Learning you need a root canal may not be the most exciting or welcoming news you’ll hear from your dentist. The idea of enduring any type of oral surgery tends to cause many patients to second guess their decision to move forward. And unfortunately, the misperception that root canals are painful only furthers the idea that regret will follow after completing treatment. There is good news, however, as a dentist explains why these procedures leave most patients pleased with their results and the ability to enjoy a fully functional smile again.

There are many misconceptions about root canals, one of which is that the procedure itself is quite painful. Luckily, this is not true. But it’s also believed that the only real way of knowing whether you need this type of procedure is if you’re experiencing immense pain. While this can be true, it is not the sole indicator, and it is why your local dentist is here to dispel this rumor and instead, share what else you should be mindful of that may indicate you need a root canal.