Do I Really Need A Root Canal? by Dr. Robert O. Nara

[Guest guest]

http://www.mizar5.com/root.htm

 

A root canal? --Sounds painful - for sure, expensive... What's it

really all about?

 

Several thousand people have asked about the need (?) for this type of

dental treatment. It's an honest question, so let's see what an honest

answer looks like.

 

First, please, a little background:

 

Teeth are " tough " on the outside, but inside they have a soft core

called a nerve chamber. This inner core is made up of nerve tissue and

blood vessels that feed the nerve.

 

Serious irritation of the nerve can be caused by deep decay; or perhaps

having a deep filling as a result of that decay, or an injury to the tooth.

 

If a nerve degenerates completely the tissues die and gangrene develops.

The nerve chamber may also become infected in some cases.

 

This condition, a devital (de-vitalize, 'dead' ) nerve, usually leads

eventually to infection with its resulting pain and swelling. We must be

very careful to point out here, however, that just because pain and

swelling occur does not necessarily mean a root canal is required.

 

Literally millions of root canals have been done when in reality there

was no need for this procedure.

 

This is because the dental profession frequently misconstrues gum tissue

abscesses as being nerve abscesses. Gum tissue infection can be healed

and the problem might be resolved without having a root canal.

 

The biggest problem here stems from the dental profession's

over-zealousness in prescribing root canals. There is obviously some

economic pressure behind this zeal: Dentists' motive in prescribing the

root canal is certainly at least in part because they are expensive.

 

On the other hand, a gum abscess can generally be cleared up either by

cleaning out the space where the infection exists --which the patient,

in most cases, can do for himself if told how --or, in more serious

cases, by judicious use of an antibiotic. Either way it is far less

expensive, more simple and probably better for natural long-run health

than the root canal alternative.

 

How do you differentiate between a gum abscess and a nerve abscess?

 

Well, it simply isn't always so easy to do, but: If in doubt, try the

easier self-help method first. This method uses an irrigating device

(cannulae tip adapter), available from OraMedia, to flush out the

infection. The device fits on the Via-jet oral irrigator unit.

 

To know if you are getting good results, watch the symptoms. If the

pain and swelling begin to go away, quite likely you are hitting at the

root of the problem. If symptoms persist, it may be that professional

care is necessary.

 

Either way, your mouth will undoubtedly benefit from the added cleaning.

(Be sure to do a lot of rinsing with warm, almost hot, salt water

solution.)

 

Before you submit yourself for a root canal, make sure that you really

need it...

 

You can tell a lot about this yourself. For example, if a tooth has

recently darkened in color in comparison to adjacent teeth, this is

usually an indication that nerve damage has occurred.

 

If the tooth is sensitive to heat but relieved by cold -- if hotter

liquid, for example, makes it hurt and colder liquid seems to ease or

eliminate the pain -- this generally points to nerve damage, but not

always.

 

Similarly, if the tooth is sensitive to pressure (as in pushing it

toward the jawbone with a fingertip), this is another indicator of

possible nerve damage... but again, it's not conclusive.

 

Following a period of extra-careful cleaning with a soft toothbrush,

lots of salt water, and, if at all possible, use of the special cannula

tip and your irrigator -- if the symptoms persist and both above tests

indicate " trouble " you may need to see a dentist.

 

Before anything is done... insist on a thorough diagnosis of the

situation. If a dentist has been consulted to help determine the need

for a root canal, be sure the following steps are taken:

 

1. Careful visual exam of the teeth (looking for color change).

 

2. Checking for temperature sensitivity (hot/cold). Note: A more

thorough discussion of this whole matter can be found in the book How To

Become Dentally Self-Sufficient <http://mizar5.com/mm.html>.

 

3. Observing any additional sensitivity to pressure; either from biting,

tapping or pushing on the suspect tooth.

 

4. Carefully X-Raying the area(s) in question. Don't allow the dentist

to prescribe a root canal only from X-Ray diagnosis, because they are

often non conclusive in this regard. Many teeth that " showed need, " on

X-Ray, for root canal treatment, subsequently healed without it.

 

5. The tooth should be checked with an electronic nerve tester: A

simple device that measures the nerve's ability to react to a mild

electrical stimulus.

 

If your dentist has not checked the nerve in this way... and is

recommending a root canal... it would be best for you to discuss this

with the dentist. If he does not readily offer to do the test - do not,

under any circumstances, permit the start of root canal treatment ...

 

...because, once treatment begins, you are totally commited: You

cannot change your mind and 'back out' halfway through the treatment.

 

If all five methods of checking all heavily indicate the need for a root

canal you can be about 99% sure it's necessary.

 

If any one or two of the indicators are not conclusive it's generally

best to wait for a while. In many cases the situation will " settle

down'' and resolve itself.

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

, Naomi Giuliano

<crunky@n...> wrote:

> http://www.mizar5.com/root.htm

>

> A root canal? --Sounds painful - for sure, expensive... What's it

> really all about?

>

> Several thousand people have asked about the need (?) for this type of

> dental treatment. It's an honest question, so let's see what an honest

> answer looks like.

>

> First, please, a little background:

>

> Teeth are " tough " on the outside, but inside they have a soft core

> called a nerve chamber. This inner core is made up of nerve tissue and

> blood vessels that feed the nerve.

>

> Serious irritation of the nerve can be caused by deep decay; or perhaps

> having a deep filling as a result of that decay, or an injury to the

tooth.

>

> If a nerve degenerates completely the tissues die and gangrene

develops.

> The nerve chamber may also become infected in some cases.

>

> This condition, a devital (de-vitalize, 'dead' ) nerve, usually leads

> eventually to infection with its resulting pain and swelling. We

must be

> very careful to point out here, however, that just because pain and

> swelling occur does not necessarily mean a root canal is required.

>

> Literally millions of root canals have been done when in reality there

> was no need for this procedure.

>

> This is because the dental profession frequently misconstrues gum

tissue

> abscesses as being nerve abscesses. Gum tissue infection can be healed

> and the problem might be resolved without having a root canal.

>

> The biggest problem here stems from the dental profession's

> over-zealousness in prescribing root canals. There is obviously some

> economic pressure behind this zeal: Dentists' motive in prescribing the

> root canal is certainly at least in part because they are expensive.

>

> On the other hand, a gum abscess can generally be cleared up either by

> cleaning out the space where the infection exists --which the patient,

> in most cases, can do for himself if told how --or, in more serious

> cases, by judicious use of an antibiotic. Either way it is far less

> expensive, more simple and probably better for natural long-run health

> than the root canal alternative.

>

> How do you differentiate between a gum abscess and a nerve abscess?

>

> Well, it simply isn't always so easy to do, but: If in doubt, try the

> easier self-help method first. This method uses an irrigating device

> (cannulae tip adapter), available from OraMedia, to flush out the

> infection. The device fits on the Via-jet oral irrigator unit.

>

> To know if you are getting good results, watch the symptoms. If the

> pain and swelling begin to go away, quite likely you are hitting at the

> root of the problem. If symptoms persist, it may be that professional

> care is necessary.

>

> Either way, your mouth will undoubtedly benefit from the added

cleaning.

> (Be sure to do a lot of rinsing with warm, almost hot, salt water

> solution.)

>

> Before you submit yourself for a root canal, make sure that you really

> need it...

>

> You can tell a lot about this yourself. For example, if a tooth has

> recently darkened in color in comparison to adjacent teeth, this is

> usually an indication that nerve damage has occurred.

>

> If the tooth is sensitive to heat but relieved by cold -- if hotter

> liquid, for example, makes it hurt and colder liquid seems to ease or

> eliminate the pain -- this generally points to nerve damage, but not

> always.

>

> Similarly, if the tooth is sensitive to pressure (as in pushing it

> toward the jawbone with a fingertip), this is another indicator of

> possible nerve damage... but again, it's not conclusive.

>

> Following a period of extra-careful cleaning with a soft toothbrush,

> lots of salt water, and, if at all possible, use of the special cannula

> tip and your irrigator -- if the symptoms persist and both above tests

> indicate " trouble " you may need to see a dentist.

>

> Before anything is done... insist on a thorough diagnosis of the

> situation. If a dentist has been consulted to help determine the need

> for a root canal, be sure the following steps are taken:

>

> 1. Careful visual exam of the teeth (looking for color change).

>

> 2. Checking for temperature sensitivity (hot/cold). Note: A more

> thorough discussion of this whole matter can be found in the book

How To

> Become Dentally Self-Sufficient <http://mizar5.com/mm.html>.

>

> 3. Observing any additional sensitivity to pressure; either from

biting,

> tapping or pushing on the suspect tooth.

>

> 4. Carefully X-Raying the area(s) in question. Don't allow the dentist

> to prescribe a root canal only from X-Ray diagnosis, because they are

> often non conclusive in this regard. Many teeth that " showed need, " on

> X-Ray, for root canal treatment, subsequently healed without it.

>

> 5. The tooth should be checked with an electronic nerve tester: A

> simple device that measures the nerve's ability to react to a mild

> electrical stimulus.

>

> If your dentist has not checked the nerve in this way... and is

> recommending a root canal... it would be best for you to discuss this

> with the dentist. If he does not readily offer to do the test - do

not,

> under any circumstances, permit the start of root canal treatment ...

>

> ...because, once treatment begins, you are totally commited: You

> cannot change your mind and 'back out' halfway through the treatment.

>

> If all five methods of checking all heavily indicate the need for a

root

> canal you can be about 99% sure it's necessary.

>

> If any one or two of the indicators are not conclusive it's generally

> best to wait for a while. In many cases the situation will " settle

> down'' and resolve itself.

 

 

 

My response,

 

You overlooked one very important item. The nerve of the

tooth is there to provide nourishment to the internal structure. When

the nerve dies eventualy everything else connected dies also. People

do not realize that dental care today is focused on prevention.

Preventing teeth from falling out persay. If you let a tooth die

without proper care you run the risk of developing severe health

related problems. Brain damage could be on the list from infection

running to your brain. A root canal if needed will prevent the tooth

structure from becoming brittle. This is the number one benefit in

doing a puplectomy. So if you want to keep the tooth in the long run

get a root canal , if not then don't. Eventualy the tooth will become

brittle and one day when you are chewing it will crumble into nothing.

 

I own and run a dental laboratory and ignorance and

misinformation are the number one reason for losing your teeth. Do you

eventualy want dentures? Sounds like the author of this message sells

dentures to his patients.