Health Problems Associated With Root Canal Work

[SoSoScared]

Has anyone read the info on the internet regarding research which suggests that root canal treatment can cause many other problems?

The information suggests that germs and bacteria invade the root canal since cleaning can never be 100% and that these infections are implicated in everything from arthritis to heart disease.

The 'evidence' seems pretty damning so I am wondering why there has not been a bigger outcry about it?

Does anyone know any further details, or if this research has been challenged?

Thanks.

[letsconnect]

"Root Canal Cover-Up" was one of those books which pried on people's fears and mistrust. It cites "research" on rabbits of 100 years ago that has never been replicated. Surely, if it could be replicated, someone would have done it by now and won a Nobel Prize...

You can find out more about it at www.quackwatch.org

[SoSoScared]

I have read a lot about this on the net LC and as I said earlier the evidence seems significant.

It does seem odd there has been no further research, but clearly it is in the interests of the dental profession to hush this up since root canal work is surely one of the most lucrative things they do?

That and capping are pretty much the last things they can do to a tooth before having to give up and remove it, which means no more income.

I am wondering if there is some sort of 'cover up' going on to protect very lucrative work here?

The logic seems sound. By their own admission dentists cannot always fill the whole root of a tooth which must by its very nature leave room for infection.

I intend to keep researching this subject as something does not sound quite right to me.

[SoSoScared]

Here's a link to a typical comment on RCT

webpages.charter.net/kyarbrough/rootcanals.htm

surely there is sufficient evidence from these articles to warrant more research.

Interestingly many of the dental practice websites clearly know about the research as they emphasise the importance of keeping teeth but there is a fair amount of scare-mongering about 'allowing infections so near the brain'.

I certainly do not feel that I would wish to have a root canal having read what I have - the element of doubt exists. Better I would think to lose the tooth and either have a gap or a bridge.

The bridge or an implant would make plenty of money for the dentist so I am surprised more do not recommend this. Eventually however I suppose most root filled/capped teeth do fail, so the extraction takes place then and they double their money!

Sorry to sound cynical but I have grave doubts about the ethics of dentists and I want to be sure that the treatment I receive is best for me rather than best for them.....hope that sounds reasonable!

[letsconnect]

I've been reading dentists-only message boards for a while now and none of what you say tallies with my experience.

* the vast majority of dentists do behave ethically
* very few dentists have chosen their profession "only for the money"
* most dentists view dentistry as a caring profession, although there are also some "tooth mechanics" around
* while dentistry pays well, it is a very demanding and stressful job and I for one feel the remuneration should be fair
* most root canalled/crowned teeth do not fail
* there is no root-canal cover-up.

That's it in a nutshell. I realize it's easy to tarnish all dentists with the same brush after a number of bad experiences. Did it myself . At the same time, I wonder what chance any dentist can have if their patient regards them with suspicion or even hatred from the start? A bad attitude is a very different thing from fear, anxiety or phobia. Certainly, if I was a dentist, I wouldn't be happy with that situation.

It's a two-way street.

Sorry for being so blunt .

[SoSoScared]

Post deleted. Reason: flaming.

[SoSoScared]

Err........what exactly is flaming please?

I thought this was a board where opinions could be aired. Are my opinions not wanted?

[Gordon]

There's a very interesting article on the cavitation "theory" on the quackwatch website. Feel free to have a read at it.
www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/cavitation.html

Evdence generally consists of a paper, or preferably several papers, being published in a peer reviewed publication, if you've found such evidence I'd be interested to read it.

[letsconnect]

From http://www.answers.com: "Flaming is the performance "art" of posting messages that are deliberately hostile and insulting, usually in the social context of a discussion board (usually on the Internet)".

Statements such as "And if root canals are a risk to health then I think it needs looking at. Might mean a Ferrari less for the dentist but expensive treatment should not be accepted simply because we are too scared to protest" are not opinions, but fiction - and clearly designed to insult dentists. I would not tolerate dentists saying insulting things about phobics on this board, either.

Also, we have a "no quackery" rule (in the box at the top of the forum main page). Quackery includes things like "root canal cover-up".
This is a moderated group; there are other dental phobia groups around, many of them unmoderated, which might be a better choice if you feel venting might help you. I can pass on the URLs if you like.

Now, it's entirely possible that your intention was simply to stimulate debate , but it would be a good idea to use smilies (such as ) if you're being ironic or deliberately exaggerating, so that people don't feel offended. Also, such posts are supposed to go in the "Discussion" section of this board. Please bear this in mind when posting in the future.

[SoSoScared]

I am not sure how you define 'quackery' other than perhaps something you don't agree with?

But yes, I would like the url's of the unmoderated boards if you have them. I have lots to say on the subject of dentistry and would like a chance to say it without fear of upsetting a dentist in the process.

Like most posters on this board I am scared of them when I am in the chair, but when out of it can see them in a different light. As I say, I see what they earn, but I also hear many stories of people who live in pain because they cannot afford to go to the dentist.

Or, they have to pay for dental care instead of maybe giving the children a holiday - whatever, it is wrong in my opinion.

[letsconnect]

For dental phobia boards, see this page:

www.dentalfearcentral.com/dental_phobia_support.html

[letsconnect]

SoSoScared said:

I am not sure how you define 'quackery' other than perhaps something you don't agree with?

Something that has no basis in science and only exists in the minds of quacks.

[vishous]

ha ha and the dreaded internet missinformation or "myth" strikes again got to hate it it gets the best of us