Nov
Hi Dr. Copeland,
I was hoping I could maybe talk to you about a root canal problem I’ve been having. I’m 28 years old, but when I was six, my front tooth was knocked out. I had a root canal done right away, and although it had a few problems along the way – discoloration, a chip, a veneer put on –I haven’t thought too much about it since.
Five years ago, I started having severe health problems — fibromyalgia, UTIs, hypothyroid, neck pain, teeth grinding tmj, headaches…. My doctors (an endocrinologist and a chiropractor) and I believe it started from a vaccine, because the symptoms exploded with a week of getting a shot. This whole experience definitely colored the way I view certain established medical practices, and I’ve done my best to recover holistically.
This spring, however, I saw a “regular” dentist about my tmj. He took an x-ray and saw that my front tooth root canal is badly infected, but he didn’t know for how long. He sent me to an endodontist who recommended I have my root canal redone.
My chiropractor is very skeptical of root canals, and he suggests I shouldn’t pursue the procedure right now. I understand they can be problematic, but at the same time, I feel like if I can get this fixed, maybe some of my underlining health problems will be alleviated.
If you have any advice or guidance on this issue, I’d love to chat about it.
Thank you!!
Dear A.S,
There is a lot of controversy about the root canals and their systemic effects. This I think is because many folks do pretty well with them, and they do indeed allow one to “keep” a tooth. The studies concentrate on what the tissues look like radiographically on x-ray, and clinically around the tooth.
I’ve done a lot of root canals as a traditional dentist, if there weren’t an excellent root canal specialist in Santa Barbara, I might still do the occasional one. However, I am skeptical as to whether they are the ubiquitous answer to the sick tooth they are claimed to be because: We can’t remove all the living tissue from the root system. What is left dies and the body has then to deal with it. Will it “handle” the dead tissue? Will the body spend some effort fighting it as a foreign object?
We do know there are really really nasty anaerobic bacteria in them sometimes. For the person who is compromised or is going to take an immunological “hit”, can it put them over the edge? Can it be just one more thing the body has to fight chronically? I say yes.
One environmental physician patient of mine put it best, “there is no tooth worth compromising my health or how I feel.” Okay, when it’s a front tooth, that’s a heavy decision to have it removed. But removing it may be the only option. After the removal we look for healing with the placement of a very imperfect “flipper” most likely. After healing there are bridge and implant options, which when well done can be very good looking, and are so much better than being sick or worrying whether the tooth is compromising one’s health.
What would work in your case? Talk with an alternative physician and a good dentist who is open minded. If you would like us to examine the situation, Barbara would be happy to help you get started.
Hope this answers some of your questions. I wish you good health.
Sincerely,
Dr. C