The resorcinol-formalin method of dentistry was proposed by Dr. Albrecht back in 1912.It consists in filling the affected areas of the tooth with formalin, saturated with resorcinol.
Resorcinol formaldehyde paste has bactericidal and embalming properties, which allows to stop the decomposition of pulp residues. Dentists of that time believed that formalin hardens in the destroyed cavity, thereby sealing it.
This method is budgetary and very easy to use, even an inexperienced doctor could use it. In Soviet times resorcin-formalin method was used in almost all cases. It is popular now, but such treatment is considered dangerous for health.
Contents
- How the sealing procedure is carried out
- How the sealing procedure works
- The first session
- The second session
- The third session
- Why the Albrecht method is harmful to health
- Safe analogues
- How the sealing procedure works
How the sealing procedure passes
The filling by the Albrecht method consists of several steps. The very first is preparation. First, the root canals are sealed, which turned out to extend along the entire length.
The remaining channels are sealed as far as possible. Then, their mouths are reamed and necrotic tissue remains of the pulp. The whole process is carried out in three sessions.
The first session of
The process begins with the preparation of resorcinol formalin paste: 
- 5 drops of formalin are applied to the glass plate;
- is added resorcinol and mixed until formalin completely absorbs it.
After completion of the preparation process, the patient is placed in the dental chair. If a mandibular tooth is to be treated, a person should be seated. If the treatment of the upper jaw tooth is required, the patient needs to lie down and toss his head back.
The channel is then impregnated with a solution:
- saliva is removed;
- with a pipette apply two drops resorcin-formalin;
- with the aid of an endodontic instrument, a solution is introduced into the affected part of the root canal;
- excess substances are removed with a cotton swab, the whole procedure is repeated three times;
- in case passage through the mouth of the canal is impossible, a tampon is applied which is pre-wetted in the resorcinol-formalin liquid( without using a catalyst);
- the mouth is tightly tightened with a dentine bandage.
Second session of
The next session is held in a couple of days. The dentine bandage is removed and repeated impregnation( impregnation) of the tooth with resorcinol-formaldehyde solution is carried out.
The third session of
The specialist again prepares a resorcinol solution, only with the addition of a catalyst:
- , liquid on a glass plate is prepared;
- is added two or three drops of chloramine, which serves as a catalyst( also sometimes two drops of 10% sodium hydroxide solution are added instead of chloramine);
- all components are mixed.
The next step is the root canal filling. The channel is processed by resorcinol-formalin paste to a dense mass. The residues of the substance are completely removed.
After tooth treatment, tooth filling is performed. A phosphate-cement gasket is applied to the mouth, and a permanent filling material is applied to the tooth crown.
Why Albrecht's method is harmful to health
Resorcinol-formaldehyde paste is a very toxic and carcinogenic substance. It was proved that after the introduction into the tooth the mixture spreads to other organs: the liver, muscles, kidneys, lungs.
It is possible that oncological and other severe ailments could be caused by this particular solution. Because of this, most specialists refused this method of treatment.
After treatment with the Albrecht technique, a person can not feel pain for many years in the area of a cured tooth. But it turned out that the treatment still had no effect. Inflammation progressed, but imperceptibly.
Soon on the roots there were cysts. In the end, the gums completely atrophied due to the destructive effect of the solution. In most cases, repeated treatment was necessary. But to cure such a tooth is very difficult.
On the x-ray, the root canals look empty, which is why the inflammatory process is not diagnosed immediately. The patient's tooth gradually deteriorates, its color changes to dark gray or pink( photo left), and it almost does not lend itself to bleaching.
The consequences of such treatment are almost impossible to eliminate. Also, the resorcinated tooth can not be covered with an artificial crown. You can use only a removable denture, which is very inconvenient to use.
Despite all the deplorable consequences, this method is still used in some clinics. This is because this treatment is very cheap.
Safe analogues
Progressive dentists use gutta-percha filling. This method involves filling the dental canal with gutta-percha pins and a thick paste that quickly solidifies.
Gutta percha pins do not collapse in the tooth. Pasta serves as a powerful antiseptic and clogs the canal. Such treatment is completely safe and effective.