Dentally Challenged

I've had uninspiring experiences with conventional dentistry throughout my life, and have been looking to find a "biological dentist". Not sure how much of an improvement that might be, so looking for perspectives on Permies' understanding of holistic tooth care and options.

Right now there is a pressing matter of a failing tooth. Three fillings have fallen out of it in the last decade, and the decay has now reached the nerve. I'm looking to understand the various options in terms of long term results, both for the tooth and possible side effects on surrounding tissue and other organs in the body. $ matters, but mostly as a tie breaker if there isn't a clear winner here.

Here's my starting understanding of the options, in order of increasing expense...

PARTIAL DENTURES:
I am missing a number of my lower molars already, mostly from trauma to my teeth a few decades ago. If this tooth is extracted I would need something in place to be able to chew food comfortably. A partial would be the most affordable option from my local dental options. The problems expressed to me were a vague discomfort of having them in, and a constant need to remove and clean them more awkwardly than normal dental hygiene.

ROOT CANAL:
The conventional (but broadly informed and open to discussing dentistry topics at my elevated novice level with me) dentist I've seen volunteered a perspective I've heard elsewhere, that this is the only medical procedure that ends with leaving dead tissue in the body and is somewhat suspect. He wasn't warning against it, just admitting it was a common concern among clients and certain practitioners.

BRIDGE: This molar has two relatively healthy neighbors with which a bridge could be established. One neighbor has some decay and could use work anyway, but the bridge process would require destroying the top of the healthy tooth on the other side, and removing much of the good material on the decaying tooth for the crowns that anchor the bridge in place.


IMPLANT: I originally heard that implants were made of titanium, which is biologically inert and doesn't cause problems with the jawbone or gums. I've since heard stories on the 'fringe' about people rejecting the titanium, that the full inertness is an exaggeration that is mostly accepted because of how many people in our society have become desensitized to all of the hazardous materials introduced by the industrial mindset. My current dentist mentioned that zirconium was an option, but no info on the differences.

Seems to me even if a root canal leaves 'dead tissue' in the body, it is my own tissue and not foreign matter jammed in there... Anyone with alternative dentistry knowledge care to compare and contrast how these options rate and provide details on what a more self aware body would experience with them?

If the failing tooth still has strong roots and your gums are healthy, would a crown be another option?

I grind my teeth and have had several molars crowned to reduce the damage to my teeth from the grinding.

I have a couple of root canals for teeth that could not otherwise be saved. And a crown over a live tooth. All of these things work, though they are not cheap. However I need to eat something other than smoothies through a straw, so over the years the work has been done.

Ask anyone with dentures and they will say: keep your own teeth if you can!

Titanium implants have a surprisingly high rate of infection.

I have had many root canals, and so far after 20 years no further problems. A cap will pop loose occasionally but the dentist just glues it back on.

I am of the belief that keeping ones teeth as long as possible is the best approach.

Of all that you mention root canal would be the only choice other than having the tooth pulled.

Dental work is very expensive unless you have Dental coverage which is very expense unless you have an employer who is willing to pay for it.

Gargle with salt water to toughen up your gums.

If you have unbeareable tooth pain have the tooth pulled unless you can afford expensive root canal.

Denture are too expensive and implants are even more expensive.

If you have a pocket full of money or good dental coverage, have the tooth pulled.

I was in Arizona last winter and saw a flier for dental work in Mexico.  I just happened to need some work done so I gave it a shot.  It was 1/4 to 1/5 the price and the dentist and equipment was as modern as I'd expect in the states.  So if money is a factor, that might make it less of a factor...

Just as a datum -- I have a molar bridge (lower right) that was installed in 1985 and is in seemingly perfect condition. They told me at the time I could expect it to last 15 years but other dentists since then have told me to expect it to last forever unless I'm unlucky. But I do floss around it carefully.

All the people I know with implants love them except one guy for whom the installation of four of them all at once failed and he had to have more major surgery to fix and then eight months later go through the implant installation and healing process. But that was in the late '90s and they've served him well since.

I think there are several promising tooth-regrowth technologies in various stages of the pipeline and I'm hoping to keep all the teeth I still have another ten years so that I can take advantage of them.

Megan Palmer wrote:If the failing tooth still has strong roots and your gums are healthy, would a crown be another option?

Roots are normal and gums seem fine, but the decay has produced symptoms of irreversible pulpitis, according to the description at wikipedia and the conventional dentist agreed based on my description of symptoms. A crown is not a conventional option once that has occurred.

Douglas Alpenstock wrote:I have a couple of root canals for teeth that could not otherwise be saved. And a crown over a live tooth. All of these things work, though they are not cheap. However I need to eat something other than smoothies through a straw, so over the years the work has been done.

I'm unclear what you are trying to say with that last sentence, you still have your original tooth but can't chew with it?

Mike Haasl wrote:I was in Arizona last winter and saw a flier for dental work in Mexico.  I just happened to need some work done so I gave it a shot.  It was 1/4 to 1/5 the price and the dentist and equipment was as modern as I'd expect in the states.  So if money is a factor, that might make it less of a factor...

I just heard the same thing from Seth, and he said the price reduction was produced by the exchange rate on US$. I've heard others refer to "dental tourism" or something like that.

I also just heard comedian/political commentator Dave Smith start to describe how a dental association had successfully lobbied to artificially inflate the price of root canals in the US before he was cut off, but I probably can't inquire about that in the regular forums...