Root Canal Myths Debunked: What Every Patient Needs to Know About Saving Your Natural Teeth.
Denver Endodontist Shares the Truth Behind Common Fears.
Key Takeaways
- Careful root canals are painless; modern treatments can be surprisingly comfortable.
- Myth: Root canals cause illness. In reality, properly performed root canals do not lead to systemic health issues. They can resolve chronic dental infections which do.
- Saving your natural tooth is often cheaper and better than extraction or implants, costing significantly less in the long run.
- A root canal does not kill the tooth; it cleans and seals it internally, allowing the roots to remain intact and functional.
- With specialized care, root canals have high success rates, often exceeding 90-98%, ensuring long-term health for your teeth.
At Lowry Endodontics in Denver, we hear the same concerns every week: “I’m terrified of a root canal,” “I heard they can make you sick,” or “Wouldn’t it be easier to just pull the tooth?” These worries are understandable, but most are rooted in outdated myths rather than today’s reality.
Modern root canal treatment is a safe, highly successful way to relieve pain, eliminate infection, and keep your natural tooth for decades. As specialists, we use advanced technology and compassionate care to make the process comfortable and predictable. Many patients who come to us for a second opinion after being told “extraction is your only option” leave relieved to learn they can save their tooth.
In this post, we’ll untangle the top five root canal myths so you can make confident, informed decisions about your smile and your health.
Myth #1: Root Canals Are Extremely Painful
Reality: Modern and careful root canal treatment is no more uncomfortable than getting a filling, and it usually relieves the pain that brought you in.
With today’s local anesthetics and gentle techniques, most patients report no discomfort during the procedure. At Lowry Endodontics, we go further by offering oral anxiolysis (twilight sleep sedation) for those who feel anxious. This safe, mild sedation helps you relax while remaining responsive and comfortable. Many of our patients describe it as the easiest dental visit they’ve ever had.
Think of it this way: The root canal removes the inflamed or infected pulp that’s causing your pain. Once it’s gone and the tooth is sealed, the discomfort typically disappears quickly.
Myth #2: Root Canals Can Make You Sick or Cause Systemic Illness
Reality: This persistent myth comes from a single flawed study from the 1920s that has been thoroughly discredited. The American Association of Endodontists confirms there is no valid scientific evidence linking properly performed root canals to illness elsewhere in the body.
That said, poorly executed root canals can leave behind bacteria and lead to ongoing problems. A lot of our practice is successfully retreating root canals which could have been done better. At Lowry Endodontics, Dr. Karmali focuses on doing it right the first time using the dental operating microscope, 3D CBCT imaging, and SWEEPS laser disinfection. Our goal is predictable, long-term healing that protects both your tooth and your overall health. Untreated infection actually poses a greater risk than a well-done root canal.
Myth #3: It’s Better (or Cheaper) to Just Pull the Tooth and Get an Implant
Reality: Saving your natural tooth with a root canal is almost always the smarter long-term choice. Your natural tooth provides better function, bone preservation, sensation, and cost.
Cost comparison (U.S. averages 2025–2026):
- Root canal + crown: typically $1,700 – $3,200
- Single dental implant (including crown): typically $4,000 – $9,000+
The root canal option is usually thousands of dollars less expensive upfront and requires less on going maintenance. More importantly, your natural tooth maintains jawbone, provides better chewing sensation, and avoids risks associated with implants such as peri-implant inflammation. When patients explore both options side-by-side with us, most choose to keep their own tooth once they understand the full picture.
Myth #4: A Root Canal “Kills” the Tooth or Removes the Roots
Reality: A root canal cleans and seals the inside of the tooth. The roots remain firmly anchored in your jawbone, continuing to support the tooth just as before. After restoration with a crown, the tooth functions normally as a living, integrated part of your smile.
Myth #5: Root Canals Don’t Last or Have High Failure Rates
Reality: With specialist care, success rates are consistently high—often exceeding 90–98%. Studies show teeth treated by endodontists have significantly better long-term outcomes than those done by general dentists.
At Lowry Endodontics we use advanced 3D CT imaging, the dental operating microscope and SWEEPS laser disinfection to perform conservative, precise treatment that preserves as much natural tooth structure as possible. This attention to detail helps your restored tooth last for decades in many cases.
Why Choose a Root Canal Specialist? The Lowry Endodontics Difference
General dentists do excellent work, but complex or uncertain cases benefit from the additional years of specialized training, experience, and technology an endodontist provides. We treat every patient like family, take time to explain your unique situation, and focus on conservative, high-quality care that prioritizes keeping your natural teeth.
Should You Get a Second Opinion?
Absolutely. If you have pain or an infection and have been told you need a root canal, extraction, or implant, please reach out. Knowledge reduces anxiety, and the right information often reveals more options than you realized. Second opinions are a normal, responsible part of high-quality healthcare, and we’re happy to provide one without pressure.
Ready to Protect Your Natural Smile and Your Health?
Don’t let myths decide the future of your tooth. At Lowry Endodontics in Denver, our compassionate team is here to listen, answer every question, and help you choose the best path forward, often one that lets you keep your own tooth comfortably and affordably.
Schedule your consultation or second opinion today.
📍 Lowry Endodontics – Denver, CO
📞 Call 303-363-7668 or request an appointment online
We look forward to helping you enjoy a healthy, confident smile for years to come.
— Dr. Rahim Karmali and the Lowry Endodontics Team
Modern root canal treatment is no more uncomfortable than a routine filling and usually relieves the pain that brought you in. At Lowry Endodontics in Denver, we also offer oral anxiolysis (twilight sleep) for anxious patients so you can relax comfortably.
No. This myth comes from a discredited 1920s study. Properly performed root canals do not cause systemic illness. In fact, we retreat many poorly done cases and focus on doing it right the first time to protect your long-term health.
Saving your natural tooth with a root canal is usually the better choice. It is typically $1,700–$3,200 versus $3,000–$6,000+ for an implant, preserves jawbone, provides better natural sensation, and has excellent long-term success rates when done by a specialist.
No. A root canal cleans and seals the inside of the tooth. The roots stay firmly anchored in your jawbone, and once crowned, the tooth functions normally as a living part of your smile.
With specialist care using 3D CT imaging and the dental operating microscope, root canal success rates often exceed 90–98%. At Lowry Endodontics we take pride in conservative treatment that preserves maximum tooth structure so your restored tooth can last for many years or even decades.
Absolutely. Second opinions are smart, responsible dental care. If you’ve been told you need a root canal, extraction, or implant, we welcome you to contact Lowry Endodontics in Denver for a caring, pressure-free evaluation.
Key Takeaways
- Root Canal Myths Debunked: Root canals are not overly painful; modern treatments can be surprisingly comfortable.
- Myth: Root canals cause illness. In reality, properly performed root canals do not lead to systemic health issues.
- Saving your natural tooth is often cheaper and better than extraction or implants, costing significantly less in the long run.
- A root canal does not kill the tooth; it cleans and seals it, allowing the roots to remain intact and functional.
- With specialized care, root canals have high success rates, often exceeding 90-98%, ensuring long-term health for your teeth.