Root Canal Safety

Smiling man

The relationship of our teeth and mouth to overall good health is indisputable. Endodontics plays a critical role in maintaining good oral health by eliminating infection and pain, and preserving our natural dentition.

A key responsibility of any dentist is to reassure patients who are concerned about the safety of endodontic treatment that their overall well-being is a top priority. The American Association of Endodontists website (www.aae.org) is the best place for anxious patients to obtain comprehensive information on the safety and efficacy of endodontics and root canal treatment.

While plenty of good information is available online from the AAE and other reliable resources, patients sometimes arrive in the dental office with misinformation. This has occurred with the long-dispelled “focal infection theory” in endodontics, introduced in the early 1900s. In the 1920s, Dr. Weston A. Price presented research suggesting that bacteria trapped in dentinal tubules during root canal treatment could “leak” and cause almost any type of generative systemic disease (e.g., arthritis; diseases of the kidney, heart, nervous, gastroinestinal, endocrine and other systems). This was before medicine understood the causes of such disease.

Dr. Price advocated tooth extraction—the most traumatic dental procedure—over endodontic treatment. This theory resulted in a frightening era of tooth extraction both for treatment of systemic disease and as a prophylactic measure against future illness. Dr. Price’s research techniques were criticized at the time they were published, and by the early 1930s, a number of well-designed studies using more modern research techniques discredited his findings.

Decades of research have contradicted Dr. Price’s findings since then. In 1951, the Journal of the American Dental Association published a special edition reviewing the scientific literature and shifted the standard of practice back to endodontic treatment for teeth with non-vital pulp in instances where the tooth could be saved. The JADA reviewed Dr. Price’s research techniques from the 1920s and noted that they lacked many aspects of modern scientific research, including absence of proper control groups and induction of excessive doses of bacteria.

More recent research continues to support the safety of dental treatment as it relates to overall systemic health. In 2007, the American Heart Association updated its guidelines on the prevention of infective endocarditis, drastically curbing the indications for premedication for dental procedures and excluding endodontic treatment from dental procedures requiring premedication. In April 2012, the AHA found no scientific evidence linking periodontal disease and heart disease, concluding that heart disease and periodontal disease often coincidentally occur in the same person due to common risk factors of smoking, age and diabetes mellitus.

Decades of research contradict the beliefs of “focal infection” proponents; there is no valid, scientific evidence linking endodontically treated teeth and systemic disease. Yet some patients still hear about this long-dispelled theory.

Smile With Confidence & Schedule an Appointment Today!

Norwalk Dennis L. Pipher, D.M.D.; Endodontic Associates of Norwalk Phone Number (203) 635-6300 Schedule an Appointment

Our office hours are Monday through Friday 8:00AM - 5:30PM

Doctor addressing the patient

Dentists are asked to use the following guidelines to address patients who inquire about a connection between root canal treatment and illness:

  • Acknowledge the patient’s concerns; stress that optimum health is the goal for every dental patient.
  • Provide the patient with written information about endodontic treatment, and discuss it. The AAE has a variety of patient education brochures available for purchase (AAE Online Store).
  • Provide the patient with information from the AAE website about common root canal myths:
    www.aae.org/patients/root-canal-treatment/myths-root-canals/#2.
  • Indicate that the patient is in control of his/her own decision to move forward with any dental procedure, and reiterate a commitment to the highest quality dental care.

References

Dennis L. Pipher, D.M.D.; Endodontic Associates of Norwalk

5 out of 5 stars based on 51 Root Canal Treatment reviews

Patient Review

This is a terrific practice. Many folks recommended that I go to Dr Pipher and now I see why. He’s professional, patient and very friendly.

- Rebecca K

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Patient Review

This was so unexpectedly easy! From the booking of the appointment right thru the root canal I had absolutely no issues whatsoever.

- Denise R

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

This was not my first rodeo; or root canal. Excellent experience, far exceeding my expectations

- Paul A

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

Dr. Pipher sets the office tone with his competency, relaxed manner and friendliness, a great combination for success! As I left today I complimented the staff on their professionalism and overall happiness! Its a happy place to have dental work!

- Cheryl W

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

Dr Pipher is a superb clinician who demonstrated a calm and efficient professional demeanor that not only took me out of my dental pain, but actually made it a pleasant experience. As a retired dentist who understands the challenges of treating patients for root canal problems, I am so very impressed with not only Dr Pipher's clinical skills, but also his genuine concern and warmth that he exhibits towards his patient population. I feel very lucky to have been under his care, and cannot think of anyone else treating me now , or in the future.

- Ervin B

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

It is not my nature to write reco's of this nature but my experience and results from Dr Pipher were outstanding. He's an excellent practitioner but I get from my brief time working on me, he's a good man and has your best interests and issues about the work. Look if you need Endodontics work...this comes highly recommended to see him / them...

- Hal T

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

As optimal an experience as one could have hoped for. Incredibly professional. Entirely pain-free. American dentistry at its very best.

- Charles R

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

I cannot fully enough articulate my praise for Dr. Pipher and his staff. The level of professionalism is superior in every respect, yet the office maintains a warmth and support for patient concerns from first moment to last. Arriving for my root canal in a state that can only be described as terror, Dr. Pipher quickly put me at ease, and made sure that I had absolutely no discomfort or emotional concerns. As long as Dr. Pipher is in practice, I know that I will never again dread a root canal, and I would recommend him wholeheartedly to everyone. I suppose the element that makes the most difference of all is that everyone in the office made me feel like a person about whom they truly cared. The laughter and camaraderie I heard around the office indicates that the staff enjoys their work, which is a top-down condition. Because Dr. Pipher is so pleasant (while maintaining the most thorough medical approach), the office overall exhibits the same feeling. You will find no better doctor for this area of dentistry.

- Deborah N

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

I appreciated being seen on short notice which was not expecting.I had an infection and was very worried.

- Joe S.Kitchen

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

Excellent care , extremely accommodating, friendly and professional staff & team. I’m so grateful that Dr. Kilbride was able to see me (as a new patient) the same day I called the office in pain, needing a root canal. Couldn’t have asked for better care- thank you to everyone at the office for their kindness, compassion and immediate response time.

- Pamela T

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

The office was clean, bright & inviting. It smelled clean! Dr. Pipher has a very comforting spirit. They use the very latest technology and completed my root canal in one visit. I was blown away! Thank you so much Dr P. & staff!!!

- Jennifer D

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

Feeling stressed and anxious about having a root canal procedure? Make an appointment with Dr. Pipher and rest assured that you will be receiving the BEST care possible! Dr. Pipher's knowledge and skills from extensive experience (over 30,000 root canals performed) coupled with his concern, compassion and wonderful demeanor provides for a most successful and happy outcome. My root canal, bone graft and minor surgery were pain free and above and beyond all expectations. Dr. Pipher truly is an Endodontist of distinction! But, it gets even better ... his staff from the front desk to his assistant are all super friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and efficient. It's another level of competency which lends to a phenomenal, painless and pleasant experience. My saved tooth and I are VERY thankful for Dr. Pipher and his staff!

- Joan K

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

Wonderful office. The staff is so friendly and Dr. Pipher has an excellent bedside manner. He made my first root canal experience free of anxiety and painless.

- Victoria

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

I Couldn't be more satisfied with the overall treatment and total experience , i had.2 root canals that went perfectly.Dr, Pipher and his staff are polite and take the time to explain the procedure as they go along.I will recommend them highly.

- Jeffrey STROFFOLINO h

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

So many years of topnotch care with Dr. Pipher! His post procedure calls are treasured. Debbie is beyond wonderful at the desk and Elizabeth absolutely excels in her more than able assistance to the great doctor himself!

- alice s talbot T

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

I really appreciated the upfront explanation of options by Dr. Kilbride regarding my tooth. Once I made the decision for root canal, she explained everything in detail during the procedures. While not a simple procedure, Dr. Kilbride and the team were very focused on my comfort throughout. Great outcome and I would certainly recommend this practice!

- Wally G

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

The staff are outstanding and make an unpleasant experience (root canal) enjoyable.

- Jeffrey G

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

Very secure with the doctor, procedure, staff and everything about the practice. A staff that has obviously worked together for quite sometime.

- Frank P

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

First time here, and it was a great experience! We are talking Root Canal!

- Polly M

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

Dr. Pipher is an excellent Dentist. He is kind, gentle and thorough. He explained every step and was genuinely concerned about my comfort. My pain was relieved immediately. The office staff was very helpful and scheduled me same day for an emergency. They also stayed late for me.

- Sharon S

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