They are the two words that no patient wants to hear while sitting in the dental chair: root canal. The root canal procedure, which is used to save a badly infected or decayed tooth, involves removing the nerve and pulp inside a tooth and cleaning and sealing it, thus preventing the tissue surrounding the tooth to become infected or abscesses to form. If you’ve ever experienced the pain, sensitivity, and swelling that is usually a precursor to a root canal, you might have found the procedure a relief. There are, however, some dangers associated with having a root canal, and, as such, many holistic dentists and health care professionals are recommending using alternatives to a root canal when at all possible.
According to Dr. George Meinig, DDS, a retired endodontist and founder of the American Association of Endodontists and author of Root Canal Cover-Up, when a root canal is performed, bacteria become entrenched in the structure of the tooth causing chronic degenerative diseases such as circulatory and heart diseases and diseased of the joints and arthritis. Fortunately, there are some alternatives to this painful and often costly procedure that can help protect your health.
Extraction
Dr. Irineo Marvin Pantangco, III, the inventor of the BreathDr System and dentist at the Center of Natural Dentistry, says that the only truly safe alternative to a root canal is an extraction. He agrees with Dr. Meinig’s theory that even the root canal itself can be a dangerous option because, when a root canal is performed on a tooth, the roots aren’t completely filled or sterilized. Therefore, bacteria are sealed into the tooth by the root canal. Because blood flow can’t reach the trapped bacteria and flush it away, the infection can end up causing other problems.
Of course, while extraction is a less-expensive alternative to a root canal, it also necessitates replacing the tooth by some other method such as a bridge or implant. Otherwise, problems such as TMJ can result, not to mention the patient is left with a hole in his or her mouth and can no longer chew in that area.
Medication
If you’ve ever called your dentist with a throbbing tooth, he or she likely prescribed you an oral antibiotic and pain reliever to heal the infection inside the tooth before a root canal was performed. For a good number of patients, the antibiotic provides temporary relief, but, for some, that medication can become a permanent fix and, once the infection is relieved, it never recurs.
Adhesives
Some dentists are avoiding root canals in patients by using adhesives to seal the exposed nerve. If the nerve is already infected, this procedure isn’t a possibility, but, if the nerve isn’t yet infected, the dentist can clean the exposed nerve area thoroughly and then seal it. The same liquid plastic that contact lenses are made out of is used to seal the nerve and the tooth, thus removing any future sensitivity. Dr. Michael Teitelbaum, a New York dentist who uses adhesive therapy told Web MD that a good number of dentists don’t use adhesive therapy because older methods had such a high failure rate. Now, however, with newer and better adhesives being introduced, this is becoming a more viable alternative. Plus, if the adhesive fails, the worst-case scenario is that the patient ends up having the root canal they would have had to have anyway. Because the adhesive procedure is inexpensive, Dr. Teitelbaum says most patients see very little downside to at least trying the procedure.
Sedative Filling
For a cavity that is extremely close to the nerve, where sensitivity is present but infection isn’t, the dentist might recommend a sedative filling instead of a root canal. After the cavity has been removed and thoroughly cleaned, the dentist applies medication to the tooth and places a temporary filling. If the sensitivity and pain go away, a permanent filling is then placed. If the pain continues, however, it’s a sign that a root canal might be a better course of action. As with the adhesive, there is little downside to trying the sedative filling before moving forward with a root canal or extraction.
Dietary Changes
While there is little evidence of healing tooth problems with changes to the diet, there are testimonials from patients of tooth decay and pain being healed by dietary changes — and there is little doubt that dietary changes can help prevent future tooth decay and sensitivity. (See our post on Nutrition and Oral Health.) If you are interested in exploring this option, dietary guidelines for healing infection include eliminating all processed sugar, avoiding all flour products, and eating raw milk from pasture-raised animals, and raw, yellow butter. See also the book Cure Tooth Decay for more tips.
If an alternative treatment such as dietary change, medication, adhesive, or sedative filling works for you, that is wonderful. If not, talk with your dentist about whether a root canal or extraction is a better way to go for your personal health.
Anonymous really nailed it. Sure you can try alternatives, but 99% of the time a root canal really is your best option.
3mix-mp has shown propylene glycol has better effect as an antibiotic carrier than di-water, penetrating the entire dentin, and once the infection is killed, the dentin re-mineralizes. Problem solved. Now if we could just get a dentist in the United States to stop watching Fox Noise, maybe we’d get somewhere…because from this patient’s point of view the status quo and root canal fees will cover up the truth for another fifteen years…teeth can heal and regenerate & re-mineralize the infected dentin. Dentists in other parts of the world have been using this for years, why not here?
All i see are “not enough in vivo study,” or, “people MIGHT be allergic to the anti-biotics,” as reasons not to do it…and no endodontist will try it in California because it’s not proven?
This smacks of how they knew medical marijuana had effects on cancer but continue to say there’s no such thing as medical marijuana (US government took out patent a few years ago on cannbinoids against cancer, so don’t tell me they didn’t know).
I live in the richest country on earth, but they’re just a bunch of money hungry witch-doctors here, identity over science. protecting the status quo…?
Why is it so difficult to get a dentist to agree, with release of liability, to use a bed of antibiotics, instead of eugenol? but they say, since my license was issued here, I have to follow their rules. Justification for turning an entire generations’ molars into cement posts when they should continue to live.
This “standard of care” sucks.
Your alternatives are not panaceas . Extraction leads to implants or bridges. 15 % of teeth prepared for bridges need RCT therapy. Implants although highly successful are extremely expensive and incur risks( infections, parasthesia..). Root canals do fail but a majority are still the most conservative and prudent option
Another thing is truly determining whether you have a root canal. My dentist originally suspected I may have needed one, but a visit to my physician revealed that I had a horrible sinus infection instead.