I just wondered if any of you have been through the process to save a root-canaled tooth by using ozone to kill the bacteria? Although I know it is better to just have it out, the dentist also offered this option and said it is still experimental, so there are no guarantees as to whether it would last 6 months or 60 years. I am interested in hearing from anyone who has had it done.

I have heard of it, but I have also heard that the best option is to get it out...if there is a cavitation there, it is not likely that it will stay bacteria free. How much do they charge for the ozone treatments?

I don't have the estimate on me right now, but as I recall it involves going to an endodontist, which they estimated at $1,100-$1,300 to open it and unpack it, 2 separate visits to the dentist for the ozone ($225 for both), a return trip to the endodontist for packing (non-mercury, of course) and someone will put the crown on. The dentist said there is a non-invasive way that he can determine how the bacteria count is doing inside the tooth after that, and that would determine when or if a repeat performance is needed. The staff explained the up side as being that by saving the "base" of the tooth, there may be a future, better treatment to successfully treat the tooth, and I would be able to benefit from it. The downside is that I could spend a lot of money and still be sick, or it could fail and I may end up getting it pulled anyway.

The cost for removal was about $500 with an additional $500 for a night guard that would be needed that would allow me to avoid some sort of temporary tooth. The night guard would have a "built-in" tooth bump that would allow the tooth above to contact it and thus keep the above tooth from erupting. The affected tooth is the back one, so I can't just get a standard bridge.

The emotional part of me wants to save what is left of the tooth, but the logical part knows that that is probably not the best choice. I have read Tooth Truth, and so I understand the concept of the root canaled tooth as essentially an embalmed, dead organ in my body. Even so, I like to fully research options before I make decisions.

P.S. I don't believe that I have a cavitation at this point. The root canal is only about 1 year old. I actually was seeking an estimate to get rid of all of the mercury, and through kinesiology the dentist determined that the root canal is more of an issue than the mercury currently, so he would prefer to treat that first.

Well it sounds like you have done your research and now you just have to make your decision. I opted to get the dead teeth out and get a bridge, I have 5 root canalled and 4 crowned that are cracked..if you read TOOTH TRUTH, you know that the crowns weaken the teeth and then they can crack more easily. And I don't want any root canalled teeth that can potentially put me in a dentist chair when I am 80. Getting the first one out was a nightmare, the toxins that were released knocked me for a loop. And then 2 rounds of very strong antibiotics which screwed up my digestion and made my candida flare up. It has taken me 2 months to recover from it.

You are young and have your whole life ahead of you, you may want to save your teeth...and I can understand that. But for me I could not imagine spending that kind of money that may or may not solve the problem. I am 55 and I want a maintenance free mouth...so I can enjoy what is left of my life.

And besides that, I am not going to spend another $2000plus to take the chance that it may not work and finance another vacation for my dentist...they have enough of my money already.

Sorry if I come across as angry, but I am. There is no one to hold accountable for the devastation that the mercury and root canalled teeth have caused in my mouth and my body and my children's as well...and I won't let them screw with it anymore. Frank Jerome put it well, he labelled then the "atrosities that the dentists have committed in our mouths."

Best luck making your decision.

Sandi
xoxo

If it is aback molar,especially a wisdom tooth don't waste your money,and just have it pulled,i've had 2 pulled in the last few months,one after wasting $800 on a root canal,they are gonna be able to grow new teeth in a few years anyway.