How minced tooth pulp could restore your smile
Minced tooth pulp is being tested as a way to regenerate decayed teeth and reduce the number of extractions that are necessary. The pulp — the soft inner part of the teeth containing blood vessels and nerves — is rich in stem cells, which have the potential to grow into many types of cell.
The theory is that these stems cells will develop and regenerate the various parts of the tooth that have been destroyed by decay.
if early tests prove successful, this method could prove an alternative to painful root canal fillings and reduce the need for extractions.
decay begins with the build-up of plaque — a mixture of bacteria, acid, food particles and saliva. This initially damages the outer enamel, which is the hardest part of the tooth.
decay can then progress to the dentine, the softer supporting material underneath. Because of its softness, dentine decays more quickly than enamel and, if it is left untreated, large cavities can develop.
This may ultimately allow bacteria access to the inner pulp, leading to an infection or tooth abscess.
When the pulp becomes infected, root canal treatment may be offered or, in some cases, the affected tooth will have to be extracted.
Root canal treatment involves removing the infected pulp and sealing the tooth with a filling or crown. This is a lengthy, sometimes painful, process and means the tooth loses its blood and nerve supply. As a result, it can become brittle and may eventually fracture. it is hoped that the new procedure, on trial at the University of california, will kick-start the growth of new pulp and dentine, strengthening the tooth and its roots.
First, the existing pulp will be cleaned out. Then this pulp or that taken from other teeth extracted from the patient will be shredded into tiny pieces so it can be easily mixed with a sample of the patient’s blood that has been specially treated (this contains growth factors and other compounds thought to trigger the stem cells into action). The pulpy mixture is then inserted into the root canal space, which will first have been cleaned to remove residual bacteria.
The researchers are set to try out the technique on 50 patients, who will then be monitored for two years. Their progress will be compared with that of the same number of patients who have received conventional root canal treatment.
commenting on the research, damien Walmsley, a professor of dentistry at the University of Birmingham, said: ‘The researchers are hoping that the patient’s own cells will regrow the “nerve” inside the tooth and also lead to a new blood supply.
‘This regeneration, if successful, will help keep the tooth. it will be interesting to see whether this does occur and a healthy tooth results.
‘But it is a complex clinical trial, and there will be many challenges to overcome, including the prevention of infection due to the presence of bacteria.’