holistic dentistry

[Chua Ching Yee]

If there is decay at the root of a molar (the upper part already decayed and
filled) and the pain disappears with a remedy, meaning that the decay has
been arrested, is root canal treatment still necessary? In standard
dentistry, the answer is yes.

Thanks,
Ching Yee

[David Little]

At 07:38 PM 4/17/2003 +0800, you wrote:

Dear Ching Yee,

This depends on nature and stage of the organic pathology. I have had
amazing success with treating painful fillings, decayed teeth, and
abscesses. This includes teeth that were severely compromised. The decay
may have been arrested, but if the inner pathology acts as a maintaining
cause that keeps up the disease state, there may be a need for further
reconstructive treatment. It depends on a case by case basis. If the inner
pulp chamber and root canal have been infected - a root canal may be
needed. Most of the time this means the pain will come back. If the pain
does not come back - most likely the problem is removed.

Sincerely, David
---------------
"It is the life-force which cures diseases because a dead man needs no more
medicines."

Samuel Hahnemann

Visit our website on Hahnemannian Homoeopathy and Cyberspace Homoeopathic
Academy at
http://www.simillimum.com
David Little © 2000

[Shannon Nelson]

Hi David,

You wrote:
I would LOVE to hear whatever more you are up for writing about this!

Am I right to assume that painful filling would be treated as an acute or an
injury, with emphasis on local and specific symptoms? (Of course including
any general *changes* that might have occurred since that time.)

With decayed teeth and abscesses, I assume that constitutional treatment (to
the underlying chronic state) would be necessary to prevent recurrence, but
that the first remedy(s) might be directed as above, toward local symptoms,
together with constitutional changes *if* any have occurred? With decay,
usually there won't be any local changes in sensation, or other changes;
does that mean that here one would need to start with the "constitutional",
or are some remedies specifically helpful with an immediate process of
decay?

Could you describe, e.g. if presented with a patient who has severe decay,
what approach(es) are you likely to take?

Is it possible to re-mineralize teeth, or is simply stopping the decay
process the goal?

Can you suggest remedies and/or books that might be especially useful in
understanding this better? (And/or rubrics beyond what is obvious in the
"teeth" section?)

Thanks!
Shannon

[David Little]

At 07:25 AM 4/20/2003 -0500, you wrote:

Hello Shannon et al,

Yes, I am quite amazed to see how well homoeopathic remedies work on
dental problems. I usually use the LM potency in medicinal solution for
this purpose. Sometimes it only takes a single dose and in other case the
remedy must be repeated at suitable intervals to speed the cure.
A painful filling, a toothache and abscesses are treated in the manner
of a crisis. This means the prescription is based on the exciting cause,
location, sensation, modalities and concomitant symptoms and their
sensations and modalities.
Where there is local inflammation, swelling, pains, etc., the
prescription is focused on these signs and symptoms and the concomitants.
If there are changes in the constitutional symptoms that accompany the
local condition they are included in the anamnesis as constitutional
concomitants. Constitutional and/or anti miasmatic treatment is necessary
to remove the predispositions toward decay. Of course, proper mouth and
tooth hygiene and good diet are necessary adjunctive treatments. Abscess
seem to be removed remarkably fast. Some dentist have been very surprised
and most interested. It is fairly simple to teach a dentist the
homoeopathic methods necessary for their line of work. They can become
specialist of a sort.
I have witnessed some improvement in the enamel, discolorations, and
over all health of the teeth but no reversal of major decay. This seems to
call for reconstructive methods. I know some are against fillings and root
canals in general. I believe in a middle path on this issue. I think there
needs to be improvements in dentistry, especially in the realms of the
materials used and drug usage, etc.. If clinic investigation shows no
abscess or signs of inflammation I see no major problem. I have seen people
pull out many teeth that were said to be the cause of remote problems with
no improvement. If the tooth is compromised, beyond effective
reconstruction, and is causing remote problems - that is a different
matter. In those cases removal can help. In India many good dentists do not
use Novocaine when it is not really needed and stay away from antibiotics
and painkillers when it is not really necessary. When I am in the USA
everything is over done and made me think they have a agenda that is
outside the realms of dentistry per say. It reminded me of someone business
plan on how to make the most money. Keeping the drugs down is an important
aspect of preventing side effects and promoting quick healing.
Boenninghausen made a detailed study of locations of teeth and
remedies. He felt locations, sensations, modifications and concomitants
were important. I haven't any special books to recommend because I approach
these problems with the repertory and materia medica. Take a good case, try
to find the characteristic symptoms, use careful posology methods, and stay
aware of the pathology involved so that proper dentistry is applied when
needed.

I hope this helps,
Sincerely, David
---------------
"It is the life-force which cures diseases because a dead man needs no more
medicines."

Samuel Hahnemann

Visit our website on Hahnemannian Homoeopathy and Cyberspace Homoeopathic
Academy at
http://www.simillimum.com
David Little © 2000

[Chua Ching Yee]

Thank you David.

Ching Yee

"If you believe everything, you are not a believer in anything at all."
-- Idries Shah
==================

on 19/4/03 2:08 pm, David Little at litle@del2.vsnl.net.in wrote:

At 07:38 PM 4/17/2003 +0800, you wrote:

Dear Ching Yee,

This depends on nature and stage of the organic pathology. I have had
amazing success with treating painful fillings, decayed teeth, and
abscesses. This includes teeth that were severely compromised. The decay
may have been arrested, but if the inner pathology acts as a maintaining
cause that keeps up the disease state, there may be a need for further
reconstructive treatment. It depends on a case by case basis. If the inner
pulp chamber and root canal have been infected - a root canal may be
needed. Most of the time this means the pain will come back. If the pain
does not come back - most likely the problem is removed.

Sincerely, David
---------------
"It is the life-force which cures diseases because a dead man needs no more
medicines."

Samuel Hahnemann

Visit our website on Hahnemannian Homoeopathy and Cyberspace Homoeopathic
Academy at
http://www.simillimum.com
David Little © 2000
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]