Every year, dentists perform more than 25 million root canal procedures in our country. Deemed a necessary form of treatment for teeth that have sustained significant damage, root canal therapy removes infection by removing the pulp from the inner part of a tooth.
Essentially, a treated tooth is “dead” because there is no blood or nutrients delivered via the natural root system.
Teeth that have been treated with root canal therapy have the potential to become incubators for many types of incredibly harmful bacteria that thrive in the absence of oxygen. Under certain conditions, these bacteria can find their way into the bloodstream, and may begin disease processes that do not manifest symptoms for years, even decades. The role of treated teeth in systemic disease is difficult to trace due to the fact that these teeth can look fine for years.
Natural dentists often find themselves extracting teeth treated with root canal therapy and finding evidence of infection in some area of the “filled” root. Why does this occur? It is quite simple. During root canal therapy, the canal is very rarely fully sterilized, or fully filled. Even if the filling were completed adequately, it has been found that the material used to fill teeth treated with root canal therapy breaks down after a time, creating openings where anaerobic bacteria can invade. With the lack of blood flow to the area, infection can thrive.
An infected root canal is tricky. This condition may or may not present signs, such as discomfort or swelling. The long-term effects of keeping a treated infected tooth may take years to develop, giving bacteria ample time to move systemically, creating multiple health conditions that require ongoing treatment.
As your holistic dentist, Dr. Chen has multiple ways to promote both oral and systemic health. Her extensive background in dentistry and alternative medicine, including precise ozone and UBI therapies, can help you achieve and maintain your best health, even in the event of an infected root canal. Should you experience problems after root canal therapy, contact us and we will help you discover the most appropriate solution for sustained health. Dr. Chen also has alternatives to root canal therapy, which are especially useful as early treatment after the detection of cavities.
Contact the La Jolla Center for Holistic Dentistry today.
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