Healthy Times Magazine

Are you suffering from a throbbing toothache?  Do root canal treatments make you shudder?

You aren’t alone. A large survey conducted by the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) revealed that 48.5 percent of respondents perceive root canal procedures as “excruciatingly painful.”

But another AAE survey involving patients who had undergone root canal treatment described it as “painless.”

In truth, modern root canal treatments are really painless!

The best alternative for a decayed tooth isn’t extraction but to save that tooth for cosmetic and health reasons. A damaged tooth can last a lifetime through a root canal treatment.  Endodontists are experts in root canal procedures.

Endodontists utilize the latest technology coupled with dental equipment for microsurgery on root canal treatments. As a result, root canal treatments are a breeze to do in an hour’s visit by a competent endodontist. Earlier, this procedure took as much as 2 or 3 visits.

Most endodontists utilize digital imaging technology. The advantages of digital imaging over x-rays are lesser exposure to harmful radiation; up to 30 times larger image sizes; and results are known immediately.

As to costs, root canal procedures are hundreds of dollars lesser than a tooth implant. Patients think that implants are the healthier option. In fact, implants can have long term implications. Root canal procedure is the much healthier choice. It saves a tooth while implants can’t replace your natural teeth.

Dental implants involve complex surgical procedures, several dental visits and months to be completed.

Contrary to common beliefs, success rates of root canal treatments aren’t worse than dental implants. Long term-studies reveal similar success rates between the two procedures.  In implants, the tooth is extracted and the implant put in place. Root canal treatment saves your natural tooth. Decision to opt for an implant or a root canal procedure depends on your tooth’s condition, health and preference.

Know what’s best. If your dentist recommends a tooth extraction, ask if a root canal is better. If it isn’t, ask why not. Request to be referred to an endodontist for a second opinion. If your dentist proposes a root canal, request an endodontist to perform the procedure. Endodontists perform an average of 25 per week while general dentists do two per week.

Root canal treatment is easier than what you thought.

*This article was contributed by Dr. Jonathan Wee, Clinical Director, Advent Endodontics Inc Pte Ltd at Paragon Medical Suites.

Dr. Wee received his education from the School of Dentistry, National University of Singapore. He specialized in endodontics at Loma Linda University, the United States. For 12 years now, he practices endodontics exclusively and teaches part time at NUS.

Dr. Wee is a registered endodontist with the Singapore Dental Association and a member of the American Association of Endodontics, the Society of Endodontists Singapore, and the International Association of Dental Traumatology.

He is a passionate advocate of saving’s one’s teeth and works closely with other dental professionals. He travels to continually improve his clinical skills.