Addressing Other Dental Barriers to Health
Biological dentists are at the forefront of recognizing and treating other potential barriers to whole body health, as well.
When Root Canals Go Wrong
Root canal treatment involves removing all living tissue from inside a tooth. The empty pulp chamber and canals that connect the tooth to your blood supply are then disinfected and packed with a rubbery material before a cap or filling is placed.
Unfortunately, total disinfection is impossible in a conventional root canal. The tools and materials used can’t reach through the miles of microscopic tubules that form the layer of dentin that exists between the enamel and the pulp. Proteins remain in the dentin, as well.
Once the tooth is capped, any residual bacteria can thrive and generate a lot of highly toxic metabolic waste in the process. These toxins have access to the bloodstream through the tooth’s roots, and if they make it there, they’re free to wreak havoc elsewhere in the body.
An additional burden is created by the fact that the once living tooth is now dead, effectively blocking the meridian – the energetic pathway – it shares with other organs throughout the body. Any of those shared organs or tissues can be impacted by this blockage, as well.
If evaluation suggests that infected root canal teeth may be placing an undue burden on your overall health and well-being, we can extract any such problem teeth and replace them with a biocompatible ceramic implant or other dental prosthetic. As needed, we can refer you to a naturopathic or integrative physician for detox support, as well.
Cavitations = “Hidden Infections”
While there are many possible causes, cavitations often arise after a tooth has been extracted without the surgeon having fully removed the periodontal ligament or thoroughly cleaned the supporting bone. They can also be caused by inadequate blood flow to the bone, such as when local anesthetics with too much epinephrine are used, causing impaired blood flow.
Cavitations can be extremely difficult to identify, as they typically develop under healthy looking gum tissue and are only identified through a CBCT scan or energetic diagnostics. At least early on, there’s seldom any pain or discomfort in the area.
Over time, though, the growth of the infection and associated toxins can contribute to the development of a wide range of systemic health problems, including autoimmune disorders and “enigmatic” conditions such as chronic fatigue, multiple chemical sensitivities, and fibromyalgia.
Cavitations may be treated surgically or with procedures such as ozone and laser therapy to remove the infection and stimulate the growth of new, healthy tissue. Detox support is advised to help the body’s natural ability to clear any oral toxins that have migrated and affected other areas of the body.
And rest assured, when we perform any extraction or oral surgery, we make certain to not leave any conditions known to give rise to cavitations, using tools such as ozone and platelet rich fibrin (PRF) to quash the infection and spur good, quick, uneventful healing – biocompatibly.