Root canal treatment, performed to retain a tooth after its nerve has died or an abscess has developed, is a last resort. In fact, a tooth is the only organ or tissue in the body that is not “amputated” when it dies.
Some reports suspect a relationship between the appearance of certain chronic diseases and root canals. Conversely, there are reports that some of these diseases improve after the root-canalled teeth are removed.
Dr. Sarkissian’s blog shows a series of illustrations of a root canal treatment, when it becomes necessary and how it is properly performed.
The decision whether to keep or extract a dead, root-canalled, or dying tooth ultimately rests on the patient. Factors to consider, however, are:
- How long the tooth has been dead without being root-canalled.
- The strategic importance of the tooth.
- The presence of a serious chronic degenerative or autoimmune disease, unexplained neuralgic pains, heart disorder, or lowered immune system.
Our blog article about the root canal procedure, its risks, disinfection methods and materials will give you a deeper understanding of the subject.
As mentioned above, a root canal is only a last resort. Dr. Sarkissian’s preferred method to avoid root canal treatment is the Laser Direct Cap procedure.
Please also read Dr. Sarkissian’s in-depth article