May
Dear Cynthia,
Have you heard of Vital Pulp Therapy? Not sure exactly what it is but I saw this article, most of which was a bit hard to understand.
It talks about being able to repair the pulp. Can you help shed some light and specifically if this is an option for my tooth?
Thanks again,
Alice,
PS. Kyle keeps saying he wants to get his teeth cleaned again because it was so fun. Thanks for making his first experience awesome!!
Hi Alice,
Yes, Vital Pulp Therapy has been practiced for many years and there are many materials – depending on whether it is Direct or Indirect.
Vital Pulp Therapy is performed during the “surgical” procedure of tooth structure where caries (tooth decay) is being removed and the pulp is being protected from the removal of the tooth decay, and as an insulator from the restorative procedure or material.
Vital Pulp Therapy therefore is not indicated for an intact tooth with sound restorations, such as in your case.
Often a tooth loses its vitality for reasons that are unknown to us. Personally, I believe tooth death occurs in the intact multiply restored tooth as a result of cumulative stress.
Each restorative procedure has the ability to induce inflammation and its byproducts. This biological response is necessary but probably not enough to satisfy the cells need for oxygen for good metabolism and suffers a little.
With each insult, whether it be the microscopic bacteria from caries traveling down the dentin or the restorative procedure, the potential exists for the tooth to have less recoverability over the long haul than it did when it first erupted in the mouth.
Until stem cell research is perfected, we must rely on what we have currently.
Clinically, I see an improvement in these areas with ozone treatment, which simply increases both the vascularity and oxygenation of the tissues, including the tooth. How long this “holds” depends on many factors. It may resolve symptoms for a very long time or, in the case of acute infection, just a few days. However, it is noninvasive and local, and often what I go to first.
Hope this helps answer some questions. Glad your son had a good experience with us, thank you.
My best,
Dr. Cynthia Copeland, DDS, DIBDM, AIAOMT
Whole Health DDS