There are many misconceptions surrounding root canal (endodontic) treatment and whether patients experience root canal pain. The American Association of Endodontists wants you to have accurate information. As always, when considering any medical procedure, you should get as much information as you can about all of your options. Your dentist orendodontistcan answer many of your questions, and if you still have concerns, it is often wise to seek a second opinion.

The perception of root canals being painful began decades ago but with modern technologies and anesthetics, root canal treatment today is no more uncomfortable than having a filling placed. In fact, a recent survey showed that patients who have experienced root canal treatment are six times more likely to describe it as painless than patients who have not had root canal treatment.

Most patients see their dentist or endodontist when they have a severe toothache. The toothache can be caused by damaged tissues in the tooth.Root canal treatmentremoves this damaged tissue from the tooth, thereby relieving the pain you feel.

The myth: Patients searching the Internet for information on root canals may find sites claiming that teeth receiving root canal (endodontic) treatment contribute to the occurrence of illness and disease in the body. This false claim is based on long-debunked and poorly designed research performed nearly a century ago by Dr. Weston A. Price, at a time before medicine understood the causes of many diseases.

In the 1920s, Dr. Price advocated tooth extractionthe most traumatic dental procedureover endodontic treatment. This resulted in a frightening era of tooth extraction both for treatment of systemic disease and as a prophylactic measure against future illness.

The truth: There is no valid, scientific evidence linking root canal-treated teeth and disease elsewhere in the body.A root canal is a safe and effective procedure. When a severe infection in a tooth requiresendodontic treatment, that treatment is designed toeliminatebacteria from the infected root canal,preventreinfection of the tooth andsavethe natural tooth.

But what about Dr. Price?This is a good example of how the Internet can give new life to long-dispelled theories. Believe it or not, the misinformation about roots canals that is found on the Internet is still based on Dr. Prices century-old, discredited research. Dr. Prices research techniques were criticized at the time they were published, and by the early 1930s, a number of well-designed studies using more modern research techniques discredited his findings. In 1951, theJournal of the American Dental Associationtook the extraordinary step of publishing a special edition reviewing the scientific literature and shifted the standard of practice back to endodontic treatment for teeth with non-vital pulp in instances where the tooth could be saved. TheJADAreviewed Dr. Prices research techniques from the 1920s and noted that they lacked many aspects of modern scientific research, including absence of proper control groups and induction of excessive doses of bacteria.

Nothing can completely replace your natural tooth. An artificial tooth can sometimes cause you to avoid certain foods. Keeping your own teeth is important so that you can continue to enjoy the wide variety of foods necessary to maintain the proper nutrient balance in your diet. If your dentist recommends extraction, ask whetherroot canal treatmentis an option.

Endodontic treatment, along with appropriate restoration, is a cost-effective way to treat teeth with damaged pulp and is usually less expensive than extraction and placement of a bridge or an implant.

Millions of healthy endodontically treated teeth serve patients all over the world, years and years after treatment. Those healthy teeth are helping patients chew efficiently, maintain the natural appearance of their smiles and enhance their enjoyment of life. Through endodontic treatment, endodontists and dentists worldwide enable patients to keep their natural teeth for a lifetime.

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My favorite thing about dental school was the relationships I had with my patients. I remember how theyd share their stories with me and how much they made me feel trusted. From an older gentleman who told me about his time as a ball turret gunner in World War II, to Ms. Shirley who threatened to have a talk with one of my professors who was a tough cookie and tormented us as young dental students. All of my patients gave me love and they gave me strength. As most dentists will tell you, dental school was one of the most trying times in our lives. And most of us would rather have a root canal than ever have to repeat those years! (Sorry for the dental humor, but in all seriousness, despite what most people think, root canals are NOT painful, and they actually relieve the pain that one feels when a root canal is needed.)

That time in my life was when I learned that I loved taking care of people and helping them maintain a healthy smile. If someone had asked me in college why I wanted to be a dentist, Id have said something like that. What I didnt realize back then is that helping someone maintain a healthy smile has a lot more to do with connection than it does with the nuts and bolts techniques of a dental procedure. Any root canal specialist should and would perform a perfect root canal.

Dont get me wrong, teeth are important for many reasons, one of the most important reasons being to smile! But I dont tend to treat just teeth. Theres a person behind every smile and each person has his or her joys and challenges. You never know who may need a kind word or a gentle pat on the back, and even the happiest camper can use the extra encouragement to keep spirits running high. Helping another human being feel like the most important person in the world in that moment, THATS where the true satisfaction of being a root canal specialist comes in for me.

So, every single day that I walk into my office, Im grateful for the opportunity to make those human connections. I hope I can help each of my patients maintain that healthy smile deep inside his or her heart, where it really counts. They certainly help me maintain mine!

Dr. Carla Webb has been practicing endodontics since 2003. She grew up in McComb, Mississippi and attended Millsaps College in Jackson, MS where she lettered in womens basketball all four years. During her time at Millsaps, she received the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year Award and All-American honors. After college, Dr. Webb pursued and completed her dental degree at the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry where she was inducted into the national dental honor society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon, and was the recipient of the Association of Endodontists Award, the Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Award, the WaterPik Prosthodontic Award, and the AmSouth Bank Scholarship for academic achievement. She then attended Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts earning her certificate in endodontics.

After owning and operating a successful, state of the art practice in Flowood, Mississippi for 13 years, Dr. Webb relocated to Florida in 2016. On July 9, 2018, Dr. Webb purchased the practice of Dr. Hans Salheiser, with whom she shares a common philosophy and vision. She is very happy to continue the tradition set by Dr. Salheiser, providing personal, quality treatment combining precision and comfort.

Dr. Webb is a member of the American Association of Endodontists, the American Dental Association, American College of Dentists, Florida Association of Endodontists, Florida Dental Association, the West Coast Dental Association, the Sarasota County Dental Association, and the American Association of Women Dentists as well as a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics. She was a founding member of the Mississippi Association of Women Dentists and is a Past President of the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry Alumni Association.

Dr. Webb is the proud mom of two young children. When she is not taking care of patients, she enjoys playing with her kids, experiencing the many natural resources Florida has to offer, and seeking new adventures with her family.

Dr. Zahabiyah Tsiamwala is a New York native, growing up in Queens, NY, and has recently relocated to sunny Florida with her husband. She attended Stony Brook University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences. She volunteered weekly at the local dental school. It was here that Dr. Tsiamwala visualized a marriage of her interests in artistry, improving community health outcomes, and making a difference in lives through the field of dentistry. She went on to attend New York University College of Dentistry to obtain her Doctorate in Dental Surgery. During dental school, she actively pursued her interests in endodontics through participation in endodontic research, research presentation at the Association of Endodontics annual meeting, an externship at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, and global dental outreach initiatives.

Dr. Tsiamwala wanted to further expand her surgical skillset and provide trauma and emergency dental care in a hospital setting. She completed an intensive general practice residency at NY Presbyterian Hospital Queens, a trauma 1 hospital. Dr. Tsiamwala continued her training at Rutgers University obtaining a certificate in endodontics. Here she experienced providing emergency care during the covid pandemic and has first-hand experience as a frontline dentist. Even during a pandemic, patients with facial swelling, trauma, and pulpitis pain needed to be seen for emergency care and her respect for endodontics and her profession continued to blossom.

Dr. Tsiamwala prides herself in a human approach to root canals and dentistry. Patient comfort and understanding of the treatment options and technology available are her highest priority. She is presently on track for board certification. Dr. Tsiamwala is greatly involved with organized dentistry, is part of the American Dental Association, Sarasota County Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Association of Endodontics and sits on the AAE Resident and New Practitioner committee.

In her spare time, Dr. Tsiamwala enjoys spending time with her husband and son. She enjoys the beautiful Florida beaches, cooking with her husband, traveling, and painting. She is excited to serve Florida residents at Siesta Key Root Canal specialists with compassion and care.

Dr. Andrea Fenton is from Atlanta, Georgia but her love for Florida started at an early age. She spent every summer as a child in Marco Island, FL and she knew that one day she would end up back in the sunshine state. She is so excited that her life-long dream has finally come true!

Dr. Fenton did her dental school training at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Knowing that she wanted to offer her patients the highest quality care, she then completed a residency program in advanced general dentistry at the UAB Hospital. Here she became comfortable working with medically complex patients while refining her skills in dental surgery. From there, she completed her endodontics training at the Louisiana State University (LSU) in New Orleans, LA.

Along with her clinical responsibilities, Dr. Fenton is also actively involved in the dental community. She currently acts as a director of the Student Professionalism and Ethics Association (SPEA), where she helps dental students to develop their lifelong commitment to ethical patient care. She also serves on the board of the American College of Dentists (ACD), a prestigious organization that invites less than 3% of dentists into membership.

Dr. Fenton is passionate about providing patient-centered care. She understands that visiting a new dental office can be scary, and she strives to provide each patient with a comfortable and enjoyable experience. She is honored to be a part of the team at Siesta Kely Root Canal Specialists, and she cant wait to meet you!