A few years back, I had two root canals. The first one failed, as the root of that tooth split. I had to have the tooth pulled. Then, the dentist insisted that another root canal be done on another tooth against my protestations that the other one didn't work. This tooth root also split and I had to have the tooth pulled. My question is: Since the two teeth have been pulled, is there any more concern about mercury or infection from these two teeth? Anybody out there with experience in this?
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Hi. That's a good question.

I'm not sure, but I don't think you need worry about mercury from a tooth that has been pulled unless there is some amalgam stuck in the socket. I think the mercury problem would be from the mercury you were exposed to when you had the filling put in, while you had the filling, and any dental work you had done on it. The mercury will most likely still be in your body if you are a slow excreter.

Infection, however, could still be a problem. This is a problem I am facing at the moment. Several years ago a rear tooth got so decayed I had a serious infection in it. The dentist gave me penicilin to clear it and then did root canal. However, recent x-ray shows that there is still infection in the socket. I am having the tooth pulled, but unless the dentist cleans out the socket, the infection will stay there. Not all dentists do this, they just pull the tooth.

I really am not sure about mercury being a problem from a pulled tooth, though. My logic tells me you can only get the poisoning if you have amalgam present, so if all the amalgam was removed with the tooth, I'd think you wouldn't have to worry about that, unless there is something that happens with root canals that means the mercury stores up in the socket and then leaks out into the body if it not cleaned out. I don't know. I'm sure someone else here will know <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Absolutely.

The vast majority of dentists do not remove the peridontal nerve to the jaw when performing root canals. This can cause infections. The bacteria causing the infection produces sulphur by-products that embed into the tooth and gumline darkening the gums where they meet the tooth. If this condition exists, the immune system is compromised.

Much research is surfacing that shows the connection between several common diseases and conventional root canals.

Fortunately, new techniques have been developed that prevent these types of problems. Unfortunately, most conventional dentists are never exposed to these new methods. I would highly recommend finding one who is up-to-date on all of the latest research and information.

"Get your dental work done properly now, save yourself a lifetime of grief."