________________________________________________________________________

Another reason NOT to use Sargenti Paste

Gingival necrosis following the use of a paraformaldehyde-containing
paste: a case report

Abstract

Aim To report on an unusual case of gingival necrosis following the
use of a paraformaldehyde-containing paste in root canal treatment.

Summary Paraformaldehyde preparations are toxic to hard and soft
tissues. In an era of effective local anaesthesia, toxic devitalizing
preparations have few applications. However, in a mobile world
population, severe tissue injury may occasionally be encountered after
the use of paraformaldehyde or other toxic agents in some parts of the
world. Dentists should avoid such preparations and be alert of the
features and management of local toxicity if they encounter it in
practice.

*  Paraformaldehyde-containing pastes have no application in
contemporary dentistry.

*  Dentists should avoid toxic preparations for pulp devitalization.

*  Dentists should be aware of the features and management of tissue
necrosis resulting from the use of toxic dressing materials.

http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.0143-2885.2004.00770.x

It is cheaper for the dentist to use this material.  Also, many that
use it just let the chemicals eat away at the pulp, instead of
removing it.  There are many injuries associated with its use.

Since most dentist do not inform the patient that they are using it
there is no way to know the number of patients that have been injured.
_______________________________________________________________________________________

More information.

AAE Position Statement

The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) is dedicated to
maintaining the highest quality of care in the practice of
endodontics. As part of that dedication, the AAE actively supports the
use of safe and effective materials in connection with root canal
treatment. The AAE recognizes that legitimate differences of
professional opinion may exist as to the "safest" or "most effective"
material for a specific patient or specific circumstances. In
recognition of those legitimate differences of professional opinion,
the AAE does not endorse the use of specific materials. However, the
AAE does recommend against the use of paraformaldehyde-containing
materials as they have proven to be both unsafe and ineffective.

Paraformaldehyde-containing endodontic filling materials or sealers
(frequently known as Sargenti pastes, N-2, N-2 Universal, RC-2B or
RC-2B White) should not be used for endodontic treatment because those
materials are unsafe. Extensive scientific research has proven
unequivocally that paraformaldehyde-containing filling materials and
sealers can cause irreversible damage to tissues near the root canal
system including the following: destruction of connective tissue and
bone; intractable pain; paresthesia and dysthesia of the mandibular
and maxillary nerves; and chronic infections of the maxillary sinus.
Moreover, scientific evidence has demonstrated that the damage from
paraformaldehyde-containing filling materials and sealers is not
necessarily confined to tissues near the root canal. The active
ingredients of these filling materials and sealers have been found to
travel throughout the body and have been shown to infiltrate the
blood, lymph nodes, adrenal glands, kidney, spleen, liver and brain.

Public health concerns and litigation have made the AAE aware of a
significant number of patients who have suffered injuries as a result
of treatment with paraformaldehyde-containing filling materials and
sealers. Undoubtedly, there are many other patients who have also
suffered injuries because of these materials, but whose injuries have
not been publicly disclosed.

Safe and effective root canal filling materials and sealers are
available. In light of the availability of safe and effective
alternatives, the American Association of Endodontists recommends
against the use of paraformaldehyde-containing filling materials or
sealers because the use of such is below the standard of care for
endodontic treatment.

http://www.aae.org/NR/rdonlyres/14F3726F-DA2D-4155-97E9-D0201E690B17/0/paraforma
ldehydefillingmaterials.pdf

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Read this article and look at the x-rays.  The dentists used the
Sargenti Paste still did not tell the patient

http://www.dentalwatch.org/questionable/sargenti/overview.html

I believe that the Sargenti method adds risk with no advantage over
standard endodontic procedures. Its proponents have had more than 40
years to present adequate safety data to the FDA but have failed to do
so. The filling material probably works well in most cases where it is
used, but when things go wrong, the results can be horrendous. For
that reason, I suggest avoiding it. Case reports indicate that some of
Sargenti's followers do not routinely disclose that the filling
material they use contains paraformaldehyde and is not FDA-approved.
If a general dentist invites you to have root canal therapy, ask how
often the dentist performs root canal treatment and whether your case
is complicated and should be referred to an endodontist. Also ask
whether the Sargenti technique, N2, or any material that includes
paraformaldehyde will be involved. Be wary of general dentists who say
they never refer to an endodontist or who use Sargenti methodology.

_______________________________________________________________________________

http://www.classimplant.com/public/aceReportApril2004.pdf

Paraformaldehyde paste sealers. It is shocking that in the 21st
century there are still some dentists who choose to use a
paraformaldehyde containing sealer. Since 1985, there is not one
accredited dental school or hospital residency program in the United
States that advocates and teaches this ancient, disproved technique
and material. Yet a few dentists still choose to expose patients to an
extremely harmful, toxic substance for sealing a root canal. The
physical and emotional devastation this substance has caused is beyond
measure. Some patients' lives have been so diminished by this ordeal
that they feel their lives have been destroyed. Nevertheless, some
dentists feel that they know better and when unfortunate incidents
occur, they plead ignorance. For the defense counsel, these cases are
most vexing when the plaintiff 's counsel claims, "Dr. Smith showed a
conscious and reckless disregard for the health, safety, and welfare
of his often permanently injured client." Simply put, there is no
circumstance where it would be appropriate to use a paraformaldehyde
paste for sealing a root canal. Why would any dentist choose to use
this dangerous paste? I don't know the answer to this question, but I
do know that a few of our colleagues court disaster by continuing to
use a dangerous paste instead of gutta-percha and sealers that are,
according to the Food and Drug Administration, "generally recognized
as safe and effective."

While most modern practitioners are in agreement about
Sargenti "paste" as a fill material. Dr. Sargenti introduced
some novel endodontic concepts. You should research the
subject before you start mouthing off.

*To the regs only: <hehe, gotta get that dental pun in there>

Sandie, you should search the aae.org about their current scientific
opinion and official position on this subject.

Most SMD practitioners have moved on to modern technics, instruments,
and filling materials for RCT.

Just to be nice, you are beating a long dead horse.
The subject may be new to you as a non-dentist, but those of
us who actually practice the profession have known about this
subject for a few decades.

IOW it ain't nuttin' new sista'.

See you again,

        then you get a spam report.

-NB