In the American Chemical Society journal ACS Nano researchers reported on the development of a technique that could bring diseased teeth back to full health.  Root canal therapy is a procedure that is used to prevent tooth loss by removing the diseased soft tissue inside a tooth leaving a non-vital tooth in the mouth.

Dr. Nadia Benkirane-Jessel and her team developed a film containing a substance that could regenerate the dental pulp and bring root canal treated teeth back to life.  The substance called alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone  was placed in a nano-sized film (only 1/50,000 the thickness of a human hair).  Scientists in the laboratory found that the nano-films increased the number of dental pulp fibroblasts, the main type of cell found in dental pulp.  The researchers suggest that one day this approach could help revitalize damaged teeth.

While this new research is intriguing, any use of this type of treatment on actual dental patients is many years away.  In the meantime we all need to be diligent with good home care (brushing and flossing) and regular cleanings with your dental hygienist.  It is important to let your dentist take x-rays (using digital radiography to reduce exposure to radiation) of your teeth on a regular basis to discover small problems before they become larger and maybe lead to a root canal.  A regular, thorough examination by your dentist can save your teeth and your pocketbook.

Please contact our Gahanna, Ohio office today at 614-476-6696 to arrange your consultation and start your journey toward a healthier smile.