CHAPTER ELEVEN: TESTIMONIALS ABOUT ROOT CANAL TREATMENT
Patients Tell Their Stories
The following testimonials represent a small sample of cases where extraction of root canal-treated teeth demonstrated the presence of serious infection and resulted in a dramatic improvement in a variety of systemic conditions. Where appropriate, findings from pathology reports follow the testimonial.
Otherwise Untreatable Headaches
Since an early age, I have had a few root canals on various teeth in the upper left side of my mouth. In early 1999, I started to develop headaches that began on the left temple and radiated to the back of my head, behind my ear and my eye. The pain would come and go and I dealt with it for as long as I could.
I had been seeing my dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings; in the spring of 1999, I required another root canal in the same spot, the upper left side. During the series of root canal visits, the pain intensified; I was taking four Advil every four hours to alleviate the pain. I could have used something stronger but I could not take narcotics and continue to work as a nurse.
The dentist did try to make an accurate diagnosis of my pain but stated that he felt that it was unrelated to my teeth. I proceeded to have a MRI, a visit with an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor as well as a full exam with a neurologist. All findings were negative and the headaches remained a mystery.
I returned to my dentist and not being able to make a definitive diagnosis he suggested we pull the tooth that was last root canal
treated. It took four weeks to heal because I developed a dry socket. I now was on narcotics, Vicodin to be exact, and still had no relief from headaches. This pain was the worst I have ever experienced; it felt like I had a hole in my gum that was open to the nerves in my face. Ultimately, the gum healed but the headaches persisted. Again, my dentist
recommended a pain clinic to me since he could find nothing dentally wrong.Understanding now that I was at a dead end, I was speaking to my mother-in-law who told me about Dr. Kulacz. She explained that he practiced “integrative dentistry”. When I asked her to explain she stated “he takes your whole body into consideration when you have a problem, not just your teeth.”
I had nothing to lose; I called Dr. Kulacz in August of 1999. I explained my symptoms to him over the phone; right then and there, he said “it sounds like you have some type of circulation problem to the bone and possible residual infection or dead bone where the extractions were performed. Come and see me right away.”
I saw Dr. Kulacz the next day. Within minutes, he had made a definitive diagnosis. “Your pain is from the damage that was caused by use of Novocaine with vasoconstrictors during all of the root canals you have had. In addition, all root canals you had were infected. I would like to remove the affected teeth and infected, dead bone at the extraction sites and your pain will likely be resolved”.
I had the surgery a day or two later and my headaches were finally gone. Subsequently, I had a partial bridge placed and have never had the same headache return.
Dr. Kulacz through his knowledge and wisdom truly saved me from a life of pain and potential death from the infection that could have spread to my blood stream. In addition, as a health
care provider he has proven that you MUST consider the whole body; not just the teeth.
Most dentists don’t get involved in the medical history of their patients and most physicians don’t get involved with the dental history of their patients. I am so grateful that Dr. Kulacz took the time to listen to me, analyze my symptoms, and make the right decisions to alleviate my pain and let me go on with a normal life. He is truly an incredible dentist and human being.
-T.D., R.N., B.S.N., Mahopac, NY
Microscopic pathologic analysis of samples from the patient above found globules of a gray/translucent foreign material coated by polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and coccal bacterial colonies. PMNs are a type of phagocyte produced by the immune system to fight inflammation and infection, and they are the predominant cells in pus. PMNs are also seen with lymphocytes in small fragments of necrotic fibrovascular tissue. The findings were consistent with subacute osteomyelitis (bone infection) with foreign material and bacterial colonies. The full pathology report on tissues obtained from the patient appears in Appendix E.
Chronic Arthritis Relief
Dear Dr. Kulacz:
There is no way I can thank you enough for helping me to get back to an active life again.
As you know I was wearing a brace on my knee, so I could hold off getting a knee replacement. I did get some relief.
Since you extracted two bottom teeth, which were infected, I have not been wearing my knee brace. I’m able to play golf and walk without discomfort. Overall, my arthritis is about 85% better.
Thank you and God bless,
-M.D., New York
Facial Neuralgia
Dear Dr. Kulacz:
Today marks the beginning of a new lease on life for me. I had a wonderful day thinking about how lucky I am to finally get a second chance to enjoy all those things with which I am so truly blessed. You know my story; but just for the record, I will summarize.
This past January, I decided to bridge my lower left molars: That was the sorriest day of my life. Each and every aspect of my life was compromised from that point on. I endured the most excruciating pain I had every experienced in my entire life which includes a 20-hour labor and delivery. My mouth was numbed repeatedly during endodontic procedures, many times without success. I experienced temporary face paralysis and repeated infections as well as many, many extremely unpleasant procedures—all without relieving any of my pain. The only way I was able to make it through each day was with the help of my very supportive friends and family. There were many nights I did not want to face another day and began to understand why people end their lives.
Short of pulling two teeth out of my mouth, I was referred to a neurologist who diagnosed me with facial neuralgia and prescribed Neurontin. The pain was somewhat relieved but I was unable to function as I am accustomed due to extreme fatigue and forgetfulness. The pain did eventually return and intensify.
As a last resort, I chose an alternative route—acupuncture. Fortunately for me, my Family Nurse Practitioner and Acupuncturist had just met you and thought you could possibly help me. After my conversation with you, I was upset to hear that the teeth I had been holding onto in vain would have to be removed and the bone tissue cleaned out properly. At that point,
I was way beyond the “end of my rope” so I consented to the surgery. All the information I received from you was truly remarkable and professional and I had no doubt you would indeed help me.
I wasn’t the slightest bit nervous going into the procedure. The procedure itself was painless, without incident. You and your anesthesiologist, Dr. Greenspan, were a pleasure to deal with, and I will be an advocate in your crusade to educate those who suffer needlessly.
-T.S., New Jersey
Largely Pain Free
Dr. Kulacz performed cavitational surgery in the sites of three of my extracted wisdom teeth on July 12, 2000.
I was referred to Dr. Kulacz by my local dentist in Pennsylvania, because an ultrasound test indicated that I had fairly deep cavitations in my lower jaw on both right and left sides. In addition, one of my friends had recently undergone extensive cavitational surgery by Dr. Kulacz and highly recommended him to me.
Before undergoing surgery, I was given a packet of information including forms to be completed concerning my health history, information about techniques that would be used in my surgery, and pre- and post-surgical protocol. I was glad both to be well informed myself and that Dr. Kulacz would be well informed about my condition before my surgery. This information also assured me that much care would be taken to safeguard my health and to prevent further infection.
On the day of my surgery, my husband and I were given more than adequate time to discuss matters with Dr. Kulacz. Having heard various stories and rumors, I was somewhat concerned about possible nerve damage. Dr. Kulacz, by showing me photos
of someone else’s surgery, explained that the larger nerves were encased in something like a sheath, and that there was essentially no reason to fear that they would be injured.
We also discussed the area of my previously extracted upper right wisdom tooth. Although the cavitat test had shown no problem in that area, Dr. Kulacz said that my panorex x-ray seemed to suggest that there might be a cavitation in that area as well. As he was concerned, he offered to check out that area also at no extra cost to me, and we agreed that this was the wise thing to do.
The general anesthesia was performed by an anesthesiologist whom Dr. Kulacz highly trusts and respects. The experience of the surgery during anesthesia was somewhat like a pleasant dream. After the IV was inserted, I began to feel sleepy, and before I knew it, I was barely conscious of anything except perhaps a vague sound of drilling. Then the next thing I knew, the surgery, which had really lasted about 3 hours, was over.
Dr. Kulacz seemed quite happy about the surgery even though he had found quite large cavitations; he had been able to successfully remove much of the infection in my jaw. He had found a large cavitation even in the upper right jaw, the area that had shown only a suggestion of a problem on the x-ray. We were so glad that we had decided to check out that area in addition to the more obvious ones.
Healing from the surgery took place quickly and easily. I fully expected to need painkillers after the anesthesia lost its effect, but the pain was so minimal that I didn’t need any. Thirteen days after the surgery I went to my local dentist to have the sutures removed. He and his assistant both seemed surprised that I had healed so well already. I also went to a clinic in Switzerland the following month and the doctor there also exclaimed, “Good job!” when he looked in my mouth.
Congestive Heart Failure
L.M. of Armonk, New York had a heart attack at age 40, a second heart attack nine years later that was treated with coronary bypass surgery. When he came to my office at age 62 he was in congestive heart failure and awaiting a heart transplant. He presented with severe periodontal disease as well as chronic endodontic infections. After the extraction of his root canal- treated teeth and the effective treatment of his periodontal disease, his cardiac status improved enough that he was no longer considered a transplant candidate.
Headache and Sinus Congestion
C.C. of Ridgefield, Connecticut presented with a constant headache for one year duration as well as chronic sinus congestion in the left sinus. Both his dentist and an ear, nose, and throat specialist found no pathology or cause for his condition. After removing tooth #14 which was treated with a root canal, both his headaches and sinus congestion were immediately alleviated.
Microscopic pathologic analysis of samples from the patient above found that cross sections through the apical portions of the roots displayed abundant necrotic (dead) debris adjacent to endodontic materials in two apical canals, with chronic inflammatory cells in one canal. The diagnosis: Nonsuppurative pulpal necrosis of endodontically treated tooth and a periapical granuloma with chronic nonsuppurative osteomyelitis of surrounding bone. The full pathology report on tissues obtained from the patient appears in Appendix E.
Hearing Loss and Sinus Infection
To: Dr. George Meinig, C/O Bion Publishing
P.O. BOX 10, Ojai, CA 93024
January 28, 2002
Dear Dr. Meinig:
I just wanted to take the time to thank you first of all for writing such an informative book, Root Canal Cover-Up. It
-C.H., Pennsylvania
really made me even more aware of the possible connection between my poor health and my root canals. Even though the sad journey started for me over 10 years ago when I had my first root canal, I am thankful that the worst is over. I am now root canal free. I had a total of three removed all were infected.
I was suffering from severe stomach problems that started months after my first root canal. I was even hospitalized for Pancreatitis. The 7-day hospital stay cost over $25,000 and none of the specialists could find out what was causing the symptoms. They gave me medicine to relieve the symptoms but never could get to the root of the cause.
As you can see as you read my health history, it took several more years but finally I did find relief. I hope my body can fully recover from the years of infection and leeching metals. Right now I feel better than I have in years.
And that brings me to my final reason for this letter. I really want to thank you for referring me to Dr. Robert Kulacz. He was brave and skilled enough to venture into my sinus cavity and clean out the infection. He told me on the day of the surgery that if the infection returned that it was because there was a secondary infection in my upper sinus area that he could not reach. He said the ENT Doctor would easily be able to help me with any residual infection. But that was not necessary, Dr. Kulacz cleaned the area so thoroughly that he must have gotten all the infection because it has not returned. So thanks again for the referral, for your book, and for having the integrity to tell the truth.
-G.R.B., Rahway, NJ CC: Dr. Robert Kulacz
The following health history was provided to Dr. Kulacz by G.R.B.
Discussed issue with my dentist (who performed the last 2 root canals):
1. 2.
3.
He admitted that the horrible stench in my mouth (I smelled it when he inserted rubber dam) was due to bacteria from my root canals.
Yet, he refused to believe that the same bacteria was causing my stomach problems. Therefore, he refused to remove root canalled teeth. Referred me to a root canal specialist.
Specialist said root canals looked good on X-ray. But could not say for certain that bacteria was not causing my problem. Requested to be informed if once root canals were removed my symptoms improved.
One Week After Surgery:
A Miracle! The sinus infection is gone. No traces of it, and I feel wonderful. I am finally symptom free, with no root canals in my mouth,
Still partially deaf in left ear, I believe this will always serve as a reminder to me of just how dangerous to one’s health root canals can be.
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