Frequently Asked Questions
What should I expect if you need to pull a tooth?
What types of side effects have you seen in patients with past root canals?
What is Amalgam Removal and why should I be concerned about it?
What types of holistic procedures does your practice advocate?
What should I expect if you need to pull a tooth?
When a tooth needs to be extracted, patients are often surprised to learn that pulling the tooth is not the only concern. We also worry about cavitations, a situation where a socket of an old tooth extraction site has not completely filled in, leaving thin holes in the bones of the jaw. Cavitations occur when the periodontal ligament that holds the root of a tooth to its bony socket fails to break down and disappear during the healing process. As the socket heals and is filled in with new bone,a thin strip of fibrous tissue prevents the growth of new bone in that area, thereby causing a narrow space to remain. Whatever bacteria and toxins were trapped in the periodontal membrane remain in the jaw as a chronic infection.
In recent years, studies show these cavitation areas are infected with 20-30 species of disease. Dr. Hartman has seen numerous patients who complain of obscure pains in their mouth, face and jaws. They vary from mild to very severe in the amount of pain each cavitation can produce. You would think people who have teeth extracted would be free of problems concerning those sites. However, when Dr. Hartman curettes these areas there is no question that the tissue removed is abnormal. It is a gritty, sawdust like, hollow cavity that contains small flakes of dead bone. One woman in our office suffered from neck and jaw pain for years. After Dr. Hartman preformed a surgical treatment of her previously extracted tooth site, she was finally free from this chronic pain. The only known successful treatment of cavitations is their surgical removal.
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What types of side effects have you
seen in patients with past root canals?
Root canals can cause many types of side effects, which often lead to other disorders that effect a patient’s health. When tooth decay penetrates the enamel of the tooth’s crown, the natural bacteria present in the mouth has a conduit to the inside of the tooth and gum. Once the decay gets to the pulp of the tooth it ravels the full length of the root. Most patients experience pain from the resulting infection and come to us for treatment. A root canal is performed, but often the bacteria is also sealed within the tooth's tubles. The bacteria becomes more virulent and the toxins may begin to leak into the blood stream surrounding the tooth. Frequently, the bacteria can overtax the immune systems and can result in degenerative disease problems.
Dr. Hartman does not do root canal procedures in his practice due to the results of these clinical studies. He can, however, remove the root canal tooth and properly clean the socket. He has had many patients come to him with complaints of painful headaches, chronic fatigue, sinus flare ups and other health issues, that they attribute to infection from bacteria associated with a root canal.
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What is Amalgam Removal and
why should I be concerned about it?
Teeth have been filled with metals for centuries and the amalgam debate has gone on just as long. It has been debated in dental circles since the 1830’s. However there have been clinical studies that support a link between mercury amalgams (silver fillings) and illnesses. After all, we all know that mercury is poisonous.
Dr. Hartman has become very involved in the study of mercury toxicity and its impact on his patients health. He no longer participates in restoring teeth with amalgam fillings. Dr. Hartman has a full-time practice devoted to diagnosing and planning treatment for patients who may be suffering from possible mercury toxicity.
For more info about safe filling removal, visit Questions You Should Ask Before Having Your Dentist Remove Mercury Fillings
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What types of holistic procedures does your practice advocate?
Dr. Hartman has been involved in nutrition and health for many years. His desire is to utilize nutrition and alternative choices in his dental practice. This includes amalgam removal, as discussed above, root canal removal where warranted, proper preventative dental care and nutritional counseling if needed. In addition, our office can also provide “Metabolic Typing” for patients who are interested in understanding how their bodies process nutrients for weight control and management.
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Phone: (814)-643-9414 or (800)-732-9630