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.