Could This Mean the End of Root Canals?

Jul 20th, 2010
Easton Dentists Mar 1st, 2017

A new development in dentistry could lead to fewer trips to your Emergency dentist in Columbus Ohio.

 Scientists are excited to report an advance toward what could be the next big treatment revolution in dentistry – the end of root canals. Instead, root canal therapy would bring diseased teeth back to life, instead of leaving a “non-vital” or dead tooth in the mouth. According to a report in the monthly journal ACS Nano, a first-of-its-kind, nano-sized dental film shows early promise for achieving this long-sought goal. Gone would be the days of one of the most feared procedures in the history of dentistry.

The report cites the root canal procedures as helping to prevent tooth loss in millions of people each year. During the procedure, your Emergency dentist in Columbus Ohio removes the painful, inflamed pulp, which is the soft tissue inside the diseased or injured tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels.

 The process of regenerative endodontics develops and delivers tissues to replace diseased or damaged dental pulp, and also has the potential to provide a revolutionary alternative to pulp removal. 

The scientists says that the development of a multilayered, nano-sized film that is only 1/50,000th the thickness of a human hair contains a substance that could help regenerate dental pulp. Previous studies show that the substance has anti-inflammatory properties, which could also greatly reduce the discomfort that is often associated with dental procedures. In laboratory tests, alpha-MSH (or alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone) in combination with a widely-used polymer produced a material that fights inflammation in dental pulp fibroblasts. Fibroblasts are the main type of cell found in dental pulp. Nano-films containing alpha-MSH also increased the number of these cells. The scientists conclude that this discovery could help revitalize damaged teeth and reduce the need for a root canal procedure. 

 While this procedure won’t entire eradicate the need for root canal altogether, your Emergency dentist in Columbus Ohio is here to meet all of your dental needs.

The Basics of Root Canal

Dec 8th, 2009
Easton Dentists Mar 1st, 2017

A26D69VHQ3GT root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form, causing further damage and extensive pain.

“Root canal” is the term used to describe the natural cavity within the center of the tooth. The pulp or pulp chamber is the soft area within the root canal. The tooth’s nerve lies within the root canal.

A tooth’s nerve is not vitally important to a tooth’s health and function after the tooth has emerged through the gums. Its only function is sensory — to provide the sensation of hot or cold. The presence or absence of a nerve will not affect the day-to-day functioning of the tooth.

What Damages a Tooth’s Nerve and Pulp?

A tooth’s nerve and pulp can become irritated, inflamed, and infected due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures on a tooth, and/or large fillings, a crack or chip in the tooth, or trauma to the face.

How do You Know if You Need a Root Canal?

Sometimes, symptoms are not apparent. However, signs you may need a root canal include:

  • Severe tooth pain upon chewing or application of pressure
  • Prolonged sensitivity/pain to heat or cold temperatures
  • Discoloration (a darkening) of the tooth
  • Swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums
  • A persistent or recurring pimple on the gums

What Happens During a Root Canal?

A root canal requires one or more office visits and can be performed by a dentist or endodontist, which is a dentist who specializes in the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and injuries of the human dental pulp or the nerve of the tooth. The choice of which type of dentist to use depends on the difficulty of the root canal procedure needed in your particular tooth and the general dentist’s comfort level in working on your tooth.