Biocalex / Endocal
What exactly is it ?????
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Biocalex (recently marketed under the new name Endocal) is a system and set of materials used for root canal treatment. Many "holistic" or "alternative" dentists have long held the view that root canals are "bad" abd should be avoided. They believe that teeth that have had root canal treatment should best be extracted.
Biocalex/Endocal is a root canal medication/filler that uses Calcium Oxide in ethyl glycol (ethyl glycol...sound familiar? as in antifreeze and toxic???). The calcium oxide combines with water in the tooth and becomes calcium hydroxide which is a well-known and long used and documented excellent root canal material. It then goes on to combine with Co2 and become essentially Plaster of Paris.
Their views stem mainly from the turn of the century (early 1900's) publications of Dr. Weston Price, in which he makes startling conclusions from his own research suggesting that infection from root canal teeth can and does cause serious infections in remote parts of the body. There is probably some merit to his claims, but in this author's opinion, his claims are incredibly overstated and, in fact, suspect! The fact that nobody else has been able to reproduce his findings further pushes me to that opinion. For much more detail about the work of Dr. Price and the controversies resulting from theat work, please read my other articles in the Root Canal section listed on the Topics page. That should give you all the info you want...perhaps more!
Anyway... while holistic dentists seem to be almost unanimous about NO ROOT CANALS... they have sometimes become convinced that if the root canal is done using either a Laser or using Biocalex, that somehow it's ok. There's an article on Laser root canals on this site, too, if you want to know more about that.
As far as Biocalex goes, I have stated on this website that there are several problems with it and that I will no longer use it (I only used it on about 6 patients and that was enough for me...). Several years ago I believe there was more info on Biocalex on the internet but now there isn't much at all. Most of the research was written and published in French. I can't read French....Those problems include:
Teeth being split by the Biocalex (while they deny that, of course, read the comments in THEIR literature).
Pain and strange discomfort after using Biocalex (not denied)
The Biocalex becomes invisible in the tooth making later diagnosis nearly impossible (not denied)
Biocalex becomes very hard inside the canals, making re-treatment difficult or impossible if needed later (not denied)
Many of you have asked about documentation regarding the "problems I have talked about " with Biocalex / Endocal. So, I looked through the literature I have collected on hand and what I think is most instructive is to show you the info that was supplied to me from the manufacturer and distributor or Biocalex (now called Endocal, I believe).
Keep in mind this is THEIR own literature so it's as friendly and supportive as possible toward their own product. You'll see I have interjected some comments (in RED) to point out my interpretation of some of their remarks. I will also include other references if I find any that I think are instructive.
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These sheets were from the manufacturer and distributor of Biocalex....
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*****************************************Want more? See: http://www.escoendo.com/insight7.pdf This reference deals withresearch showing that Biocalex splits teeth.
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*****************************Just keep in mind that the info on this page is put out by the makers and sellers of Biocalex and they are trying to make it look as good as they can !
Bottom line:.....(in my opinion)
The real active part of the Biocalex technique is, in my opinion, calcium hydroxide, and there are ways to use calcium hydroxide without antifreeze and without calcium oxide and without it disappearing and turning into plaster, possibly splitting teeth, and only rarely causing pain, so to me it's a no-brainer. For more info on that, see the other root canal articles on this site.*******************************
********************************You will also find several webpages that say Biocalex is the best thing around. Read and make your own decisions.
I hope this brief discussion has been helpful and informative. Good luck!
Michael C. Goldman, DDS
General and Cosmetic Dentistry
3815 East-West Highway
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
Phone (301) 656-6171
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Holistic dentistry is an approach to dental treatment, primarily caring for patients' health and safety from both a conventional as well as "alternative healthcare" point of view. It is sometimes called "biological" dentistry or "biocompatible" dentistry. In it's fullest sense, I believe it acknowledges and deals with the mind, body and spirit of the patient, not just his or her "teeth". See Topics / Info.....
Cosmetic dentistry is about doing quality , esthetic dentistry in a way that looks natural to begin with, and furthermore, can even improve one's attractiveness through techniques such as bonding, bleaching, veneers, caps, implants and more. It can be like "instant orthodontics" in correcting crooked, twisted or misplaced teeth in many instances. Dark or mis-shapen teeth can be restored. Smiles that lack youthful vigor or beauty can be revitalized! See Topics / Info..
In holistic dentistry there is an effort to find biocompatible materials to use to reduce toxicity for everyone, especially the chemically sensitive. Amalgam use is avoided in holistic dentistry (" amalgam free" or "mercury free") due to concern about possible toxicity problems. Amalgam removal and replacement with natural-looking bonded materials is a common holistic dentistry treatment as well as a common cosmetic dentistry treatment. Detoxification, especially of residual mercury deposits in body tissues from amalgams is often done. Root canals are controversial in holistic dentsitry and are discussed under topics. And much more....
Bleaching, veneers, bonding, caps, bridges, and implants are cosmetic dentistry treatments that are also discussed in Cosmetic Dentistry, and more...
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