97 Comments

Dr. Huber, I am a dentist and thought I would respond to your interesting column.

First point: poorly done root canals are a hazard, not root canals in general. At a continuing education conference a few years ago, research was presented indicating that 50-60% of root canals done by general dentists failed while 90% performed by endodontists (root canal specialist) were successful. Skill matters a great deal in outcome of cases. Generally speaking (to keep this readable), it has been found that flushing the canal repeatedly and thoroughly with sodium hypochlorite was a big factor in outcome. Frankly, many general dentists rush through this process, while successful cases (and future referrals) are great practice builders for endodontists. As a general dentist, I would also say that discretion is the better part of endodontia (and oral surgery...). I refer anything that is beyond my skill level. In my experience, endodontists do a wonderful job with these difficult cases.

How do we know a root canal was done properly? Many times patients present with a large radiolucency apparent on the x-ray. If a root canal is done well, the radiolucency will completely resolve and stay resolved. The infection causing the radiolucency is eliminated.

The quick and the dirty: root canals, done well, are very effective. I would not hesitate to have one done.

An aside: the metallic "filling" attached to the crown in your story is a cast post, not a root canal filling.

If you have any question, please feel free to ask. Same for anyone on here.

I appreciate your work, Dr. Huber.

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Thank you, Dr. Holliday. I appreciate your knowledgeable comments, and am pinning this post, so that those who do choose to have root canals can discuss the sodium hypochlorite and other factors you discuss, for better outcomes.

On the other hand, when Weston Price DDS wrote, “When we consider how many thousands of the extracted teeth we have cultured and found to be infected within the tooth structure, and the extremely low percentage, practically zero, in which infection was not demonstrated, . . ." one would then expect a much greater likelihood of risk than success with root canal fillings.

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I also appreciate your work, Dr. Huber. Thank you.

I've had at least 8 root canals over the last 40 years. Two were on the same tooth, which ultimately cracked that root. For some time I have had a focal infection at the apex of that one and another molar on the other side. I’ve ‘managed’ them with various folk medicine treatments — black walnut, coconut oil & colloidal silver, raw garlic — enough to keep me out of pain and not in need of antibiotics. I now require rotator cuff surgery for a severe injury, so must get serious about clearing these infections. (I must add that I’ve had no resultant chronic illnesses or body pain over those many years.)

I think your readers would be interested to know that back in August, Joseph Mercola posted an article discussing the value of ozone therapy before or during extraction of teeth that have had root canals. It’s in the form of a pdf, so no link is available. I’ll quote from it here:

"Extracting the tooth is just the first step. Next, the area must be drained and cleaned of bacteria. Ozone gas is by many holistic dentists considered indispensable during this step, as the gas is able to permeate the bone and gum tissue, killing the infection.

The periodontal ligament also needs to be removed in order to allow for the jawbone to properly regrow and completely seal the hole where the tooth was.

If the extraction site is not meticulously cleaned and disinfected (and this goes for any tooth extraction, not just root canaled teeth), a cavitation — a pocket in the jawbone filled with bacteria — may form. Failure to remove the periodontal ligament also contributes to cavitations by preventing the bone from properly regrowing."

"…if your dentist is recommending you get a root canal, evaluate the data and your personal situation, such as your health risks, before making your decision. I would also suggest trying ozone therapy before getting a root canal or tooth extraction done.

Ozone therapy is typically administered through a syringe, right into or around the base of the tooth. Multiple visits are usually needed to address the infection.

Ozone is directly toxic to infectious material, and it also stimulates your immune system. I was able to prevent a root canal by using ozone therapy. It took about five treatments. It's safe, nontoxic, and relatively inexpensive, so it may be worth considering before taking more drastic measures."

On a slight tangent, you say these women that you saw in your clinic are in their thirties. I’d be curious to know if they had the full CDC childhood vaccine schedule.

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The periodontal ligament comes out attached to the extracted tooth. The rare times it does not come out, it is easily scooped out when the surgeon curettes the socket before suturing or placing a gauze pack over the wound. A patient who believes a tooth extraction site needs to be vigorously cleansed at home risks dislodging the clot at the bottom of the socket and when that happens, the bone is exposed. You want to know how much pain you can tolerate? Try a dry socket. Your bad breath due to necrosis of the bone will curl the hair on all who converse with you, and the throbbing will make you want to seek out the local drug pusher for quick relief.

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you must remove all root canals and drill out all cavitations if you want to be healthy. See The Garbage Collector by Robert Gammal, DDS or my book Judas Dentistry linked free in another comment.

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Wondering, what I put in their place? Implants are extremely expensive. And dental insurance in the US is absolutely terrible, practically paying for nothing. Are there other options besides going toothless and/or bridges, etc. Thanks.

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You should only consider a root canal if you have no respect for your health. This is not my quote.

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It is impossible to clean all the pores in the root during a root canal. Over time, bacteria and fungus can grow in the tooth and leak out into the bone and surrounding blood supply. Problem is, most people don't know it is happening. No one really knows what happens or where this bacteria can go in your body. There is also bone loss. I am dealing with all of this now. I wish I had never had root canals.

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I'm sorry to hear about your experience. It is difficult and, as I wrote, no 100% guarantee can be given--a small percentage of well done root canals fail, but it is an effective treatment.

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Not having enough teeth to effectively masticate food is also a health risk. Obtaining proper nutrition from fresh fruits and vegetables that are not overcooked, requires healthy bone and teeth. Esthetics and speech must also be considered. Sometimes endodontic treatment on a tooth is necessary to preserve these important functions. Root canal therapy is more predictable than placing implants. Dentures, and partials have drawbacks too.

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Yes. A well-done implant (oh boy, have I seen some nightmares!) is an outstanding choice for replacing missing teeth. But nothing beats the 32 teeth God gave us. If possible, it is ALWAYS advisable to save a tooth by doing a root canal followed by a crown for premolars and molars. You can get away without a crown on front teeth because the biting forces are not as large.

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I’m not a fan of implants as I have had 3 failures in 3 different areas on my mouth. I worked 35 years as a dental hygienist including a periodontist’s practice. I had 3 great oral surgeons (specialists) who did everything they could to make it work. It was a no go with chronic infections over several attempts at different times receiving treatment. Much of my dental problems have occurred because of old work needing to be replaced. I have amazing bridgework now to fill the gaps. Thank goodness there are talented dentists who understand the art and engineering necessary to replace lost teeth with biocompatible beautiful materials.

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zirconia ceramics

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see above responses

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Endodontics are never desirable except for zerconia ceramics, which are biologically inert. Titanium implants are second to root canals for health and dental disasters.

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there is a 100 percent guarantee: all root canals are infected and eventually cause health problems. Most are occult (no symptoms) initially, however.

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exactly

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"root canals, done well, are very effective." WRONG. This flies in the face of all we know from 80 plus years of experience. The original people inventing the root canal repudiated their work at the end of their careers. Root canals should never be performed, are universally infected, and seed other areas of the body with oral pathogens. Endodontists should be given the choice of quitting or ..??. Well, read my book Judas Dentistry if you want to understand the story. It is free to your readers here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/5ercuvl94y . Robert Yoho, MD

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Just rinse up to 30 sec up to minutes with schwedenbitter* and add on 750ml 15 long-peppers to it....

*Make the schwedenbitter your self, the store version is lame. Get 2x 750ml grain alcohol 38% at +- 90 gr schwedenbitter mix to it leave it for at-least a month-6 weeks and if you can 3 months, filter it start rinsing...... Its yack, sharp etc.. You can also swallow the rinsing cause the herbs are great for everything else....., dilute it when swallowing with water....

Wanna know more get the maria treben books, they are translated is many languages.

https://www.amazon.com/Health-Through-Gods-Pharmacy-Experiences/dp/3850681246/ref=sr_1_5?crid=5904SPP5949E&keywords=Maria+treben&qid=1703878239&sprefix=maria+treben%2Caps%2C579&sr=8-5

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Ihlich-Swedish-Bitters-Maria-Treben/dp/B0785J3TB9/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1VBUQG004T8OC&keywords=schwedenbitter+maria+treben+original&qid=1703878374&sprefix=schwedenbitter%2Caps%2C374&sr=8-6 you need the short one is about 15 herbs, that one works the best.

I personally added the long-pepper cause I had a huge infection under a molar with open filling, I put 15 long-peppers to 750ml already made schwedenbitter leave it warm for a month or a week under a halogen(heat) 20W lamp. It stings on the tongue, but I got every big root infection away for 6-7 years now.

I also have one root canal, but no longer infections around it due to the schwedenbitter rinsing. That's how I discovered it....

Enjoy!

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I have several root canals for decades, and after I began my studies as a health practitioner, I encountered the use of hydrogen peroxide. After a few weeks of mouthwashes and inhalations, all microbial infections disappeared, and never went to the dentist for cavities or canals again.

The presence of metal in there is another story.

Last year I was talking to a dentist friend, trained in northern Greece, and he said that back in the 80s he had a very wise professor who told him 'screw all those new procedures and mouthwashes. Three days a week of saltwater mouthwash keeps you plaque-free, and three days a week of peroxide solution mouthwash keeps you infection-free.'

That good professor never achieved high academic chair, but every single one of my friends' patients who does this routine has a perfectly healthy mouth.

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H2O2 helps but chlorine dioxide is far better. Here is a commercial product: https://frontierpharm.com/?sca_ref=4971977.b7yS1KFI3W

However, the only rx that works long term is extraction

see the rest of my comments

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thank you Robert! I have been following your work for over a year, it is fantastic.

I know chlorine dioxide, it is very potent. In fact I ve been making my own CDS for years. With Kalker method.

Way before even Dr Sircus incorporated it in his protocols.

But I dont use it for oral care, due to its highly corrosive nature.

I havent looked into the commercial products yet, but I think I will do in order to offer patients an easier way to have access.

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Great post. Here is a way to download my new book about dentistry free : The Judas Dentistry draft is at https://dl.bookfunnel.com/5ercuvl94y.

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Thank you Dr. Huber. Amazing article. What you describe could be affecting me. I am 65 and I have one root canal that is at least 30 years old. Earlier this year, my sinuses became inflamed and infected. I had to take aspirin to ease the pain. I found a good sinus doctor in Jupiter, Florida. The doctor scanned my sinuses - they were completely blocked and infected. They put me on antibiotics to clear the infection, did a culture and had me back in a couple of weeks to correct a deviated septum and to perform a balloon sinuplasty. The doctor told me that my sinuses had probably been inflamed for years; I just kept accepting my deteriorating condition as "normal". The culture came back positive for Streptococcus and E-coli. I asked the doctor where I could have gotten such nasty stuff in my sinuses - he said, "you can get that stuff anywhere." I think I should get my root-canal removed; it could be the "root" of the problem. Thanks very much for all the great info and for always telling the truth. May God bless you and continue to guide you in your work. Peace.

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Have you considered a consult with a biological dentist? I find their viewpoints on root canals are quite different than conventional dentists and endodontists.

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I plan to do so immediately. Thank you! Peace.

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I had three abscesses from old root canals that were causing terrible headaches. Dr. Light in Palm Springs, Fl found them and Dr Boner in WPB redid them. Their objective was to save the teeth. I haven't had any trouble since. I highly recommend those two and they are within driving distance of Jupiter. We watch all my root canals closely now.

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Thank you Kristi. Peace.

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I had a similar problem - a sinus infection(?) that I just couldn't shake. I had never had sinus problems before that. An ear, nose and throat specialist said I most likely had an infection under one of my upper molars that had been root canalled. When I had it removed, I could smell the stink. The sinus problem cleared up quickly.

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Wow. Thank you! I am glad that you solved the problem - sounds like you found a good doctor. Peace.

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Breast cancer patients are caught between a rock and a hard place. I spent five years on Anastrozole which caused osteopenia. The doctor recommended Prolia for my bones. Prolia makes one susceptible to hip and spinal fractures when the drug is stopped if one doesn’t go on the oral bone drugs. Some patients also experience jaw necrosis. I’m weaning off Prolia by getting a half dose for two years based on a study done by a Canadian endocrinologist. I have one more year of the half dose to go. I would like to get my one root canal out, but I’m terrified of developing jaw necrosis. I think I should wait until I’ve been off the Prolia for at least a year before I get any invasive dental work done. When I researched Prolia before I started it, some of this information wasn’t known. Big pharma can’t be trusted at all. In the meantime my back is getting worse and worse as is my arthritis.

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Many blessings for healing!

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It is definitely a challenge to make the right decision with the possibility of jaw bone necrosis. I think I would talk to as many specialists as I could before deciding. I cringe every time I hear from people that they are taking drugs for osteoporosis.

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Breast cancer frequently goes away after root canal extraction. Read The Garbage Collector by Robert Gammal or download my book free here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/5ercuvl94y

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Having moved to the US from England fairly late in life, I was surprised to find root canals seemed to be the No. 1 treatment offered by dentists here for tooth problems, rather than the much more common fillings used in England up until that time. (I believe this may have changed since). Unfortunately, initially I was suckered into believing root canals were the solution to my various dental problems by a dentist I now consider more concerned with his profit margins than the ultimate welfare of his patients. I also learned this concern often applies to the practice of medicine generally in the US.

Since then, I've come across aficionados of Dr Weston Price who call themselves "biological dentists", totally averse to root canals and if fillings are deemed insufficient, seem to prefer extraction of the offending tooth. Which leaves you with a gap. If it's a question of just one/ two or three teeth, this isn't going to make a huge difference to one's eating ability, but if more, depending on location, and in addition to an already depleted full set of teeth, i.e. the molars in particular, it can make one hesitate to proceed with possibly multiple extractions.

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I agree with your assessment of the US healthcare system. I’m also a transplant from Europe and the difference is indeed noticeable. Regarding extractions, there is always the option of a dental implant, with cubic zirconium being the more biocompatible option.

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Teeth migrate when there are gaps due to extractions. Teeth work together as a full set. When you have less teeth doing more work, you can have bone loss and more tooth loss as a result.

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Millions who have had root canal procedures performed literally had no choice. Acute inflammation of a tooth nerve ranks right up their with full-blown natural childbirth, sans epidural, in terms of pain! Remember the film "Marathon Man" and the brilliant role of Lawrence Olivier as the "Iz-it-säfe" dentist? You will do anything or confess anything to get the pain to stop. Personally, I rather have a fatal bacterial infection with a quick demise than the endless torture produced by an acutely inflamed tooth. Too bad for all of us who are now going to die early because of gutta percha. C'est la vie, et la mort.

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My intention in writing this was not at all to pronounce doom on those with gutta percha, but rather to open examination and discussion to the alternatives to root canal fillings. I have spoken to dentists who prefer not to do them, if other ways of resolving pain can be considered. From what I have been told, that would be extraction or conventional filling. Which I readily acknowledge are not acceptable to the patient many times.

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I think we understood that. The fact is that patients in excruciating pain will grasp at any solution. Too little is done in the medical community to alleviate the worst culprit of all: PAIN! If we could have the pain knocked out in one go, most of us would opt for that and then the medics could take over with better procedures. The issue of prime importance to the patients is not even survival but STOPPING the atrocious pain, and neuralgic pain is the worst.

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Dec 29Edited

I can attest to that. I crashed my motorcycle when I was 18 which landed on my face and broke my jaw in 5 places including the pallet and after 2 years all the teeth on the left started needing root canals…and then the ones on the bottom left did too. One day I’m fine tho next I’m in excruciating pain. Sadly after all but 6 teeth had a root canal my teeth started breaking off at the gum line and so the top were removed and to make a long story short I eventually lost every tooth after years of pain and spending close to $25 thousand.

I’ve had 7 surgeries on my jaw and have nerve damage on the bottom so I can’t wear dentures… obviously my diet is poor, but I know there are ways to make it better.

After reading this essay I wonder how I’d be if I still had all those root canaled teeth? The biggest joy I get from everything I went to is that I never have to visit a dentist again. But I have always believed that I was lucky to be here to go through all the pain because the kickstand fractured my skull. I could have been much worse off.

Sorry but reading this brought back the nightmare years…decades.

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I am so sorry for the remembered nightmare and traumatic pain. Emergency considerations in dentistry of course take precedence over any relaxed discussion of dental alternatives.

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Dec 29Edited

Please don’t worry about it. It’s an old nightmare and the silver lining is no more dental work. I have always known how lucky I was not to die.

Also do you have any recommendations for treating neuropathy? So far nothing recommended has done anything to lessen the pain.

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Horrible. Absolutely horrible! The pain you have endured must have been excruciating. Most of us can't even begin to imagine the horror of what you've experienced. I'd be taking every pain killer in the books and then some. There truly are many things that are much, much worse than death, and endless pain ranks at the #1 spot. As you said, at least you'll never have to visit another dentist. Thanks for sharing your horrendous ordeal.

Do your best to feel well and force your doctor to give you the best pain killers out there.

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It was and I left out one part of my story. The doctor who repaired my jaw didn’t fix it right and he left one condyle still broken which put pressure on the other side so after 8 years of TMJ like pain it war rebroken which was much worse than the original injury because of the nerves being cut.. Gah! If I had any idea of how painful that was I don’t know if I would have done it.

I didn’t understand the aftermath of head injuries and so when I forgot so many things like having meetings with my staff and then the next day having no recollection of it. Well you can imagine how self conscious I was. Finally my new doctor explained it to me. Now I just don’t care because like I said I’m still here.

I’m in a pain clinic for my back and neuropathy. My back is manageable, but so far nothing helps the neuropathy. Ghastly pain!

Thank you.

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You are an inspiration to us all! When I complain about toothaches in the future, I'll think back to all that you've had to endure and appreciate my blessings.

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You are so sweet. Thank you. But pain is pain and I think that everyone should get to b*tch about it when it hits.

I wish you a happy new year!

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I put a heart on your story but I did not Like it. Poor fellow, what a terrible story. xxx

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Very interesting, so if a dentist suggests a root canal, what might be alternatives (besides improving diet)?

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I believe that the alternatives offered are either extraction or conventional filling, without involving the root. There seems to be a range of acceptance among biological dentists of root canals.

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You can regrow enamel. There are FB pages that talk about success doing it, and there are ozone treatments by biological dentists that help. It is not fate, to get a root canal. https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/how-i-healed-my-childs-cavity/comment-page-33/

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I learned about this at a conference a few years ago and my mom, who recently died of breast cancer, had a history of a root canal at a related tooth. I would love to hear your thoughts on alternatives to root canals.

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extractions.

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That is all that I have heard offered by dentists for existing root canals. But for proposed future ones? There may be alternatives.

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"Biological dentist" is a search term that may bring up connection and consults in your local area for alternatives to root canal fillings.

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Did your patients whose teeth were removed just have no tooth in those spots afterwards? Or did they get one of those retainer-like things with a fake tooth on it?

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So far, for each of these women, there is the gap without the tooth, without any retainer or bridge so far. None are front teeth, so they have expressed more an issue of chewing than appearance.

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I am missing two molars on the lower right and will get a "partial" for that area ASAP. Teeth are drifting a bit, but the main problem is that the left side is overcompensating so that I can chew. I imagine problems can ensue because of this. Due to having no dental insurance (and crazy coding anyway, according to my dentist who hates the coding), I will just outright buy the partial with cash.

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There was a study some years back, maybe in Sweden; where the DNA from a toxic root canal was found in the heart of a heart attack victim.

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a formerly filled tooth had decayed again last year, and I had it pulled. Yes there is a gap now, but 1. root canal was extremely expensive, 2. he did not do that himself like the dentist in Belgium so I would have had to go to another one 3. this was just before thanksgiving and I would have had to wait several weeks, with a sore tooth. Am I glad I had it extracted, reading this ! Thank you so much !

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I am very intrigued by this, because I have poor molars and a few root canals. I wonder if the same pitfalls are also found with implants. Looking forward to more information.

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I have spoken to biological dentists who are adamant against implants as well as root canals.

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What are their arguments against them? My biological dentist does not seem to mind them, but recommend cubic zirconia implants, not titanium.

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Usually, the problem is with titanium implants, and not the cubic zirconia. Titanium conducts electricity and not so good for the body.

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I wondered about the implants also. I had a friend spend $50,000 on a mouthful. She was gone from breast cancer in less than a year.

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This sequence of events, first the root canals and then the cancer, is heard at my cancer clinic very often. We haven't yet systematically reviewed data. That would take hundreds of hours of research reviewing people's files. I would like to think we will get around to doing that, but possibly not.

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Breast cancer seems to correlate with the meridians in the mouth and where the root canal was done.

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I wonder if there is a chart or information about tooth position and associated organ system that could be found.

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I had a neighbor who passed away from breast cancer about 20-yrs. ago. She was convinced that her problem stemmed from a root canal she had done a few years prior. That was the first time that I had heard of the association. She was, no doubt, correct.

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And of course, I think we all know people with implants who seem just fine.

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Holy Cow! Another very, very insightful bit of information.

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