Root Canal or Pull the tooth?

[Bo]

So I just came from the dentist, he took a x-ray picture to check out what is going on and it looked something like this(note: not my actual tooth but a picture from google - though mine had a bigger blackish area):

He told me the best way to deal with this was a root canal, since he guaranteed me that even if the pain is gone now it will come back eventually. So I asked about the costs of the root canal, and yeah...that is probally gonna cost me between 400 and 1200 euros, which I can't afford and my insurance won't cover it, since I already maxed out for this year due to fillings and filling replacements in Februari.

So the second option was to remove the tooth, but he didn't recommend that since I was still young he said. Well ok. Third option was to wait until next year and then do the root canal so that my insurance can cover it.

I talked with him also about Metronidazole and he said ''Even if I prescribe you metro, it won't solve your main problem, only the pain in the end, so it won't work.''

In any case in the end I told him that I needed some time to think about it before making any final decisions.(I think the best option is to wait until next year then)

I've had at least root-canal procedures, the last just six months ago (no crown on this one), another seven years ago, another before that, and none have ever been a perciptible problem for me, but then again, the claim is that bacteria they may protect actually spread bodily. Interestingly, the same endodontist did all my procedures, across all these years -- he does nothing else all day every day. I call his shop a "root-canal factory," which I estimated takes in nearly three million dollars per year for just three doctors, four assistants, and three front-desk personnel. It's quite a business.

It's inspiring to read that a root canal didn't cause you any problems. Though initially it made me paranoid because of these SOTT articles:

Root Canals: The horrible truth revealed

The hidden dangers of root canals you don't know about

Dr. Weston A. Price literally wrote the book on root canal dangers way back in 1922. His work was pooh-poohed by the ADA back then too. Since then, others have substantiated his work, which showed that root canals are linked to immune diseases including Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Root Canals Destructive to Health - Why Would You Want A Dead Tooth in Your Mouth for Life?

 

[Laura]

Well, maybe you need to learn about the autoimmune protocol with Metronidazole and try an online pharmacy? That certainly might solve the whole thing and a lot more.

 

[Bo]

Well, maybe you need to learn about the autoimmune protocol with Metronidazole and try an online pharmacy? That certainly might solve the whole thing and a lot more.

Will do, since the data provided in that thread so far is very promising.

 

[Mrs.Tigersoap]

In some cases root canals are the way to go but not always. Since you are no longer in pain at the moment, perhaps you can read the book Cure Tooth Decay by Ramiel Nagel. He makes some very interesting observations regarding root canals, etc. and what to consider before taking the plunge. It's available in Kindle format if you don't have time to wait for a delivery.

 

[Bo]

In some cases root canals are the way to go but not always. Since you are no longer in pain at the moment, perhaps you can read the book Cure Tooth Decay by Ramiel Nagel. He makes some very interesting observations regarding root canals, etc. and what to consider before taking the plunge. It's available in Kindle format if you don't have time to wait for a delivery.

Thanks, looking forward to read it.

 

[Laura]

Yes, you definitely need to get pro-active right now during this reprieve. Left alone, it WILL come back...

 

[lilyalic]

After reading this thread I realize it's important to try and save a tooth.

I went to the emergency dentist yesterday after having throbbing pain, and was given 2 options; drill my filling out and give a temporary or pull the tooth. They wouldn't even give me an X-ray.
Regardless, I would have to find a registered dentist with the temporary filling in.
I said I didn't want either doing, and asked for antibiotics because I knew it was an infection.

I was prescribed Amoxicillin. I managed to get a dentist today, and they x-rayed it. They nearly ended up doing the wrong tooth actually.. the dentist drilled out my filling to get a "closer look" after the x-ray not showing much. He found that the nerve/tooth has died, and there's infection. When I had the amalgams replaced last year, the private dentist had placed the filling too close to my nerve but put a protective layer there, this must have gave way.

He's gave me an appointment for in 2 weeks to "attempt" a root canal - but said if he can't do it, then I'd have to go to a private dentist. Already I've spent £40+ on the 2 appointments I've had, and the next appointment will be £50+ (depending on what happens). He cannot guarantee this procedure will work because my root isn't easy (it's a back molar at the top). It will take up to an hour, and I absolutely hate the dentist now having so much done. It's so traumatic the drilling etc/ I get very upset. He's also prescribed Amoxicillin. If I have to go private, the root canal treatment will be around £250. Due to current issues and many other things, I literally could not afford this.
I don't know whether to go through with the attempted root canal, with it costing money - and then be put at a risk of having to pay £250.
Even if I wanted the tooth removed, that would be £100.

This is all extremely stressful because there's time off work I'll have to take with the amount of pain I'm in and the treatment that needs doing. I'm considering just having it pulled out, although I've had 2 teeth removed in the past couple of years (both bottom molars) due to an abscess and not being able to afford the alternative treatments.

Any advice will be much appreciated!

 

[Bo]

After reading this thread I realize it's important to try and save a tooth.

I went to the emergency dentist yesterday after having throbbing pain, and was given 2 options; drill my filling out and give a temporary or pull the tooth. They wouldn't even give me an X-ray.
Regardless, I would have to find a registered dentist with the temporary filling in.
I said I didn't want either doing, and asked for antibiotics because I knew it was an infection.

Hi Lilyalic I sure know the experience of a throbbing pain! However I can share you my experience, maybe that will help. After having experienced something similar as you I did some research on mouthwash and toothpaste. I then bought the following 2 items:

PerioBrite Mouthwash and Auromere Herbal Toothpaste

After using that mouthwash (I am using it for 4 months now - twice a day) I feel like my teeth have become stronger then steel. The first time I used it it was painful and burned a lot, the more I kept using it the liquid was no longer painful but just became normal.

Since then not even the slightest of pain has entered my mouth, even the tooth my dentist wanted to perform a root canal on feels like titanium now.

Now my own observation is that mouthwash did something that cleared up a lot of issues in my mouth(not sure if this is REALLY true but the results are clear anyway) , but at the same time I also spend more time on oral hygiëne. (I take better care of my teeth now then I did the past 20 years combined).

So you could try what I did and see if it can help you as well. But it's also important to know how you take care of your teeth. Do you know how? Do you also use supplements that support the teeth(like cod liver oil)?

I really recommend the book that was suggested here Cure Tooth Decay by Ramiel Nagel, that is where I got the inspiration from to take better care of my teeth atleast. There is A LOT of valuable information in there, you should really check it out if you haven't yet.

Does Your Tooth Need a Root Canal?

A root canal is a heroic last resort treatment to spare removal of a tooth whose life has otherwise
ended. A root canal is performed to clean up dangerous material and swelling that is not healing
naturally. Without severe pain or inflammation, your tooth, while it may have a cavity, is still
probably in relatively good health. So you do not want to remove the top of it and gut its insides
unless there is no other option left.

A majority of root canals are unnecessary. I do not recommend or encourage the treatment. However
in a case where there is absolutely no other choice, you will need to decide with your dentist and
health practitioner if you want to try a carefully executed root canal or extract the tooth. If you are not
in the situation of “there is no other choice,” then you do not need a root canal. A root canal is not
usually needed with cracked teeth that can be bonded together or in the case of inflamed areas near a
tooth that could be a gum infection, not a tooth infection. If your tooth has never had a dental
treatment, and it has not been severely traumatized then there is a very high likelihood that you do not
need a root canal. If your tooth is inflamed, the inflammation can be treated with a good diet and
herbs. Holistically oriented dentists also have tools to calm an infection, such as homeopathic
injections and lasers to stimulate healing. If you have been told that you need a root canal but you do
not feel any sort of pain, swelling or inflammation, then you more than likely do not need this dental
treatment.

My concluding advice when considering whether to get a root canal is to ask yourself, “Does my
body really need this treatment?” and, “Would a root canal contribute to my improved health?”

 

[lilyalic]

Hi Bo, thank you very much for the advice.

As I've had the filling drilled out and had a temporary one placed, I don't think I have a choice whether to go through with a root canal treatment or get the tooth extracted.

Does Your Tooth Need a Root Canal?

A root canal is a heroic last resort treatment to spare removal of a tooth whose life has otherwise
ended. A root canal is performed to clean up dangerous material and swelling that is not healing
naturally. Without severe pain or inflammation, your tooth, while it may have a cavity, is still
probably in relatively good health. So you do not want to remove the top of it and gut its insides
unless there is no other option left.

A majority of root canals are unnecessary. I do not recommend or encourage the treatment. However
in a case where there is absolutely no other choice, you will need to decide with your dentist and
health practitioner if you want to try a carefully executed root canal or extract the tooth. If you are not
in the situation of “there is no other choice,” then you do not need a root canal. A root canal is not
usually needed with cracked teeth that can be bonded together or in the case of inflamed areas near a
tooth that could be a gum infection, not a tooth infection. If your tooth has never had a dental
treatment, and it has not been severely traumatized then there is a very high likelihood that you do not
need a root canal. If your tooth is inflamed, the inflammation can be treated with a good diet and
herbs. Holistically oriented dentists also have tools to calm an infection, such as homeopathic
injections and lasers to stimulate healing. If you have been told that you need a root canal but you do
not feel any sort of pain, swelling or inflammation, then you more than likely do not need this dental
treatment.

This particular tooth has been filled with mercury when I was a kid, then last year had the mercury removed and replaced with white ones. Now the dentist is saying the tooth is dead, I think it is necessary that I had it removed/ root canal. Although I really don't think I can afford the latter.
I did read this thread before going to the dentist, but since being in so much pain with it I really couldn't leave it anymore.

 

[Laura]

If you have a temp filling and an antibiotic, try the mouthwash and toothpaste and hold off. I had a temporary filling once that lasted 25 years.

Also, with dental issues like this, you might want to peruse the "Autoimmune diseases caused by infection" thread because dental problems are associated with such.

 

[lilyalic]

If you have a temp filling and an antibiotic, try the mouthwash and toothpaste and hold off. I had a temporary filling once that lasted 25 years.

Also, with dental issues like this, you might want to peruse the "Autoimmune diseases caused by infection" thread because dental problems are associated with such.

OK - I've purchased the tooth paste & mouthwash from the states.
Think I'll be contacting Gaby via her website for the protocol.

Thank you!

 

[LQB]

Another thing you might try (to go on the attack from the inside) is:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010BIHNO6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

 

[H-KQGE]

Just to add to the post above... if that product is unavailable (in the future) then you can try this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lauricidin-227g-8oz-week-supply/dp/B004I8SMOQ/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1442931386&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=ultimate+monolaurin

It's currently unavailable at the .com site but is available on the .co.uk one. That said the better option is the one from LQB's post which is over twice the amount in the product in this post. Dunno accurate conversion rates (dollar to pound sterling) but it's £30 in the UK site. But I couldn't find the the other product on the UK site. Still, nice to have good (and safe) options for a change.

 

[lilyalic]

Thanks for the recommended book Bo, didn't see it yesterday!
I've been doing coconut oil &peppermint/tea tree oil pulling twice a day

Another thing you might try (to go on the attack from the inside) is:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010BIHNO6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

Just to add to the post above... if that product is unavailable (in the future) then you can try this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lauricidin-227g-8oz-week-supply/dp/B004I8SMOQ/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1442931386&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=ultimate+monolaurin

It's currently unavailable at the .com site but is available on the .co.uk one. That said the better option is the one from LQB's post which is over twice the amount in the product in this post. Dunno accurate conversion rates (dollar to pound sterling) but it's £30 in the UK site. But I couldn't find the the other product on the UK site. Still, nice to have good (and safe) options for a change.

Thanks LQB & Ascien, I'll purchase this when I can :)

 

[Mikey]

He found that the nerve/tooth has died, and there's infection. When I had the amalgams replaced last year, the private dentist had placed the filling too close to my nerve but put a protective layer there, this must have gave way.

Deciding which option is best requires your own knowledge about tooth anatomy, what works, what can go wrong etc., and a good communication basis with a knowledgeable and caring dentist. It seems you were sent away with too quick explanations about what is wrong with your tooth. The statement "nerve/tooth has died" is oversimplified IMO since a tooth has a complex anatomy: there is enamel, dentin, pulp, nerves, bones, gums, different cell types, regenerative potentials etc. Maybe you should delay treatment as long as possible and try to find another, better dentist, and gain more information and treatment options in the meantime.

Here for example is an article about pulp exposure treatments (this might (!) have happened to you based on what you said above):

Management of the deep carious lesion and the vital pulp dentine complex
http://www.nature.com/bdj/journal/v191/n11/pdf/4801246a.pdf

This article describes the relationship between the carious process and pulp-dentine complex reactions. Where the balance between the two is in favour of the carious process and where conventional cavity preparation leads to a direct pulp exposure, the direct pulp cap technique is described.