Root Canal Treatment: Myths vs Facts

Few dental procedures have a worse reputation than the root canal — and most of that reputation is outdated. Modern root canal treatment, done under local anaesthesia, is generally no more uncomfortable than getting a filling.

Myth: Root canals are extremely painful. Fact: the pain people associate with root canals is almost always caused by the infection itself, before treatment. The procedure relieves that pain by removing the infected pulp — most patients report feeling significantly better afterward, not worse.

Myth: It’s better to just pull the tooth. Fact: saving your natural tooth with a root canal almost always functions better long-term than an extraction followed by an implant or bridge, and it’s usually the less invasive, more affordable option.

Myth: Root canal treatment takes many long, painful sessions. Fact: many cases are completed in one or two visits of around 45-60 minutes each, depending on the tooth and extent of infection.

If you’re dealing with a lingering toothache, sensitivity to hot or cold that doesn’t fade, or swelling near a tooth, it’s worth getting it checked rather than waiting — the earlier it’s treated, the simpler the procedure tends to be.