Risk of root canals exposed

Highlighting the health implications of dental treatment

- by GUSTAV EDUARDO

ROOT canal treatments are one of the most common dental procedures, with nearly 60 million performed annually worldwide.

While mainstream dentistry considers root canals a safe and effective way to preserve damaged teeth, holistic and biological dentists question their long-term effects on overall health. Critically examining root canal treatments from a holistic perspective exposes potential systemic health implications.

A root canal, also known as endodontic therapy, is a procedure designed to save a damaged tooth by removing its infected or dead pulp. An endodontist cleans, disinfects, and seals the tooth's internal structure to prevent further bacterial infiltration. The treatment is often recommended for severely decayed, infected, or painful teeth that cannot heal on their own.

The process involves:

1. Drilling a hole into the affected tooth.

2. Removing the pulp, which consists of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.

3. Disinfecting the root canals with solutions to eliminate bacteria.

4. Filling the space with gutta-percha, a thermoplastic material used to seal the canals.

Although gutta-percha is considered biocompatible, it contains other substances such as zinc oxide, heavy metal sulfates, and resins, which may pose health risks. Additionally, incomplete cleaning of the tooth's intricate microscopic tubules can leave bacteria behind, potentially leading to long-term health complications.

Despite advanced techniques, root canal treatments can fail due to:

■ Ineffective cleaning of the root canals.

■ Instrument breakage or perforation of the tooth's apex.

■ Leakage of filling material, allowing bacterial reinfection.

■ Overlooked additional canals that remain infected.