Regenerative Endodontics

What is regenerative endodontics?

Regenerative endodontics uses the concept of tissue engineering to restore the root canals to a healthy state, allowing for continued development of the root and surrounding tissue. Endodontists’ knowledge in the fields of pulp biology, dental trauma, and tissue engineering can be applied to deliver biologically based regenerative endodontic treatment of necrotic immature permanent teeth resulting in continued root development, increased thickness in the dentinal walls and apical closure. These developments in the regeneration of a functional pulp-dentin complex have a promising impact on efforts to retain the natural dentition, the ultimate goal of endodontic treatment.

Step-by-step procedure

First Appointment

  1. A small access is made through the top of your tooth to reach the pulp chamber where the nerve canals originate from.
  2. The canals are located with the help of a microscope and conservatively cleaned and disinfected with irrigants to remove all bacteria and other debris inside your tooth.
  3. The canals are dried and a medication called calcium hydroxide is placed inside the canals to further disinfect bacteria from the root canal system. A temporary filling is placed.

Second Appointment

  1. Three to four weeks later we remove the medication from the canals. Specialized techniques are used to encourage bleeding from the tissues at the tip of the root and bring stem cells into the canal of the tooth. A biocompatible material called MTA is placed into the canals up against the stem cells to encourage continued tooth growth and development. We will send a report back to your general dentist and they will see you for the final restorative treatment.