Root Canal Safety
Clyde, NC
 Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic therapy, is one of the most effective and safest methods for treating deep-rooted tooth infections. The treatment has a very high success rate of up to 98%. Even so, many people become afraid by the very mention of root canal therapy. At Carolina Mountain Endodontics, Dr. Ewing and we can educate you on the truth about root canals and how safe the treatment is.
Safety Concerns Regarding Root Canals
Before the invention of root canal therapy, a tooth that had a deep-seated infection or caused severe pain had to be removed. Thanks to the invention of endodontic therapy, though, many tooth infections and injuries can be treated easily and safely.
At Carolina Mountain Endodontics, we will make a small hole in the tooth to remove the infected pulp tissue and tooth nerves inside the dental chamber. Once the inside of the tooth is disinfected, we will seal the root canal to prevent re-infection.
As you can see, the procedure is simple enough and does not even require the use of sedatives, only local anesthesia. However, some people labor under the misconception that root canal treatment can cause cancer.
This erroneous assumption is due to an early 20th century dentist named Weston Price, who wrote an ill-researched paper in a journal that claimed leaving "dead" tissue inside the body leads to numerous maladies, including cancer. However, the American Dental Association has since debunked this claim by holding up Price’s research to modern, evidence-based scientific research.
In addition, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that people who underwent multiple endodontic treatments had a 45% reduced risk of cancer.
Moreover, if we recommend a root canal, this means that your tooth has already been infected with bacteria and if left untreated can lead to serious oral and overall health problems like root abscess, severe toothache, blood infection, and sepsis.
However, this does not mean that the root canal is without a few risks. Like all surgeries, root canal therapy may result in a few complications; however, the risk of these is small and they can easily be treated.
Complications of Root Canal
Here are some factors that cause root canal complications:
| • |
Reinfection: If the bacteria and infection inside the tooth chamber have not been removed properly, it can result in reinfection of the tooth, which necessitates endodontic retreatment.
|
| • |
Improper Filling: If the sealant you placed inside the tooth chamber is insufficient or filled too much, it may result in root canal failure.
|
| • |
Inaccurate Crown Placement: The crown sits on top of the treated tooth and restores your chewing ability. However, if it is not placed properly or not fabricated exactly according to the dimensions of your tooth, it may result in re-contamination of the tooth.
|
| • |
Untreated Canals: Typically, your back teeth have more than one canal in their tooth root. If any of these tiny channels are missed during endodontic treatment, it can lead to tooth abscess and other complications. |
If you experience any of the above issues, request an emergency appointment with us and we will quickly treat the issue. However, at Carolina Mountain Endodontics, chances of these complications are very few.
If you suffer from tooth pain, it is important that you schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible by calling (828) 627-1999. With early diagnosis, we can treat your tooth more effectively and reduce the risk of tooth loss. To learn more about root canals, visit our FAQ page here.
|
