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.
The experience was as wonderful as it could have been, painless, quick and everybody that I’d met was very friendly. Thanks Dr. Day and others! - Zachary R Great experience. Staff very friendly and knowledgeable. The staff gave me a courtesy a call the next day just to see how I was doing. Doctor Jamie Day was fantastic, a great experience without any pain whatsoever. I would recommend her to all my friends. - Danny D Dr Day and her staff are beyond excellent. I have had two root canal treatments, my wife has had two treatments and my daughter has had one treatment. We have all been extremely please with Dr Day and her staff. Dr Day's practice is always our choice when we need treatment and we recommend her practice to everyone. - Danny S I was a little apprehensive to have a root canal procedure but Dr. Day did an amazing job. Absolutely no pain during or after the procedure. Very friendly staff and the office was spotless. - Gary U Very impressed. Pain free. Professional. Doctor and Assistant work very well together. Quick service. - Steve A Dr. Day is absolutely fantastic. Her expertise shows in the speed, confidence, and precision she works with. - Andrew H. I’ve never opened up & trusted someone working on my teeth as quickly as I did here. I could tell they are all good and careful about what they do. I will never find it hard to place a recommendation to this office to anyone in need of root canal therapy. - Kelli H Very competent and professional - Jim A Staff is friendly and very helpful! Gave all the information needed. Did an awesome job with my root canal. I didn’t feel a thing. - Jessica C Dr. Day and her staff made sure I was informed and comfortable with the treatment that was needed. The actual procedure took less time that I expected, and for a root canal, was a pleasant experience. - Cindy M I have a slight phobia of dentist. I felt cared for from beginning to end. I had minimal pain the evening after my root canal and no pain the next day. I will definitely recommend Dr. Day and staff to my family and friends. - Teresa H Highly recommend Dr. Day and her staff. They were warm, welcoming, very professional and extremely efficient.
- Arlene W This was my first visit to Doctor Day and was a good experience. Her office was easy to find and professionally run. Staff was very helpful and receptive to my needs. They were dedicated to my comfort and addressed any questions or concerns that I had. Overall they are a very professional staff. - William E I was having a panic attack going in to the office because of a previous experience with another doctor. Dr. Day and the staff immediately had me at ease, answered all my questions, settled my fears and I was able to relax during the procedure. The root canal went very smoothly and was over quickly I highly recommend Dr. Day. - Theresa H An absolute pain free experience. Everyone was compassionate and helpful. Dr. Day is an angel and makes you feel relaxed and cared for. She is so gentle and has K Love music playing which gives additional calming. I had no pain after the root canal and definitely will recommend her to everyone! ️️ - Barbie G Can’t say enough about what an excellent experience I had a Dr. Day’s office. Staff was incredibly friendly and caring and the root canal procedure itself was so easy. Dr. Day and Amberlee were fantastic and explained everything to me in detail and put me at complete ease! Would highly recommend Dr. Day and her team for all Endodontics needs. - David P The staff and Doctor were very professional and took care of my needs. - Okey C Awesome super clean and very kind - Pam A I would recommend Dr Jamie to everyone. Fast and courteous service from everyone in the office. - Joseph C Phenomenal staff & dental work! - Rachel NJamie M. Day, DDS, MS, PLLC
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