Another Leap Forward in Dental Healing: The Most Misunderstood Procedure in Dentistry – The Root Canal Explained
ADVERTORIAL - by Dr. Jeffrey Etess
Many patients come to me convinced that their chronic illness is the result of having root canals. The truth is far less dramatic. A properly performed and properly restored root canal does not cause systemic disease. However, when a root canal is done incorrectly, especially without sterile isolation and without a high quality final restoration, the likelihood of persistent infection increases significantly. The legal standard of care requires the use of a rubber dam during every root canal procedure to ensure a controlled, aseptic environment. Shockingly, research shows that between fifty four percent and seventy four percent of root canals performed by non-specialist dentists are completed without a rubber dam, which allows bacteria to contaminate the tooth root system during treatment. When contamination enters the canal system, infection persists, and patients understandably assume the root canal is to blame, when in reality the problem is improper technique.
Another major reason for root canal failure is the quality of the final restoration. Even a meticulously cleaned and disinfected tooth can fail if it is restored poorly. Leaking temporary fillings, old metal crowns with gaps, weak bonding, or insufficient sealing allow bacteria to reenter the tooth and reestablish infection. Most failed root canals that I see in practice are not failing because the procedure is inherently toxic. They are failing because they were never properly isolated or properly sealed. These preventable errors lead to pain, bone breakdown, and unnecessary fear. Unfortunately, many patients are convinced to remove teeth that could have been saved. This is where a major misconception must be addressed clearly and directly:
Any dentist who tries to convince you that an implant is better than your natural tooth, even a root canal treated tooth, is promoting misinformation. Nothing functions better, feels better, or lasts longer than a natural tooth that has been treated correctly.
Removing natural teeth out of fear or misinformation is a serious mistake. Once a natural tooth is gone, bite efficiency drops dramatically. Dentures or flippers provide only about ten percent of natural chewing ability, no matter what anyone claims. Losing natural teeth also accelerates bone loss and changes facial support. Saving teeth is always the first priority when it can be performed safely and predictably.
At Integrative Dental Specialists of Long Island, we focus on diagnosing and correcting failing root canal teeth, dental cavitations, leaking crowns, and failing fillings. Many of these teeth can be treated successfully using advanced disinfection systems including dental lasers, ozone therapy, ultrasonic irrigation, and biologically driven antimicrobial protocols. With these methods, we can safely restore teeth to full healthy function. We also offer Root Canal Genesis, an all natural regenerative therapy capable of reestablishing blood supply and revitalizing select teeth, which completely contradicts much of the fear based misinformation you may find online.
If a tooth truly cannot be saved, zirconia implants and biologically friendly titanium implants are excellent restorative solutions, but only when the biological foundation is handled correctly. Many offices use dead irradiated cadaver bone for grafting, which lacks vitality. In our practice, we use autogenous self-bone grafts and Platelet Rich Fibrin derived from the patient’s own blood. These contain living cells, growth factors, cytokines, and natural regenerative proteins that significantly improve healing and implant success.
If you want the healthiest, most predictable, and scientifically supported solutions for your dental concerns, contact Integrative Dental Specialists of Long Island and Manhattan and schedule an appointment with Dr Jeffrey Etess to learn what modern biologic and regenerative dentistry can truly provide.
