What Happened When My Root-Canal Teeth Were Pulled
When I had two root canal teeth extracted by my biological dentist, I paid a few hundred dollars for an analysis of what bacteria were found in these "dead" teeth. I want to tell you what I learned when got my results back from the lab in Colorado.
Weighing a Root Canal VS Extraction
In this article:
- Why My Root Canal Failed
- All Root Canals Fail Years Later
- Signs of Root Canal Infection
- What Happens to the Root Canaled Tooth?
- Bacteria Found in the Samples
- When Should You Worry About the Bacteria?
- After the Root Canal Tooth Extraction
Why My Root Canal Failed
My holistic dentist had told me previously that both of my root-canal teeth were failing.1 Since then, I’ve talked to half a dozen other dentists and people who have extensive experience with root canals about why root canals fail.
Dental Damage from Earlier Years
You would think that with all the good health habits I have, I would have better luck with my teeth. I confess to being more than a little disappointed that a bone graft and so much dental work would be required, notwithstanding my earlier years of eating lots of candy, ice cream, and diet soda.
All Root Canals Fail Years Later
But did you know that the EXPECTED time that a root canal lasts is a max of ten years? That’s right—endodontists KNOW that their procedure has a very limited life.
My brother Dave was in an ATV accident where his teeth planted in the steering wheel and killed ten of them. He had root canals on all of them, and guess what happened ten years later?
Yep, they were all failing.
Signs of Root Canal Infection
Sensitivity, blisters on the gum, pain, and even rashes can indicated a failed root canal.
But what about those first ten years? Are those pleomorphic organisms trapped in an anaerobic environment, in a dead organ, really contained during that time? Answer: no, they’re not! “Failing” just means that there are visible, discernible signs of rampant infection and decay. Teeth don't get that way overnight! When a root canal infection is obvious, you can be sure the problem has existed for quite some time.
Failed Root Canal Symptoms
In my case, the signs of infection were mild tooth sensitivity and a blister on the gums covering the tooth. I also had a raging, itchy rash on my trunk and arms that came and went for 2.5 months, until I realized it was related to my teeth.
What Happens to the Root Canaled Tooth?
Have you ever thought about the fact that the tooth is an organ? Biological dentists know this. Each tooth is part of an interconnected meridian in the body. When you decide to keep a dead tooth in your mouth through a root canal, you are truly fossilizing a dead organism in your living mouth. How can we think this won’t cause problems?!
Bacteria Found in the Samples
My test results came back saying that 10 bacteria were detected in the tooth sample. None of them were in the “active” concentration, where the microorganism is alive and well and not being effectively attacked by my immune system.
But two were in the “bright” concentration, which means “heavy concentration of the microorganism.”
The two most worrying bacteria were:
Getting your tooth tested with a bacteria sample can show if your root canal is infected.
Different Bacteria in the Body
I didn't panic about this. The fact is, everybody has candida (a parasitic fungi like yeast), everybody has cancer, most people probably have strep and even MRSA micro-organisms too. Everybody has many yeasts, molds, fungi, viruses, bacteria, and the toxic waste byproducts of those critters in their blood and guts and organs.
Believe it or not, candida can actually have valid functions in the human body. In proportion, when we're talking about tiny amounts in a teeming, healthy ecosystem, it’s not a problem.
When Should You Worry About the Bacteria?
The problem is when those baddies get out of hand, when the good guys in the body, like macrophages and healthy microorganisms, are overcome (by antibiotics! GMO-frankenfoods! sugar-feeding yeast and fungus!) and the baddies get out of control.
Killing tissues/organs such as your teeth, then trapping the bacteria in the teeth, deprived of oxygen, makes the baddies become super-psychos. That’s a gross oversimplification, but a google search on those two bacteria reveal that my own two breeds of baddies cause heart attacks, impaired immune response, and infections!2
Shudder.
After the Root Canal Tooth Extraction
It was weird to be missing two teeth for a while, but I was glad to be rid of the super-psychos.
The dentist offered me an antibiotic the day of my surgery, since he knew the baddies were out and running around. I said no thanks, that I wanted to help my body manage it. And it did. Every time I think of this, I send a gratitude message inward, thanking my body for heroic immune function during a rough patch!
What was the experience like if you’ve ever had a root canal? If you could choose, would you have a root canal or have the tooth extracted? Share your story in the comments section below.
Up Next: How To Find A Good Biological Dentist: 10 Questions To Ask
Robyn Openshaw, MSW, is the bestselling author of The Green Smoothies Diet, 12 Steps to Whole Foods, and 2017’s #1 Amazon Bestseller and USA Today Bestseller, Vibe. Learn more about how to make the journey painless, from the nutrient-scarce Standard American Diet, to a whole-foods diet, in her free video masterclass 12 Steps to Whole Foods.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that help support the GSG mission without costing you extra. I recommend only companies and products that I use myself.
Sources
- Zehnder, Matthias, and Georgios N Belibasakis. “On the Dynamics of Root Canal Infections-What We Understand and What We Don't.” Virulence, Taylor & Francis, 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4601489/.
- Georgalas, C., Kanagalingam, J., Zainal, A., Ahmed, H., Singh, A., & Patel, K. S. (2002). The Association between Periodontal Disease and Peritonsillar Infection: A Prospective Study. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, 126(1), 91–94. https://doi.org/10.1067/mhn.2002.121318
Editor's note: This post was originally published on November 23, 2012 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
Posted in: Dental Health, Detox, Health Concerns, Holistic Care
I just had 3 old root canal teeth pulled by a regular oral surgeon. I also found out they all had abscesses above the root. I have another old root canal the dentist wants to redo, but now I’m ready to have that pulled. I think I need to find a biological dentist that can help me, but I’m having a hard time. I’m feeling really sick and depressed. Not sure what the next step is, but I need to get my health back! Can you please help me?
Hi Amy,
I went through all that, desperately trying to find biological dentist with no success. Fortunately, my dentist was smart and flexible enough to listen to my concerns and he agreed to do a removal following biological protocol I found on the Internet and printed out for him. Everything went smooth and I am on the road to recovery.
Don’t despair, you made the right decision to get the teeth pulled. Root canals are evil. You will feel better once they are out.
All the best to you!
Rose, you have been through a lot and sounds like you’ve done your homework. Basically what is the difference between a good caring oral surgeon and a biological dentist. Is it all about approching things holistic verses typical or standardized dentistry?
I had a root canal done about 10 years ago. Terrible decision! I asked my dentist to remove it but he insisted on root canal so I gave in. I had problems with that thing and so many x-rays, trips to the dentist to get it cleaned. I finally got it pulled out and my new dentist said it was infected. I really regret listening to my previous dentist but I feel better now. I kept getting sinus infections, throat infections, acne on that side of the root canal. I am glad it’s out now.
If you believe that your health belongs to a doctor’s hands :))) Just tell the dentist what you want and no discussion. Do not discuss with them You two live on a different pkanet. You only need their tools, hands and anesthesia but not their ideas about which direction to move towards real health!
Just came from the dentist and had a root canal/crown pulled that was black underneath and was attacking the jaw bone with infection that showed up last year on X-ray, tooth never showed sign of infection or pain so it wasn’t urgent but the dentist said it could’ve contributed to my fibromyalgia, arthritis and surgeries I’ve had over the years, all this from a rotten root canal crown I paid $1400 for, never again! Maybe now I’ll start to feel Better
I had a root canal on #31(last tooth, lower right side) by a root canal specialist, Endodontist, on October 17, 2018. This was a tooth that had been heavily filled when I was a teenager and then crowned when I was in my 20’s because a piece of the tooth had broken off. Immediately following the root canal in October, I was in worse pain than before the root canal procedure. So one week later the Endodontist went back in and cleaned out the roots, again, essentially performing the same procedure for a second time…UGH; not fun. Btw, the Endodontist is the loveliest, most patient man and seems quite knowledgeable and capable. After the second procedure, it slowly began to feel better over the course of a week so I went back to Endodontist for the roots to now be filled with whatever material it is that they use to complete the root canal procedure. The next day my tooth was hurting even worse than ever before and I was now having pain in my lower jaw area! So back I went to the Endodontist. He put me on antibiotics in case there was an infection some where beneath the tooth that he could not see and in a few days the pain was significantly lessened. I made it through Thanksgiving with no pain and then the following week, while out to dinner with my husband and friends, I bit into a piece of steak that was a bit too well done and I began having pain under the tooth and into my jaw once again. Another trip to the Endodontist who now suggested that I see an oral surgeon since I was scheduled to be leaving for Christmas in Italy with my family in four weeks from that date. The oral surgeon had spoken with my Endodontist AND my regular dentist and they all agreed that it could be a TMJ situation from all the work that I had done on that tooth and having had my mouth open for an hour each time so he put me on steroids for the jaw and antibiotics, again, just in case there was an infection. It settled down and I left for Italy completely armed with antibiotics and pain killers in case it were to flare up while out of the country; NOT at all a stress-free way to approach a vacation! Luckily, my tooth, jaw, etc. were fine while away, however, I ended up with a sty on my lower right eye lid about two days before we left Italy (this was my first experience with a sty in my 56 years and I’m not completely convinced that it had nothing to do with this root candled tooth!) Since my return from Italy, I have had a few episodes of discomfort in the tooth socket and in the jaw bone just beneath it. I took the oral surgeon’s advice and went back to my regular dentist about a month ago to have the old crown removed and a temporary crown put on the tooth. The oral surgeon suggested that before I invest more money in this tooth, that I live with the temporary crown for at least a couple of months to be certain that the tooth is still viable and not going to need to be extracted. Approximately two weeks later, I began having a bad taste in the back of my throat near and around the tooth and discomfort in the socket of the tooth and again into the jaw bone. Called my Endodontist, once again, who I am sure was NOT happy to hear from me and he recommended that I now go to a TMJ specialist to rule out TMJ….more money!!! Keep in mind that, to date, this tooth has cost me approximately $4,000.00!!!! Instead, I decided to go back to the oral surgeon, yesterday. He examined me, took a Cone Beam CT of the tooth and sees absolutely nothing wrong going on. He pressed down very hard on the tooth when he examined me but the pain that I felt was more severe in the jaw bone right under the tooth than it was in the tooth itself so he feels that it could be the muscles along the jaw line which would possibly indicate TMJ from possible tooth grinding (he checked the occlusion; the bite, and it was fine). I just find this to be too coincidental that at 56 years old I’m suddenly grinding my teeth or clenching my jaw shortly after a root canal procedure…??? It, also, doesn’t make sense that I would be getting this bad taste around the area of the tooth from clenching my jaw…??? This is a mystery to me and all the doctors I’ve been to, thus far. Meanwhile, I have not been feeling well, physically, off and on, since the original root canal in October and after reading some of the root canal stories, I am wondering if it’s due to possible bacteria in the tooth in question. I have been having extreme joint pain, strange things happening with my eyes, occasional pain deep into my right ear and a tingling sensation up the right side of my head. I am considering having the tooth extracted but since the CT taken yesterday by the Oral Surgeon does not show any visible signs of infection, I’m hesitant on jumping into extraction. I am desperate for relief! I feel like I’m in a holding pattern; very frustrating! Any words of advice?
Did they take a 3D scan? Images are not as clearly defined on a 2D scan…I know because that is how my dentist could never see my infection (13 years) of severe pain. I would like to recommend the biological oral surgeon that removed my root canal tooth, but sure if this is permitted on this site…or you can email me…
I had the 3D scan just before the root canal and again this past Tuesday. It is not showing any signs of infection or any glaring problem with the root canal procedure. I was in SO much pain this past Tuesday and Wednesday but after taking ibuprofen Wednesday night and using the heating pad on my face, the pain was lessened by Thursday morning and today feeling even a little better than yesterday. On Wednesday, when I was in much more pain that I am at the present moment, I scheduled the extraction for this coming Tuesday…but now I don’t know what I should do…UGH!!! This is a rollercoaster ride….and not a very enjoyable one. I am leaning toward having the tooth extracted anyway just after reading an article titled The Hidden Dangers of Root Canal. After reading that article and some of the stories on this site, I’m feeling like leaving this compromised tooth in my mouth is risky….and since I’m already feeling all this joint pain, muscle weakness and fatigue, I feel that it may be best to part with this tooth and have an implant put in. How are you feeling physically since the extraction of your root canaled tooth?
I haven’tv had any pain at the extraction site, but I am still experiencing nerve pain in most of my teeth as well as a burning tongue, facial pain, ear pain headaches, body aches, neuropathy in my feet and no appetite…none of my symptoms have improved so far. It had only been 5 weeks since the extraction. My physician believes there is damage done to my body as a result of the root canal. In fact, things seem worse than before. I won’t see my physician for another 5 weeks…just hanging in there…
I would go see a Chinese Herbalist who can get you on Chinese Herbs and acupuncture. Your body is probably so out of whack from everything that it’s been through with regard to the root canal and consequent bacteria. The Chinese herbs helped me 25 years ago when I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease. I was on oral antibiotics for 10 weeks and then IV antibiotics for 12 weeks and it did not help at all. I was finally frustrated enough to try the Chinese medicine approach and, no exaggeration, was feeling 80% better in 3 weeks time and 100% better in 6 weeks. Worth every penny! I am planning on going to my Chinese Herbalist about a week post tooth extraction. I feel like my immune system has been on overload and I’m hoping the herbs and acupuncture will do the trick for me once again.
APRIL’. STEROIDS MESSED MY LIFE UP AND STILL RECOVERING FROM FLUSH AND OTHER STEROID MEDS. BE CARE FULL
I had a premolar extracted in upper jaw which fractured. It was a root filled tooth from 4 years ago brought on by an abscess I had back then. The tooth had split and fractured well in to root exposing white soft tissue. My dentist and I decided to extract tooth even though I was not in severe pain with tooth. Just hurt a little when biting down. I was told there would be strong risk of infection if I left tooth as was. The extraction took less than 1 minute to extract without problem. Obviously I was very upset and stressed for weeks by what had happened. I was given amoxicillin 500mg 3xper day for a week just as a precaution. As I had taken these in the past did not feel there would be a problem. 5 days in I started to feel very ill nausea diarear ears blocked and very fatigued but also unable to sleep week. I started to get dry mouth and then discovered my tongue was all white and had oral thrush. Taken tons of medicine and still have bad tongue 8 weeks on. ?? Nausea better only because have taken probiotic to get my stomach and guts back on track. Is this the medicine or tooth that has given me this. Have x-ray if any one can help me.
STEROIDS PEOPLE NYSTATIN I THINK MADE ME SICK FOR MONTHS AND ALSO FATIGUE DEPRESSION
I have suffered with severe oral/facial pain in my teeth, gums, tongue and face following a root canal 13 years ago. A month ago, I had the root canal tooth extracted by a biological oral surgeon. It was a success! I have no pain at the extraction site, but I am still experiencing oral pain, ear pain, headaches, body aches and more. I thought once the tooth was pulled and all infection removed, I would feel better. Wgat’s going on? Please help!
I had a crown put on a lower back molar tooth year ago Jan. 2018. I had gone back to the dentist 6 months later telling them the tooth did not feel right. The went back Jan. 20, 2019 telling them again the tooth didn’t feel right. Both times they X-rayed and said nothing was wrong with the crown. February 2, 2019 the tooth as well two other teeth on that side were all hurting, upper back teeth above it too, as well as my tongue was beginning to hurt too. So I got in to see an Endodontist on emergency and he discovered there was major inflammation under the crown. He began the first phase of the root canal, injected the tooth with meds and put in a temporary filling. I asked if he was going to give me antibiotics but he said no, that I didn’t need them. 3 days later my lympth node under that tooth began swelling really bad. I called him and he claimed the swelling had nothing to do with the tooth and he stil would not prescribe me antibiotics. I desperately needed antibiotics so I got in to see my ENT and he gave me a 14 day antibiotic. The infection cleared within 12 days…the same day I went in to complete the root canal. To say the least…I found another Endontist that a new dentist I found had recommended. I had actually gone to this new dentist wanting this tooth extracted but he encouraged me to coomplete the root canal and called his Endodontist friend for me. Feb. 20, 2019 I completed the root canal. I was still finishing up the antibiotics from my ENT and along with a precscibed mouthwash from the Endontist…next thing my tongue began turning brown and hurting. It burned like crazy! The mouthwash tire my mouth up! I immediately stopped the antibiotics and refused to take anymore! I’ve put up with a burning sore tongue since the root canal for the past month. I went back to the Endontist and he X-rayed the tooth and claimed nothing was going on with the root canal. The seal shows it going past the the actual root but he said it was of no concern. After I left I immediately called my ENT and got in to see him. He said I have Glossitis of the tongue, which can be caused by a bacterial, fungal or viral infection. I did not start having issues with my tongue until the inflammation from the crown was discovered and it has progressively gotten worse since the root canal. My upper teeth above the root canal even hurt! I want this tooth out of my head!!! I really feel it is the culprit to my declining health.
My daughters dad just got a root canal then I learned they can cause serious health problems. I shared the information with him. He just paid 300 for the root canal two weeks ago… now we want it pulled but are not sure how much more it will cost. Anyone know how much to pull a tooth that was just root canaled?
Hi, I would recommend calling your local dentist and asking how much they charge. That will get you the best estimate.
This is just sick how they know this treatment can effect your life. people should be fighting our best to stop this with all the other problems in life one made up for the love of money right after the other. God help us so sad and very angry. ps sorry. the local dentist would freak out for just completing a root canal , and now you want him to pull it, wow crazy and sorry your going through this. i feel like just pulling one of my front t my self and get it over with. money for nothing.
Extraction price for root-canaled teeth varies considerably across the world. Also, keep in mind that a root-canal extraction is different than a regular extraction, and it must be done right to avoid future problems (for instance, the periodontal ligament must be removed, the bone scraped, and the area has to be cleaned out very well). I live in northern California where everything is impossibly expensive, but I will give you an example of the prices I have paid (with help from a friend) to my biological dentist.
In June of 2017, I paid $1,307 for the removal of #3. This coming Friday, April 12th (2019), I am paying $2,372 for the exact same procedure (for #5), with the same dentist. In both cases he also uses a procedure where he takes a couple of vials of your blood, extracts the platelets, and injects them into the extraction site (rather than a bone graft).
Bone-grafts or equivalents are essential if you aim to get implants when the bone fills in. In my case, I will need five ceramic implants: #3, #5, #18, #20, and #29. The latter three are currently hidden under my lower bridges, but I have braces on right now so we cannot get to them until next year at the soonest.
Just be sure that you see a biological dentist for that extraction. I have also been researching medical tourism: Mexico specifically. In Mexico, you can get work done at 40-70% less than in the United States. They also have biological dentists there. My challenge is determining who is the most skilled and trustworthy, because I do not personally know anyone who has done this, and I need a ton of complicated work done.
I am getting mine pulled tommorow morning ! I just had the root canal done 1 month ago so my dentist is gonna let me pull it free of charge. I already paid $1000 for the root canal & still was supposed to pay more for Thebes permanent filling.
Hi Robyn,
Can you please direct me regarding where to have my extracted root-canaled teeth tested. I am in California but I need to know where to send them (there will be four over the course of the coming year) and about how much it will cost per tooth. I am having the first one removed this coming Friday. It is also the oldest and most symptomatic so I want to be certain it is tested properly so I can best discern how to heal from the nightmare I have been living for so long.
Thank you,
Jo
Can root canal teeth cause fibromyalgia and neuoropathy?
I’m not sure about fibromyalgia but I was paralyzed after a root canal 2 years ago and to this day I still have neuropathy, my hands and feet go numb as well as other areas of my body. Having the tooth removed this week, and we’ll see if that helps me heal faster
Hi Carolina,
I would love to hear back regarding how/if/when your health improves. I am having my oldest of four out this week (Friday) as well. Which tooth number are you having pulled this week? I am having #5 out this week, but #18, 20, and 29 will have to wait until next year.
Thanks,
Jo
Hi Jo, I’m having #2 pulled today actually in a couple of hours, im so nervous but I know this is necessary. My dentist did recommend supplements after the extraction, lots of vitamin c, selenium, turmeric, etc. He recommended a vitamin c iv infusion but they couldn’t schedule me on time. Anyways he did ozone injections yesterday and will do one more today. This is to prevent bacteria from spreading I guess. I will update on the whole process once is over. Is always helpful to know what is like for everyone.
Let me know how yours goes, I’m hoping everything works out.
Carolina
Carolina, thanks for sharing!
I has a root canal on Nov 2017. Everything was fine until the end of Dec, i had a cold and a bad sinus infection. Then I started feeling numbness and tingling in my feet and hands, weakness, etc. When I could barely walk I went to the er, thinking it was a pinched nerve. The diagnosed me with GBS, an autoimmune response that attacks my own nerves due to an infection. Needless to say I’m lucky to be walking again, but I’m having the root canal tooth pulled next week, because now I’m having a lot of palpitations and dizziness, I’m hoping this brings my health back just as it was before the root canal mistake.
Hi, did the palpitation go away after the extraction? Thanks.
Btw, does anyone know how we can get updates regarding new posts to this particular thread on root canals? Thus far, I have to keep this window/tab open on my desktop computer, refresh daily, and check for new responses – this is not ideal, so I am hoping there is a much more efficient way. Anyone?
Hi Jo, sadly, I don’t think there is a way to get notifications on this site.
Hi Rose. Sorry to hear that. Thank you. Do you happen to know where Robyn got her tooth/teeth sent out for testing?
Hi Jo, let me see if I can find out for you.
Thanks Rose! 🙂
Thank you, Rose. I already have an outstanding biological dentist, so I am set there. He is the dentist I see exclusively now, as well as being the only one in my area. I always recommend against having a traditional dentist extract as well.
I just needed to find out where I can send my root-canaled tooth (and three future teeth), so that I can obtain a pathology report. So far I have not heard back from my biological dentist regarding whether or not he has someone he uses for testing. I am good to go on the "healthy mouth" front. I just need about 50K on virtually no income to fix 14+ years of bad work and extract root canals which have been making me chronically ill for nearly that long.
It is a rough and expensive road for many of us, which can lead to perpetual hopelessness, despair, and even giving up entirely on living. I am currently doing my best to hang on for a bit longer so that we can see if any of what has been done can be reversed. Fingers crossed. The best I can really hope for at this point is that all of my years of suffering, lost time, lost youth, and lost life will translate to knowledge which may educate and help others. At least I figured these things out sooner than both of my parents did (even though they knew a considerable amount regarding holistic living, healing, and life extension), so that is one positive aspect, despite everything else which has been sacrificed.
Jo, I am so glad to hear you are working with a holistic dentist and sounds like someone you trust. I wish you the best of health going forward and that you can continue on your healing journey with confidence. Dental issues are one of the most challenging as we can see here with all the comments from folks trying to get help and sharing their stories. Thank you for reaching out and let us know if we can help in any other way.
p.s. The links are great, too, thank you. Natural antibiotics are especially key. 🙂