Pain in endodontics. 1986.

A frequent problem in endodontics is the development of pain and swelling during or after endodontic therapy. Although the reasons for such exacerbations are not always clear, there are a number of hypotheses which will be discussed in this article.

Flare-ups in endodontics: II. Therapeutic measures. 1985.

Various treatment regimens for the relief of pain during endodontic therapy, including relief of occlusion, pre-medication, establishment of drainage, and intracanal and systemic medications are presented. In addition, the rationale for the use of placebos is discussed.

Flare-ups in endodontics: I. Etiological factors. 1985.

A number of hypothetical mechanisms which may be responsible for pain and swelling before and during endodontic therapy are presented. These mechanisms may be interrelated.

A scanning electron microscope examination of silver cones removed from endodontically treated teeth. 1972.

Twenty-five silver cones were removed from teeth which had been treated endodontically from 3 months to 20 years previously. Examination by the scanning electron microscope revealed that these cones were moderately to severely corroded. The corrosion patterns were described as ranging from pitting to deep crater formation with globular or spherical agglomerations.

Alteration of human pain thresholds by nutritional manipulation and L-tryptophan supplementation.

Pain perception and tolerance thresholds of 30 normal subjects were determined by electrical stimulation of dental pulps before and after dietary manipulation which included either tryptophan supplementation or placebo. Perception threshold levels were similar in tryptophan and placebo subjects; however, pain tolerance levels were significantly higher in the group receiving tryptophan. Side effects such as nausea, skin itching, weight loss and mood elevation were more common in the tryptophan group than in the placebo group.

Perspectives in the control of chronic pain by nutritional manipulation.

The role of cental neurotransmitters in mood, behavior and emotion are briefly reviewed. Some neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and serotonin, have been implicated in both the determination of pain threshold and the behavioral responses to painful; stimuli. A number of experiments have indicated that brain serotonin can be increased through administration of tryptophan, the dietary precursor of serotonin.