Re: Q: For Dr. Dick Thom, Root Canal Protocol

[Guest guest]

Hi DT -

So now can you tell us WHY you recommend performing the root canal in these

three distinct steps over the way it is done conventionally? I imagine any

dentisit receiving a request to do the procedure this way is going to ask

why, what are the benefits, etc.? Thanks!

On a different dental note... do you mind listing some questions patients

can ask their dentist to find out if they are truly taking steps to limit

mercury exposure as much as possilbe. I thought there used to be such a

list on your clinic website but I just checked and don't see any thing of

that nature despite a suggestion on the home page to check the dental links.

I have a patient who is interested in mercury-free dentistry - I doubt

it's available here locally - and keeps asking her local dentist but his

only response is that he uses the best suction and ventilation devices

available. He also says he doesn't use mercury and has not for years -- he

uses composite resin which does not contain mercury but does contain metals.

What is the most biologically friendly material to use to fill teeth?

Bio-calyx? Or is that only for root canals? Thanks.

Kathy Sweeney, N.D.

Juneau, AK

Family Practice

>From: Drdwthom@...

>Reply-

>naturedox@...,

>Subject: Re: A: For Dr. Dick Thom, Root Canal Protocol

>Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2006 20:58:46 EST

>

>1st appointment:

> open tooth, locate all the canals, flush the canals, begin filing/

>reaming & cleansing of root canals. More flushing, dry canals, close tooth

>with

>temp. cement.

>

> approximately 2 weeks later

>

>2nd appointment:

> open tooth, note if any moisture in canals, resume and finish all the

>necessary filing/ reaming cleansing of the root canals (includes taking an

>xray

>with files in the tooth to ensure ENTIRE canal has been cleansed.). Close

>tooth with temp. cement.

>

> approximately 1-2 weeks later

>

>3rd appointment: (tooth must be 100% asymptomatic), If symptoms -pressure,

>taste, feels long etc,

> repeat appointment 2.

>

> Tooth 100% " quiet, open tooth, make 100% CERTAIN canal is absolutely

>DRY.

> Flush tooth 1 more time, dry

> Completely obliterate the canals with biocalex or (most commonly)

>gutta

>percha. [this is NOT OK if patient has a latex sensitivity.]

> Clean up tooth, place a restoration on top of gutta percha to " seal "

>tooth.

>

> Then a permanent restoration must be done (often a full crown). This

>does not have to done immediately - and is dependant on the amount of

> " tooth "

>still remaining after root canal has been completed.

>

> Hope that is complete enough.

>

> Dick Thom

> Beaverton, OR

> cancer, endocrine, Health of Business

>

> > Dear Dr. Thom,

> >

> > You mentioned in your 9/23/05 lecture on dentistry at the monthly

>discussion

> > group, that you recommend root canals being done in 3 steps i.e. 3

>shorter

> > visits of 45 minutes instead of one long 2 hr visit.  I have a patient

>with

> > a molar, abscessed tooth, noted by a bulge at the gumline, without

>pain.  He

> > has declined extraction.  His endodontist wants to do the procedure in 1

> > visit, but is willing to compromise and do it in 2 visits (visit 1:

>putting

> > temporary cap on it; visit 2: putting a permanent cap on).  I don't

>think

> > that is what you had in mind when you talked about letting the body heal

> > between each visit.  I told my patient about your recommendations, and

>as a

> > result he has asked me to talk with the endodontist and give him a list

>of

> > the procedures that he should do at each of the 3 visits to comply with

>the

> > protocol that you have found to be effective and without harmful

>sequella.

> > Would you please list steps the doctor should take to get the excellent

> > results you saw in your dental practice doing endodontic work.

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

> > Abshier, ND

> > Portland, OR

> >

>

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