Root Canal Safety

Debunking Misinformation About Root Canals

While trustworthy information is available from sources like the AAE, some patients still arrive with misconceptions. One common myth is the outdated “focal infection theory” introduced in the early 1900s. In the 1920s, Dr. Weston A. Price suggested that bacteria trapped in dentinal tubules during root canal treatment could leak and cause systemic diseases like arthritis, kidney disease, and heart disease.



Dr. Price advocated for tooth extraction over endodontic treatment, leading to a period when extractions were performed as a precaution against systemic illness. However, his research lacked scientific rigor, using flawed methodologies without control groups and exposing samples to excessive bacterial doses. By the early 1930s, modern research had discredited his findings.

Scientific Evidence Supporting Root Canal Safety

Decades of research have disproven Dr. Price’s theories. In 1951, the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) reviewed scientific literature and reaffirmed that saving non-vital teeth through endodontic treatment is the standard of care. The review also highlighted the flaws in Dr. Price’s research.

More recent studies continue to support the safety of root canals. In 2007, the American Heart Association (AHA) updated its guidelines, reducing the need for premedication before dental procedures, including root canals. In April 2012, the AHA confirmed that no scientific evidence links periodontal disease to heart disease, attributing their common occurrence to shared risk factors like smoking, age, and diabetes. Read more.

There is no valid scientific evidence linking endodontically treated teeth to systemic disease. However, some patients still encounter misinformation about root canals.