Endodontists confirm that root canal treatment for tooth infection can save natural teeth and contribute to better overall health by treating local and systemic inflammation
CHICAGO, November 24, 2025 While endodontists have long touted the positive oral health benefits of root canal treatment to relieve dental pain and save natural teeth, a new study shows that this common dental procedure may also help reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
The study published in Journal of Translational Medicine looked at whether a root canal treatment to treat apical periodontitis (AP)—an inflammatory condition often caused by a bacterial infection that affects the dental pulp (nerve) and can cause inflammation throughout the body—could improve blood sugar, cholesterol, and other markers of systemic inflammation. Researchers followed 65 adults over a two-year period who had undergone a root canal procedure to treat AP, finding that more than half of the patients experienced positive improvements, including improved glucose metabolism, better lipid profiles and reduced markers of inflammation.
“The health benefits of root canal treatment cannot be understated,” said Steven J. Katz, DDS, MS, President of the American Association of Endodontists. “While we know that root canal treatments are safe and effective treatments that can also lead to better overall health, this study shows promise for how eliminating inflammation or infection in the roots of a tooth can extend to improving heart and metabolic health – both of which can lead to serious medical problems.”
Although root canals are often misunderstood due to online misinformation or general patient misconceptions about the procedure, root canal treatment is often a simple procedure relieve toothache and save the natural teeth. Patients usually need a root canal when there is inflammation or infection in the dental pulp. During one root canal treatmentan endodontist who specializes in such treatment carefully removes the pulp inside the tooth, cleans, disinfects and shapes the root canals and places a filling to seal the space.
A recent survey conducted by the American Association of Endodontists found that 45% of adults say they have had a root canal and 71% of those who have had a root canal report that they are glad they chose a root canal over a tooth extraction. In fact, tooth extractions elicit a strong negative reaction among respondents, with 29% saying they would rather catch the flu than have a tooth extracted.
Dr. Katz cautioned that the new study linking root canals to a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes has limitations, notably a small sample size and the absence of control groups to compare the results to. Clearly, in this case, a no-treatment control group cannot be included for ethical reasons.
“More evidence is needed to determine the full extent of the potential health benefits of root canal procedures, but we hope these preliminary findings will encourage future research in this promising area,” said Dr. “For now, root canals remain the gold standard for relieving severe dental pain and saving natural teeth – and they may offer significant additional health benefits to countless patients, as this new study suggests.”
About the American Association of Endodontists
The American Association of Endodontists is a dental specialty organization recognized by the American Dental Association and a global resource for knowledge, research, and education for the profession, members, and the public. Representing more than 8,000 members worldwide, endodontists are specialists in saving teeth and have additional training and use specialized techniques and technologies to treat and diagnose root canals and treat tooth pain. Patients can find an endodontist in their area by visiting the AAE website at Find My Endodontist – American Association of Endodontists.
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Kim FitzSimmons, MBA, CAE, AAiP
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SOURCE American Association of Endodontists
