latex allergy and dental work

[porolli]

Hi. I am allergic to latex. I'm having a lot of dental pain and am told I need root canal treatment. My dentist is refusing to carry it out because of my allergy and has referred me to the hospital but I have a very long wait to be seen there and the toothache continues.
I've never had an anaphylactic reaction but my blood tests showed a strong reaction and I've certainly had swelling/urticaria etc.
My question has anyone who has a latex allergy had root canal treatment? and if so, were special 'fillings' used?
Thanks.

Porolli

A dentist uses latex gloves to protect him/herself from infecting him/ herself from infection.

The actual 'product' used in root canal is called gutta percha. These are slim 'stalks' of a rubber based product that you may or maybe not be allergic to.

All you need to do is ask for an allergy test to gutta percha at your GPs and if that is negative then your dentist can go ahead and use non latex gloves for the procedure.

Save yourself some time and try that approach

wow, thanks. I'll certainly look into that.

Good luck

Gutta percha and latex are one and the same really but it is worth a try. Some dentists are quite wary of root canal treatment and 'prefer to refer'. I have seen patients that are allergic to latex but have no problem with root canal treatment.

I think maybe your dentist is being cautious because of your allergy.

A routine test is the best way.

that's reassuring lamplighter - did the patients just have an issue with the gloves/powder?
it's strange to be in a position of actually wanting root canal treatment but I feel dreadful!