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Question:
Root Canal and Gum Disease: I have very bad gum disease.
All of my teeth are quite loose. Except for the gum disease, my teeth are ok. My periodontist has said it's time to throw in the towel and consider full dentures. He doesn't easily suggest dentures.
I don't like the idea of losing all of my healthy teeth because my gums are unhealthy.
Could root canal work save them? ...Visitor from MO
Answer:
Root canal work would save decayed teeth, not loose ones. You apparently do not have enough bone to support your roots, which is why your teeth are loose.
If your periodontist says they cannot be saved, this may be true. I would caution you to seek a dentist who would like to save any lower teeth that have some stability because upper dentures have lots of surface area to hold them in, but lower dentures tend to move around because the tongue takes up a lot of tissue that could otherwise make the denture stable.
I have no idea how old you are. This would make a difference in what may be best for you.
Another option would be to find a dentist who uses a PerioLase laser. This is a specific laser for gum therapy that does not take away the tissue. It is FDA approved and patented to be able to actually regrow some bone and to remove the bacteria that cause the infection that leads to tissue and bone loss. The manufacturer of this laser is Millennium Dental.
Another option is to explore implants or mini-dental implants under dentures. which would also give you stability.
Good luck in your research.
Corinne Scalzitti, DMD, MAGD
Austin Reconstructive Implant Dentistry
Texas Periolase
3900 RR 620 South
Austin, Texas TX 78738
(512) 263-3330
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