they don't cause it. The toothache that brought you in is from the infected nerve. Once we numb the area and remove the infected tissue, the pain goes away.
Most patients say a root canal feels no different from getting a filling.
Myth #2: "Root canals take multiple visits"
Reality: With modern rotary instruments and apex locators, most root canals are completed in a single 60–90 minute visit. Severe infections might need a second visit, but that's the exception.
Myth #3: "It's better to just pull the tooth"
Reality: Saving your natural tooth is almost always better than extracting it. Once you lose a tooth, the bone underneath shrinks, neighbouring teeth shift, and you need an implant or bridge to replace it — far more expensive than a root canal.
A root-canal-treated tooth, capped with a crown, can last 30+ years.
Myth #4: "Root canals make you sick"
Reality: This myth comes from a debunked 1920s study (the "Weston Price hypothesis"). Modern research overwhelmingly shows root canals are safe and prevent the spread of infection.
What happens during the procedure?
- Local anaesthesia — area becomes completely numb
- Small opening in the tooth crown
- Infected nerve removed using thin rotary files
- Canal cleaned and disinfected
- Sealed with a biocompatible filling material
- Crown placed in a follow-up visit (usually within 2 weeks)
Aftercare
You'll feel mild tenderness for 24–48 hours, easily managed with paracetamol or ibuprofen. Eat soft food for a day, avoid the treated side until the crown is placed.
If you've been putting off a root canal because of fear, call us. We promise it'll be easier than you think.