Your teeth have three layers, including the protective outer enamel, the supportive dentin, and the inner dental pulp.
The enamel is durable and built to withstand the wear-and-tear from chewing and talking. However, tooth decay and dental trauma can damage the enamel and leave the more delicate inner pulp, containing nerves and blood vessels, vulnerable to inflammation and infection.
When dental pulp is inflamed or infected, you can develop unpleasant symptoms, such as tooth pain and sensitivity. A root canal restores tooth function by cleaning out any infection and pulp damage, filling the tooth with dental materials, and capping the tooth with a crown.
However, some preliminary procedures are necessary for root canals to be effective.
Endodontist Robert Scott Nance, DDS, MS, PA, and our team at our practices in Statesville and Hickory, North Carolina, offer additional services to ensure root canal success, including regenerative endodontics and revascularization.
In this month’s blog, we discuss why these additional steps are necessary and what to expect from them.
The visible portion of each tooth is called the crown, and the portion that extends below your gumline into your jawbone is called the tooth root.
If your tooth root has an opening at the very bottom (open apex), undergoing root canal therapy isn’t possible until that root is closed. Otherwise, the filling would fall out of the bottom.
When a tooth first erupts through the gumline, the tooth root is still underdeveloped and remains open at the bottom for another three years. Underdeveloped tooth roots leave your dental pulp vulnerable to infectious bacteria.
Another cause of an open apex is dental resorption, which happens when portions of your tooth wear away. Resorption can be triggered by injuries, prolonged use of orthodontic appliances, teeth grinding, or untreated cavities.
Untreated cavities and tooth decay can lead to a condition called pulp necrosis, which means “nerve death.” When a severely infected tooth goes untreated for too long, the nerves and blood vessels in the pulp can die and stunt tooth root growth.
Revascularization and regenerative endodontics are still fairly new to the world of endodontic care, which means these treatments are best done by an expert, such as Dr. Nance.
When an open apex creates an obstacle to root canal success, apexification has traditionally been the solution. Apexification uses a chemical in order to create a calcific barrier that seals the bottom of your tooth.
While this approach is effective, Dr. Nance’s innovative approaches are a step above.
With revascularization, Dr. Nance still begins by cleaning out your infected tooth and injecting antibiotics to eliminate any lingering infection. However, at a second appointment, Dr. Nance places periodontal stem cells that generate brand new connective tissues.
In addition, Dr. Nance uses a regenerative therapy called platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to encourage better blood flow and cell regeneration. PRP is a substance that contains a high concentration of healing platelets obtained from a sample of your own blood.
The combination of stem cells and platelets ensures your tooth root closes all on its own.
If you suspect that you need a root canal, Dr. Nance and our team can restore your tooth and save it from needing extraction. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Nance for expert-level care by calling your nearest office location today.
