Lafayette, LA -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/16/2016 -- Endodontics deals with diseases of the tissue, blood vessels, and nerves inside the tooth. The most common endodontic treatment is called a "root canal," a procedure used to remove infected tissue and refill the nerve canal inside the tooth. Root canal therapy, also known as endodontic therapy, is a dental treatment for removing infection from inside of a tooth. A root canal procedure allows the patient to keep his natural tooth while eliminating the infection.

"Once the infection is removed, I'll clean, shape and sterilize the empty area using tiny rotary files. Next, I'll fill the tooth with a rubber-like material and special cement which seals all the canals," remarks Dr. LeBlanc. "After root canal therapy, the tooth is dead. The patient will no longer feel any pain in that tooth because the nerve tissue has been removed, and the infection is eliminated."

There are a number of myths surrounding "root canals". The most common myth is that root canal therapy is terribly painful. This couldn't be further from the truth when the treatment is performed by a dentist who has had intense training in root canal therapy or an endodontist. An endodontist, as defined by the American Board of Endodontists, is a dental specialist in the treatment of diseases and injuries to the dental pulp, root and surrounding tissues of the teeth who receive a "certificate in Endodontics" after an additional 2-3 years of training after completing dental school.

Another myth is that root canal treatment causes illness and disease elsewhere in the body. This false claim is based on long-debunked and poorly designed research conducted nearly a century ago by Dr. Weston A. Price, at a time before medicine understood the causes of many diseases. "There is no valid, scientific evidence linking root canal-treated teeth and disease elsewhere in the body," says Dr. LeBlanc.

An old ''wives tale'' also contributes to these myths claiming that the best way to deal with a painful tooth is to pull it. Dr. Ken LeBlanc states, "Nothing could be further from the truth. Saving natural teeth is the very best option."

About Dr. LeBlanc
Dr. LeBlanc didn't stop learning once he graduated from dental school. He keeps up with the latest developments in his field by taking continuing education courses. He teaches second year dental students at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry.

To make an appointment with Dr. LeBlanc call, 337-406-9994.