SEPARATING ROOT CANAL FACT AND FICTION
MYTH #1
Fiction
Root canal treatment causes illnessFact
Root canal treatment is a safe and effective procedure that promotes healing of inflammation and infection in teethDiscussion :
MYTH #2
Fiction
The roots of my teeth are removed during root canal treatmentFact
During root canal treatment, inflamed or infected tissues are removed from the tunnels or canals in the center of your tooth. The roots remain, providing stability to your tooth.Discussion :
MYTH #3
Fiction
Root canal treatment causes illnessFact
Root canal treatment is a safe and effective procedure that promotes healing of inflammation and infection in teethDiscussion :
MYTH #4
Fiction
A good alternative to root canal treatment is extraction (pulling the tooth)Fact
Saving your natural tooth, if possible, is usually the best optionDiscussion :
MYTH #5
Fiction
Dental implants are a better option than root canal treatmentFact
Properly restored root canal-treated teeth and dental implants are equally successful. Plus, you get to keep your natural tooth with a root canal. A root canal is usually less expensive and maintains your natural chewing sensation.Discussion :
In 2011, a survey was conducted of two groups of patients- the first had endodontic treatment while the second had dental implants. Both groups of patients expressed a preference to keep their natural tooth if at all possible. Research comparing root canal treatment to implants shows no difference in long-term success rates between the two options. Interestingly, most studies looking at outcomes following root canal treatment involve more rigorous criteria for healing than do studies of implants.
For example, root canal treatment is considered successful when bone is either regenerated or does not resorb whereas with implant treatment, a certain amount of bone loss is allowed for cases that are considered successful. Research with implants often involves carefully selected groups with few health complications and the implants are usually placed by specialists.
In contrast, most studies on root canal treatment do not exclude patients with health complications and the treatment is often completed by general dentists or even dental students rather than specialists. Despite these important differences in study design, both treatment options enjoy a success rate greater than 90%. However, implant treatment usually takes longer, results in more complications, and costs more than root canal treatment followed by proper restorative treatment (usually a crown).
Although dental implants cannot decay like your natural teeth, bacteria that cause disease in your mouth can invade implant surfaces and cause the tissues around the implant to become inflamed and/or infected. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is essential with dental implants just as it is with your natural teeth.