For decades now, people have been asking the question, “Do root canals cause cancer?” That’s because a rumor saying they do has existed just as long. Even today, the idea appears on the Internet through message boards and social media. The truth, though, is that this dental treatment could never cause such an illness. To learn why that’s the case, here’s a summary of how root canals work and why they’re perfectly safe.
What’s a Root Canal?
In short, a root canal is a dental procedure that repairs damaged or infected teeth. It does so by drilling into the center of a tooth’s rot to clean and fill the canals.
The treatment is usually necessary when a tooth’s root pulp — its blood vessels, connective tissue, and nerve endings — gets infected. Left to itself, this infection can lead to toothaches, abscesses, and bone loss. The only other way to solve the issue would be a tooth extraction.
Do Root Canals Cause Cancer?
The answer to this question is a big, fat “No!” The idea that root canals cause cancer is a myth based on debunked research from nearly a hundred years ago.
Said research came from a dentist working in the 1920s named Weston Price. At one point, Price ran a series of experiments to see if root canals were connected to diseases. He concluded that teeth that receive root canals contain toxins that contribute to conditions like arthritis, heart disease, and cancer.
However, no peer-reviewed study has ever shown a link between cancer and root canals. Plus, Price’s work relied on extremely unreliable methods, including:
- Poorly controlled experiment conditions
- Tests performed in nonsterile environments
- Researchers being unable to duplicate his results
Root Canals are Perfectly Safe
People who undergo root canal therapy are no more or less likely to become ill than any other person. There’s virtually no evidence connecting this procedure and other diseases. Furthermore, it isn’t more painful than any other dental work.
As a matter of fact, the cancer rumor does more damage than the treatment itself. It causes a great deal of undue stress for many people, including former and upcoming root canal patients.
In the end, there’s no reason to think root canals cause cancer. You can trust that the procedure is safe, reliable, and effective.
About the Practice
Skyline Dental is one of Springfield, New Jersey’s top dental practices. Their services include next-level checkups, teeth cleanings, on-site restorations, and even emergency treatments. With these offerings, they hope to be the best dental care-provider possible. True to their name, the sky’s the limit when it comes to helping their patients’ smiles. For more information or to book an appointment, reach them at their website or call them at (973)-949-0925.