Product Insights by Ryan Judd

MTA Could be called Miracle Trioxide Aggregate

MTA (Mineral Trioxide Aggregate) has been used for more than 10 years in the dental community and has often been thought of as just a tool for the endodontist and periodontist. As a general dentist who has 2 MTA repairs in my own mouth, I became interested in this material when it was first introduced.

I have several adult patients in my practice that have healthy longstanding direct pulp cap repairs; however, I have 1 additional suggested use for MTA.  Pulpotomy procedures become much more predictable with the use of MTA. First remove the coronal pulp and use pressure to control bleeding. When you are satisfied the radicular pulp is healthy, MTA can then be added over the pulp before the final restoration. This suggestion was one I learned from a pediatric dentist friend who has seen much greater success with her pulpotomy procedures with the use of MTA.

Ryan Judd, DMD, is an honors graduate from the Oregon Health Sciences University School of Dentistry and has twice been awarded the 'William Howard Award for Clinical Dentistry.’