Root Canal Alternatives NJ
In every medical specialty, except dentistry, dead tissue is removed from the body. However, conventional dentists will perform root canal treatment on a tooth and leave a non-vital tooth in the mouth.
Leaving a dead organ or tooth in the body can lead to further inflammation, infection, and other health issues in some patients.
How do I know if my Root Canal is infected?
In order to assess if your previously root canal treated tooth is infected, a 3D X-Ray (CBCT) is taken to accurately diagnose any signs of infection or disease. We also do a clinical exam and assess the patient’s history and symptoms, however, in many cases an infected root canal treated tooth is asymptomatic.
If I have a Root Canal Treated Tooth does it need to be extracted?
Not necessarily. Depending on the current state and level of infection and disease present, the root canal treated tooth may or may not need to be extracted.
Ozone treatment can also be done on previously RCT teeth, however, this is not a long-term solution and is not guaranteed to prevent re-infection of the tooth.
How does a Root Canal impact
my overall HEALTH?
Inflammation
Root canal treated teeth are breeding grounds for bacteria, fungi, and viruses that release toxins everyday. These toxins can then enter the bloodstream and cause widespread inflammation and other effects in the whole body.
Re-infection
A root canal treatment only removes the main nerve trunk of a tooth, leaving infected tissue in accessory canals and in the dentinal tubules. Bacteria will colonize these areas and can lead to re-infection of the tooth and bone loss.
Auto-immune Response
As a tooth is an open biological system, anything inside a tooth will find its way into the body via the surrounding tissue and the bloodstream. The patient’s immune system now has to continuously fight off this chronic infection, and when the immune system is unable to do so, immune dysfunction can occur.
There have been multiple studies showing that endotoxins from dental infections (including previous root
canal treated teeth that were infected) are a potential mechanism for cardiac disease.
A Root Canal Treated tooth is a non-vital tooth, aka a non-living tooth. Having root canal treatment on a tooth means that the entire nerve is removed from the tooth, however, this also means that the tooth now has no immune system and is unable to fight off bacterial, viral, or fungal pathogens. Each tooth can have anywhere between 1-2 km of dentinal tubules (which are hollow). These dentinal tubules will become colonized with pathogens following root canal treatment as there is no immune system to fight off these pathogens. This pathogenic invasion can then lead to systemic effects on the body such as chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction.
Does Root Canal Treatment Really Remove all Infection?
Root Canal Alternatives NJ
Biologic Tooth Extraction
During the extraction of an infected or previously root canal treated tooth, we use a biologic approach for removal of infection and optimized healing. This involves an atraumatic extraction, removal of the PDL, debridement, ozone gas & water, and PRF.
Zirconia Implant & Crown
After an extraction, a Zirconia implant, aka a ceramic implant, can be placed. Implants can be placed at time of extraction, unless there is profound infection and bone loss.
Bridge
A bridge can be done after extraction in order to “replace” the missing tooth. The two adjacent teeth will be used as supports.
Removable Partial
Denture
After extraction, a patient may opt for a removable partial denture as a replacement.
Root Canal Prevention Procedure
Depending on the level of infection and symptoms associated, a procedure can be done to try to prevent a tooth from needing root canal treatment. This procedure entails removing all decay, using ozone, placing a sealer and a liner, and placing the final filling.
Are you ready to begin your journey to optimal oral health?
Reach out to our team to book a consultation