WASHINGTON, June 12 (Portal) – US President Joe Biden has postponed a meeting with the head of NATO and skipped his other public events on Monday to undergo his second root canal procedure within days, the White House said.
“The President is fine and will certainly be working at the residence this afternoon,” Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said after treatment at the White House.
Biden on Sunday reported a toothache that prompted him to have an X-ray and root canal performed by a team from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, according to a letter from his doctor distributed to the press.
“The President tolerated the procedure well,” wrote doctor Kevin O’Connor of the previously undisclosed treatment. “There were no complications.”
Biden, 80, was in more pain Monday, received a local anesthetic and did not have to transfer his powers to Vice President Kamala Harris under the US Constitution’s 25th Amendment, the White House said.
Root canals are common to treat infected teeth that cause pain, especially in older adults, said Asgeir Sigurdsson, Chair of Endodontics at New York University’s College of Dentistry. In the United States, millions are performed each year, with a near-universal success rate, he said.
Sometimes it takes two or more surgeries to remove damaged tooth tissue and completely fix the problem, Sigurdsson said. Local anesthetics used during the procedure to relieve pain can make speaking difficult for a few hours afterwards.
“If you treat it properly, it heals without complications,” Sigurdsson said.
Biden underwent root canal treatment back in the 1990s while Senator was overseeing the Supreme Court confirmation hearings for current Justice Clarence Thomas.
Biden is the oldest US President, and both his age and health were in the focus of voters as he seeks a second four-year term in the 2024 election.
The search for a NATO leader is gathering momentum
A meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and a reception for diplomatic staff have been postponed to Tuesday. Harris attended an event celebrating college athletes, but did not mention Biden’s absence.
The US-led NATO search for Stoltenberg’s successor intensified as several potential candidates emerged from Europe, given the military alliance’s support of non-NATO Ukraine in its response to Russia’s invasion.
Biden has yet to announce a decision, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Stoltenberg is scheduled to resign at the end of September after nine years in office.
Any new NATO leader must strike a balance between allowing its members to support Ukraine and fending off developments that would embroil the group directly in a war with Russia.
The appointment of NATO Secretaries General is usually done through a consensus process involving all 31 members of the group. The United States exerts great influence on all NATO decisions and places particular emphasis on Biden’s views.
Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Additional reporting from Tyler Clifford and Doina Chiacu; Edited by Jonathan Oatis and Grant McCool
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