Medigy: Regenerative Endodontics

Regenerative endodontics is a sub-specialty of endodontics (root canal treatment) that aims to regenerate the lost or damaged dental pulp and periapical tissues using stem cells, growth factors and scaffolds.

Traditionally, when a tooth has a pulp infection, the pulp is removed and the root canal system is cleaned and filled to prevent further infection. However, with regenerative endodontics, the goal is to preserve the natural tooth and its structural integrity.

Regenerative endodontic procedures include:

Pulp Revascularization which involves cleaning the root canals, removing the infected pulp and placing a scaffold material, such as a collagen membrane, in the root canals. Then, the tooth is sealed and left to heal.

Apexification is a procedure used to induce the formation of an apical closure in teeth with open apices (openings at the tip of the root) and immature roots, by filling the root canals with materials such as calcium hydroxide or mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA).

Regenerative endodontics is a relatively new field and more research is needed to establish its long-term effectiveness and safety, but the early results are promising, and it has the potential to save more teeth than traditional endodontic treatment.