Does root canal treatment cause cancer?

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A root canal is a type of dental procedure used to repair a tooth with a damaged pulp without having to remove it. This method of treatment has been used for a long time and is very effective. However, there are also reports that root canal therapy is the main cause of cancer. So is that the truth?

1. What is root canal?

A root canal is a dental procedure that repairs damaged or infected teeth. Instead of completely removing the infected tooth, the dentist will drill into the center of the root to clean and seal the canal.
The center of a tooth is filled with blood vessels, connective tissue, and nerve endings that help keep the tooth alive, called the pulp. The pulp can become infected from a crack or cavity. If left untreated, these bacteria can cause other problems including:
Tooth abscess Bone loss Swelling Toothache Infection Infection When the pulp becomes infected, it should be treated as soon as possible. Endodontics is the field of dentistry that studies and treats diseases of the tooth pulp. When people have a pulp infection, the two main treatments are root canal therapy (pulp removal) or tooth extraction.

2. Does root canal treatment cause cancer?

Since the 1920s, it has been reported that root canals are a major cause of cancer and other harmful diseases. This information is still circulated on the internet today. It stems from the research of Weston Price, a dentist in the early 20th century who performed a series of tests under flawed and poorly designed conditions.
Based on his personal research, Price believes that dead teeth that have undergone root canal treatment still contain extremely harmful toxins. According to him, these toxins act as breeding grounds for cancer, arthritis, heart disease and other diseases. And the information that tooth extraction causes cancer was formed and circulated since then.
The idea that root canals cause cancer is scientifically incorrect. This information is also a public health hazard because it can prevent people from getting a root canal when they need to do so.
Information based on Price research, which is extremely unreliable. Here are some problems with Price's research method:
Conditions for this review's test are poorly controlled. Tests were performed in a non-sterile environment. Other researchers were unable to test Price's results. Critics of root canal therapy sometimes argue that the modern dental community is conspiring to thwart Price's research on purpose. However, no peer-reviewed controlled studies have shown a link between cancer and root canals.
Despite that, there are many groups of dentists and patients who believe that information. For example, Joseph Mercola, a physician who followed Price's research, stated that "97% of terminal cancer patients have previously had a root canal". There is no evidence to support his statistics and this misinformation leads to confusion and anxiety for many people.

It is reported that people who have root canal treatment are more or less at risk of disease than any other person. There is almost no evidence regarding root canal treatment and other diseases.
These myths can cause a lot of undue stress for many people, including patients who have had previous root canals and are about to undergo this treatment.
Some people who have had a root canal have even had to have their dead teeth extracted. They consider this a safety precaution because they believe that a dead tooth will increase the risk of cancer. However, extraction of dead teeth is not necessary. This is always an available option, but dentists say preserving your natural teeth is the best option.
Extracting and replacing a tooth takes time, money and additional treatment, and it can negatively affect your neighboring teeth. Many teeth after root canal treatment are still strong and last a lifetime.
Advances in modern dentistry that make endodontic and root canal treatment safe, predictable and effective should be trusted rather than feared.
The idea that root canals can cause cancer is not supported by valid research and is maintained by incorrect research from more than a century ago. Since that time, dentistry has advanced more including medical equipment, hygiene, anesthesia and safer techniques.
These advances have made treatments that 100 years ago could have been painful and dangerous extremely safe and reliable. You have no reason to fear that an upcoming root canal will cause you to develop cancer. Get a root canal when your dentist prescribes it!
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital is applying the technique of root canal treatment and sealing the root canal system with cold Gutta percha using rotating file, root canal treatment is a long-standing technique, but File-based treatment has been around for a few years now, and Vinmec always approaches new technologies towards the best oral health care for everyone.
When choosing root canal treatment at Vinmec International General Hospital, patients will be examined and treated by a team of experienced and highly specialized doctors, with the support of a system of specialized machines. Modern department, absolutely sterile.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference source: healthline.com