looking for root canal and other dental info

[Edenia]

Ah you're right. For some reason I thought the wisdom tooth was decayed, and that ethris was being given the option of either having it removed or having a canal. In that case a 3-D scan makes sense, as extraction is much more prevalent for wisdom teeth as they aren't missed nearly as much as a canine or premolar.

Exactly and not only that, usually since wisdom teeth are very atypical, its canals are also very complex so in case of decay it's better to just remove it since the root canal would be complicated and unpredictable. The only exception is if for some reason the patient lost his first molars and for orthodontic purposes and space management in the dental arch, the wisdom tooth needs to be preserved and remain there.

 

[ethris]

Yes I did read your post, in fact I even went to the trouble of answering your question. I'm sorry if it wasn't initially clear. I'll explain my original post but this time try to be more direct.








The recent studies you speak of are based on very old research, some of which is dubious. Furthermore, you were of the belief that the health issues were due to the body trying to heal a deadened nerve. I realise that this is background to your question, but it was important to address it first.








This is where I feel I've been vague.

You wanted to know the difference between the dangers of a root canal and an extraction, which is why I addressed your background section before mentioning Dr Price. If we believe Dr Price's work (the basis for many of your claims about transferring diseases), then root canals cause illness by being vessels for bacteria to grow in. If you were to have a complete extraction then the tooth would no longer be present, thus it would be significantly less likely to contribute to the illnesses that you have listed.

While I understand Dr Price's position and think he makes valid points, I made my final comment about the wheelchair bound lady just as a reminder that not everything you hear about this guy can be taken as complete fact.

Something I didn't mention because you never asked is the effect of trauma resulting from an extraction. There are many reasons why modern dentistry favour root canals to extractions, two being trauma and replacement teeth.

Removing a tooth from the jaw requires a fair amount of force. This leads to trauma, and even risks severing nerves in the process. While this isn't common, there have been accounts of people experiencing pain and tingling for a long time due to it. Also, while the wound heals there is the possibility for infection (partially why you should wash your mouth with salt water afterwards). As the mouth has a very good blood supply to it, infection can be much more dangerous in the mouth than elsewhere on the body.

Once removed, you can either leave the tooth gone and live with the gap, or you can get an artificial replacement. These are expensive (much more so than root canals I believe), and ultimately of worse quality than a natural tooth. In most cases, if the natural tooth can be saved then that is the preferred option.






That's unfortunately common among dentists and oral surgeons. About a year ago I had a dentist recommend me not one, not two, but five root canals. I sought a second opinion and was instead told that I needed a few fillings at most. I don't think they're necessarily out to hurt your wallet, more that each person has their own preferred way of treating their patients. That being said, five root canals versus a few fillings is quite a difference.

I'm almost certain that they can determine the level of tooth decay from a simply X-ray. While I'm not a dentist, a 3-D scan seems overkill for an initial inquiry.




Does this clear anything up? Whether you believe me or not, I did read your entire post and, with the exception of trauma and artificial teeth, my original post contained an answer to your question, I just left it to be inferred rather than directly stated.

Your wording makes it sound like the root canal procedure is to blame my wording didnt sound like anything, you perceived my wording to sound like root canals are to blame.

I said the words to construct an image of what I was thinking, which you understandably cant completely grasp considering the barriers the internet provides. But what you should be able to grasp is that my anxiety over the procure she has to get done is indeed sincere. All I expected is for you to have focused on the question, assuming you were sincere in your efforts to answer me, and well, I guess thats just not what your words implied in my perspective.

. If you were to have a complete extraction then the tooth would no longer be present, thus it would be significantly less likely to contribute to the illnesses that you have listed.


that being said its this type of information I was looking for..If the end result of a extraction leaves the same potential for complication, like bacteria, as a root canal apparently does.. so thanks for clearing that up.

as for the x ray. they were promoting the idea of using there xray under the concept that there x ray has less radiation, gives more information(that they cant move forward with out) and takes less time(in their office)..its not something we can afford under dental insurance, so instead were going to a radiology center so that it falls under medical insurance. Maybe we don't need it, but I doubt they will tell us that.