Definitive: Homoeopathic Treatment Protocol for Dental Trauma

Hi Gina,

Here´s the deal:

My friends and I go to a god-sent GREAT biological dentist and we ALL have had great success with the following homeopathic protocol which ALWAYS worked (for infection and PAIN including). I´m sending the COMPLETE version, although we usually only go as far as having ONE oral dose of the Arnica 1M before and ONE dose of 10M after and rarely doing the "plus". Here it goes:

NOTE: This also works for bone, joint and ligament traumas.

Homoeopathic Treatment Protocol for Dental Trauma
by Cara Landry.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

It is important understand a bit about how homoeopathy works before using it. Unlike other medicines, homoeopathic remedies act on the person’s vital force, stimulating the energy to cure the problem. For this reason, we use only the smallest stimulus necessary, and allow the vital force to do the healing. So we give one dose, then wait and watch for the reaction. We never prescribe repeated doses to be taken routinely. This is a basic principle, called Minimum Dose.

Choosing the correct potency of the homoeopathic remedy is critical. It can make all the difference in the success of treatment. The basic potency principle is to match the potency to the severity of the symptoms. Here we are dealing with acute traumatic situations, with considerable pain. The more pain, the higher the potency should be. However, in keeping with the principle of Minimum Dose, we should choose the lowest potency in the “severe” range to begin with. In terms of trauma and pain, the range of “severe” potencies would be 1M- 10M- 50M- CM.

We never use more than one remedy at a time. Although it may seem that you are only treating the dental trauma, actually you are treating the whole person, who is in a state of dental trauma. The person is only in one state at a time, and only one remedy will match that state at any given time. So give one remedy, and when it stops working, the remedy needs to be changed to match the changing state of the patient. Never combine remedies.

Although liquid preparations of the remedies can be used, it is probably better to use the dry ones. The ideal for these situations would be tiny grains. Larger pills can be used, but they take some time to dissolve when following the directions given below. Tiny grains, crystals, or pellets are better.

Generally it is better to put the remedy directly into the mouth without touching it with the hand. All containers and utensils used with remedies should be rinsed with boiling or very hot water afterwards, otherwise, the energy of the remedy remains on them and will continue to affect whatever they come into contact with. In other words, drinking water from a cup previously used for a remedy, will give you a dose of that remedy, even if there is no sign of the remedy still being present in the cup. Heat destroys homoeopathic remedies, but soap does not! Remedies should always be stored in a cool place, not in the sun or near the heat.

SURGERIES:

At the beginning of a dental surgery such as extraction, root canal, periodontal surgery, etc, the patient can be given one dose of Arnica 1M. This can be helpful, but is optional. After the procedure has been completed, the patient should be given one dose of Arnica 10M. A small amount of the 10M, and the 50M should be sent home with the patient, along with the following instructions:

Dissolve one or two grains of the remedy in a cup of room temperature water. When they have dissolved, agitate the water, stirring it and lifting and cascading the solution with a spoon 10-15 times. This is called “plussing “ the remedy, and it increases the potency slightly each time it is done. Have this solution ready to use. When pain comes as the anesthetic wears off, or later, the patient should take one spoonful of the “plussed” dose. This should remove the pain for some hours. When the pain returns, the solution must be agitated and cascaded off the spoon again, and another spoonful taken. This can be repeated several times, when needed, but only if the remedy continues to help. Sometimes only one dose is needed, so the plussed solution isn’t used.

The rule is: Never repeat the remedy if the previous dose did not work. Never repeat the remedy if the dose is still working. Only repeat the remedy if the previous doses have helped, but the effects have worn off.

If a dose does not help, it indicates that a higher potency of the remedy is needed. The plussed solution should be disposed of and the cup and spoon must be rinsed with hot, preferably boiling water to destroy the remedy. The patient should take one dose, a few grains of Arnica 50 M directly in the mouth. A plussing solution of the 50M can now be made in case other doses are needed. Follow the same procedure. It is rare for someone to need a higher potency than this, though it is possible. If the work was very extensive, with a lot of trauma to the bone and gum tissue, and the pain is extreme, it could be necessary to progress to a CM potency. The same procedure is followed.

It is very important for the patient to understand not to repeat the remedy inappropriately. Taking more doses than actually needed does not help, and could even make things worse. They must follow the instructions.

If the Arnica has been given in a higher potency, and it does not work, this indicates that another remedy is needed. So, if the 10M helps, then the 50M does nothing, do NOT take the CM. Arnica has finished its work at this point.

REMEDIES TO FOLLOW ARNICA:

Where the bone has been affected, the next remedy probably needed, will be Ruta. Start with a 200CH if the pain is mild, or a 1M if it is stronger. One dry dose should be taken, to be followed by plussed doses as described above. It is unusual for someone to need more than a 10M of Ruta after being treated with Arnica, and usually a 1M is sufficient. In very painful cases like bone grafts, one might need the higher potencies. In addition, in these cases, if the Ruta stops helping and there is still pain, it might need to be followed by Calc Carb. This can be given in a 200CH, unless the pain is strong, and a 1M is needed. The majority of cases would not need this remedy. It should definitely not be repeated frequently. It is best not to send the patient home with this one, but rather just give the Arnica and the Ruta. They can call if they need further help, and you can then try the Calc.

If the bone has not been affected so much and the pain is from disturbance to the nerves, there are two remedies that can be considered. If the pain is intolerable nerve pain, typically extending to other areas or shooting up or down the course of the nerve, or stabbing, the remedy is probably Hypericum. If the pain is very strong but not shooting, the remedy might be Nux Vomica. A person needing the Nux might be irritable or angry with the pain, but not necessarily. Both remedies have a strong affinity for the nerves. Select the one that seems to fit best and try that. If it doesn’t work, you can try the other. If there is strong nerve pain, you will need the higher potencies, so start with a 1M and be ready to also use the 10M. If the pain is really violent, start with the 10M and then go to the 50M if needed.

Occasionally Arnica doesn’t help so much, because one of these other remedies is needed for the nerve injury. If Arnica has failed, and the pain has the distinct characteristics of nerve pain, try one of these remedies right after the Arnica fails. However, if the bone has been disturbed and there is bone pain, and the Arnica has helped somewhat but not lasted, still proceed to the Ruta. Ruta has an affinity for the bone and periostial tissues. Nux and Hypericum have an affinity for the nerves.

Whatever remedies are used, follow the dosing regimen and procedures described above.

OTHER PROCEDURES:

If someone has a lot of pain after a filling, first give Arnica, and if that doesn’t work, try whichever one of these other remedies is best indicated. Hypericum and Nux-V. are the most commonly needed. Without more knowledge of homoeopathic prescribing, it is difficult to find the correct remedy beyond this.

If there has been deep cleaning, with trauma to the gums, Arnica 1M can be given afterward, with a dose of 10M to hold in case it is needed. Usually a 1M is quite sufficient for this.

Calendula tincture can be used in a dilute solution to rinse the mouth, although it is rarely needed with the Arnica. If there is a worry about infection in a person with a compromised immune system, this might be desirable.

Occasionally, there is a lot of pain from the injection of the anesthesia. The best remedy for puncture wounds, including painful injections, is Ledum. In these cases, a 200CH can be given, or a 1M, if the pain is quite strong.

IN CONCLUSION:

This is a very basic and amazingly effective protocol for these various situations. It should prevent pain, swelling, infection, bruising, and bleeding. Pain medications won’t be needed. The healing process will be much more rapid than normal, and the patient should feel quite well. It might be necessary for the patient to communicate with you about when to change the remedy. Some patients need more guidance than others.

Very occasionally these remedies don’t help, and then the problem is deeper in the person’s constitution. In this case, it is better to rely on other approaches and not try to solve the problem with homoeopathy. To prescribe well in constitutional or complex cases requires extensive training. Using homoeopathic remedies inappropriately is not helpful to the patient’s overall health.