Alternatives to A Root Canal Treatment - Dr. Philip Memoli
WHAT IS A ROOT CANAL?
A
root canal-treated (RCT) or root-filled tooth is one in which the dental nerve,
commonly called the pulp, is intentionally removed and is filled with an inert
material called gutta percha.
Once
an RCT is performed, the tooth must be restored with a post and a crown. These
will strengthen the tooth and prevent a crack or fracture from developing after
treatment. A good analogy is a tree branch. When it’s alive, it flexes or bends
when pressure is applied. On the other hand, a dead branch, like an RCT, will
break under the same stress.
WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF
ROOT CANALS?
The
pro of a root canal is obvious: the painful or dead tooth is treated and
extraction is avoided. But we must ask two key questions before starting a root
canal.
- Can the tooth be restored
- Can a predictable RCT be performed, or are there risks for a poor result?
Research
has found four major causes of root canal failure:
- Tooth or root fracture
- Infections including bacteria (primarily enterococcus fecalis, etc), viruses, and fungus (candida, etc).
- The body’s reaction to root canal materials, microorganisms, and cements which inadvertently are pushed past the tooth into the bone.
- Cysts
The question regarding the safety of failed root canals may
never be adequately answered. Also, the basic question about whether a root
canal failure can be determined due to pain is still debated. Pain, as we have
discussed, shows little correlation to histological findings.
Read more about safe amalgam removal
at : http://www.holisticdentistrynj.com/root-canal-alternative/
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