Root
canals were once thought to lead to cancer. This theory, however,
have long been disproved due to lack of actual scientific support.
Sadly, unsubstantiated claims like the root canal/cancer correlation
have been instrumental in further fanning dental fear among many
patients who choose to suffer the effects of decayed teeth rather
than go to a dentist for treatment.
Root
canals have been practiced by dentists for decades, serving to remove
abscess in a tooth that has badly decayed, and sealing the cavity
afterwards, in the effort to save the tooth from extraction. In
dental care, a skilled dentist and elsewhere will always examine a
problem tooth first to see if it can saved, and will resort to
extraction only when this remains the only viable option to arrest
the spread of bacteria in the mouth.