Re: calcium hydroxide toxicology

Well, the fact that most cases speak of using it in root canals and root canals are a non-biologic process, i am not keen on the idea of calcium hydroxide.  I also do not like the toxicology of it.  Eventhough these dentists said it causes reactions in skin but not teeth, I am skeptical.  I am also suspect of it making the pulp stronger when it does not come in contact with the pulp.  Is it supposed to make the dentin stronger? finally, the results are alarming, not for a study, but for a Dentist to do at this point.  They would need training if this were a standard to be implimented.  Taking out pulp material as the study suggests is not something a Dentist should do without formal training on that specific procedure. 

Results: Only 5 cases resulted in pulp perforation during the final excavation (remember that originally ALL of these deep cavities were predicted to end in pulp perforation).

When you are talking about a person's tooth, the best method for saving it and not having pain should be applied.  the results are not good enough in my opinion and I think more studies are warranted.  I would be much more inclined to think a ZOE filling would be better to put in for a couple months or so if there was a question of sensitivity due to depth of the filling.  It seems like quite a gamble for a good Dentist to do if he is depending on it to help save the tooth, in the situations that study you posted, describes.  But, maybe with good training, the results are better.  I know root canals fail 70% of the time, but it doesn't stop Non-Biologic, and many Biologic, Dentists from doing them. 

Also, you said earlier you are not speaking of a mixture of calcium hydroxide, but the study says  A calcium hydroxide-containing base material must be applied.  So, this suggest it is not pure calcium hydroxide as you were speaking of, correct? 

Keep in mind that there are many materials used in the mouth that are toxic and non-biological that mainstream Dentists and even many "Biologic" Dentists consider ok to use.  Also, keep in mind that there are very few true Biologic Dentists in the world. 

I don't know when that study was done.  Perhaps there are many Dentists doing this procedure and perhaps not.  It really doesn't sound like something a true Biologic Dentist would do, but maybe you should email the Dr involved and ask if Dentists are performing it in their practices.  hbcoh@public.wh.hb.cn Stomatological Hospital, Xuchang, Henan Province, Stomatological Hospital, Henan Province, China

But, I will send this to the Dentist for his opinion. 

Torrie