To USC95,
Joel likes to joke around sometimes.

Is it possible that the tooth is aready dead and therefore, no pain?
Can the dentist tell for sure when a tooth is dead?

Thanks,
Sue (nondentist)

PS Here is a link to that may be of interest to Shells:

http://www.hottooth.com/root_canal_therapy.html#nopain

(excerpt):

"I don't have any pain, but my dentist says I need a root canal.  Why?

There can be a prior history of damage to the pulpal tissue as a
result of a deep filling, or other trauma, which may go undetected for
months or even years, e.g., you have no pain.  Many times you have had
prior pain in the area of concern, but because the pain episode was
brief you may have forgotten.

Absence of pain does not necessarily mean that a problem doesn't
exist.  During a dental exam, your dentist may see a particular tooth
that is discolored in comparison to the others.  This is not a normal
situation and indicates an unhealthy pulp.  In this instance it would
be advisable to have root canal therapy.  However, the approach  to
treatment may involve both surgical and non-surgical therapies ..."

Joel likes to joke around sometimes.

Is it possible that the tooth is aready dead and therefore, no pain?
Can the dentist tell for sure when a tooth is dead?

Thanks,
Sue (nondentist)

PS Here is a link to that may be of interest to Shells:

http://www.hottooth.com/root_canal_therapy.html#nopain

(excerpt):

"I don't have any pain, but my dentist says I need a root canal.  Why?

There can be a prior history of damage to the pulpal tissue as a
result of a deep filling, or other trauma, which may go undetected for
months or even years, e.g., you have no pain.  Many times you have had
prior pain in the area of concern, but because the pain episode was
brief you may have forgotten.

Absence of pain does not necessarily mean that a problem doesn't
exist.  During a dental exam, your dentist may see a particular tooth
that is discolored in comparison to the others.  This is not a normal
situation and indicates an unhealthy pulp.  In this instance it would
be advisable to have root canal therapy.  However, the approach  to
treatment may involve both surgical and non-surgical therapies ..."

___________________________

True, most doctors would not be too happy about sending a digital image
to another dentist that the patient met on the Internet.

However, since the patient already has a right to copies of the image,
it would be an easy matter for the patient to obtain the copy and send
it along.

It's just a fact of modern life that the patients can get copies of
their records and do anything they want with them.

Of course it would be easier on patients and dentists both, if the
patients would seek out a trusted dentist in the first place -- but
that has more to do with the increased commoditization of dental
services by the big-money "dental plans," and that's really another
thread.

- dentaldoc

___________________________

True, most doctors would not be too happy about sending a digital image
to another dentist that the patient met on the Internet.

However, since the patient already has a right to copies of the image,
it would be an easy matter for the patient to obtain the copy and send
it along.

It's just a fact of modern life that the patients can get copies of
their records and do anything they want with them.

Of course it would be easier on patients and dentists both, if the
patients would seek out a trusted dentist in the first place -- but
that has more to do with the increased commoditization of dental
services by the big-money "dental plans," and that's really another
thread.

- dentaldoc

___________________________

True, most doctors would not be too happy about sending a digital image
to another dentist that the patient met on the Internet.

However, since the patient already has a right to copies of the image,
it would be an easy matter for the patient to obtain the copy and send
it along.

It's just a fact of modern life that the patients can get copies of
their records and do anything they want with them.

Of course it would be easier on patients and dentists both, if the
patients would seek out a trusted dentist in the first place -- but
that has more to do with the increased commoditization of dental
services by the big-money "dental plans," and that's really another
thread.

- dentaldoc

___________________________

True, most doctors would not be too happy about sending a digital image
to another dentist that the patient met on the Internet.

However, since the patient already has a right to copies of the image,
it would be an easy matter for the patient to obtain the copy and send
it along.

It's just a fact of modern life that the patients can get copies of
their records and do anything they want with them.

Of course it would be easier on patients and dentists both, if the
patients would seek out a trusted dentist in the first place -- but
that has more to do with the increased commoditization of dental
services by the big-money "dental plans," and that's really another
thread.

- dentaldoc

___________________________

True, most doctors would not be too happy about sending a digital image
to another dentist that the patient met on the Internet.

However, since the patient already has a right to copies of the image,
it would be an easy matter for the patient to obtain the copy and send
it along.

It's just a fact of modern life that the patients can get copies of
their records and do anything they want with them.

Of course it would be easier on patients and dentists both, if the
patients would seek out a trusted dentist in the first place -- but
that has more to do with the increased commoditization of dental
services by the big-money "dental plans," and that's really another
thread.

- dentaldoc

USC95 & Shells,

Joel likes to joke around sometimes.  He gets particularly nutty when
Jan is around too. So please excuse that request. I think he was
joking.

JMHO,
Sue (nondentist)

Joel, USC95 & other dentists,

Do some dentists think it is good to do preventive  RCT on a "dead
tooth" ... or to let it go.
I guess I am wondering if there is more danger of infection when the
tooth is no longer viable.

(serious question... because I am wondering if shell's tooth may
already be dead... and therefore no pain?)

Thanks,
Sue (nondentist, & Shell, Please excuse any naive assumptions.. I have
no idea if your tooth is dead or not!)

USC95 & Shells,

Joel likes to joke around sometimes.  Ignore that request.

JMHO,
-Sue (nondentist)

YES

http://www.toothwisdom.net/r.root_canals.html

http://www.integratedhealthpractice.com/treatment.asp#Root

 ll root cancel fillings have the potential to casue bad health. This is
because, althought the nerve has been removed, bacteria still colonise in
the minute tubules of a tooth. These bacteria produce toxins which enter the
body causing potential harm.
An area of residual infection which is left under the gum, usually
following, but sometimes a long time after an extraction can cause problems.
Symptoms can be coincided with the energetic links to the body as well as
localised problems.

http://www.zip.com.au/~rgammal/RCTframeset.htm

http://www.ericdavisdental.com/root_canals.htm

http://www.whale.to/d/root2.html

http://www.drshankland.com/rootcanal.html

http://webpages.charter.net/kyarbrough/rootcanals.htm

http://www.dentistry-toothtruth.com/faq.htm

http://www.cfsn.com/maz/

http://cnorman.best.vwh.net/blazing/dental.html

http://rheumatic.org/teeth.htm

http://www.zip.com.au/~rgammal/root_therapies.htm

http://zap.intergate.ca/root.html

http://www.dentistryholistic.com/education.html

http://www.hugnet.com/Root_Canals.html

http://www.karlloren.com/ultrasound/p25.htm

http://www.hallvtox.dircon.co.uk/hallvt.html

Root Canals. A tooth has miles of tiny canals running through the root. A
dead
or root filled tooth will have bacteria in these canals. There is no way of
removing the bacteria once they are in there.

http://www.toothwisdom.net/

Toxicity from Root Canals

The next subject to be discussed are root canals and their possible source
of
toxicity. Approximately twenty five million Americans undergo root canal
therapy every year in an effort to prevent the loss of teeth that have
abscessed. The root canal is the left portion of the tooth which houses the
vital organs such as the nerve and blood vessels. The dentist endeavors to
clean and sterilize this canal and fill it with a sterile, non toxic inert
material. This usually renders this tooth serviceable and non painful;
however,
the entire inner hard core of the tooth is made of dentin which has several
million dentinal tubules. These tubules allow the circulation of lymphatic
type
fluid to circulate from the vital organs of the root canal to the outside of
the tooth. This is a viable circulatory phenomenon which has a purpose. It
services the periodontal ligament as well as the sensory aspect of the nerve
and blood centers in the root canal. If the body chemistry is healthy, the
flow
of lymphatic fluid is from the root canal to the outside of the tooth. This
creates an irrigation for the tooth and usually prevents the accumulation of
plaque to form. When the body chemistry is not healthy, then the circulation
is
from the outside of the tooth to the inner root canal. This allows for no
irrigation, but rather an accumulation of plaque to form. There are many
more
reasons for maintaining the integrity of the circulation in the dentinal
tubules. Root canal therapy completely destroys this integrity, and what
happens to the non-circulating fluid in these tubules? This fluid as it ages
becomes stagnant and becomes a toxic substance. This porous structure now
becomes a septic mass emanating poisons into the body. Is this what you
want?
Mercury amalgams are said to be the caskets of the body. Root canals are
said
to be the cadavers of the body.

I do not recommend root canals for anyone. Each individual has a right to
their
decisions. Many people simply do not wish to lose a member of their body. I
respect this, and I always discuss the consequences.

The next area of discussion is whether the root canal filling actually
sterilizes the apical end of the tooth. There are so many lateral canals at
the
root end of the tooth where bacteria can harbor that it is unlikely that a
complete aseptic condition exists. This, however, is a debateable subject.
Again, the complete acceptance of root canal therapy as a viable
substitution
for extraction is completely and whole heartedly supported by organized
dentistry. You are in violation of the code of ethics if you speak out
against
root canal therapy. When I was a practicing dentist, I always let the
patient
make that decision after explaining all pros and cons.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Jan

FACT: Jan has given NO dental advice.

People have a right to know.

http://www.toothwisdom.net/r.root_canals.html

http://www.integratedhealthpractice.com/treatment.asp#Root

 ll root cancel fillings have the potential to casue bad health. This is
because, althought the nerve has been removed, bacteria still colonise in
the minute tubules of a tooth. These bacteria produce toxins which enter the
body causing potential harm.
An area of residual infection which is left under the gum, usually
following, but sometimes a long time after an extraction can cause problems.
Symptoms can be coincided with the energetic links to the body as well as
localised problems.

http://www.zip.com.au/~rgammal/RCTframeset.htm

http://www.ericdavisdental.com/root_canals.htm

http://www.whale.to/d/root2.html

http://www.drshankland.com/rootcanal.html

http://webpages.charter.net/kyarbrough/rootcanals.htm

http://www.dentistry-toothtruth.com/faq.htm

http://www.cfsn.com/maz/

http://cnorman.best.vwh.net/blazing/dental.html

http://rheumatic.org/teeth.htm

http://www.zip.com.au/~rgammal/root_therapies.htm

http://zap.intergate.ca/root.html

http://www.dentistryholistic.com/education.html

http://www.hugnet.com/Root_Canals.html

http://www.karlloren.com/ultrasound/p25.htm

http://www.hallvtox.dircon.co.uk/hallvt.html

Root Canals. A tooth has miles of tiny canals running through the root. A
dead
or root filled tooth will have bacteria in these canals. There is no way of
removing the bacteria once they are in there.

http://www.toothwisdom.net/

Toxicity from Root Canals

The next subject to be discussed are root canals and their possible source
of
toxicity. Approximately twenty five million Americans undergo root canal
therapy every year in an effort to prevent the loss of teeth that have
abscessed. The root canal is the left portion of the tooth which houses the
vital organs such as the nerve and blood vessels. The dentist endeavors to
clean and sterilize this canal and fill it with a sterile, non toxic inert
material. This usually renders this tooth serviceable and non painful;
however,
the entire inner hard core of the tooth is made of dentin which has several
million dentinal tubules. These tubules allow the circulation of lymphatic
type
fluid to circulate from the vital organs of the root canal to the outside of
the tooth. This is a viable circulatory phenomenon which has a purpose. It
services the periodontal ligament as well as the sensory aspect of the nerve
and blood centers in the root canal. If the body chemistry is healthy, the
flow
of lymphatic fluid is from the root canal to the outside of the tooth. This
creates an irrigation for the tooth and usually prevents the accumulation of
plaque to form. When the body chemistry is not healthy, then the circulation
is
from the outside of the tooth to the inner root canal. This allows for no
irrigation, but rather an accumulation of plaque to form. There are many
more
reasons for maintaining the integrity of the circulation in the dentinal
tubules. Root canal therapy completely destroys this integrity, and what
happens to the non-circulating fluid in these tubules? This fluid as it ages
becomes stagnant and becomes a toxic substance. This porous structure now
becomes a septic mass emanating poisons into the body. Is this what you
want?
Mercury amalgams are said to be the caskets of the body. Root canals are
said
to be the cadavers of the body.

I do not recommend root canals for anyone. Each individual has a right to
their
decisions. Many people simply do not wish to lose a member of their body. I
respect this, and I always discuss the consequences.

The next area of discussion is whether the root canal filling actually
sterilizes the apical end of the tooth. There are so many lateral canals at
the
root end of the tooth where bacteria can harbor that it is unlikely that a
complete aseptic condition exists. This, however, is a debateable subject.
Again, the complete acceptance of root canal therapy as a viable
substitution
for extraction is completely and whole heartedly supported by organized
dentistry. You are in violation of the code of ethics if you speak out
against
root canal therapy. When I was a practicing dentist, I always let the
patient
make that decision after explaining all pros and cons.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: