The 5 Most Common Myths & Misconceptions About Restorative Dentistry

At Ablantis Dental, we’ve heard our fair share of restorative dentistry myths. From “reversing” cavities with oil pulling to essential oils for abscessed teeth, there are a lot of rumors you’ll read on the internet. But Dr. Cortadi ranks these top 5 restorative dentistry myths as some of the most common we address at our office in Encinitas.

MYTH #1 : You don’t need restorative dentistry treatment if your tooth doesn’t hurt.

The presence and severity of a dental infection can’t be measured by pain. Even abscessed or severely decayed teeth can be in an advanced stage of infection with no sign of tooth sensitivity. However, very small cavities can cause severe sensitivity in other circumstances. The symptoms of decay/cavities/abscesses can vary from person to person. An X-ray is required to diagnose and determine the severity of any dental infection.

Even if you are totally pain-free, it is important to not avoid getting a professional opinion. Left alone, your dental infection will ultimately spread to other teeth.

“Should I ignore tooth pain?” Never! A toothache needs urgent attention, but don’t let the lack of tooth pain be the reason you don’t complete your restorative dentistry procedure.

MYTH #2: You don’t need a crown on your tooth; it’s ok to get a filling instead.

Crowns are designed to cover the entire tooth, while fillings can be placed inside of teeth as long as there’s enough healthy enamel. Filling a tooth with a very large silver or white filling will not correct major structural damage or late-stage tooth decay. A crown is a must if the tooth is severely decayed or has significant structural damage where it might break if you simply bite down on it.

Is restorative dentistry expensive to the point it’s not worth paying for? No, especially considering we practice early intervention in all restorative dentistry services in Encinitas. Ultimately, we want to treat dental issues as early as possible, saving your smile (and your wallet.) If that’s earlier rather than later, then yes, you can get a filling instead of a crown.

Myth #3: Root canals hurt, and it’s better to pull your tooth instead.

Is restorative treatment like a root canal painful? No, thanks to modern techniques and medications!  Endodontic therapy is used to treat abscessed teeth. It also removes the underlying cause of your toothache. People often wait too long to get their restorative treatment, resulting in severe tooth pain that can be difficult to manage otherwise.

Modern techniques and endodontic processes make it possible to perform gentle restorative treatments at our Encinitas dentist’s office. Your root canal appointment shouldn’t feel any different from getting a crown or filling. If you’re slightly sore from keeping your mouth open or where the anesthetic was injected, an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen/Motrin is typically all you need.

It is almost always better to keep your natural teeth rather than extracting one that’s abscessed. Dr. Cortadi recommends that you only remove teeth when they are beyond repair or interfere with the health of your surrounding smile. The best options for treating an abscessed tooth is with a root canal and crown.

MYTH #4: Kids don’t need fillings since their teeth are going to fall out anyway.

Baby teeth aren’t as dense as permanent adult teeth, so cavities can spread extremely fast from tooth to tooth, or even into the nerve inside of the decayed tooth. This can lead to severe infections like abscesses that may spread to your child’s brain and require hospitalization. If you remove the tooth instead, a chain reaction can result in orthodontic complications and changes in their smile’s development. The most conservative, affordable, and healthy thing to do is to treat the cavity in your child’s tooth while it’s small.

Call Ablantis Dental for All Your Restorative Dentistry Needs

Many restorative dentistry myths have been passed down from one generation to the next or through one person telling another. The truth is that minimally invasive restorative dentistry is good for your long-term oral health.

Ablantis Dental believes it is essential to inform our patients about common myths in preventative and restorative dentistry. If you have questions about your care, call Ablantis Dental for a judgment-free professional opinion.