If lingering tooth pain or infection has you worried about a possible root canal treatment, you’re not alone. Many patients feel anxious about this procedure because of common misconceptions. The good news is, modern endodontic treatment is far more comfortable and successful than TVs and movies would have you believe. Don’t believe the myths about root canals in Olympia! Visit Northwest Endodontic Specialists and trust your treatment to our experts. With greater understanding about the procedure, you will:
Pursue treatment without fear or hesitation
Find relief from painful dental infections
Restore your natural teeth instead of extracting them
Maintain your natural teeth and oral health
Feel confident you are making the right choice for your dental needs
Call 360-525-2882 for an appointment. We’re open as early as 7:30 a.m.
Conquer Your Dental Fears by Understanding Your Root Canal
Root canals have up to a 98% success rate.
Source.
A root canal involves gently removing infected nerve tissue from inside the tooth structure. The space inside the tooth is cleaned, sealed, and capped with a crown to restore your tooth function. Your experienced endodontist will perform the treatment using advanced techniques and technologies for painless and effective care.
However, our team wanted to take the time to separate fact from fiction about root canals. Knowing the truth behind some of these myths will help you pursue the treatment you need to save your natural teeth.
Here are a few of the most common misconceptions:
Myth: Root Canals are painful.
The reality is, a root canal is no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. According to the American Association of Endodontists, patients who have had a root canal are six times more likely to describe it as painless than patients who had a tooth extracted. We’ve invested in advanced technology, like laser equipment. Your endodontist will numb your mouth using a local anesthetic, so you won’t feel a thing. Sedation is also available, if desired.
Myth: Root canals can cause disease.
This concept is based on a long-since debunked idea that a root canal can lead to illness elsewhere in the body. A poorly designed study led to this conclusion and has been disproven. Still, conclusions from the study, which was performed in the 1920s, are all over the internet. In fact, recent and extensively researched studies show that a root canal can benefit your overall health by reducing inflammation in the body.
Myth: It’s better to just have the tooth pulled.
It’s always better to save your natural tooth whenever possible. The idea of extraction being better originated from the same debunked study, and it’s simply not true. An extraction causes a lot of bleeding and creates a higher risk of bacteria entering your bloodstream. You’ll recover more quickly and comfortably from a root canal than an extraction. A root canal not only restores your tooth’s health and function, it also saves you the time and money you would need to spend to replace an extracted tooth.
Call 360-525-2882 for an appointment. Let us clear up any myths about root canals in Olympia! Your endodontist will be happy to discuss exactly what to expect during your treatment and recovery. You can also request an appointment online.
Read Why Our Patients Love Us
“I had a root canal done today and literally the best experience ever at a dentist …” Read More– Wenona T.
“Honestly 5 star service!! The clinic was so clean, the assistants were fun, and the doctor …” Read More– Katelyn R.
“This busy office is a great place, with superb Endodonists, clinicians and support staff. I was …” Read More– Angela R.
“Thank you Northwest Endodontics, Olympia branch, you far exceeded my expectations!!!!!! Dr. Behnen and his assistant …” Read More– Fronica S.
“Northwest Endodontic Specialists took care of a re-do of a root canal that I needed. This …” Read More– Rebecca M.
“Wonderful group of total professionals. Did the online forms, checked in and waited only a few …” Read More– R Cris H.
“My Dr David Goerig was very nice and very good with my treatment along with his …” Read More– Rose M.
“Dentistry can be scary and the idea of surgery is terrifying but NW Endotics is the …” Read More– Lori G.
“Thank you Dr. Behnen and assistant Stacey for a pain free root canal today, you two …” Read More– Michele W.
“So, I went in for a root canal after being referred by by dentist, and I …” Read More– Kimberly E.
I had a root canal done today and literally the best experience ever at a dentist and I know that might sound crazy but I have so much fear of dentist and was asking if I could possibly take one of my Valium that are prescribed to me for panic and anxiety but the second I met the dentist and the assistant they made me feel so comfortable that I told him I will try to do without and they made jokes with me made me feel very comfortable I didn’t even feel the numbing shots first of all and the appointment was so quick I was in and out in less than 50 minutes and that’s including x-rays. I would just really really love to let them know that I appreciate them and I will definitely highly recommend them to anybody and if I ever need dental work, I truly hope that they can fix me up.
Honestly 5 star service!! The clinic was so clean, the assistants were fun, and the doctor was so gentle with me. I was so nervous for my first root canal but Dr. Goerig was so comforting. It was a breeze and next day I have zero pain! Life saver I will always recommend this office.
This busy office is a great place, with superb Endodonists, clinicians and support staff. I was pleased with how efficiently and quickly my root canal was done. .
Thank you Northwest Endodontics, Olympia branch, you far exceeded my expectations!!!!!! Dr. Behnen and his assistant (I can’t remember her name) were wonderful!! They made me feel safe and at ease throughout my entire emergency root canal. I cannot thank them enough for the service they provided me today! I was having severe, severe, relentless tooth pain for the last 3 days and due to me having to work, I was not able to call anyone to be seen for dental care until today… which of course allowed the pain to intensely escalate… I called them as a new patient right when they opened and explained my situation. The front desk gentleman who answered the phone was incredibly competent, professional, kind, respectful and so quick to get me an appointment the same day during my time of distress and pain, which was so wonderful to not have to explain too much or answer too many questions in a moment like that. Once I arrived, from start to finish of the entire experience I was greeted professionally, kindly, with great compassion, empathy and genuine care for my acute exhausting and extremely painful tooth crisis. They were also respectful and listened to what I had to say about my concerns and worries, in addition without me prompting them, they continuously educated me about what they were doing throughout the entire process, which again allowed me to feel I was in safe hands and put me at ease throughout the entire appointment. I am so thankful and incredibly impressed by this particular office. The fact that the entire group of staff displayed the ability and skill to not only perform their tasks in their individual professions but they simultaneously were able to have excellent bedside manner, keep me in the loop of what they were doing, be respectful of my concerns or questions, to allow me to feel heard, (and I could go on and on) created the best experience I have had anywhere in dental/health care in a long time!! Thank you all!!!
Northwest Endodontic Specialists took care of a re-do of a root canal that I needed. This was by far the most technological forward, emotionally intelligent patient friendly and kind medical experience I have ever had. Highly recommend.
Wonderful group of total professionals. Did the online forms, checked in and waited only a few minutes to be called in by Caterine. Very friendly and put me at ease immediately. This practice invest in the most current technology, so imaging went quickly. Catherine, again, wonderful to be in her care and very efficient in getting necessary images up with all the historicals displayed. With that Dr. Goerig (Albert) arrived. Fantastic sense of humor that put this patient immediately at ease. Explained the images to me with great detail on my progress. Great experience. I’ve had two procedures done with Dr. Goerig, excellent results with the same cheerful, professional manner.
Thank you Dr. Goerig, Catherine and the fantastic team at the front desk. Merry Christmas!
My Dr David Goerig was very nice and very good with my treatment along with his assistant Justin Gonzales was very knowledgable, good listener and so much paying attention to my questions about my tooth problems. And he answered, explained about what I needed to know. He’s a good asset to NW Orthodontics in 222 Lacey Washington. I prefer both DCG David Goerig and Justin next time I needed the treatment again. Receptionist Claire was wonderful too.
Dentistry can be scary and the idea of surgery is terrifying but NW Endotics is the best place to ease your anxiety and stress. The entire staff are welcoming and calming. Dr. Albert Goerig is so gentle and efficient at what he does, you’re not there waiting. He stays with you until the work is done. His assistant, James, is wonderful and keeps the process running so smoothly. I just can’t say enough good about this group.
Thank you Dr. Behnen and assistant Stacey for a pain free root canal today, you two did an excellent job! And I appreciate the staff of Northwest Endodontics Specialists for their professionalism with scheduling also.
So, I went in for a root canal after being referred by by dentist, and I was absolutely nervous. One because its a “root canal”. And when u hear that your mind automatically thinks ” horrible terrible” pain! I had a full blown panic attack before anything even happened that day. Autumn, the dental assistant was AMAZING and so patient with me. She didn’t judge when I opened up and explained my nervousness…and was completely professional but personable, and made me feel like she was there to support whatever decision I made. The doctor shandra was also AMAZING! She was so calm and gentle with her words and made me feel at ease about wanting to come back a different day. I felt Terrible about wasting their time but they both made me feel good about my decision right away.
Fast forward, I came back the following week feeling alot better about where I was going because of the experience from the week before. Once again both of them made me feel so comfortable. And the procedure was so smooth. The process they do makes it almost painless and so fast! I was shocked! I barely even felt the prick from the numbing needle. I WILL NEVER GO ANYWHERE ELSE to get a root canal done. I am so grateful and in awe of the amazing work, effiency, and kindness of the entire office, even front desk was great.. but especially the doctor shandra c. Lee and her wonderful assistant “awesome”Autumn! Thank u guys so much! I’ve had so many terrible experiences other places but offices like this …you have made up for them.
Common Questions About Myths About Root Canals
Are root canals painful? +–
While they have that reputation, most patients find a root canal no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. The procedure eliminates pain; it doesn’t cause it! You are visiting a team of specialists, who are trained specifically in the area of root canal therapy. So you can relax knowing your treatment will be a smooth process. We’ll numb your mouth with a local anesthetic so you don’t feel pain. You may find it easier to relax if you also receive one of our two forms of safe dental sedation.
What does a root canal do? +–
A root canal is a procedure in which your endodontist cleans out the infected inner portion of your tooth known as the pulp. Infection can reach the pulp because of an untreated cavity or injury to the tooth. After removing the pulp, we seal the inner chambers with a rubberlike material to prevent future problems. As a final step, your tooth is typically capped with a crown.
Will a root canal stop tooth pain? +–
Yes, ending pain caused by an infected tooth is one of the biggest reasons to have a root canal. Your endodontist will remove the infected pulp from inside your tooth that has been giving you a toothache. Removing the infection also allows you to keep your tooth instead of extracting it, the only other option for treatment.
