Can I Choose to Have a Holistic Root Canal Instead of a Conventional Root Canal?

Most everyone has tooth decay at some point during their lives, and in many cases, a traditional filling is all that’s needed to “fix” it. But sometimes, decay is more extensive, reaching into the central pulp portion of the tooth — the part that contains the tooth’s nerves and blood supply.

In these instances, you need more than a simple filling — you need a procedure designed to access deep decay, remove damaged pulp, and then fill and strengthen the surrounding tooth material so the damaged tooth is preserved. That’s exactly what root canal treatment does.

The problem: Regular root canal treatment uses materials that can cause allergic reactions in people with certain sensitivities. Fortunately, there’s a solution for that, too: holistic root canal treatment, featuring biocompatible materials that won’t cause an allergic reaction if you’re sensitive to regular root canal materials.

The team at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC specializes in holistic root canal therapy using the most advanced techniques focused on eliminating symptoms, preventing complications, and maintaining optimal oral and systemic health. Here, learn how a holistic root canal treatment differs from a traditional root canal treatment and whether a holistic procedure is a good choice for you.

Traditional root canal basics

When most of us think of our teeth, we think of the part we see — the hard, outer enamel-coated layer. But teeth are more than just enamel. There’s an underlying layer of softer dentin material, and under that, the central pulp part where the blood supply and nerves are located. 

The pulp is contained in narrow channels or canals that extend from the middle of the tooth all the way down the root and into your jawbone. All of these layers can be affected by decay when acids and harmful bacteria combine to “eat away” at healthy tooth material.

While a cavity in the outer layers of your tooth can be treated with a regular drill and a traditional metal or composite filling, deeper decay requires root canal treatment to access the decayed or damaged pulp material and remove it so the canal can be filled and sealed.

In a traditional root canal, the canal is filled with a rubbery material called gutta-percha. Then, the tooth is covered with a crown to protect it and provide additional strength.

Holistic root canal: understanding the difference

We typically recommend a holistic root canal if you  have allergies to the materials used in traditional root canal treatment. Gutta-percha is related to latex, another type of rubbery material that’s also the source of serious allergic reactions in many people. When placed inside your tooth, gutta-percha can cause a variety of reactions that may necessitate another root canal or procedure.

Holistic root canal treatment uses materials to seal the tooth that are less likely to cause irritation if you have allergies. All of the materials used in a holistic root canal are biocompatible — that is, designed to be compatible with your body and your natural biology.

In addition to using filling other than gutta-percha, a holistic root canal may treat the infection differently as well. For instance, rather than using medications that can be irritating, we may eradicate bacteria inside the canal using special lasers to break down and destroy the germs that are responsible for the infection.

Choosing a holistic approach

People with allergies can definitely benefit from a holistic approach to root canal therapy, and the techniques we use are available to any patient who prefers a holistic, biocompatible approach to care—even if you don’t have allergies. 

To learn more about holistic root canal treatment and how it can save your tooth and improve your oral health, call 929-229-0255 or book an appointment online at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC in New York City today.