Hi Bryanna,
Im new to Neurotalk and have read several of your replies here. Im so impressed with your professionalism, knowledge, and kindness.
I've had a low grade infection in a tooth that had a root canal (upper front molar/left side for about 3 years and have decided to get it extracted. I went to a dentist through denti-cal (which means I would get the extraction done at no cost) and he took X-rays on that side of my mouth since the gums around the 3 teeth next to the root canaled tooth were somewhat inflamed. He told me that there was some deeper pockets around the root canaled tooth, but that their were a couple of cavities in the teeth near it, but they didn't appear infected. He said that the X-ray showed the root canal tip may be infected but he wasn't sure. We set up an appointment for this tooth to be removed in 2 1/2 weeks and he didn't put me on antibiotics since he didnt see any swelling /obvious abscess. I asked him if he did the extraction protocol and if he would be removing the ligament along with removing any infected bone around it. He said he would remove as much ligament as he could and do a "scraping " of the area, but said that if they didn't get all of the ligament, it wouldn't be an issue since the body would heal the infection. He also said any infected bone would also heal on its own when the cells would turnover. He didn't mention anything about drilling any bone away, just "scraping".
Now, my question is: Should I try to go to an oral surgeon instead of him? Or does he sound like he would do it the right way? Also, do all oral surgeons remove the ligament, root tip and surrounding bone automatically, or do only holistic oral surgeons make sure to do that? PS. He did say that the bone around that tooth had reversed quite a bit compared to the teeth next to it. He said it may be due to a low grade infection or that the bone loss could be due to the other molar behind it was removed. He also said that if there had been a low grade infection in the bone, there would have been much more bone loss.
I appreciate any advice you have to give. Thanks!

Hi ms bubbles,

Thank you for your kind words, truly appreciated

I am going to re post your questions, concerns and reply in bold type.

<<Should I try to go to an oral surgeon instead of him? Or does he sound like he would do it the right way?>>

GO TO AN ORAL SURGEON TO HAVE THE TOOTH REMOVED AS IT MAY BE MORE INFECTED THAN THIS DENTIST HAS INFORMED YOU AND THERE COULD BE A POSSIBLE SINUS COMMUNICATION THAT HE WOULD NOT BE EXPERIENCED IN TREATING. HE IS ALSO MISINFORMED YOU ABOUT THE PERIODONTAL LIGAMENT IN THAT IT DOES NEED TO BE REMOVED IN IT'S ENTIRETY AND NO THE BODY WON'T MAJESTICALLY TAKE CARE OF THE INFECTION IF THERE IS SOMETHING PRESENT THAT IS CREATING THE INFECTION WHICH WOULD BE THE REMNANTS OF LIGAMENT AND INFECTED BONE.

<<Also, do all oral surgeons remove the ligament, root tip and surrounding bone automatically, or do only holistic oral surgeons make sure to do that?>>

ALL DENTISTS ARE EDUCATED ABOUT REMOVING THE PERIODONTAL LIGAMENT AND DISEASED TISSUE WHEN EXTRACTING ANY TOOTH. HOWEVER, THIS STEP IS NOT ALWAYS DONE, EVEN BY ORAL SURGEONS AND THERE IS NO LOGICAL ANSWER WHY IT'S NOT. SO ANYTIME YOU ARE CONSULTING A DENTIST, EVEN AN ORAL SURGEON, ABOUT EXTRACTING A TOOTH IT BEHOOVES YOU TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT YOU WANT AND EXPECT THE PERIODONTAL LIGAMENT AND ALL DISEASED TISSUE AND BONE TO BE REMOVED AFTER THE TOOTH IS EXTRACTED. YOU ALSO WANT TO BE INFORMED IF THERE IS ANY VISIBLE SIGNS OF A SINUS PERFORATION OR COMMUNICATION.

HOLISTIC AND BIOLOGICAL DENTISTS TEND TO APPRECIATE THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING THOROUGH IN THE REMOVAL OF TEETH, LIGAMENT, ETC. BUT AGAIN, ALWAYS STATE YOUR NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS CLEARLY. I SUGGEST THAT IF YOU SEE A HOLISTIC OR BIOLOGICAL DENTIST, THAT HE BE VERY EXPERIENCED IN ORAL SURGERY AS MOST GENERAL DENTISTS ONLY DO OCCASIONAL EXTRACTIONS.

<<PS. He did say that the bone around that tooth had reversed quite a bit compared to the teeth next to it. He said it may be due to a low grade infection or that the bone loss could be due to the other molar behind it was removed.>>

NOT SURE WHAT REVERSED MEANS. DID HE SAY THERE WAS BONE RESORPTION? THIS WOULD INDICATE THAT THE INFECTION IS MORE WIDESPREAD AND LONG TERM. ALL ROOT CANALED TEETH HAVE SOME DEGREE OF INFECTION BREWING IN THEM. ROOT OR BONE RESORPTION IS TYPICAL, AS IN OFTEN NOT HEALTHY, OF RC TEETH. THE BONE LOSS IN THE ADJACENT AREA OF THE MISSING MOLAR COULD ALSO INDICATE A LONG TERM INFECTION. THIS ENTIRE QUADRANT NEEDS TO BE EVALUATED MORE THOROUGHLY.

<<He also said that if there had been a low grade infection in the bone, there would have been much more bone loss.>>

NOT TRUE. THERE IS ALWAYS SOME DEGREE OF INFECTION WITH ROOT CANALED TEETH AND THE LONGER THEY ARE PRESENT, THE MORE WIDESPREAD THE BACTERIA CAN BECOME WHICH MEANS IT MAY NOT LIMIT ITSELF TO JUST ONE AREA, IT MAY BE MORE DIFFUSE.

I would suggest that you have a complete comprehensive oral examination and full mouth series of radio graphs by a general dentist. This way you have a clear understanding of what your general dental issues may be. If you see a holistic or biological dentist for that they can refer you to an oral surgeon for removal of that tooth.

Thank you Bryanna, its because of your knowledge that I've joined N)euroTalk

ms bubbles,

Thank you for your kind words and WELCOME to neurotalk!! This is a very supportive and caring community with people who truly want to be helpful.

Feel free to browse the site and share your own story, your concerns and even some helpful suggestions along the way.

Bryanna ~'.'~