Root canal therapy....what is it?~~
 

Root Canal Therapy..... What is it really???

A lengthy article, but well worth the read if you want to be well informed. It references experts such as Dr Weston Price, a Cleveland dentist who authored the book entitled Nutrition and Physical Degeneration and founded the Weston Price Foundation. He also wrote a textbook on root canals in 1922 which continues to upset the mindset of the ADA and others who advocate root canal therapy. Also, Dr Hal Huggins a Colorado dentist who is world renowned for his relentless efforts in public awareness about the toxicity of mercury fillings, etc. Just to name a few....

http://tuberose.com/Root_Canals.html

Here is just a tiny excerpt from the above site......

>>>>Leave the root canal or cavitation in the body, and there is the potential of creating an unwanted autoimmune or degenerative disease that could be life threatening. Toxins and bacteria can both leak from these contamination sites wreaking havoc with a person’s cardiovascular, endocrine, nervous and immune systems. The public needs to be informed, so they can make educated choices in the trade-off between toxic convenience and health.>>>>

>>>Shouldn’t we question the wisdom of supplying a haven for these microbes so close to our brain and circulatory system? Does this information validate the claims of “sterile” root canals? Dentists claim they can “sterilize” the tooth before forcing the gutta percha wax down into the canal. Perhaps they can sterilize a column of air in the center of the tooth, but is that really where the problem is? Bacteria wandering out of the dentinal tubules is what Price was finding, and what we were finding in the crushed tooth samples. But the problem doesn't end there. Huggins tested blood samples adjacent to the removed <root canaled> teeth and analyzed them for the presence of anaerobic bacteria. Approximately 400 percent more bacteria were found in the blood surrounding the root canal tooth than were in the tooth itself. It seems that the tooth is the incubator. The periodontal ligament supplies more food, therefore higher concentration of bacteria. But the highest pathological growth was in the bone surrounding the dead tooth. Looking at bacterial needs, there is a smorgasbord of bacterial nutrients present in the bone. This explains the tremendous increase in bacterial concentration in the blood surrounding the root canal tooth. Try sterilizing that volume of bone.>>>

All feedback is welcome!
Bryanna

Hmm thats right the periodontal ligament supplies more food, therefore higher concentration of bacteria. But the highest pathological growth was in the bone surrounding the dead tooth.

Hi Ayden,

Thanks for your reply!
The surrounding bone of the root canaled tooth harbors a lot of bacteria. However, the root canaled tooth continues to build infection causing the continual proliferation of bacteria.

Here's how it happens........

The bacteria harbors inside the microscopic canals called dentin tubules of the dead root canaled tooth. The bacteria then migrates through the tubules into the LIVE periodontal ligament. The ligament is made of fibers that connect the tooth to the bone. The bacteria reaches these fibers and feeds off of the blood supply that keeps the ligament alive. The bacteria then reaches the bone through the fibers. The tooth continues to build up bacteria which proliferates along this path into the jawbone.

The very unfortunate end result of all this bacteria is twofold. One is the obvious risks of deeper oral infections into the jawbone that become difficult to treat and eradicate completely even after the root canaled tooth is extracted. Two, the numerous systemic health risks associated with this continuous burden on the immune system can be life altering.

Thanks again for posting.....any more thoughts on this subject??

Bryanna

Thanks!
 

Thanks Bryanna - I mentioned this to my dentist a few weeks ago and she got so mad! Said there was all kinds of misinformation on the Internet. I'm glad to have this reference to show her - for someone like me that has multiple health issues and allergies - a root canal is condemning me to even poorer health. I think it is she that needs to be educated.

Thank you!

Hello, this is my first visit to this forum. I have several root canals and crowns. I also suffered some pretty bad infections after some of the root canals. I'm just wondering, is the best solution for long-term health to have teeth removed and go with dentures?

Thanks,
XSoccergal

Hi Eliza Jane,

You are correct in this statement...
<<for someone like me that has multiple health issues and allergies - a root canal is condemning me to even poorer health>>.

Every dentist knows the short comings and risks of root canal therapy. They are taught, if only briefly, the pathological and bacterial problems associated with endodontically treated teeth. Some dentists are just a bit wiser than others about these concerns because they have paid attention to the repetitive problems that they see their patients encountering. Some are even comprehending and acknowledging the systemic connection...... why? Because the internet has become the source of great information for dentists/doctors/patients who seek to learn the things that they're not learning elsewhere.

Keep is touch...
Bryanna

you rock
 

:Good-Post:[ You help us all to be educated, Bryanna. You have done more than most dentists ever do or tell you. By telling us the truth, you give us the greatest gift a person can have. To make an informed choice. So many of us get told what to do, and that the dentist is the "know all" of these RT and the problems they cause. I really wish that all dentists and doctors had your compassion and were willing to tell a patient the truth. We place our lives in these professionals hands. We deserve to be told the truth. Thank you Bryanna for helping so many of us sort out things. You also helped me in a way you don't even know about. I was not willing to accept what I was being told about my ankles, I sought out help, and found out the truth about my condition. It was because I learned to be my own best advocate by getting educated. You started the ball rolling for me, and I am forever grateful to you. ginnie:hug::Thanx:

Awwww ginnie ;>
 

Thank you so much for the kind words! You also rock!! ;))

I am a firm believer in being your own health advocate. We must never rely solely on our doctors or dentists to make decisions for us because they do not know us as well as we know ourselves. Sometimes the sharing of information alters the treatment options and often for the better. It is the acquired information that empowers us to make decisions that are truly in our best interest. We need guidance along with the information.... but compassion and truthfulness from those taking care of us is just as important.

Ginnie, I know you have varied health problems. If you think there is anything I can help you with or help you to research..... just let me know. I deal with lots of patients every day.... I probably know more about the body than I should... ~;-/

Thanks again for the sweet words..... you are very amazing yourself!!

Bryanna





QUOTE=ginnie;870465]:Good-Post:[ You help us all to be educated, Bryanna. You have done more than most dentists ever do or tell you. By telling us the truth, you give us the greatest gift a person can have. To make an informed choice. So many of us get told what to do, and that the dentist is the "know all" of these RT and the problems they cause. I really wish that all dentists and doctors had your compassion and were willing to tell a patient the truth. We place our lives in these professionals hands. We deserve to be told the truth. Thank you Bryanna for helping so many of us sort out things. You also helped me in a way you don't even know about. I was not willing to accept what I was being told about my ankles, I sought out help, and found out the truth about my condition. It was because I learned to be my own best advocate by getting educated. You started the ball rolling for me, and I am forever grateful to you. ginnie:hug::Thanx:[/QUOTE]

Yes, research help needed
 

Yes, Bryanna, I do have some research I have to do. the first part of surgery is a given, have to do it. Torn archilles tendon, torn post tibial tendon, this pushed my heel (left foot) outward, which colapsed the foot. The foot structure has to be re-built.
Second part of the surgery was to be origionally a joint replacement for the big toe, or ball of foot joint. He won't do that, as the failure rate is way too high. Instead he wants to fuse this joint solid, so it doesn't move at all.
I have a problem with this. This joint hurts terrible even when I don't move it. I need the ball of my foot for balance, and I am not sure fusing it will take care of the pain that is in this joint. I am still going to have to walk on it. Across the whole pad of the foot hurts, and I also have PN and buring already on the toe joint. How will fusion stop this kind of pain when I have to use the toe anyway? I need to find out the purpose of doing it in the first place, and if it will solve any of the issues I have with this joint. he was going to do this three weeks after the ankle re-build, then after I am out of the walking cast to do therapy on the whole foot with PT.

The other foot he hopes is not having the same problems in the joints. My pain in that ankle will have to be addressed after I heal from this first surgery. The pain may be due to the way I have walked these past 7 years, and not do to tears in the tendons. Will find that out later.

Any and all information will be appreciated. The last person I knew to have a fusion on part of the foot regretted it terribly. I have to justify what I do to it. It won't be reversable.
Thanks Bryanna, I have a little time now to get things figured out instead of rushing around like crazy.
The big toe joint is destroyed pretty good, either from degenerative joint disease or from severe arthritis, which I have all over. Can't take celebrex or any other kind of anti inflamatory as I have barretts esophagus.
Thanks Bryanna, take your time in looking stuff up, I have a month to figure it all out now... :hug: ginnie

Surgery is now on June 19th. Could not do a 5 a.m. schedule so it had to be put to a later date. I have time now to research this.

Hey Bryanna? What should we do when they suggest a root canal? I am afraid DH's got a infected tooth, he had a lot of pain after his last root canal, for me I had them YANK teeth that were suggested to have crowns and root canals on, are there any other options?

Hi pamster
 

Hi pamster, for me,. I had three pulled rather than RC. I have two RC already in place and they give me trouble, never again. Have partial now called a Besnit, for me this was better. Good luck in what you decide. ginnie

Thanks ginnie! I appreciate hearing what your experience with RCs has been, thank you. :)

good to know
 

Did you find out what RC therapy does? Or what the dentists say it does? I can tell you about it if you need the information. ginnie

Hi Pam,

There are only 2 options when a tooth is infected..

Option One is a root canal... this procedure does not cure the infection because the bacteria will still reside inside of the tooth and eventually proliferate to the bone. The bacteria can also migrate to other organs or areas of the body with little to no symptoms at the onset.

Option Two is an extraction.... removing the tooth is the only way to remove the infection in it's entirety because the tooth is the source of infection. Some teeth should be replaced and others don't have to be. The replacement options should be thoroughly discussed with the dentist.

Bryanna

Hi ginnie,

I actually lost this post.... forgot which thread it was on!

I am not very familiar with problems pertaining to the foot. I do know that they can be very complicated and the choice of treatment is imperative to the long term health of the foot. I will do some research and see what I can come up with. Have you consulted with more than one orthopedist? Perhaps someone who truly specializes in the feet?

Bryanna

Hi Brayanna
 

Glad you found the post. Right now, today I am doing research on all the terms on the MRI. Surgeon is the best, but he didn't tell me any of the terms nor show MRI or dicuss what he does to correct it. Also my PCP disagrees with the second part of the surgery three weeks into recovery. he firmly believes it is a bad idea.
After ankle tendon replacement in three different tendons, he wants to fuse the great toe. My PCP does not think this will be an answer to the pain it causes me. Also if ankle does not heal properly or anylittle thing happens wrong, my center of balance would be ruined for good, and I may never get up on the ankle and foot again. He thinks I should wait and see how ankle does first, then consider other options. I agree. surgeons don't like to be told NO to a proceedure, so I may loose this one with my decision. Also my pain specialist didn't want to take care of post op pain. So I went to surgeons pains specialist friend. All I got was a lecture, and no answers exactly about what he would do to help me while healing. I got big lecture on how we need to suffer sometimes, and thats what people did years ago. Did that give me faith that I would not suffer when things are avialable this day and age to relieve suffering? NO, and I didn't like him. so I won't use him as pain control specialist. Until I find one for post surgery event, there won't be any cutting at all on my ankle. surgeon and his pain doc. are buddies, I am on thin ice with this surgeon for sure. Didn't like the way he handle me at all. I am an educated person and he was condensending to me. Now what do I do?

Also family situation bubbled to the surface, and made me real angry. Dealing with alot of issues bryanna. Thanks for support. I will continue to do the research. thank you for caring about me. ginnie

ginnie,

I do care.... very much. I wish I could help you sort this through. I am like you, I put a certain limit of trust in doctors because I just know better than to go along blindly. However it is very difficult to seek knowledge, never mind answers, when we know so little about something. Most of the time, doctors only agree with each other "to a point" which makes it more complicated for the patient. What are we to do?? I wish I knew... :/

I will keep looking for you....keep your chin up and please don't lose sight of the positive attitude that you continually share here with all of us!

Bryanna

Hi Bryanna
 

Thank you!, I run back to NT just for comfort when I am spinning my wheels. I am still on the doctor-merry-go-round. Have to go back for more answers, and still find pain specialist for post op. I have been doing the research on my ankle condition. I am mighty angry that this was not diagnosed correctly. How can they do that to us? I have darn near been crippled by it. Did he think I was kidding about the pain? The MRI shows the truth of it now.
Between these medical issues and my family, it is enough to make a person bonkers. I know where the good folks are Bryanna, right here. There is a comfort between us all, where we tell our needs, hopes, dreams and pain. Please do keep in touch, and keep us unformed about dental issues. I just had my last crown put in. After all was done, A filling, a big one cracked right off the back upper molar, New crown was placed yesterday #4. Oh boy, is this racking up a bill. However dentist is wonderful and I can make payments. she is worth it Bryanna, a good good dentist.
I hope you are doing OK. I do watch all your posts when people come on about dental issues. Just last week you answered about RC. So many do not know the risks with that. I sure didn't. Education is key to good results.
Have a good night, and tap back any time you care too. ginnie:hug:

Hello Bryanna,

I'm new to this forum and I'm so glad I found it. I read some of your posts related to root canals and they enlightened me! Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge.

I would like to better understand the risks associated with retaining an infected tooth and possible a infected bone.

In my case it is #8, which I originally broke (+20 years ago), and after some years the teeth started to become yellow and I replaced with a crown (4 years ago). I can feel a little fistula in the gum behind my tooth #8. But I don't have any pain and any other healthy problem that I'm aware of.
Recently I went to a dentist to do a deep clean and after the X-Ray she recommended me to schedule a visit with a root canal specialist.

Can you please let me know if there are any other options when the infection already proliferated to the bone?
I may consider even palliative options to delay further problems instead of the extraction or a new root canal treatment.

Thanks in advance.

Best Regards,
Ed

Hi Ed,

Thank you for the kind words. I hope I can be of some help to you.

Many people think their teeth are just sitting in the gum or bone when they are actually anchored in the bone by a live ligament that acts like an elastic to make chewing comfortable. The ligament also helps to nourish the tooth and protect it like a blanket from temperature changes. The apex or end of the root of a tooth has a hole in it in just big enough for the branches of nerves to come out of and feed off of the blood vessel system. A healthy ligament, healthy nerves and the nourishment from the blood are all essential for the vitality and well being of the tooth and the jawbone.

The risks of retaining an infected tooth and infected bone are numerous. Here is a few of them...

1) The bacteria will continue to multiply and eventually form new strains of bacteria which could be difficult to identify and eradicate. This could result in long term oral antibiotics and/or a pic line for IV antibiotics. There is always a risk that the bacteria will migrate to organs or other areas of the body especially if the person becomes ill or is injured or has surgery... etc.

2) The bacteria never stays contained inside of the tooth. It travels through the hole at the end of the apex where the nerves meet the blood vessel into the blood stream.

3) The bacteria tries to find a way to release the pressure from the inflammation as it burrows a hole through the bone towards the gum resulting in a fistula. The formation of the fistula can take weeks, months or even years to develop but it is a brewing infection during the entire process.

When a fistula develops the patient usually does not have tooth pain because the pressure from the infection has found a release through the fistula. However, the fistula can close off at any time which would result in a large swelling and pain.

There is always a risk of systemic infection from any oral infection... especially if it involves the bone and/or it is a long standing infection simply because the mouth is so vascular allowing the bacteria to travel elsewhere easily.

Unfortunately there is no palliative, restorative or surgical procedure to "cure" the infection or even hold it at bay and prevent proliferation. The necrotic nerve tissue inside of the dentin tubules, which cannot be removed or killed with medication, render the tooth hopelessly infected.

The other risk with retaining an infected tooth is replacement of the tooth once the bone has become un-restoreable due to deterioration. The upper and lower anterior (front) portions of the jaw are thinner, narrower and more fragile than elsewhere making it more difficult to restore. So the longer the infected tooth is present, the more complicated the replacement of it can be.

I hope I've answered your questions. If you want a further explanation or additional information, just let me know.

Best Regards to you also.....
Bryanna

Thanks once again, Bryanna.

To be honest with you I don't want to lose my front tooth (with the crown) because of esthetics and also because of further time spend on a dentist chair, not to mention the expenses. But in the other hand if I leave the root canaled tooth, the infection continues and I can have worst problems in the future;

I don't want to panic either... I need to get all the available information before taking any decision.

Is there a way to precisely check the status of my infection? It the dentist X-Ray enough? Or can I get better diagnosis from other procedures/methods?

Please let me know your opinion.

Best Regards,
Ed

Hi Ed,

I totally understand your concern about removing your front tooth. But keep in mind that the longer the tooth is present the more widespread the infection will become and the higher the health risk. Also, when the bone has broken down from the infection and is not restorable, you may have only one of two choices to replace this tooth .....a conventional 4 unit bridge which means cutting down at least 3 other teeth to make the bridge or a removable partial denture. Both of which may not be as esthetic as you would like them to be.

No there is no way to check the status of the infection. There is no way to slow down the infection because the source of the infection is the tooth itself. The bone will eventually collapse in an attempt to move the tooth out. As this occurs, the tooth becomes loose and at some point it is only held in by gum tissue. This is when the area becomes a soupy mess of bacteria. Sometimes a tooth will actually fall out on it's own but unfortunately it leaves a mess behind. I know this is scary... I'm so sorry. I just wish more dentists would tell their patients the truth about infected teeth so that you understood the risks of hanging onto them.

Without question the infection is not self contained to the tooth. You cannot judge this problem based on your symptoms because they can be vague even when there is a serious problem. A good example of this would be a sudden heart attack in someone who had no symptoms of heart disease until the attack. Another would be diabetes... vague to no symptoms until it has progressed. Does that make things a bit more clear?

I don't know your personal beliefs.... but I personally believe the body is all connected simply because all of the organs share the same blood supply. Therefore, it would make sense (to me) that an oral infection could easily cause or contribute to a systemic illness.

Here is a link to a tooth and organ chart. It depicts the correlation between specific teeth and various areas of the body. Take a look...
http://toothbody.com/wp-content/uplo...v2.1_rehme.swf

Bryanna

Thank You Bryanna !!!
 

Thank you Bryanna for all your advice,
I spotted your posts some time ago, and finally tomorrow I am going to act on it. My #20, which was root canaled some 18 years ago in Ensenada, Mexico, and has fallen apart a couple times, and apparently the xrays show nerve remains down low and some shadowing indicating infection.

It has been painful at times through the last few years, find myself eating on one side of my mouth though it never got too bad, but this Feb I got diverticulitis and I became very suspicious of the tooth. Now you just posted a link to a chart that indicates this tooth as a "ventilation switch for Vater's divirticulitis"!!! Whatever that means, sounds like a connection to me.

So tomorrow is the big day. I am terrified. I had to look far and wide to find a oral surgeon who spoke the language of "remove the periodontal ligament" and I am in the SF Bay area!!
The one I found has good reviews, and is conservative with the antibiotics and always removes the periodontal ligament, the receptionist reassured me. $350 tops I'm told.

Thing is, I don't want antibiotics no matter what. I was on Flagyl and Bactrim just two months ago and it was an absolute nightmare. I have most faith in naturopathic ways..

I am curious what you think about refusing antibiotics, even if the oral surgeon recommends it?

Also, I read that drilling the socket 1mm-2mm is a good idea, but one dentist told me that the "mental nerve" under #20 makes that very risky. Do you agree?

I am concerned about teeth shifting and all that, but I am an unemployed cash customer, so be it. Feels like the right thing to do at this time.

Again, thank you again for your thoughtful contributions here :)

Hi Ed

I just had a front RC tooth removed yesterday and its right at the front upper 8 so it completely visible. What Bryanna is telling you is correct and the only way to remove the infection is to remove the tooth period without question regardless of what else is done. Bryanna is also correct that the body is connected as a whole and something can effect another thing elsewhere in the body which is called systemic. You need to have the tooth removed along with the area cleaned pero ligament etc, thats the reality.

Hi Jimbo,

Thank you for reading my posts and listening to me rant on about root canals!!! Glad to hear that you are making the connection to your overall health and taking action to get rid of that infected tooth!!!!

During a tooth extraction, it is imperative for the dentist to remove the periodontal ligament and debride the socket by removing as much necrotic tissue and bone as possible. This allows the blood cells to come in and heal without having to deal with remnants of infection. Oral surgeons are apt to do this procedure more thoroughly than general dentists because they have the knowledge, skill, instruments and experience of doing it this way. They also are the ones who re treat the patients after the general dentist has left ligament and/or necrotic bone behind. :/ ALL dentists are trained to extract teeth in this manner.... but for some odd reason, many general dentists do not follow the protocol ://

Yes, the tooth and organ chart is amazing!! I cannot tell you how many people have seen that chart and said.... OMG my teeth are making me sick!! There is a lot to say about Chinese medicine and how sensible it is!

I am not an advocate of taking antibiotics unless absolutely necessary. However, when it comes to bone infection it may be necessary to take them. You will have to go by the surgeons judgement on this one.

Two things you can try if you need to take antibiotics:

Take a pre biotic called Saccharomyces Boulardii 500 mg 2x a day along with
and antibiotic like Culturelle or Kyo Dophilus 2x a day for 2 weeks while on the antibiotic. If you develop intestinal upset after you stop taking this combination, go back on it for another 2 weeks.

It is important to not take the pre and pro biotics within 2 hours of the antibiotic because it would be useless and reduce the effectiveness of the antibiotic. Can take on an empty stomach or with food.

Please check in today and let us know how you are doing :)

Bryanna

Thank you Bryanna,
I really appreciate your support :)
Admittedly I am pretty scared, and today is the big day.
Will keep you posted!

Jimbo!

It's okay to be scared, but I assure you.... it will be okay and your body will thank you for being so brave!!

Look forward to hearing back from you later on...
Bryanna

You do not want dentures
 

Hi I read your post. I've worked for dentists for over 20 years and for the past 8 a periodontist/oral surgeon. Never in 20 years have I heard a patient say I love my dentures. I see people every day trying to reverse there decision to have dentures. Especially on the lover. They do not stay. The lower jaw moves unlike the top which does not and allows for mor stability. Even tho the top may be slightly more secure. Your entire palate is covered you can not taste your food as you did prior to dentures. When you bite into something the back of the upper denture pops down. This might not be a issue the first year but as you loose bone it's sure to follow. Having root canals does not sign you up for dentures. Having bad rct may down the rode lead to loss of those teeth. Having them retreated or redone isn't recommended. It weakens the tooth further and the success rate in cut in half to 50%. To retreat a existing root canal tooth is about the same as having a dental implant. I encourage you to really read and research your decision about this. Once you go into full dentures its so costly to go into a fixed implant\denture case. Doing this the dentist is able to either snap in the denture (the least expensive) or screw down the case (called a hybrid) or full single unit teeth and or bridges on implants. Both the hybrid and snap down case cuts out the palate of the upper denture freeing your palate back up so you can taste your food better. If you like I can go into further depth about why this is not a good idea.

Hi Flkeylargo,

Welcome to neuro talk and the dental forum!

I agree with you in that a complete lower denture "can" be difficult to adjust to and yes it "can" be challenging to get it to fit properly so it does not move around when speaking and chewing. However, some people do not have a choice but to have a removable lower denture because they are either not a candidate for dental implants, cannot afford them or they do not like the idea of having something foreign in their body. I feel it is my obligation as a dental professional to not discourage patients from removing their teeth for fear of the denture not fitting. In fact, I council patients on the benefits of removing their teeth when they first become infected and/or become un-restorable due to severe decay before the infection spreads and the jaw bone deteriorates. There are many factors that go into successfully wearing a complete lower denture and seeking the help of a Prosthodontist to fabricate the denture can be a life saver for many patients. So I believe it is not always a dreaded option for everyone. Perhaps you tend to see mostly patients who have procrastinated on the removal of their teeth and/or getting a lower denture so they complain about the ill fit?? Perhaps those patients need to work with a Prosthodontist :)

Regarding a complete upper denture, I find that most people adapt rather well to wearing their denture. Initially it is scary and challenging ..... of course. But I rarely have seen patients that dread wearing their denture once they have adapted to it. And I have had many denture patients say that they love their dentures because they are actually eating better than they were prior to the dentures because they no longer have tooth pain and they now have the confidence to smile again ;)

I think patients who are good candidates for having dental implants should be offered that option and encouraged to really consider them. There are several different sizes and systems to use and no longer the one size fits all mentality... which is great!

Do you work in a clinical (insurance based) or private (fee for service) dental practice?

Bryanna

Hi Bryanna,
I just started a new thread I hope you can answer. Also just got some interesting info from this one. I am glad to see you mention Dr. Weston Price, I am a big believer in his work. Given that I got my tooth (#22) extracted by a periodontist can I assume he removed the peridontal ligament during the full debridement?

Tooth extraction for RC options during pregnancy
 

Hi Bryanna,

Can you advise on what I should do. I started having pain a week ago with a lower 2nd-to-back tooth that had a RT about 15 years ago. I am 34 weeks pregnant. I saw a dentist yesterday -- he said that he thinks it might be a traumatized tooth/injury to the ligament and to eat soft foods and watch for signs of infection (gums changing and tooth rising upwards). He did not want to take x-rays at this point because of the risk to the fetus. Would you recommend that I try to get x-rays now to determine whether the there is evidence of an RT infection? Or should I wait till after delivery for x-rays? It sounds like the digital x-rays are safer than traditional x-rays. Should I look into tooth extraction now or after delivery of the baby What a stressful thing to have going on while being pregnant.

Thank you,
Cindy

Hi Cindy,

Okay, I am going to be honest with you but it's important that you don't get scared or panic.

You could have some issue going on with a bite problem as your dentist was indicating perhaps you are clenching or grinding your teeth. That could cause this tooth to hurt or feel achey. So the short term remedy for that would be to be aware of yourself and if you are doing that...... stop. Try some meditation and some quiet time to settle down your nerves... also helpful.

What your dentist failed to inform you about is the fact that all root canaled teeth are not healthy. They harbor infected nerve material inside the tiny canals that cannot be reached or cleaned out during the root canal procedure. So this tooth does have a problem in spite of any other issues that may be going on with your mouth. It is not unusual for rc teeth to act up during pregnancy or during other compromising times.

I would suggest that you consult with an oral surgeon about this tooth because he may think it's best to take an xray to evaluate the health of the bone. You could also call your OB and ask him/her for the clear to have the xray. You would be fully draped with a lead apron and a lead collar when they take the xray. Yes, digital is less radiation overall but regular xrays are not that much higher. The amount of radiation in one xray is less than if you were to go outside for 5 minutes. This could help determine if the tooth needs attention now or later.

I don't think it's wise to just wait and see what happens. Some signs of bone infection are fever, swelling, and a fistula (pimple) below the tooth. But often these signs do not show until the infection is severe.

If you were my daughter, I would say have it evaluated further.

I hope this is helpful to you! And congrats on your pregnancy!!!

Bryanna

Hello,

I am new to the site and would love to pick your brain on some things Bryanna. I think because I am a new member it is not letting me just pm you.

I have a cracked molar that needs a crown or an onlay and possibly a root canal. I've had the cracked tooth now for 3 years. I just avoid chewing on it and it does not give me any problems then. I know I need to deal with it someday. I am leaning towards getting it extracted. Because, the crack is somewhere inside the tooth, it is not on the exterior of the tooth and it is so, so painful when I have work done on it. The cracked area just does not numb. I had it refilled twice and reshaped a lot of times until the dentists said it must be cracked and that is why it's painful to chew. All those times I had it worked on it is terrible pain. Anyway, if the tooth is not infected when I have it removed, should I still get the ligament removed as well as surrounding tissue? Or is that the only protocol needed for infected teeth to be removed?

Hi Ellethwyn,

Regarding the crack in your tooth. Sometimes a crown is all that is necessary to resolve the problem. It all depends on the location of the crack and how and deep it is. Placing a filling in a tooth that is known to be cracked can put further stress on the tooth whereas the crown can protect the tooth and in a way hold it together. But again, it depends on the issues that I have mentioned. If the crack is deep, near the pulp, or very large causing weakness in other areas of the tooth....then there is no dental treatment or restoration that will solve that problem.

Regarding the removal of the periodontal ligament following the extraction of a tooth..... irrelevant of whether the tooth is infected or not, it is important that the ligament and any necrotic tissue/bone be scraped out. Leaving these things behind may result in inflammation, infection and prevent the bone from healing completely. These conditions could also cause a dental implant to fail in the future. The ligament serves a purpose when the tooth is in the jaw as it acts like an elastic band holding the tooth in the bone allowing the tooth to be somewhat flexible when we chew. It also provides nourishment and protection to a live tooth. When the tooth is removed the ligament will not serve a purpose any longer and it will become necrotic tissue eventually inflaming the surrounding area.

I would suggest that you consult an oral surgeon for the removal of the tooth as it may need to be taken out in a few pieces and they are better equipped than general dentists are to handle that with less stress on you and your jaw. Although all dentists know to perform a thorough removal ... they don't necessarily do that every time. So I always suggest to patients to inform the surgeon that you want the extraction to be as thorough as possible and remove the ligament.

If you are contemplating a dental implant.....
If the bone is not infected you may be a candidate to have an immediate implant placed at the time of the extraction of the tooth. This should be discussed with the surgeon at your consultation appointment.

I hope this information is helpful to you. Feel free to ask more questions if you need to.

Bryanna

Thank you, I really appreciate it. I plan on seeing an oral surgeon for any future extractions, and I'm glad to hear that they will know what I want when I request a full proper removal of the tooth and ligament.

I really do want to save the tooth, hopefully I will muster up enough courage to get the crown or onlay someday. Have you heard of someone experiencing pain while having a cracked tooth drilled? The rest of the tooth is numb, but when the dentist drilled that spot where the suspected crack is, it hurts very bad.

Ellethwyn,

If the cracked portion of the tooth does not get numb from the anesthetic it may indicate that the tooth is cracked further than it can be seen or picked up on the x-ray. Or it may be cracked near the pulp. If that is the case, then a crown will not solve the problem.

Bryanna

root canals
 

so trying to piece together all the information. What if you have tooth with an old root canal that is asymptomatic (done 40 years ago, has never been problematic). Is it harboring dangerous bacteria? Should it be extracted?

Confused:eek:

Hi Azaleagal
 

I have the same issue as you do. I have one old RC tooth. I also harbor a number of auto immune diseases. In theory, I would be healthier if I had the old RC tooth removed. Once my current dental bill is paid down, I may just do that. ginnie

Hi azaleagal,

All root canaled teeth are chronically inflamed and harbor infected, necrotic nerve tissue. Firstly because there is just no access to the tiny microscopic canals to remove the tissue. Secondly, teeth are living body parts. Like all other areas of the body, teeth require blood to nourish the nerves and keep them vital and healthy. During the root canal procedure, the blood vessel that supplies the nourishment to the tooth is completely cut off rendering the tooth non vital. The surrounding bone, ligaments, nerves also become deprived of the proper nourishment as ischemia sets in.

Root canaled teeth that were done 15+ years ago also harbor formocresol as this toxin was used to disinfect the large canals of the tooth. Many dentists actually leave a cotton pellet soaked in formocresol inside of the tooth in between root canal visits... some even indefinitely. Never is it a wise idea to have formocresol placed anyplace in or on the body of a live person.

Asymptomatic generally means very little when it comes to many dental problems. As you have found out with tooth #30 developing the fistula after 25 years.

Some other examples of silent dental problems ....
Periodontal disease. Most obvious symptoms do not occur until the infection has spread resulting in bone loss, mobility of teeth, deep pocketing and bleeding gums.

Abscessed teeth. This is the result of bacteria that has built up over a period of time. When the immune system can no longer deal with it, the area/tooth shows signs of a problem.

Decayed teeth. Unless the decay is deep enough to cause sensitivity or pain... most of the time there are no other symptoms.

I'm sorry to be the one to tell you all of this...... but it is important for everyone to be properly informed and the only way to do that is to be descriptive.

Bryanna

Hi Bryanna
 

Just wanted to say hello. Thank you for the offer of help with medical conditions. My ankle as I have said was really bad. After a number of years in pain I had an MRI. Why my original doctor didn't do this I have no idea. He took my walking away from me by an incorrect DX. I wanted to get it fixed with tendon transfers but my PN was at risk if I did it( or CPRS). So I healed wrong. I have had intensive PT, and have healed as good as it is going to get. All is better at this moment, and I am walking much better, with little pain unless I over do it. I believe binding of the ankle was not good for it. I went against the doctor in this instance. When you keep it from movement, you give up on the joint. I did the opposite, and worked on the PT.
I am a believer in the PT now, for all my DJD. My hands are in bad shape but I try to stay mobile. As an artist, I hate to give up the use of my hands. I guess if you saw them you would think I had the worst form of arthritis. Not pretty to look at. As a mother of two, I did overdo it with the art in order to survive. I was in sculpture most of my life. Spinal fusions were also the result of over working, looking down through a magnifier for 25 years.

Looking down, lifting heavy displays for the shows, over work in the hands is what happened to me. I have NO regrets, I was blessed to have the talent that allowed me a decent life with my children.

Still working on art, but very slowly. No more than 30 minutes as a stretch. All is well and I am holding steady. The other auto immune stuff is there, but doesn't appear at this time to be getting worse. Each day I have where the pain isn't so bad is a gift I take full advantage of.

Thank you for wanting to know how I am. Truly you are a gift to the folks inquiring about dental issues. Keep telling the truth Bryanna. So many dental so called experts, do not do right by a patient. Not telling the whole truth is damaging to those especially with compromised immune systems. The injury to the body from systemic infections cannot be understated. The mouth is so important to good health.

Be good to yourself Bryanna, and give me a catch up post about yourself. Let me know how your life is going . xginnie:D