A root canal treatment is a dental procedure performed on a tooth that has been severely damaged to help restore its structure and functionality. A root canal is usually recommended if a tooth infection has reached the roots of the teeth. The procedure involves removing the infected tooth material, cleaning the area, and using artificial material to fill in the hole and save the tooth that would have otherwise been extracted. While the root canal treatment has been met with so much controversy, if done properly, it is a safe procedure that can help save a tooth from extraction.

Why are root canals controversial?
The root canal treatment remains a controversial topic surrounding modern dentistry. While some experts applaud it as one of the best milestones in dentistry, some experts claim that a root canal treatment may not be a safe procedure after all due to the following reasons.
· Risk of reinfection
Some infected tissue may not be completely removed during the procedure. This is because the tooth structure extends well beyond where the dentist’s tools can reach, and so some infected tissue may remain and cause other infections on the tooth or in the body. Reinfection can ultimately lead to an extraction.
· Infection of adjacent teeth or tissue
Infections arising after a root canal treatment can spread to the adjacent teeth and cause new infections. This poses a risk to your general oral health.
· General health risks
Since oral health has been linked to general body health, anything that goes wrong during a root canal treatment can have negative health effects on your body. An infection occurring on the root canal site may spread to your bloodstream and cause an array of other health problems. The bacteria that now freely live in your body can cause or aggravate other chronic illnesses such as heart problems, stroke, high blood pressure, or even cancer.
· Negative immune response
A root canal treatment introduced foreign material into your system. In trying to fight the foreign material such as fillings used by the dentist to fill the cavity, your immune system may become overactive and cause negative side effects.
· Toxic filling material
The root canal procedure involves filling the tooth with a dental filling material such as amalgam fillings, which in many cases contain mercury and other harmful metals. These substances may cause various health risks in your body and have negative long term health effects.
Bottom Line
As with any medical procedure, side effects may or may not occur depending on the expertise applied during the procedure. Similarly, a root canal procedure may also go wrong or not turn out as expected. With this in mind, Carrum Downs Dental Clinic employs the best dental technology and expertise during a root canal procedure to ensure none of the above side effects of root canal occur to any of our patients. We are very keen on safe dental practice that will not be detrimental to any of our clients’ health. Visit us today to learn more about the root canal treatment and how we can help you manage your tooth infection.
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