Few dental procedures spark as much unnecessary anxiety as the root canal. For decades, pop culture and outdated stories have painted this tooth-saving treatment as something to fear. At Staten Island Dental Care, we want to set the record straight. Under the leadership of Dr. Fred Hecht, a recipient of the prestigious Mastership award from the Academy of General Dentistry (MAGD), our team is dedicated to providing comfortable, high-quality care that prioritizes your health and peace of mind.
Serving Staten Island, Brooklyn, Bayonne, and Hoboken, Dr. Hecht has earned the MAGD—the highest honor bestowed upon dentists who demonstrate a lifelong commitment to learning and excellence. When you are in our chair, you benefit from that expertise. Let’s dismantle the pervasive myths surrounding root canal therapy so you can make informed decisions about your oral health.
Myth #1: Root Canals Are painful
This is easily the most common misconception. The truth is that root canal treatment doesn’t cause pain; it relieves it. The pain you associate with the procedure usually comes from the infection inside the tooth itself before you get treatment.
Modern anesthetics and advanced dental technology have revolutionized endodontics. Today, getting a root canal is often no more uncomfortable than getting a standard filling. Our team at Staten Island Dental Care utilizes state-of-the-art sedation options to ensure you remain relaxed and pain-free throughout the entire process. Once the infected pulp is removed, the source of your agony is gone, and healing can begin.
Myth #2: It’s Better to Just Pull the Tooth
Some patients believe that extraction is a cheaper, faster, or “easier” solution than saving the tooth. This is a dangerous myth. While extraction might seem quick, the long-term consequences of a missing tooth are significant.
When you lose a natural tooth, the surrounding teeth can shift, leading to bite problems and jaw pain. Furthermore, replacing a missing tooth with an implant or bridge often requires more time, more procedures, and higher costs down the road. A root canal saves the outer structure of your natural tooth, maintaining your natural smile and bite function. Nothing looks, feels, or functions quite like your natural teeth, and Dr. Hecht’s goal is always to preserve them whenever possible.
Myth #3: Root Canal Therapy Causes Illness
There is a very old, debunked theory from the 1920s claiming that root canals trap bacteria that cause systemic diseases. This has been disproven by modern medicine time and time again. In reality, leaving an infected tooth untreated is the real health risk.
An untreated tooth infection can spread to other teeth, the jawbone, and even enter the bloodstream, posing serious health risks. Root canal therapy eliminates this infection, seals the tooth against future bacteria, and restores your oral health. It is a safe, effective procedure performed millions of times every year.
Experience the Modern Difference
If you are suffering from tooth pain, don’t let fear stop you from seeking help. Modern technology allows us to perform root canals that are quick, precise, and surprisingly comfortable. Dr. Hecht’s MAGD credentials ensure you are receiving care from a dentist committed to the highest standards of the profession.
Whether you live in Staten Island, Brooklyn, Bayonne, or Hoboken, you deserve a healthy, pain-free smile. Contact Staten Island Dental Care today to schedule your consultation and see how easy saving your natural tooth can be.
CONTACT STATEN ISLAND DENTAL CARE – DR. FREDERICK HECHT:
718-761-5757
LOCATION (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):
1520 Richmond Ave
Staten Island, New York
10314
