Root canal treatment (RCT) often gets a bad reputation due to myths and misunderstandings. Many patients ask, “Is root canal treatment safe?” The short answer is YES – it’s a routine, effective procedure that can save your natural tooth and relieve pain. Unfortunately, fear driven by myths causes some people to delay needed treatment (one estimate suggests up to 25% avoid dentists due to misconceptions). At Sree Venkateswara Dental Clinics, guided by Dr. Prashant Venkateswaran, we’ve seen countless patients who were nervous about RCT but left relieved and pain-free. In this article, we’ll debunk common root canal myths and explain root canal safety in clear terms and how preserving your natural teeth benefits you in the long run.
Myth 1: “It’s Better to Pull the Tooth Instead”
When faced with a bad toothache, some think extracting the tooth is a quicker, better solution than a root canal. In most cases, that’s a myth. Saving your natural tooth is almost always the best option. Root canal treatment allows you to preserve your real tooth, which maintains your natural chewing efficiency and helps keep the surrounding jawbone and teeth healthy. On the other hand, pulling a tooth can lead to other complications: the bone where the tooth was may start to shrink (jawbone deterioration), and neighboring teeth can shift out of alignment. Plus, after an extraction you will likely need a replacement (like a bridge or dental implant) to fill the gap. Those options require more time and additional procedures on adjacent teeth and gums and higher treatment cost. Endodontic treatments have a very high success rate – research shows about a 97% success rate even after ten years – and many teeth that undergo root canal treatment last a lifetime. By saving your tooth with a root canal, you’re making a long-term investment in your oral health. Dr. Prashant Venkateswaran has performed numerous root canals restoring patients’ teeth to full function, so extraction truly should be a last resort.
Myth 2: “Root Canal Treatment Is Too Expensive”
There’s a perception that root canals are very costly, especially in India, and that extracting a tooth would be cheaper. It’s important to look at both short-term and long-term costs. While prices vary, root canal treatment is generally more economical than losing a tooth and replacing it. According to a 2024 survey, about 33% of Indians reported paying over ₹10,000 for a root canal (likely including the crown), whereas a small 6% paid as little as ₹500–₹1,500. The cost depends on the tooth’s condition, the materials used, and the clinic. Now compare that to the cost of replacing a missing tooth: a single dental implant in India can cost roughly ₹30,000–₹70,000 (including the implant and crown), and even a bridge can be quite expensive and may affect neighboring teeth. So, retaining your tooth through RCT usually saves you money in the long run. Even if an extraction itself is cheap, living with a gap can harm your bite and confidence, and replacing that tooth later is far more expensive and involved. In fact, studies note that procedures like bridges or implants, aside from being more complex, can end up more costly in the long run than a straightforward root canal therapy. At Sree Venkateswara Dental Clinics, we remind our patients that a well-done root canal spares them the future costs and complications of tooth loss. When you consider the lasting benefits of saving your natural tooth, RCT is a smart, cost-effective choice.
Myth 3: “Root Canal Treatment is Painful”
It’s a widespread belief that a root canal is excruciating. This simply isn’t true with today’s techniques. Modern anesthetics and technology make root canal procedures about as comfortable as getting a routine filling. The procedure actually removes the infected tissue and relieves pain – the discomfort leading up to a root canal is often due to the infection in the tooth’s pulp, not the root canal procedure itself. During the treatment, the dentist numbs the area completely so you won’t feel sharp pain. At Sree Venkateswara Dental Clinics, Dr. Prashant Venkateswaran emphasizes patient comfort and uses gentle techniques, so many of our patients are pleasantly surprised by how quick and virtually painless RCT can be. Remember, a root canal’s primary goal is to stop your toothache and save your tooth, not to cause you more pain.
Myth 4: “Root Canals Aren’t Safe and Can Cause Illness”
There is no valid scientific evidence linking a properly done root canal to any disease elsewhere in the body. In reality, a root canal eliminates bacteria from the infected tooth, prevents the infection from spreading, and protects your overall health. Far from causing illness, RCT removes a source of chronic infection in your body. Modern dental clinics in India follow strict international standards of hygiene, sterilization, and care, ensuring that root canal treatment is performed in a safe, sterile environment. Modern root canal treatments often involve advanced tools like digital imaging for high precision. These technologies allow dentists to thoroughly clean tiny canals while preserving healthy tooth structure. Combined with strict sterilization protocols and local anesthesia, root canal procedures today are extremely safe and comfortable for patients. Every year, endodontists worldwide perform millions of successful root canal treatments safely and effectively – including many here at Sree Venkateswara Dental Clinics – so you can be confident in the procedure’s safety.
Conclusion
Root canal treatment is a safe, proven, and tooth-saving procedure – not the scary, painful ordeal old myths would have you believe. Modern RCTs have high success rates, are completed in one session, provide relief from pain, and help preserve your natural smile. Whether you’re worried about root canal safety, the cost, or the procedure itself, we hope this article has put your mind at ease by debunking those myths. Remember that preserving natural teeth is almost always better for your health and wallet than extraction. Also, if you would like to know more about Root Canal Treatment and Procedure, you can check out our other Root Canal Treatment Articles on our Blog.
If you have a nagging tooth or any concerns about root canals, don’t let misconceptions stop you from seeking care. We at Sree Venkateswara Dental Clinics, led by Dr. Prashant Venkateswaran, are here to help you every step of the way. With our experience and gentle approach, you can confidently restore your dental health. Feel free to reach out to us with your questions or to book an appointment – let us help you keep your smile healthy, bright, and free of pain!
