Root Canal Treatment in Chennai: Myths vs Facts Explained
Introduction
Tooth pain is one of the most disturbing pains a person can experience. It affects eating, sleeping, and even your daily routine. Many patients visit a dental clinic only when the pain becomes unbearable. After examination, the dentist often says you need a root canal treatment.
Immediately fear starts.
Most patients are not actually afraid of the procedure. They are afraid of what they have heard from others. In reality, Root Canal Treatment in Chennai at Dew Clinic Chennai is a pain relieving and tooth saving procedure designed to remove infection and restore your natural tooth safely and comfortably.
What Exactly Is a Root Canal Treatment?
Inside every tooth there is a soft tissue called pulp. This pulp contains nerves and blood vessels. When deep decay, cracks, or injury allow bacteria to enter the tooth, the pulp becomes infected.
That infection causes severe toothache, long sensitivity to hot or cold, swelling in gums, and sometimes facial swelling. At this stage tablets cannot cure the problem because the bacteria are trapped inside the tooth.
Root canal treatment removes the infected pulp, cleans the inner canals, disinfects them, and seals the tooth. The natural tooth stays in your mouth and works normally.
To understand how dentists choose treatments depending on the dental condition, Also read: Dental Services: Types of Dental Treatments and Their Benefits
Why Tooth Infection Should Never Be Ignored
A tooth infection does not stay only in the tooth.
If untreated, it can spread to the jaw bone and surrounding tissues. Some patients develop abscess, swelling, and difficulty opening their mouth. In severe cases, the infection may even spread through the bloodstream.
Painkillers only hide the symptoms. They never remove the infection. Root canal treatment removes the source of infection completely.
Common Myths and the Real Facts
Myth: Root canal is very painful
Fact: Modern dentistry uses local anesthesia that completely numbs the tooth. Most patients feel relief immediately after the procedure because the infection pain is removed.
Myth: Tooth removal is better
Fact: Saving a natural tooth is always the best option. Extraction leads to shifting of teeth, chewing difficulty, and bone loss. Later you may need implants or bridges, which are costlier.
Myth: Pain stopped so treatment not needed
Fact: When the nerve dies, pain may reduce temporarily, but infection continues silently and later becomes a swelling or abscess.
Myth: Root canal causes illness
Fact: There is no scientific proof for this belief. Modern sterilization completely removes bacteria.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
You should visit a dentist immediately if you notice:
- persistent toothache while chewing
- sensitivity lasting more than a few seconds
- swelling in gums
- bad taste in mouth
- darkened tooth
- small pimple on gums
- facial swelling
These are clear indications of pulp infection.
Step by Step Root Canal Procedure
The treatment is very systematic and comfortable.
First the dentist takes an X ray to locate the infection. The tooth is then numbed using anesthesia. A small opening is created to reach the pulp. The infected tissue is removed and the canals are cleaned with disinfectant solutions. Finally, the canals are sealed with filling material.
After a few days, a dental crown is placed over the tooth.
Why a Crown Is Important After Root Canal
After root canal treatment, the tooth becomes slightly weak because its internal nerve and blood supply are removed. A dental crown protects the tooth from fracture while chewing.
Without a crown, the tooth may crack and you may again require extraction. With a crown, the tooth can last many years, even lifelong.
Root Canal Cost vs Long Term Value
Many people search for root canal cost in Chennai. But the more important factor is long term savings.
If you remove the tooth, you may later need implant, bridge, or dentures. These treatments cost significantly more than a root canal. Saving your natural tooth is the most economical and healthiest choice.
Can You Prevent Root Canal Treatment?
Yes. Prevention is possible with simple habits.
Brush twice daily, floss regularly, avoid excessive sugary foods, and treat cavities early. Regular dental checkups help detect problems before they reach the nerve.
Dental care is personalized. Just like hair treatments vary for each individual condition: Personalized Hair Treatment: Why One-Size-Fits-All Doesn’t Work
Final Thoughts
Root canal treatment is one of the most misunderstood procedures in dentistry. It does not create pain. It removes pain. Modern technology has made the treatment quick, safe, and comfortable.
Delaying treatment increases complications, cost, and discomfort. Early treatment saves your natural tooth and prevents serious infection.
Root canal treatment does not take away your tooth. It gives your tooth a second life.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is root canal treatment painful?
No. Modern anesthesia makes the procedure comfortable and much less painful than the infection itself.
2. How long does a root canal treated tooth last?
With a crown and good oral hygiene, it can last 10 to 20 years or even longer.
3. How many visits are needed for root canal treatment?
Most root canals are completed in one or two visits depending on the infection severity.
4. Can I go to work after a root canal?
Yes. Most patients return to normal activities the same day because the procedure is minimally invasive.
5. What happens if I delay a root canal?
The infection spreads to the jaw and surrounding tissues leading to swelling, abscess, and eventually tooth loss.
6. Is extraction better than root canal?
No. Saving the natural tooth is always better because extraction leads to bone loss and expensive replacement treatments later.