tooth extractions Archives - West Seneca Dentist

If I’d Visited a Holistic Dentist, Would I Still Have Gotten Cancer?

Posted on November 3, 2019 by writeradmin.

I’m wondering what the link between holistic dentistry and cancer is. I’m in remission and have been for about a year, but I want to be certain I’m doing everything I can be to stay cancer-free. I’m in a support group through my hospital, and one of the other participants introduced us to a movie that breaks down how root canals cause cancer. The only fix, once you’ve had a root canal, is to have the tooth removed. I’m thinking back to my own history and I did get a root canal about 10 years ago. Everything seemed fine at the time and I was glad to be able to keep my tooth, but now I’m wondering if the root canal caused my cancer and if it’s a ticking timebomb that will eventually bring it back. If I had seen a holistic dentist back then, would he have recommended that my tooth be pulled? And, is the trend now like the movie suggests— extractions of affected teeth recommended across the board?

Thank you,

Marge

Dear Marge,

I’m sorry for what you’ve been going through. I know it is a hard road. Either the information in the movie was giving false information or something got lost in translation. Though, there are some hard-core “natural medicine” proponents who do push this idea. Here’s where their argument comes from.

Proponents Argue Teeth with Endodontic Treatment Harbor Bacteria

In short, the argument against root canals, also referred to as endodontic treatment, is that they hold bacteria in. It’s kind of a twist on a half-truth. Yes, teeth that have infections and require endodontic treatment, as a result, do have bacteria. However, the canal is cleaned out as part of treatment. It’s sterilized and the canal is closed off and filled, so nothing can move in or out.

Additionally, our bodies always have some bacteria both good and bad. If we never had any bad bacteria our immune systems would never develop well and we’d be helpless victims the first time we encountered an illness. Without a strong immune system to fight it, we’d die.

The Center of the Controversy

A lot of the myths surrounding the dangers of root canals today come from old research by Weston Price. His research had lots of fundamental flaws, such as experiments that were poorly controlled and performed in non-sterile environments. Moreover, nobody has duplicated his results since then.

When a hypothesis is correct, the results can be duplicated. This is a basic tenant of science and medicine.

Current Research Shows People with Root Canals are Healthier

There’s lots of information to show root canals are beneficial. For example, one study found that people who had treatments like root canals have lower risk of certain cancers. Others have shown a link between root canals and reduced cardiovascular mortality.

Each Holistic Dentist is Different

While there are some holistic dentists who will opt for extractions over root canals, there are many who will do a root canal treatment when it is in the best interest of their patient.

There’s virtually no evidence to suggest it’s the right call, but some do it to appease their patients or for other reasons. Most today do not, and for a good reason. The holistic aspect relates to addressing whole body health. That means you do want to eliminate “unhealthy” bacteria, so treating infected teeth and maintaining oral health are paramount. But, at the same time, removing teeth needlessly will impact your ability to eat and oftentimes, confidence and self-esteem. The other option is to spend a fortune on a good tooth replacement, such as a dental implant. In other words, most are of the school of thought is that, given the current evidence, more harm comes from removing teeth than doing root canals.

All that said, you could still probably find someone to remove the tooth if you felt strongly about it despite the evidence, but it’s more likely the dentist would be doing it to soothe your worries or appease you rather than because he feels it’s necessary.

This blog is brought to you by West Seneca Dentist Dr. Warren Krutchick.

Tooth Extraction and Nerve Damage

Posted on September 12, 2019 by writeradmin.

I had four tooth extractions in preparation for braces. He left the root of one of the premolars in saying it would fall out on its own. Now it is getting close to time to have the braces and it still hasn’t fallen out. I went in to see about having it removed and he said it is near a nerve and could cause paralysis. Now I’m not sure what to do. What would you recommend?

Alan

Dear Alan,

I’m hoping something was lost in translation here because if it wasn’t there is some serious misinformation going on. First, the tooth roots will NOT fall out. Instead, the bone will grow around them. Second, in order to get braces, the root will have to be removed. The other teeth will be shifting and the tooth what will move into that place has its own root. I have no idea why he didn’t extract that root to begin with if he knew you were getting braces.

You will want to get that root out. As for the nerve, dentists tend to exaggerate because of the litigious nature of the times. The mental foramen is a nerve which comes to the bone by the premolars. While this nerve goes to the lower lip and chin, severing this nerve will not cause paralysis. It would cause a loss of sensation in the lip and the chin. However, I don’t think this is even going to be an issue. It is very easy for the surgeon to see this foramen nerve on an x-ray. It’s also easy to find it surgically. A good surgeon will have no problem avoiding damage to this nerve.

This is going to be an invasive procedure. I’m going to suggest you see an oral surgeon or a dentist experienced in tricky extractions who also uses dental sedation.

This blog is brought to you by West Seneca Emergency Dentist Dr. Warren Krutchick.

Emergency Dental Appointment Disaster

Posted on June 30, 2018 by iowasmiles.

I’m not the best when it comes to going to the dentist so I wasn’t totally surprised when some pain popped up on some upper teeth. I went to see an emergency dentist who was willing to see me that day. He said the teeth were too far gone and couldn’t be saved. I went into a bit of a meltdown, so he gave me some nitrous oxide to calm me down a bit. He left to give me some time to relax while he checked on another patient. I was grateful he understood my fear. He came back and extracted the teeth. I went home feeling relieved. That’s when things started to go downhill. A couple of days later I called the office because My nose was hurting and I kept feeling weird pops. They suggested a decongestant never intimating at all it could have anything to do with the extractions. Then, I developed a fever. I called them back and they said they’d give me an antibiotic. It’s been a week. Both my nose and my fever are worse. I called them again and they told me to come in. That’s the first time they mentioned there was a sinus perforation during the procedure. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Shouldn’t they have told me about that right away? He even pulled some bone from my sinus cavity. Then he sent me on my way. I still feel awful and just can’t trust this dentist. What do I do?

Livvie

Dear Livvie,

Crikey! This probably hasn’t helped your tendency to avoid regular dental work. He should absolutely have told you about the sinus perforation. That can be a risk with some types of tooth extractions and there is a standard protocol your dentist should have followed so your healing process would have a better shot at going smoothly. It doesn’t sound as if he did anything he was supposed to after this happened. I would say a total no-brainer would have at least to tell you about the situation and instructed you not to put any pressure on it, like blowing your nose.

Unfortunately, this requires another emergency appointment for you, but not an emergency dentist. Instead, you’ll need to see an ENT. Let them know what’s happening and they’ll get you in ASAP. Also, the dentist has you on the wrong antibiotic. Your fever should be gone and you should be feeling better. Let the ENT know that as well so they can prescribe you a different one. Hopefully, they can get you on the path to healing fairly simply. I will warn you that this has progressed for so long without treatment that it could require surgery.

How to Never See an Emergency Dentist Again

I don’t want you in this type of situation ever again. I know you’re not keen on dentists and after what you’ve been going through I can’t say I blame you. However, preventative care truly is the best way to avoid situations like this. I wouldn’t want you to have another dental emergency.

You need a dentist you can trust. One who treats you with respect and integrity. A dentist who really cares about their patients and is gentle with them.

I’d like you to do an internet search under one of the following terms:

Gentle Dentist
Sedation Dentist
Cater to Cowards Dentist

Dentists who advertise with these terms are usually more compassionate. A word of warning though, it’s important you check their reviews before going. Saying you’re gentle and compassionate and actually being so are two different things.

This blog is brought to you by Sedation Dentist Dr. Warren Krutchick.

Do I Need to Pick My Poison Between Mercury or BPA?

Posted on June 15, 2018 by iowasmiles.

I’ve been told the mercury in my amalgam fillings is bad for me and I need to switch them out for the newer white fillings, which are mercury-free. But, now I’m hearing that the white fillings contain BPA which is supposedly just as bad. So, do I pick my poison or do I just extract the offending teeth?

Alina

Dear Alina,

A holistic dentist cares about how dental work affects the whole body.

You must feel like you’re being asked to choose between death by poison A or poison B. Fortunately for you, there is an option C, which has no poison. There are now tooth colored BPA free fillings, but not all dentists are aware of them or use them yet.

You probably already know that the American Dental Association (ADA) says that both the mercury in amalgam fillings and the BPA in composite fillings are safe. But, it’s understandable that patients aren’t as confident.

Holistic Dentists Understand Your Concerns

Among dentists, you’ll find a wide range of opinions. Some are staunchly with the ADA and think the whole controversy is contrived. Some are worried they’re inadvertently harming patients and are actively looking for alternatives. And some are in the middle and just provide what their patient’s ask for.

If you’re concerned about the effects of mercury and BPA on your body, you’ll need to find a dentist willing to go the extra mile to work with you. Your best option is to find a holistic dentist. Explain your concerns. If they’re not aware of the BPA free fillings, you can tell them about them. As holistic dentists, they should be willing to try them.

Don’t Extract Teeth Unnecessarily

I know it probably sounds safer just to replace your teeth, but believe me, it will be something you’ll regret. Natural tooth structure is always better. Even if you got the top of the line tooth replacement, dental implants, you’re talking about surgery, a dental crown, and still, there’s the possibility of it failing. And who’s to say in ten or twenty years if they won’t suddenly discover the titanium in dental implants is dangerous too.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Warren Krutchick.