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here’s no reason to feel bad about being afraid of having a root canal treatment – but don’t let your fear stop you from doing something can be good for your health. More than half of Americans surveyed in 2014 said they were afraid of having a root canal performed, although more than three-quarters of those surveyed also said they wanted to preserve their natural teeth if at all possible – something that root canals have a very good track record of doing.
Here are a few of the top fears that people express about having a root canal treatment, paired with facts and advice to lower your fear level.
Fears and facts about root canals
Fear #1: Root canals are extremely painful.
Fact: Root canals usually relieve pain rather than cause it. Your endodontist may prescribe antibiotics to reduce infection, and he or she will use a local anesthetic to ensure the area being worked on is completely numb. The procedure itself, since it cleans out the canal and replaces the pulp of the tooth with an artificial material, has almost no pain associated with it, and post-operative discomfort is usually mild and of short duration.
Fear #2: If I have a root canal done, it may fail and I’ll have to go through the entire process again.
Fact: Root canal treatments have success rates above 90 percent, and if an appropriate restoration (such as a crown) is placed on top of the affected tooth, it can save the natural tooth for years if not decades to come. If a root canal does fail, there are additional options, including root canal retreatments and apicoectomies, that are available for saving your natural tooth.
Fear #3: If I have a root canal, I may lose the tooth anyway and I’ll have wasted money on the treatment instead of just getting an extraction.
Fact: Nothing can replace your natural teeth, so it’s best if every effort is made to save them. If you were to opt for an extraction, you’d also need to budget for a dental implant, a bridge, or dentures, the cumulative cost of which could cost far more than a root canal.
“When you have a compromised tooth that needs attention, it’s best to have the facts and not let your fears dictate the sort of treatment you receive,” says Dr. Allen, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “Root canals can be an affordable, comfortable and effective treatment for an injured or infected tooth.”