My dentist told me I need a root canal, since my wisdom tooth grew into one of my teeth. After being told this I did some research on root canals. Based on this information, I think it would be reasonable for me to opt for an extraction instead of a root canal. Using only American Endodontics Association, American Dental Association studies, and other pubmed studies, I learned the following:

-Root canal teeth, even when done correctly, have higher endotoxin levels than teeth with vital pulps. The mean value of endotoxin is over 28 times greater in root canal teeth, according to a study published in the Journal of Endodontics.
-Root canal teeth are much more likely (about 40% more likely) to be effected by apical periodontitis, according to studies done by the American Endodontics Association and American Dental Association.
-Apical periodontitis is strongly associated with brain aneurisms and heart disease, according to pubmed.
-Endotoxins are associated with depression symptoms, according to pubmed. Specifically, the study linked root canal endotoxins to depression
-Root canal procedures are associated with heart disease.
There are other studies linking root canal procedures with heart disease as well. Also consider that some of those people may have had their root canal teeth removed early on, and this would make those numbers even higher if they had considered this in their data.

I also have reason to believe that I have a low level infection that has been going on for a while, or possibly endotoxins interfering with my health. I think this because I’ve had horrible brain fog and low energy levels for 2 years, but when my dentist put me on a week of penicillin for my wisdom tooth removal, I felt much, much better. Like a fog had lifted for the first time in a while. I also had tachycardia and arrhythmia that went on for 6 months, then mysteriously went away.

I’ve been unemployed for a long time because of my health. I used to be a productive, busy student with 2 jobs and an active social life before this. I think it is more likely my health will improve in the long run if I have my tooth extracted instead of getting a root canal. I want to know if I’m being reasonable. Most of the dentists I have seen dismiss all that I have to say and all my reasons, and act like they’re stupid reasons, they seem to think it’s ok to ignore the research. I think root canals are something only healthy people should do, because they can take a toll on your body.

Also, another dentist started a root canal on that tooth against my wishes, so the tooth is open. I had to take penicillin because my oral surgeon noticed a low level infection had started after the other dentist did that.

I wanted to ask this question because I am going to lose my first (non-wisdom) tooth. I know this could possibly effect the alignment of my jaw unless I decide to get an implant, so it’s a big decision.