Root Canal Safety
The relationship of our teeth and mouth to overall good health is indisputable. Endodontics plays a critical role in maintaining good oral health by eliminating infection and pain, and preserving our natural dentition.
A key responsibility of any dentist is to reassure patients who are concerned about the safety of endodontic treatment that their overall well-being is a top priority. The American Association of Endodontists website (www.aae.org) is the best place for anxious patients to obtain comprehensive information on the safety and efficacy of endodontics and root canal treatment.
While plenty of good information is available online from the AAE and other reliable resources, patients sometimes arrive in the dental office with misinformation. This has occurred with the long-dispelled “focal infection theory” in endodontics, introduced in the early 1900s. In the 1920s, Dr. Weston A. Price presented research suggesting that bacteria trapped in dentinal tubules during root canal treatment could “leak” and cause almost any type of generative systemic disease (e.g., arthritis; diseases of the kidney, heart, nervous, gastroinestinal, endocrine and other systems). This was before medicine understood the causes of such disease.
Dr. Price advocated tooth extraction—the most traumatic dental procedure—over endodontic treatment. This theory resulted in a frightening era of tooth extraction both for treatment of systemic disease and as a prophylactic measure against future illness. Dr. Price’s 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.
Decades of research have contradicted Dr. Price’s findings since then. In 1951, the Journal of the American Dental Association published 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. The JADA reviewed Dr. Price’s 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.
More recent research continues to support the safety of dental treatment as it relates to overall systemic health. In 2007, the American Heart Association updated its guidelines on the prevention of infective endocarditis, drastically curbing the indications for premedication for dental procedures and excluding endodontic treatment from dental procedures requiring premedication. In April 2012, the AHA found no scientific evidence linking periodontal disease and heart disease, concluding that heart disease and periodontal disease often coincidentally occur in the same person due to common risk factors of smoking, age and diabetes mellitus.
Decades of research contradict the beliefs of “focal infection” proponents; there is no valid, scientific evidence linking endodontically treated teeth and systemic disease. Yet some patients still hear about this long-dispelled theory.
At first, I was uneasy about needing a root canal considering it was my first, but it turned out to be a great experience! The procedure was reasonably quick-maybe 45 minutes, virtually painless, and the staff made me feel totally at ease the entire time. Dr. Jamie, her assistant, and the girls up front all helped to make my time there actually enjoyable. I’m very relieved to have the procedure over with, but I couldn’t recommend this place more! - ZACH G Great experience. I hardly felt the needle for the anesthetic and the procedure was faster than expected. Soreness only lasted that day. Highly recommend Dr. Day. - Martha M Dr Day and her staff are fantastic! You always hear 'root canal' and think 'ow' but not if Dr Day treats you. This procedure was less painless than a cleaning. Her awesome staff checked on me twice afterwards to make sure I was ok. I would definitely recommend Dr Day to everyone. Thanks so much! - Cindy V I would recommend Jamie Day and her staff to anyone that needs a root canal. - Joyce R I had a root canal with Dr. Day, and the experience was excellent. The procedure was completely painless, and Dr. Day was very professional and gentle. I highly recommend Dr. Day and the team! - Beatriz From beginning to end I was treated professionally and kindly. Ladies at the check in desk were very thorough and kind. Dr. Day and her assistant were very professional and for loss of other words, comforting. They repeatedly told me that if I experienced any discomfort to let them know. They really put me at ease and made the experience very comfortable. I will admit that I am not a fan of dental work. I had a root canal and I was very weary as I have had bad prior experiences. These ladies are the real deal. I would never be nervous about going there for a procedure again. Definitely recommend! This was posted on YELP
- Sylvia G You hear horror stories about root canals, but couldn’t have had a better experience. It was painless, and I immediately felt better after the procedure. I was able to get in on a cancellation. They were efficient, prompt and kind. I am very grateful for their care. - Hannah H I was referred to Dr. Day for a root canal, and the entire experience was exceptional. Scheduling was a breeze, and even though I was a first-time patient, Dr. Day and her staff treated me like I’d been coming there for years. My tooth was severely infected and presented a minor complication, but they handled it with calm expertise and professionalism, making me feel completely confident in their care. The procedure itself was painless, and their use of advanced technology made a real difference. I’m grateful for their skill and kindness, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone needing endodontic treatment. - Adam W If there is such a thing as a "pleasant " dental experience, this is it. Very relaxed and calming environment. - Patti M I had a great experience with Dr Day and her staff. Everyone I encountered were very nice and pleasant and made me more at ease for my root canal. I also appreciated all the information given and a follow up call to check on me. Thank you. - Denise D Best equipment and very skilled endodontist! - Becky B This was one of the quickest and comfortable dental appointments I’ve ever had. Calling and setting up the appointment was so easy and the staff are very friendly! They got me in a week later and were very open and honest and allowed me to ask questions at any time. The numbing was fantastic, I didn’t feel a thing. Wonderful place with a great environment and great staff, I’ll absolutely be coming back! - Carly M I had my second root canal done yesterday. I was a bit anxious about being able to do the procedure as I was recovering from a cold and I also have a chronic cough that can be quite nasty at times. I expressed my concerns to the staff and they could not have been nicer or more understanding. The procedure went smoothly and quickly, no issues. Aftercare instructions were given as well with instruction to contact them if I needed to. It is such a calm environment, music playing softly in the background. The staff is phenomenal! They made what could be an angst-filled appointment very easy. Would HIGHLY recommend them!! - Barb D Great place to visit. Friendly and encouraging staff. Would visit again. - Robert M I was so impressed with the professionalism and compassion shown by Dr. Day and her whole staff. My daughter was very scared to have this procedure done and they put her at ease and worked so quickly and thoroughly to make it as painless as possible. The experience was so pleasant she jokingly asked a root canal for her birthday! - Lynlee K Dr. Day and her staff are extremely professional, compassionate, and thorough. The thought of a root canal was stressful. Dr. Day made the procedure stress free and painless. I highly recommend her. - A. D. M Awesome staff! Dr. Day is great! - David G Only a couple of very minor twinges of pain during the procedure, and 8 hours later no pain at all. Dr. Day explained what she was doing during the procedure, which was helpful. Her assistant and staff were also very polite and helpful in answering questions. I highly recommend her practice. - Theodore L Very pleasant experience with Dr. Day as well as everyone involved. I would highly recommend Dr. Day. - Linda J. J Everything was fabulous! The only thing I didn’t expect was no cuspidor bowl! Haha! Made a mess of my bib! :). - Lynn HJamie M. Day, DDS, MS, PLLC
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