Has anyone had root canals (so teeth) removed?

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Shira
Shira Member Posts: 64
edited June 2014 in Alternative Medicine


I am leaning towards alternative now that I have had surgery. However, one of the strongest advocates for alternative treatments in my life encouraged me to get my root canals out. At first this made me decide to go conventional, but then I got curious and made an appt with a holistic dentist (and as a side note, for years I have been thinking I should go to this place and see about all my mercury fillings, and I know people who done that and believe in it).


So, at the appt they tested my teeth via checking how much stress is caused by my teeth. The mercury wasn't stressing my body too much so not a top priority, which is good as I have more mercury than root canals. Then my three root canals do not seem to be directly tied to my breast cancer as they are not on meridians linked to that breast. However, the root canal on my breast cancer side is stressing my body and is tied to my Gall Bladder, and the two on the other side are also high stress.


I have a second appointment coming up, and they will suggest to pull all three root canal teeth. The one that is tied to my Gall Bladder is the second tooth from the front, and has a nice veneer over it (because it was very discolored from the root canal), so I would have a partial denture, and maybe an implant someday if I can ever afford it. Then the other two root canal teeth are in the back on the non-breast cancer side and would just be pulled (since I developed Cancer, taking these out would be to help prevent problems in the future).


Has anyone done anything like this, and if so, were you OK with having done it? My husband, who is very pro-alternative, is even thinking it might not be the best idea. But to me, I believe my teeth are a factor, so if I am going alternative, and believe something to be important, I am not sure skipping something because it is hard is a good idea.


???? Thanks! Shira

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Comments

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited October 2013


    I am really not convinced by these theories about root canals. How did they decide whether a root canal was stressing your body, so-called?

  • SelenaWolf
    SelenaWolf Member Posts: 1,724
    edited October 2013

    I, too, am not convinced about the theories "linking" cancer and root canals. How on earth is "root canal stress" measured?  If the root canal is not bothering you (i.e, infected and causing pain), in my opinion, it doesn't make sense to have possibly unnecessary, painful (and definitely expensive) work done.

    I would suggest that you, perhaps, have a second opinion from another dentist and do some research before agreeing to such a drastic meaure.

    Please post any links you may have to articles about root canals causing breast cancer.  I would be very interested in reading them.


  • BrooksideVT
    BrooksideVT Member Posts: 2,211
    edited October 2013


    Also, you might want to look into the long term effects of missing teeth, which, believe me, can cause all sorts of problems with your bite and your remaining teeth as the years go on.  Probably the best place to research this is with a conventional dentist.  I'd also really, really hesitate to pull the front veneered tooth as, frankly, gall bladders are pretty insignificant in all our bc stories.

  • Shira
    Shira Member Posts: 64
    edited October 2013


    Hi Selena and Momine,


    I am guessing that many people wouldn't believe in a connection between root canals and health issues such as breast cancer. I am not looking to defend my position, especially since I am not sure I have a strong position on this yet.


    if you are curious about learning more, there is a lot of information on line, and then maybe since you're on the side of the conventional dentists, see if you can find a holistic dentist that can answer some questions.


    The person who mentioned jt to me recently has PHD in physics and has been researching alternative cancer options for years. I had heard about root canals and health issues before though, which is why it was hard for me to ignore her. She is questioning how they determined which teeth were stressing my body, and that I am still questioning myself as if I didn't experience it, it would sound far fetched to me too.


    My usual dentist will tell me I am crazy, especially since he performs root canals and he is proud of the job he did on my veneers. He doesn't use mercury fillings though as he's an esthetic dentist. I do have an appt with him before the other dentist though, so I was planning on mentioning it, although I've talked with him about my mercury fillings, so I am pretty sure he will not agree with pulling teeth with root canals.


    If anyone has experience with this, or researched and decided against it, or even has a partial denture, I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Feel free to PM me if you prefer. Thanks!

  • Shira
    Shira Member Posts: 64
    edited October 2013


    Thanks Brookside! That is helpful info. I will ask both dentists about that, and research online, before going forward. Shira

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited October 2013


    Shira, the subject has come up here before. The last time, I did read up on it fairly extensively, which is why I am very doubtful that it is something to take seriously.


    I am not trying to challenge you or make you defend anything. I am simply asking you how they measured the supposed stress caused by the root canals. When I read about it last time, I had not come across any method for measuring such stress.

  • Shira
    Shira Member Posts: 64
    edited October 2013


    Hi Momine, sorry, everyone in my life has been questioning everything I say, and as I mentioned, from both sides.


    To test stress, they used something called EAV, which was fascinating to be part of. I hadn't known anything about it before I went there, and I am kind of glad as I would have been more skeptical. I saw them test meridian after meridian corresponding to teeth with mercury, and most showed the same, stress level 1. Then the stress level was much higher for the three root canal teeth.


    I am sure this sounds nutty. I am meeting with the actual dentist soon, and I know several people who have gone to her to get mercury out. One person was very sick and docs couldn't figure out what was wrong. She got all silver fillings out from this dentist, and her illness went away. This person is the wife of my chiropractor, and they both feel strongly that removing the mercury turned her illness around. So this endorsement probably made me more open to the dental office since it's the same one.


    Anyway, if you feel like checking out eav and letting me know what you t, I'd be interested. Thanks. Shira

  • BrooksideVT
    BrooksideVT Member Posts: 2,211
    edited October 2013

    I'm also interested in how they measured the stress.  I'm neither for nor against the concept of root canals and breast cancer, but am very interested in the idea of protecting my post-treatment body from unnecessary stress.  I thought about my own molar extraction a couple of years ago, which was pretty violent.  I wound up holding onto my jaw as the dental surgeon pulled back and forth.  With power.  He had to stop and regrip his tool several times, then surgically remove a part of the root that just wouldn't let go.  Between the physical (and for some people, mental) trauma of the extractions, and all the meds (lots of injections before, during, and painkillers after, possibly for a couple of weeks after), I'd really hesitate to stress my post bc body to any of that without real urgency.  Root canals are filled with what is believed to be a physiologically neutral substance, and, assuming yours are not bothering you, I'd really take a long, long time to work through all the pro's and con's.  Also, no dentist will tell you a denture will make you as happy/comfortable as a real tooth, and could even make you kind of miserable.

    PS I also wonder whether the stress the extraction caused my body might not have been just one component of whatever it was that allowed my cancer to establish itself.

  • SelenaWolf
    SelenaWolf Member Posts: 1,724
    edited October 2013

    Yes, I'm interested in how they measured tooth stress.  I've had tooth vitality measured before, but not stress.

  • abigail48
    abigail48 Member Posts: 1,699
    edited October 2013


    or, vermont,,the radiation from an x-ray? I don't do dentists either. I still have a few amalgam fillings, holding my few teeth left. I rejoiced when the others came out: the amalgam rots the teeth. gary has said that the roots go into teenier & teenier channels & therefor it's impossible to get them all out, & there is the problem. I've never had root canal, but many many years ago, 52 to be exact, I had wisdom teeth out. wouldn't have needed that "needed", it my mother had allowed a pacifyer when I was an infant, or, I'd not had orthodonture because of the changes. after the wisdom teeth extraction I hemmoraged. close call. rushed to the docktor.....


    .

  • abigail48
    abigail48 Member Posts: 1,699
    edited October 2013


    I remember now, he said you can get it all out if a lazar is used. I mentioned this to a penpal once & she replied: "they don't do that", & never wrote me again. so people here arn't the only ones get annoyed by my words

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited October 2013


    Shira, ok, and thanks! I googled EAV and the first hit I got was this: http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/electro.html


    It seems to me that you should not put too much trust in this dentist, and that you should not let him yank your teeth out before you get a couple of other opinions.

  • abigail48
    abigail48 Member Posts: 1,699
    edited October 2013


    very interesting site, momine scientologists have the e-meter, a voltmeter which they say can identify "engrams", & they can. however the meter can be easily manipulated by appropriate emotions generated fakely,

  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited October 2013


    breast cancer is bad enough, though my implants look great. But I think I will stick with my nice mouthful of teeth, root canals and all. BTW,I have had all my amalgam fillings replaced, not because of cancer worries but simply because they were old and cracked.

  • Shira
    Shira Member Posts: 64
    edited October 2013


    Hi exbernxgrl and everyone that commented recently. Most people in my life (minus sister in law) and everyone on here seems to agree (and I am sure 5 out of 5 dentists agree) that removing root canals might not be the best idea.


    I have an appt with my regular dentist before the holistic dentist, so I will ask the questions that were suggested, and will not go ahead with the root canal pulling unless I become convinced it's necessary.


    It sounds like pulling teeth, having missing teeth, and/or having partial dentures can cause issues on their own, and my root canals are not even on the meridians associated with breasts.


    Thanks! Shira

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited October 2013


    Shira, that sounds sensible. Best of luck.

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited October 2013


    Abigail, yes, it is very similar to the Scientology e-meter, which is enough to give me serious pause.

  • abigail48
    abigail48 Member Posts: 1,699
    edited October 2013


    I had a 5 buck session on the scientology voltameter in 1968. in a very few minutes with the help of the operator-reader, was dredged up a forgotten traumatic incident from my childhood

  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited October 2013


    I had a similar experience with a ouija board.

  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited October 2013


    Thanks, Caryn, I needed that laugh.


    Seriously though, for most of us, what's the value in dredging up memories of long forgotten traumatic events from our childhoods? If someone is having emotional issues or difficulty coping, then I can understand why it might be helpful to try to get to the source of those problems. But if you are doing fine and functioning well (or relatively well, everyone has ups and downs), what's the point? Isn't forgetting bad experiences part of the brain's built-in protection mechanism?


    I really don't mean to change the topic, so I'm not looking for an answer, but this is something I've always wondered about and abigail's post raised it in my mind again.

  • Jelson
    Jelson Member Posts: 1,535
    edited October 2013


    I have been trying to wrap my head around how pulling a tooth which has had a satisfactory root canal can improve your health. A root canal is in itself a removal of the infected nerve and damaged pulp of the tooth. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. So, when you have a root canal removed, you are simply having the remainder of your tooth pulled. For someone to consider replacing a tooth which had a root canal and then had removed for health reasons with an implant makes no sense to me - since an implant is a much more complex and invasive procedure which leaves you with at a minimum a titanium plug sticking out of your jaw and a false tooth in your mouth. An implant involves pulling a tooth, perhaps grafting human or bovine bone, drilling a hole and then inserting in a titanium plug/screw into your jaw and ultimately fitting a new tooth/crown. The process can require invading your sinus if you don't have much jaw bone and it is an upper tooth. I for one would have taken a root canal if it had been an option over my implant and that is not even addressing the cost - the price of my first new car!!

  • abigail48
    abigail48 Member Posts: 1,699
    edited October 2013


    yipes, jelsen.........beesie: exactly! the only advantage I've had to remembering that experience was that I discovered how the voltameter worked. when they hinted that with 1000's more dollars I could access past lives I thought & think why would I want to know that.........they're good about psychiatric meds I think, but the thetans, nope, I doubt it. & that" there :is no nirvana, evidently", I guess the voltameter can't take you far enough

  • Shira
    Shira Member Posts: 64
    edited October 2013


    Thanks Jelson, implants and pulling root canals sound horrible! If I do go ahead, which I don't think I will but I have a few appts before I decide, they wouldn't be doing an implant for a while, if at all depending on how I do (with partial denture) and once my cancer is not so recent (for the reasons you mentioned, they tax the body too). Also, because it's a holistic dentist, they use safer things than traditional dentists in their implants etc., at least where possible (don't have all the details yet).


    Also, to people joking around about this being like Scientology or an Ouji (sp) board, what if there is truth to this way of finding trouble spots? Or/and, maybe in untrained hands it can be used for bad but has the potential to be used for good things by the right people?


    If they really wanted to make $ off me, they could have just told me to replace all my mercury and metal, and with the amount of both that I have, they probably could have made more $ than they will with pulling teeth and one partial denture (and maybe someday working on the fillings, but they said those were not causing problems for the most part so not priority).


    Mormine
    , you mentioned Quackwatch, and their opinion of this did make it sound bad (scary and ridiculous actually). But, I have come across Quackwatch before, and I bet there are at least a few things on there that I do or have done, along with others who consider alternative have done, that are actually fine. Although I do think it is useful in terms of the cautions, and it was helpful in terms of being skeptical, which I appreciate, especially for something so drastic.

  • abigail48
    abigail48 Member Posts: 1,699
    edited October 2013


    it reminds me of an even lower tech method I saw once: a woman was holding a string which had, was it a ring or a key on the bottom. I asked her what she was doing & she said if the food is organic the ring (or key) will move back & forth (or circle around), I forget the details, may be online, if not organic the opposite

  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited October 2013


    oy vey! The string/ ring method is also used to determine the gender of babies in utero. A wise old woman from a mystical land in Central Asia told me this. She guaranteed me that my children would be boys. Good thing I had girls names picked out!


    Seriously, I suppose anything is possible but in reality, not probable. Magical thinking is an interesting concept, but just doesn't hold up well to scrutiny.

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited October 2013


    Shira, Quackwatch is actually fairly conservative, in my experience, in the sense that the site does not go off on rants or overstate anything. If something is merely useless, but also harmless, they will tell you. When something is an outright magic trick, like the gallstone cleanse that was making the rounds of the interwebz a while back, they will explain exactly what the fraud is.


    Based on my experience with the site's info, I would say that comparing the EVA to a ouija board is probably pretty accurate. Also, these meters have been around a long time. If they really had any use, I have a feeling someone would have proved it by now. But it is also the sort of thing that if some naturopath uses it to get you to eat more veggies, it is harmless. If someone uses it to advise you to yank out your teeth, not so much.


    As for the money, you go for what you think is obtainable. I experienced this with a regular dentist once. He was an orthodontist (kid needed braces). The amount charged for braces varies wildly. This guy actually started asking what I and my DH did for a living, clearly because he wanted to gauge how much he could realistically fleece me for. I found a different orthodontist.

  • ahdjdbcjdjdbkf
    ahdjdbcjdjdbkf Member Posts: 645
    edited October 2013

    Mercury and dental issues cause breast cancer. This is a medically studied scientific fact. This is mainstream information at this point and not holistic quackery. I believe the latest AMA mainstream studies say women with dental issues are 11 times more likely to get breast cancer. I don't believe in Quackwatch whatsoever. The AMA has ignored all the cancer prevention information since inception that didn't suit it's agenda. It is how all these cancer-causing foods and drugs and chemicals get approved, by doctors who said they are safe and anyone who disagrees is considered a quack. Most quackwatch advocates are on the payroll for companies causing all our cancer like Dow and Monsanto and William Morris. Remember, it was 50 years or evidence and countless deaths before doctors admitted smoking caused lung cancer. I, for one, am keeping my eyes and ears open to the newest most helpful information.

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited October 2013


    Maria, the study you are referring to suggested that: "women may be over 11 times more likely to suffer from breast cancer if they have missing teeth and gum disease." http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/216324.php


    Absolutely nothing to do with properly done root canals (or fillings for that matter).


    FTR, I am not on Monsanto's payroll. I edit academic (non-medical) articles for a living.

  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited October 2013


    Yeah, count me as another Quackwatch advocate with no evil company ties. I work for a divorce lawyer.

  • MmeJ
    MmeJ Member Posts: 167
    edited October 2013


    Mercury and dental issues cause breast cancer.


    Citations of articles in reputable peer-reviewed journals, please?


    Anecdotally, I am 53 years old and have never had a cavity, therefore, no fillings, mercury-containing or otherwise. I do, however, have (had?) breast cancer.


    Most quackwatch advocates are on the payroll for companies causing all our cancer like Dow and Monsanto and William Morris.


    Can you confirm this? Who are these people? And how did cancer show up in humans in the millennia before chemical companies existed?

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