A recent study has looked at the possibility of tissue regeneration being able to replace root canal treatment in the future. Root canal treatment has been used for several years in cases of badly infected teeth. Research into more effective treatments has been ongoing for many years. Now, a team of researchers have explored tissue regeneration, with a view of investigating its oral capabilities.
For many years, Root Canal treatment has been the go-to method for saving a tooth that would otherwise die due to an infection caused by extensive decay.
However, new research suggests that tissue regeneration may prove to be an effective alternative to a root canal treatment [1]. This has the potential to transform the way that some dental treatments are carried out.
The possibility of tissue regeneration has been analyzed in recent years, but owing to the complexity of this topic, little progress has been made. But this research has sought to advance this research area.
What is a root canal treatment?
This research focused on root canal treatment. A root canal treatment is a common dental procedure that involves a dentist removing infected soft tissue inside the tooth – known as the pulp [2].
A root canal treatment aims to save a tooth that has become infected – normally due to extensive tooth decay, trauma, or a botched filling. Therefore, a root canal treatment can be a very effective treatment.
However, it isn’t a perfect treatment. Complications are relatively common, and the results are rarely permanent. For example, research has shown the average survival time of a tooth following a root canal is approximately 11 years [3].
Due to the imperfect nature of the root canal treatment, research is commonly undertaken into alternatives. One area that has been analyzed in recent years is the topic of tissue regeneration.
Tissue regeneration refers to the process of renewal and growth to repair or replace a tissue that has become damaged [4]. In the context of this research, this would be the infected tissues in the mouth.
The Research
The research was carried out by a team of scientists at the Forsyth Institute. Their findings have been published in the Journal of Dental Research [1].
The research involved the use of resolvins – which are a group of molecules that come from omega-3 fatty acids, which are naturally produced by the body.
Moreover, the research specifically used the E1 resolvin [1]. E1 resolvin is known as being very effective in controlling excess inflammation – which is common in cases that require a root canal treatment.
To experiment with regeneration, the researchers set up a study which applied E1 resolvin to a range of pulps. These pulps were all infected or damaged to different extents. This allowed the researchers to use E1 resolvin at numerous stages of infection, from a minor infection to an advanced infection, and others in between [1].
The researchers then watched to see how the tissues reacted once E1 resolvin had been applied.
The analysis produced two main findings. Firstly, the researchers found that E1 resolvin is very effective at promoting pulp regeneration – with positive results seen across pulps that were at an early stage in damage or infection [1].
However, the researchers also found that when E1 resolvin was applied to severely infected or damaged pulps, no regeneration took place [1]. It appeared that this was irreversible.
But in one positive – despite not fixing the issue, they did find that E1 resolvin was still able to slow down the rate of infection, providing a better chance of long-term survival for the tooth [1].
Analysis of the results
The research produced mixed results. There was a very positive result in terms of the use of E1 resolvin on early-stage pulp infections. However, as the pulp became more infected, there was no way of stopping the infection.
These findings show that E1 resolvin definitely has the potential to be effective, but does have some limitations. Therefore, it is debatable as to whether or not this could replace a root canal treatment in the long-term.
But these are early days in the research field, and advancements in forthcoming years are likely. So while it is unlikely that the root canal treatment will become redundant anytime soon, there is potential in the future for tissue regeneration to play a key role in oral health treatment.
Looking beyond dentistry, Dr. Thomas Van Dyke, the senior scientist at the Forsyth Institute, believes that the research topic has “huge potential for the field of regenerative medicine” [5]. Therefore, this underlines the potential impact it could have across the healthcare industry [5].
Thinking points…
[1] This article features the topic of root canal treatments. It is important to remember that root canal treatments are avoidable! Therefore, remember to have excellent oral hygiene, including cleaning your teeth at least twice a day, and flossing regularly. This can limit any damage to your teeth. Why not take this chance to have a look at your oral hygiene routine, and see if you can make any improvements?
[2] Another important thing to do in order to avoid oral health problems is to attend a dental clinic for a regular check-up. A dentist can examine your oral health, and can look for any problems. If there are any issues, early detection is key. Therefore, this is a great way of ensuring your oral health is strong. We recommend booking a check-up now!
What we offer at Savanna Dental
Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their oral health.
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary dental clinic at least twice per year for a regular dental check-up. At these check-ups, we provide a comprehensive review of a patient’s oral health. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For example, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To strengthen your oral health, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly.
Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, teeth whitening and Invisalign™! Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
Moreover, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This ensures transparent and fair pricing.
We hope to see you soon at our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.
References
[1] Wu, Y-C., Yu, N., Rivas, C. A., Mehrnia, N., Kantarci, A., & Van Dyke, T. E. (2023). RvE1 Promotes Axin2+ Cell Regeneration and Reduces Bacterial Invasion. Journal of Dental Research. 102 (13): p1478-1487. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00220345231197156.
[2] NHS. (2022). Root canal treatment. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/root-canal-treatment/. Last accessed: 9th December 2023.
[3] Thyvalikakath, T., LaPradd, M., Siddiqui, Z., Duncan, W. D., Eckert, G., Medam, J. K., Rindal, D. B., Jurkovich, M., & Gilbert, G. H. (2022). Root Canal Treatment Survival Analysis in National Dental PBRN Practices. Journal of Dental Research. 101 (11): p1328-1334. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00220345221093936.
[4] Albulet, D., Florea, D. A., Boarca, B., Ditu, L. M., Chifiriuc, M. C., Grumezescu, A. M., & Andronescu, E. (2017). Nanotechnology for personalized medicine: cancer research, diagnosis, and therapy. Nanostructure for Cancer Therapy. p1-21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-46144-3.00001-5.
[5] Forsyth Institute. (2023). Scientists work to bring tissue regeneration to replace root canal treatment. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-12-scientists-tissue-regeneration-root-canal.html. Last accessed: 9th December 2023.
