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Article: Shining a light on root canals. (use of lasers in root canal therapy)
- Article from:
- Science News
- Article date:
- March 22, 1986
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1986 Science Service, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Shining a light on root canals
Does the dentist's drill frighten you? How about a laser beam in your mouth? Lasers may prove to be a valuable and safe tool in root canal therapy, say University of Alberta researchers.
In a standard root canal procedure, the nerve-containing pulp in the center of the tooth is scraped out and replaced with a rubbery material. But sometimes the small opening at the base of the tooth where the never exits isn't completely sealed off and acid-producing bacteria congregate in the area. The acid can cause an abscess by eating away at the surrounding bone and soft tissue, triggering painful inflammation.
Enter the ...