The perception of root canals being painful began decades ago but with modern technologies and anesthetics, root canal treatment today is no more uncomfortable than having a filling placed. In fact, a recent survey showed that patients who have experienced root canal treatment are six times more likely to describe it as 'painless' than patients who have not had root canal treatment. You should see your dentist or endodontist when you have a severe toothache. The toothache can be caused by damaged tissues in the tooth. Root canal treatment removes this damaged tissue from the tooth, thereby relieving the pain you feel.
The myth: Patients searching the Internet for information on root canals may find sites claiming that teeth receiving root canal (endodontic) treatment contribute to the occurrence of illness and disease in the body. This false claim is based on long-debunked and poorly designed research performed nearly a century ago by Dr. Weston A. Price, at a time before medicine understood the causes of many diseases. In the 1920s, Dr. Price advocated tooth extraction-the most traumatic dental procedure-over endodontic treatment. This resulted in a frightening era of tooth extraction both for treatment of systemic disease and as a prophylactic measure against future illness. The truth: There is no valid, scientific evidence linking root canal-treated teeth and disease elsewhere in the body. A root canal is a safe and effective procedure. When a severe infection in a tooth requires endodontic treatment, that treatment is designed to eliminate bacteria from the infected root canal, prevent reinfection of the tooth and save the natural tooth.
But what about Dr. Price? This is a good example of how the Internet can give new life to long-dispelled theories. Believe it or not, the misinformation about roots canals that is found on the Internet is still based on Dr. Price's century-old, discredited research. 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. In 1951, the Journal of the American Dental Association took the extraordinary step of publishing 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. As recently as 2013, research published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, found that patients with multiple endodontic treatments had a 45 percent reduced risk of cancer. References
Nothing can completely replace your natural tooth. An artificial tooth can sometimes cause you to avoid certain foods. Keeping your own teeth is important so that you can continue to enjoy the wide variety of foods necessary to maintain the proper nutrient balance in your diet. If your dentist recommends extraction, ask whether root canal treatment is an option.
Endodontic treatment, along with appropriate restoration, is a cost-effective way to treat teeth with damaged pulp and is usually less expensive than extraction and placement of a bridge or an implant. Endodontic treatment also has a very high success rate. Many root canal-treated teeth last a lifetime.
Millions of healthy endodontically treated teeth serve patients all over the world, years and years after treatment. Those healthy teeth are helping patients chew efficiently, maintain the natural appearance of their smiles and enhance their enjoyment of life. Through endodontic treatment, endodontists and dentists worldwide enable patients to keep their natural teeth for a lifetime.
Dr. Matt Niemiec studied Nutrition at the Ohio State University prior to entering the College of Dentistry. He received his D.D.S. from OSU and practiced general dentistry in Central Ohio for several years before returning to OSU for his endodontic training. He completed his Endodontic Residency at OSU and received his Certificate in Endodontics and M.S. degree in 1999. Dr. Niemiec has been a Clinical Assistant Professor at OSU since 2000, where he teaches the endodontic residents. He has maintained a private practice Limited to Endodontics in Worthington since 1999. He is a member of the Columbus Dental Society, Ohio Dental Association, American Dental Association, American Association of Endodontists, and the Ohio Association of Endodontists.
Dr. Chen is a Dublin, Ohio native who received his B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from The Ohio State University. He received his D.D.S. degree from Ohio State in 2015. Following graduation Dr. Chen completed one year of Advanced Education in General Dentistry at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs where he attained the rank of Captain in the United States Air Force. He practiced dentistry for 2 years in the Air Force before returning to Ohio State for his endodontic training. He completed his Endodontic Residency and received his Certificate of Endodontics and M.S. degree from OSU in August 2020. He is a member of the American Association of Endodontists, American Dental Association, Ohio Dental Association, Omicron Kappa Upsilon, and the Columbus Dental Society. He currently resides in Victorian Village with his wife, Alexandra and continues to serve in the Ohio Air National Guard with the current rank of Major.
