Comments on: What are the alternatives to root canals?

By: Dr. Marvin

Dr. Marvin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:58:03 +0000

Some infections your body will take care of on it’s own, but once you cut blood supply to the area it’s very difficult for the body to take care of it. I’d have it looked at by a biological or holistic dentist. I don’t know of anyone in your area, but you can contact the IABDM and see if they have any members near you.

Good luck,
Dr. Marvin

By: Jay

Jay — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:55:24 +0000

Hi Dr.
I have been told that the root has died in my molar under an existing crown. My dentist indicated i probably need a root canal and that he doesnt do it because of the crown and that an endodontist must check and then do it. It seems to me that if there is an infected organic area in my body that if treated and left alone the body should take it away without such a procedure. what do you think? I am in Indianapolis and would appreciate a low cost alternative or a low cost root canal if needed.

By: Dr. Marvin

Dr. Marvin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:41:52 +0000

I would recommend you see an alternative dentist to get a second opinion. Without an exam, its very difficult to know what’s going on. Find a good alternative dentist and see what he or she recommends.

Good luck!

By: azmeree

azmeree — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 06:31:48 +0000

hi dr malvin. i m 20 years old. and i had my lower jaw , right side #47 was partially broken while i was chewing on my food. so after consulting my dentist he said he would do the fillings since it wasnt hurting but after my fillings were done, it was doing fine till a month, and now it started to hurt , and because of while i am getting slight pain on my jaw at times, and near my ears. should i go for a root canal? or should i just extract it? but dont you think extracting tooth 47 will be a problem?

i had a cross bite since grade 9 anyway, which can never be helped without a surgery, but now what should i do with this tooth? cause i dont want the pain to get bigger over the times, furthermore,today was my first day i took a pain killer so that inorder to keep the pain low.

By: Dr. Marvin

Dr. Marvin — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:21:34 +0000

Hi Maria,

I feel sorry that you had to go through all of this. Unfortunately, your best bet now is to extract the tooth. Your root is now hollowed out and there’s “activity” at the end of the root that won’t go away without taking the tooth out and the infected bone surrounding the apex of the tooth.

Be sure the dentist removes the bone at the end of the tooth with a drill or else you may have symptoms from Chronic Ischemic Bone Disease.

If you need to do an implant, make sure they test you first. I had a patient come in yesterday with a failing titanium implant and there was absolutely no bone surrounding the implant.

keep smiling and stay positive,
Dr. Marvin

By: Maria

Maria — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:27:10 +0000

Hi Dr. Marvin, i had a question regarding a root canal. I’m 25 years old, 5 month ago my dentist did a root canal on a pre molar (tooth #13). The tooth was hardly hurting but I didn’t know any better and I agreed to the procedure. He cleaned it out a few times, but the temporary fillings he was putting in kept falling out, and the tooth was hurting. After he closed it it started hurting again and it had to be reopened and cleaned, it was still hurting and I got a second opinion and changed dentists. The new dentist removed more dead tissue out, the pain stopped for a week and then came back again. Meanwhile I keep getting constant flues and it seems like my immune system is really down. I am considering extraction (even though the dentist is still saying the tooth can be helped) just because its been hurting for so long and it now changed color. But I’m afraid of committing to having an implant put in. Are there any other options? I would greatly appreciate any advise. Thank you
Maria

By: V planchon

V planchon — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 04:58:18 +0000

My husband has peridontitis. He has a very fastidious routine, brushing two to three times daily with a sonicare, and flossing daily. He had all the mercury fillings replaced a few years ago at a natural dentistry clinic, but goes three times per year to a peridontist to get cleanings, and to a hygienist twice a year at the dentist’s office for cleanings as well. Today the peridontist recommended that he get root scaling done on four of his back teeth, which is a very expensive and painful procedure. Is it possible to treat the bacteria and plaque below the gum line with natural or alternative treatments? I have read that flaxseed can be very beneficial. What could be helpful in this type of case?

By: sharon

sharon — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 20:09:31 +0000

Aloha Dr.Marvin, I can’t find any laser dentists in my area. I think that would be a
good way to address my need for a root canal.
Which came first – the infected root or an inflamed system? Can the infection in the root be healed? I have been fasting, taking zeolites, trying an alkaline diet (when I stick to it I have NO
inflammation!-but when I (get) (eat) acid forming food I get a pocket of pus near my gum line(which I pop easily – and wake up with no swelling?) Is this “infection” spreading into my body or is my toxic body gathering in this tooth? or both?
Well, I am cleansing from years of pharmaceutical drugs (anti-depressents, pain and anxiety
meds) – finally quit my stress inducing job- and am retiring (which may be stressful if the government fails to protect us).
So, if I have no pain, and continue to search for the most healing life style and eating plan
(do more detox and colonic work), do you think I can avoid this dreaded root canal?
Also, I have 6 front crowns poorly executed by a quack doctor(who have his office girls make the uneven cerics) with open margins – will this cause problems down the line?
Mahalo and Aloha From Hawaii!

By: Dr. Marvin

Dr. Marvin — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 03:47:30 +0000

Great question! The answer isn’t so simple. Yes, there can be problems. No, there are not always problems. There are so many variables that it is difficult to nail down an absolute answer. Essentially, there are a lot of things that COULD go wrong when you lose a tooth (teeth can shift, bite can be thrown off, teeth can wear unevenly…). BUT, you could also be perfectly fine without that tooth.

Your history, jaw structure, bite, tooth location… It all plays a part. A good dentist will take all that into consideration when making a recommendation for tooth replacement.

Hope that helps. Sorry it’s not a black and white answer.
Dr. Marvin

By: GLA ORT

GLA ORT — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 03:15:19 +0000

Dr. Marvin,

Are there long term issues to extracting teeth and not replacing the area with an implant or bridge?

GLA