Had your dentist informed you that you are in need of a root canal? Root canal treatment is used to alleviate discomfort and save teeth that have been damaged and would otherwise need to be extracted. There are all sorts of misinformation floating around about root canals. There is even a myth that root canals can result in cancer. The good news is that this is not true. Read on to learn about the origin of this myth and the truth behind root canals.
Where Did the Root Canal Cancer Myth Come From?
While the myth of root canals causing cancer isn’t widely believed anymore, it still circulates on the internet. It all begins from the research of Weston Price – a dentist in the early 20th century. He ran a series of flawed and poorly designed tests to suggest that root canal treatment is a major cause of cancer and other harmful diseases. He believes that dead teeth that had undergone root canal treatment still harbored incredibly harmful toxins. He believed that these toxins acted as a breeding ground for cancer, arthritis, heart disease, and other conditions.
Why Isn’t the Myth True?
As you already know – the idea that root canals cause cancer is scientifically incorrect. There are various major flaws with Price’s research. First of all, the conditions for his experiments were poorly controlled and took place in nonsterile environments. Also, no other researchers have been able to duplicate his results. No peer-reviewed controlled studies show a link between cancer and root canals. Ultimately, those who get root canals are no more likely to develop cancer than those who have not.
How Do Root Canals Work?
When undergoing root canal treatment, your dentist will start by administering a local anesthetic to ensure that you are comfortable throughout the procedure. Once the area has been numbed, a small hold will be made in the enamel so all infected and damaged tissue can be removed from the inside of the tooth. Afterward, the tooth will be cleaned and sanitized so that it is completely free of bacteria. Lastly, the tooth is filled with biocompatible material. Many times, a crown is placed overtip of the tooth to ensure that it is safe from any damage in the future.
If you have root canal treatment coming up, you have nothing to fear. The idea that root canals cause cancer isn’t supported by any valid research, and in the meantime, dentistry has advanced to include safer medical equipment, hygiene, anesthesia, and techniques. Your smile is in good hands!
About the Practice
At EMA Dental, we have a team of skilled dentists serving patients in the Northampton community. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need at either of our convenient locations. To learn more about root canal treatment or to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (413) 584-4900.