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Tissue engineering of teeth This diagram from Nova Southeastern University shows the steps used in regenerative endodontic treatment. http://www.orallongevity.ada.org/ada/orallongevity/orallongevity_dvd.asp. Additionally, the American Academy of Periodontology has established Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Periodontal Diseases. For more information on the guidelines and related resources, visit www.perio.org.
In earlier days of endo care, long, multiple-visit procedures left patients dreading treatment. Today, however, the process has improved so dramatically that patients are more likely to seek treatment before their situation worsens, which decreases pain and increases predictability. One development that has contributed to increased treatment acceptance is the one-visit endo procedure. More than three-fourths (78%) of the GP survey respondents perform single-visit (preparation/obturation) endodontic procedures. Additionally, tools like electronic apex locators, stainless steel hand instruments, and rotary instrumentation (see “Armamentarium advances,” right) all are used by approximately six in 10 of our readers, while almost half (48%) use heated gutta-percha (which is a 26% increase from the 38% who were using it in 2005). Because of the number of x-rays involved, digital x-ray can save GPs a lot of time when performing endo treatment. So it’s not surprising that 44% said they use digital radiography during non-surgical endodontic procedures. Beyond the developments in instrumentation and obturation come advances in regenerative endodontic therapies that can use tissue-engineering biomaterials, stem cells, and the capacity of the body to regenerate dental tissues. “It is inevitable that stem cell and regenerative therapy will become part of routine endodontic and other dental treatments,” said Dr. Peter E. Murray, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Postgraduate Research Administrator, Associate Professor Department of Endodontics, College of Dental Medicine. “We can ignore these advances and allow others to shape the future of the endodontic profession, or we ourselves can determine the future of the profession. “It is essential that endodontists and the AAE become involved in the development and delivery of regenerative endodontic therapies. This will ensure that new regenerative therapies are suitable to be delivered by endodontists in their own practices; thereby ensuring that patients receive the highest possible standards of care, provided by the best-qualified practitioners.” NSU will host the second Regenerative Endodontics Conference in Fort Lauderdale on Feb. 22, 2008, and GP’s are welcome to attend. For details, contact Caroline Coleman at ccoleman@nova.edu. Also, the American Academy of Endodontists is developing a clinical database for practitioners to enter case details of regenerative dental pulp treatments, such as following the trauma of immature teeth. The dental pulp regenerative database is in its testing phase and should be available online next year, Dr. Murray said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
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