Major Regenerative Endodontics Study Receives Grant from American Association of Endodontists Foundation

Have You Heard The Latest News On Regenerative Endodontics?

Regenerative endodontics is opening doors for treating children at risk for tooth loss, and now, a major study is being launched to examine different approaches in the field.

 

The goal of regenerative endodontics treatment is to save developing teeth with pulpal necrosis, a term used to describe disease of the pulp, the material found inside of the teeth. When pulpal necrosis isn't treated, the affected teeth die and must be extracted. With regenerative endodontics, the dental pulp can be rehabilitated, so that the teeth can continue to develop normally.

 

Loma Linda University, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and the University of Maryland School of Dentistry are teaming up to study novel methods of regenerative endodontics treatment and compare their benefits with the treatment that is currently used most often to regenerate dental pulp. Here is a look at what’s factors are being studied:

 

1. Currently, pediatric patients with pulpal necrosis are usually treated with what is known as mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) apexification. With this procedure, MTA, an FDA-approved material, is placed on the end of a root, and a crown is placed over the affected tooth.

 

2. One of the new treatment methods that will be investigated in the study involves engineering tissue using human growth factors. With this type of treatment, engineered tissues in the root canal  encourage the development of healthy pulp. This treatment method is called REGENDO.

 

3. The second novel treatment approach that will be evaluated is REVASC. With this treatment, the root canal area is cleaned and antibiotics are used to fight the infection. A blood clot is then made inside of the tooth to encourage the body to grow new tissue inside of the canal.

 

The study will begin in spring 2014 and will include 120 female and male patients between the ages of 6 and 20. The American Association of Endodontists Foundation has given the team of researchers a $1.7 million grant to fund the research.

 

At RCT Endodontics, we currently offer regenerative endodontics treatments for pediatric patients, using the latest research as a guide for developing our treatment protocols. If your child is facing tooth loss due to diseased pulp, contact us for a consultation to see if regenerative endodontics could pose a viable treatment solution to the problem.

Signs You May Have a Cracked Tooth

You May Have A Cracked Tooth and Not Even Know It

When you think of a cracked tooth, you probably imagine a huge fissure running through the dental enamel or a part of a tooth breaking off or feeling loose and unstable. While it's true that severely cracked teeth can be blatantly obvious, and that large cracks are visible to the naked eye, many times, patients who have cracked teeth can't tell just from looking at or feeling their teeth.

 

Tiny cracks that are invisible to the naked eye can cause noticeable symptoms. Often, patients with cracked teeth come in just knowing that "something is wrong," only to have the crack discovered with digital x-rays, fiber optic transillumination or inspection with a microscope.

 

Here are some of the signs of a cracked tooth that indicate you should see an endodontist:

 

- Ongoing pain confined to one tooth - Discomfort from a cracked tooth typically persists day-in and day-out. It may be constant or only be detectable when you chew. The pain could be sharp or more of a dull ache.

 

- Temperature sensitivity - Cracks in dental enamel may expose the nerves inside of the tooth, resulting in temperature sensitivity. If a hot cup of coffee, an ice cream cone or breathing in through your mouth on a cold day result in sudden, sharp pain, you may have a crack in your tooth.

 

- Pain tied to certain foods - You may develop sensitivity to sour and sweet foods if you have a cracked tooth. Acids in these foods can affect exposed nerves, leading to sudden pain.

 

Ignoring the subtle signs of a cracked tooth could lead to more severe cracking and the need for more complex treatment. If you're experiencing any of the signs of a cracked tooth, schedule an appointment with RCT Endodontics.

10 Myths about Root Canals

People seem to cringe when they hear the words root canal. I know that I used to. But reading the truth about these 10 root canal myths can help you get a better sense of what having a root canal really is all about.

1. Root Canals Hurt

According to the American Association of Endodontists, the perception of root canals being painful began decades ago when root canal treatments were painful. Today, with modern technology and better anesthetics, root canal treatments are no more painful than having a filling. Knowing what to expect while having a root canal can help ease a lot of anxiety.

2. Root Canals Require a lot of Visits to the Dentist

With today's cutting edge technology, most root canals can be performed in one or two office visits.

3. Crowns Cause Teeth to Need Root Canals

Many people believe that having a crown on a tooth means that the tooth will eventually need a root canal. Crowns do not cause the need for root canal therapy. If a crowned tooth does require a root canal, it could be that the tooth has abscessed or that decay has gotten underneath the crown and reached the pulp of the tooth.

4. Root Canals Cause Illness

There is no evidence to support that root canals cause illness. However, there is evidence to support the fact that people who have had root canals are no more at risk for developing illness than people who have never had root canals.

5. Root Canals Involve Removing the Roots of the Tooth

When the dentist or endodontist performs a root canal treatment, he or she remove the pulp from inside of the tooth. The roots of the tooth are not removed.

6. Pregnant Women Can't Have Root Canals

Pregnant women can and do have root canals. Having a root canal does require a small x-ray, but the radiation exposure is very minimal and the x-ray is aimed at the mouth, not the abdomen area. If you are pregnant and your dentist needs to give you an x-ray, he will use a lead apron to cover your belly. The anesthetics that dentists use are also safe for pregnant women.Be sure to let your dentist know beforehand if you are pregnant.

7. Even With A Root Canal, The Tooth Will Come Out Eventually

If you have your tooth properly restored, maintain good oral hygiene and visit your dentist for regular checkups, your natural tooth could last for the rest of your life.

8. If the Tooth Doesn't Hurt, There is no Need for a Root Canal

While a throbbing toothache usually results in the need for root canal treatment, many times a tooth can require root canal treatment when there is no pain present. Dentists and endodontists are specially trained to test a tooth to see if the pulp has been infected or damaged. If this is the case, a root canal would be necessary to save the tooth.

9. Pulling the Tooth is Better than Getting a Root Canal

Keeping your natural teeth for as long as possible is very important for proper eating and chewing functions. There are several options available for missing teeth, such as dentures, partial dentures, dental implants and fixed dental bridges, however, these alternatives can be much more expensive than saving your tooth with a root canal treatment.

10. After Having a Root Canal, My Tooth is Completely Restored

After having a root canal, it is extremely important to make a follow-up appointment with your dentist to have the tooth permanently restored. After the pulp of the tooth has been removed, the tooth can become very dry and brittle. Having a permanent restoration will help protect your tooth from fracturing.

What Can Happen if You Ignore an Abscessed Tooth

What Could Happen if You Ignore an Abscessed Tooth

The idea of having to undergo a root canal fills many people with dread and can lead to avoiding treatment for dental problems. While it is never a good idea to ignore tooth pain, if you have an abscess, doing so could prove downright dangerous.

 

An abscess is caused by an infection inside of the pulp of the teeth. In some cases, the infection exits the root tip and destroys the surrounding bone.  The natural defense system can contain and wall off the infection, but it is rare that the immune system alone can completely eliminate the infection. Abscesses typically worsen when ignored, posing a risk for a variety of complications, including:

 

- Increased pain - As an abscess worsens, pain can become unbearable, making it difficult for those with infections to work and perform everyday tasks. Chewing might become impossible due to the extreme discomfort.

 

- Tooth loss - When abscesses are severe, the tooth may be beyond repair and will then require extraction.

 

- Spread of infection to surrounding areas - The infection from an abscessed tooth can spread into the soft tissue of the face as cellulitis or the jawbone as osteomyelitis.

 

- Sepsis - An untreated abscess can spread infection to the blood, causing a life-threatening condition called sepsis.

 

- Pneumonia - Abscessed have been linked with serious cases of pneumonia when the infection spreads to the lungs.

   

The good news is that a root canal can easily treat an abscess, and root canal therapy isn't the torturous procedure that most imagine. Most patients report that a getting a root canal feels like receiving a standard filling. At RCT Endodontics, we have a variety of options available that will ease any anxiety you may have about treatment so you are comfortable at all times. Because we use the latest technology at our practice, we can perform root canal treatments more quickly than you might expect.

Don't ignore the symptoms of an abscess, such as a fever, tooth pain, swollen glands and swelling of the gums. Contact RCT Endodontics today to schedule an exam.

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