A calcified root canal can be very aggravating and often takes twice the time to do the root canal therapy. Many dentists feel that they are doing a patient a favor by attempting to save a sick tooth by placing a dental filling in the tooth rather than doing root canal treatment. The problem is that the sick tooth is sick and this causes the canals inside to close down and block. Later when the tooth dies and needs a root canal, the treatment is very difficult. In some cases the tooth dies, can not be treated and must be removed!
Any dentist that attempts to treat a calcified root canal must be patient. Treatment involves several additional visits just to locate the canals. EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) is a synthetic amino acid that is used to dissolve the calcified blockage in the obstructed canals. It is applied to the inside of the tooth where the openings of the canals should be and the patient returns in one week. It also acts as a lubricant during the preparation of root canals.
Ultrasonic endodontic instruments can be helpful in opening up a calcified root canal. The tip of an ultrasonic vibrates at very high rate. This creates miniature sonic waves that break up the calcification.
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