In 1912, the German doctor Albert proposed a new method of treating infected canals of teeth, which consisted in the use of resorcinol-formalin paste. It was believed that the latter has bactericidal and mummifying properties that can stop the decay of the pulp. This made it possible to seal and clean the dental canal from pathogenic microflora.
Factors affecting the popularity of the method
This method of canal filling has gained wide popularity due to its budget. On the territory of the former USSR, it was actively used for the treatment of chewing teeth. Factors that contributed to the popularity of this method were:
- doctors were absolutely convinced that the composition of resorcinol-formalin paste is reliable and safe;
- simplicity of the procedure, even specialists with little experience undertook its implementation;
- obtaining the desired result with a minimum set of manipulations;
- public.
Resorcinol-formalin method: preparatory stage
The essence of this method is to transform the pulp into a plastic-like aseptic cord, which would not be subjected to dissolution under the influence of tissue microflora. Therefore, in order to avoid the development of “residual pulpitis”, the pulp must be devitalized before impregnation begins.
Filling canals using Albrecht technology is carried out in several stages. At the preparatory stage, attention is paid to filling the root canals, which managed to pass along the entire length. Others are filled in to the extent possible. Then, for necrosis of the remnants of tissues of the damaged pulp, the mouths of each of them are reamed. Three sessions are allotted for all manipulations.
At this stage, the specialist is preparing the solution. They begin to make a paste with 5 drops of formalin, for which a glass plate is used. After that, resorcinol is gradually added to it. Thorough stirring achieves its complete absorption by formalin.
During impregnation, the patient must be positioned in the dental chair in a position that allows the impregnating solution to flow into the canal by gravity. The filling of the dental units of the lower jaw assumes its even fit, while the lying position with the head thrown back will be required in the case of treatment of the teeth of the upper jaw.
Impregnation of channels with a solution
After that, the procedure for impregnating the channels with a solution begins. Like thishappening:
- saliva is isolated and the entire surface of the oral cavity is dried;
- no more than 2 drops of the substance are squeezed out of the prepared therapeutic mixture with a pipette;
- using an endodontic instrument in dentistry, a solution is injected to the maximum possible depth of the canal of the affected tooth;
- if there are residual components of the substance, they are eliminated with a cotton swab;
- all actions are repeated three times;
- when it is not possible to penetrate directly to the mouth, a tampon pre-moistened in the treatment solution is applied to the treated area;
- At the end, a special dentine dressing is used to tighten the mouth.
Next steps
The next session of the patient is expected in a few days. The doctor removes the dentinal bandage and repeats all the manipulations that the affected areas were subjected to during the first procedure. Thus, they are additionally impregnated with a resorcinol-formalin mass.
Then the applied solution is modified. A specialist on a pre-prepared glass plate adds a catalyst to it. The latter is represented by 3 drops of chloramine, in other cases - 2 drops of sodium hydroxide. The prepared mixture completely seals the affected canal. Its filling with resorcinol-formalin substance is brought to the state of a tight mass. All excess is removed. Then a phosphate-cement gasket is used, which covers the mouth. In addition to her on the dental crowna non-replaceable filling material is fixed, due to which the treated cavity is closed.
Disadvantages of the method
At the time when this method was proposed, no one wondered how safe it is, and whether there are contraindications to its use. Gradually, certain shortcomings were discovered, which prompted doctors to resort to less dangerous methods of treating carious lesions. To date, the following disadvantages of the resorcinol-formalin method are known.
Firstly, it is a high concentration of dangerous oncogenic substances. It is known that their presence provokes the occurrence of malignant tumors in different parts of the human body. Many doctors agree that a high percentage of oncological diseases in that period is associated with such dental intervention. Excessive toxicity of the substance affected the body with other pathologies, from which it was not possible to completely recover.
Secondly, this is the penetration of the composition into the bloodstream. Its gradual spread throughout the body has a detrimental effect on the cardiovascular and muscular systems, as well as the proper functioning of the liver, lungs, kidneys and other important organs.
It is also noted that after some time after the filling procedure, the tooth enamel and dentin begin to acquire a pink tint. Such an unaesthetic effect is caused by irritation of periodontal tissues as a result of resorcinol-formalin entering the apical fissure. Even through high-quality whitening, it is not possible to completely get rid of it.succeed. Clinical experience shows that so-called resorced teeth fuse with adjacent bone tissue.
Many difficulties arise in the analysis of radiographs. The reason for this is the non-radiocontrast of the resorcinol-formalin paste used to fill the root canals. A good specialist, having visually determined the emptiness in the canal, will definitely recommend refilling it. But given that over time, the resistance of the mixture becomes comparable to the strength of glass, it will be difficult to follow the recommendations.
Danger of the resorcinol-formalin method
The elasticity and stability of the hard tissues of the tooth are significantly deteriorating. The combination of formalin with resorcinol provokes coagulation of proteins in tissues. As a result, dentin, which is considered to be a fairly hard substance, loses all its quality indicators. The patient is forced to once again seek help from a dental clinic. However, the disturbed structure of the dentin reduces the chances of the specialist to bring the oral cavity into an impeccable appearance. The presence of such a filling can develop hypercementosis, which is manifested by intensive coverage of the roots with cement. When using dental instruments, it tends to crumble. Doctors say that the installation of a crown on such a tooth is impossible. And there is only one way out - the removal of the unit, followed by prosthetics.
This treatment method causes frequent inflammation in the surrounding tissues. Due to the medical preservation of the pulp, the patient does not realize that he has hiddeninfectious processes. Their spread affects neighboring gums and roots. Due to the toxicity of the substance used, the gradual destruction of periodontal tissues begins. In addition, other foci of infection are formed in the form of cysts or phlegmon. The danger lies in the asymptomatic nature of these processes.
Consequences
Scientific studies confirm that formaldehyde-containing endodontic filling materials lead to irreversible destruction of connective tissue and bone, paresthesia of the lower jaw. Chronic infections of the maxillary sinus are not excluded. At the same time, the damage from formaldehyde is not limited to tissue damage only to the root canal. The components contained in the proposed sealants tend to penetrate the body itself.
Resorcinol-formalin paste in dentistry, the consequences of which are very dangerous and irreversible, is prohibited in most countries of the world. So, in Switzerland it was excluded more than 70 years ago. In America, a doctor who dares to offer a patient this way risks losing his license.
Resorcinol-formalin technology in Russia
Despite the fact that dental practice offers safe methods of root canal treatment, the resorcinol-formalin method continues to exist in Russia. Basically, it is resorted to by peripheral specialists who are probably aware of its harmful effects. But the lack of funds for high-quality materials and equipment for endodontics forces them to use readily availablefunds.
The indestructibility of the method is also associated with its budget and the unwillingness of citizens to pay for quality service. In 2001, the All-Russian Dental Association applied to the Central Commission for Higher Education with a demand to exclude the resorcinol-formalin method from the curriculum of dental faculties.
As a conclusion
Because the patient who comes to see the dentist is not qualified, he, due to his inexperience, fully trusts the dentist. Such trust is not always justified, which is confirmed by the method of resorcinol-formalin dental treatment still practiced by our dentists.
Therefore, you should always ask the doctor what type of material he will use in the treatment of the tooth. It is necessary not only to trust, but also to verify. Be careful!
