WHAT YOUR DENTIST MAY HAVE FORGOT TO MENTION

(And what you can do about it at home)

We have been taught to brush twice daily, floss regularly, and visit the dentist to prevent cavities, yet systemic dental decay continues. The proliferation of fillings, crowns, and root canals confirms our bones are at a loss. Although there is a plethora of periodontal promises, from fluoride floss to mint mouthwash, dental decay is at an all-time high. Searching for solutions, we seek drugstore dental aisles for triclosan toothpastes, we maintain ingrained appointments, and we brush with daily diligence for decades. Even so, the possibility of periodontal disease percolates. Receding, bleeding gums are the norm. Unexpected cavities form, and millions of root canals are performed. The definition of insanity, doing the same thing and expecting different results, applies to our current state of dental care.

Like you, I have teeth and want to keep them. This led to a practical quest to understand the innate intelligence of our dental design, researching the best remedies and protocols. This inquiry culminated in the book, Holistic Dental Care, currently printed in five languages, providing a map to master the microecology of our mouths. With leading-edge information from pioneering dentists, we now know that the body is, of course, created with a way to cleanse, a dentinal-lymph-fluid flow that acts like an invisible toothbrush, repelling cavities and synthesizing new dentin from odontoblasts. Our mouths need not be incubators of infection; when we balance the biome and approach daily care with biological alignment, we create an optimized oasis of homeostasis.

What follows is the antidote to the core issues facing our oral health: harmful procedures and scorched-earth solutions collide with a lack of understanding about the oral microbiome and dentinal-fluid flow. When combined with the missing nutrients of modern diets, this quartet creates a perfect periodontal storm that fosters endodontic entropy—a system that settles for Band-Aid solutions of bleaching, gum grafts, and fillings.

DENTINAL LYMPH: THE INVISIBLE TOOTHBRUSH
Teeth are alive! They are fed from their roots by the Dentinal-Lymph System, much like tree roots drawing up sap. This toroidal flow spins lymph liquid inward and upward through the pulp chamber, out onto the enamel. Like microscopic sweat, these tiny droplets coalesce on the surface to form a protective fluid layer that prevents biofilm formation. This flow flushes out toxins while providing nutrients for the mineral matrix. When functional, it acts as an invisible toothbrush, neutralizing acids and preventing decay.

However, this delicate system is easily dysregulated by mineral depletion, processed foods, medications, and spiked insulin. The parotid gland, located in the cheek just in front of the ear, acts as the "pump" for this transport. It is highly sensitive to the electromagnetic fields (EMF) and radiofrequency radiation (RFR) from devices held close to the head. Research indicates that heavy cell phone and wireless earbud use can stress this gland, disrupting the pump responsible for our dental defense . When this system stalls or reverses, the tooth’s capillaries suck in bacteria like a straw, causing infection within the pulp chamber. This self-contaminating "leaky tooth" is the genesis of cavity creation.

A cavity is an infection in the tooth, and like any wound, it has the ability to heal. The Chairman of the ADA Research Section, Dr. Weston Price, discovered in the 1930s that what we now classify as vitamins K2 and D3 effectively inhibited and reversed decay. Later, Dr. Ralph Steinman scientifically proved the existence of the dentinal-lymph system, showing that dietary magnesium and phosphorus reduced decay rates by 86%. This was echoed by Navy Dental Corps veteran Dr. Robert Nara, who found that mineralizing the mouth with simple salt and specialized irrigation could halt decay and facilitate self-remineralization. Dr. Melvin Page confirmed these findings, noting that when phosphorus blood levels drop below 3.5, cavities begin to form. Fillings ignore the root cause; when the internal dentinal-lymph flow is restored and nourished, teeth remineralize and regain resilience.

THE MOUTH IS A MICROBIOME
The mouth is the principal portal into our bodies; it interfaces, absorbs, and assimilates our world. Within resides the oral microbiome, the invisible community of commensal bacteria that is intimately bound to our immune, digestive, and endocrine systems. On a microscopic level, our mouths receive molecular messengers revealing shifts in the earth’s microbiome: the antibiotics of agriculture, mineral-depleted soils, and the glyphosates affecting our guts and gums.

In this microbial menagerie; there are more bacteria in a kiss than people on the planet. As holobiont human hosts, we have forged an ancient evolutionary alliance with these microbes. A good host provides a stable home and nourishing food; in return, these microbes micromanage our bodies, digesting food and secreting beneficial biochemicals. They are sentient sentinels that strengthen our immunity while preventing pathogenic periodontal party-crashers from colonizing the community.

A balanced and diverse microbiome is the key to oral health. Yet, most dental solutions go "scorched-earth" on beneficial bacteria. Bleaching, fluoride, sudsy surfactants, and synthetic alcohols act as antibiotic atomic bombs. This defoliation of our oral flora-nation mutates microbes, giving rise to gingivitis, halitosis, oral thrush, and receding gums. While the mouth is designed as an alkaline saliva-sea, caustic chemicals induce anaerobic activity. Just as toxic food causes leaky guts, scrubbing gums with chemicals causes leaky gums—a port of entry for bacteria to enter the bloodstream and trigger systemic inflammation.

To restore balance, we need alkaline solutions, gum sealants, and strategies that inhibit quorum sensing. Ancient essences such as Cinnamon, Peppermint, Tea Tree, Frankincense, and Clove are now scientifically validated as Quorum Sensing Inhibitors (QSI) . Research shows Clove oil can reduce quorum-sensing activity by up to 70%. These botanical-biotics offer anti-infective activity that cleanses pathogens while coexisting with our flora, confirming the ancient wisdom of using plants to maintain oral ecology.

BONES ARE ALIVE + ELECTRIC
Teeth are the only visible parts of the skeleton; like every other bone, they are vital, living tissues. Beyond structural beams, bones are piezoelectric. When we chew, speak, or move, bones compress and expand, creating electrical charges that signal the body to deposit minerals and maintain density. To support this vitality, high-intensity Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy (1,000 to 10,000+ Gauss) combined with key nutrients can prevent bone loss and strengthen the jawbone, encouraging the piezoelectric effect and fortifying the skeletal structure .

Bone-Pilfering Pharmaceuticals: Mottled, fragile, and tainted teeth are the price of pharma-failing to realize our bones are alive. Many modern medications act as bone density thieves: strip-mining minerals and suppressing the dentinal-lymph system while sabotaging mitochondrial health.
Skeletal Scavenging Bisphosphonates: Drugs like Fosamax are prescribed to stop bone loss, yet they work by poisoning osteoclasts—the cells responsible for clearing old bone. When osteoclasts are killed, "sick" bone cells survive; bones look denser on X-rays while becoming weaker and more brittle. Dentists now describe teeth that crumble during routine cleanings. These drugs can lead to jawbone necrosis (MRONJ), where the bone loses its blood supply and dies.
Antibiotic Assassins: Overuse has led to bacterial resistance and systemic decay. Among the most devastating are Fluoroquinolones (like Ciprofloxacin). These potent "chemotherapeutic" antibiotics damage connective tissues, gums, and the periodontal ligament. By interfering with mitochondrial DNA and collagen synthesis, they weaken the entire skeletal structure.
The Fluoride Fallacy: Marketed to strengthen bones, fluoride acts as a mineral marauder, making teeth brittle and stiffening the skin by impeding collagen production. Tooth decay is not a fluoride deficiency. Fluoride damages gums, reduces enzyme activity, and is included on the EPA’s list of neurotoxins. Side effects reveal systemic decline: bleeding gums, skeletal fluorosis, pitted teeth, impaired myelin sheath, and reduced IQ. While fluoride creates a brittle chemical bond (fluorapatite), Nano-hydroxyapatite is the mineral our teeth are actually made of. Hydroxyapatite comprises 97% of enamel and 70% of dentin. These bio-identical micro-minerals penetrate microscopic dentin tubules to remineralize from within, "plugging" gaps with the tooth's own material. Research confirms it is as effective as fluoride at preventing decay - without the systemic toxicity or the disruption of our invisible toothbrush.

The Mineral Thieves: Oxalates and Phytic Acid
Eat your veggies? Not so fast. Even "healthy" greens can threaten bone density through anti-nutrients like oxalates and phytic acid. You may have experienced that "shag rug" feeling on your teeth after eating spinach or chard; that sensation signals oxalates interfering with ionic exchange, pulling minerals from teeth and bones to neutralize acid. As a plant defense, these jagged crystals bind to vital minerals like calcium and magnesium preventing absorption. This mineral-theft pulls calcium from bones into soft tissue, compromising density while causing systemic calcification and stressing thyroid function. Similarly, phytic acid in grains and legumes can block the uptake of magnesium and phosphorus, minerals essential for a healthy decay rate. To maintain teeth and strong bones, go low-oxalate and manage the systemic load with thiamine (vitamin B1), electrolytes, trace minerals, and an alkalinizing trifecta of magnesium, calcium, and potassium.

This understanding is vital for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. While specialists like Dr. Jack Newman have debunked myths about nighttime feeding causing decay, a missing piece of the puzzle is oxalate ingestion. A mother’s historical and current oxalate consumption affects her milk composition. As she gives her "calcium-all" to nourish her child, a diet high in oxalates can act as a mineral-magnet, pulling nutrients from her own teeth and her child’s developing pearly portals. Understanding calcium regulation and the impact of anti-nutrients is key to maintaining dental integrity and skeletal strength during the beautiful stages of motherhood.

Dentine: The Secret to Bright Whites
To these alkaline minerals, we add fat-soluble vitamins A, D3, E, and K2. These co-factors act as biological ushers, shuttling minerals into the skeletal matrix. In 1922, Drs. Edward and May Mellanby revealed that the body repairs injured enamel and dentine by deploying odontoblasts. Their research confirmed that cod liver oil, replete with vitamin D, enabled these cells to forge a thick foundation of secondary dentine, literally rebuilding teeth from the inside out.

Tooth enamel is translucent; grey or glassy teeth signal a depleted diet. Beneath this protective glass lies the dentine, a porous, living tissue that is naturally white. Healthy enamel reveals this inner brilliance. Pearly whites shine from a fortified interior fed by fat-soluble nutrients, particularly Vitamin K2. Found in natto and pasture-raised animals, K2 acts as a mineral traffic controller, directing calcium into the bones and teeth while removing it from soft tissues. This nutrient is activated by sunshine and is notably absent in the shadows of factory farming.

Cosmetic bleaching is a caustic shortcut. Its chemicals penetrate the porous dentine, irritating the odontoblasts within the pulp chamber and leaving teeth dull and vulnerable to yellowing. Bright white is an internal job: a synergy of nutrient-dense fats, mineralization over oxalates, and the sunbeams of Vitamin D.

REPLENISHING ORAL ECOLOGY: STOP. SEAL. SEED
To swiftly transform your oral terrain, implement a hygiene routine based on the principles of Stop, Seal, and Seed. This approach, guided by the 8 Steps to Successful Self-Dentistry, optimizes oral health while fortifying your innate immunity.

STOP: THE CHEMICAL + METABOLIC SCOURGE
Stopping is the cessation of products and procedures that compromise the microbiome, bones, and epithelium. Gums and teeth are living tissues; cleaning them requires a different strategy than scrubbing a kitchen countertop. Start by removing any product labeled "May Be Harmful if Swallowed." The mouth’s epithelium is only one cell thick; absorption is nearly instantaneous. Synthetic surfactants, the sudsy detergents that cause gums to bleed, break down the tongue’s phospholipids, decompose collagen, and hinder hormones. End this chemical scourge by discarding "microbe-mutators" like triclosan, saccharin, coal tar derivatives, SLS, and synthetic alcohols. Common mouthwashes disrupt the microbiome, creating a caustic environment the NIH links to oral cancer.

Avoid the heavy metals that disrupt the oral landscape: toxic nickel from dental appliances, titanium implants, and mercury fillings. For removal, seek a qualified biological dentist who follows the Hal Huggins Institute safety protocols. Beyond dental chemicals, eliminate the metabolic disruptors that stall Dentinal Fluid Transport (DFT) and lower the systemic load of antinutrients like oxalates and phytic acid that raid mineral stores.

Nasal breathing is equally vital. Assessing food allergies, sinuses, and cranial balance helps reestablish this baseline. Sleep tape, myofunctional therapy, and microcurrent devices reeducate oral muscles and strengthen the tongue. For optimal air quality, use HEPA filters and ionizers, and diffuse essential oils to keep nasal passages open for restorative breathing.

SEAL: HEALING EPITHELIAL INTEGRITY
Bleeding, inflamed, or receding gums are signifiers of bacterial imbalance; they indicate that pathogens are entering the bloodstream. To restore the oral epithelium, we focus on sealing "leaky gums" and bolstering the saliva’s capacity to shield enamel. The gums and the gut are a symbiotic loop; healing one fortifies the other. Because our teeth are connected to every organ via the bloodstream, any infection or toxin harbored in the mouth invites systemic decline. A healthy digestive cycle begins with a sealed, resilient epithelium.

The Goodness of Gum Sealers: Sealing and healing gums requires soothing serums and ozonated gels brimming with vulnerary botanical-biotics such as Rose Otto, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Infused into lipids like Seabuckthorn or MCT oil, these phytonutritive substances deliver monoterpene-rich benefits that restore the epithelium. Beyond surface repair, they act as lymphatic stimulants, promoting localized healing and systemic flow. Under the microscope, we now understand why these essential oils are iconic dental choices: they are Quorum Sensing Inhibitors (QSI). These aromatic compounds act as bacteriostatic regenerators—biologically savvy "biofilm-busters" that halt the communication of pathogens without the scorched-earth effects of chemicals. By inhibiting quorum sensing, essences like Tea Tree and Cinnamon provide a sophisticated anti-infective defense that cleanses the periodontal pockets while coexisting with our beneficial flora.
Swishing and Saliva Science: The key to healthy teeth is maintaining a sea of saline alkalinity. Oral alkalinizers, baking soda, sea salt, and magnesium, neutralize acidity and activate saliva’s innate protective enzymes. While bright teeth remain an internal job, you can polish external stains with a surgical biohack: use a dry electric brush with a paste of baking soda and 3 percent food-grade hydrogen peroxide. Oil pulling, the ancient Ayurvedic practice, acts as a biological "swish-and-scrub." This lipophilic action draws out impurities and restores the oral epithelium, essentially "brushing" the teeth from the inside out. Upgrade this ritual with probiotics, Vitamin D, and Peppermint to fortify the oral biome and support the systemic health of the gums.

SEED: FUNDING YOUR BACTERIAL BANK
A bustling microbiome keeps the dentist away. To replenish the depletion caused by modern dental care, seed the oral treasury with beneficial flora to bolster innate defenses against pathogens. Prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics act as strategic microbe-multipliers; specifically, strains such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium adhere to saliva, inhibiting periodontal pathogens and reducing plaque. Probiotic swishing increases bacterial diversity across the saliva, the dentinal lymph, and the entire gastrointestinal tract. For deeper issues, Guided Pocket Recolonization can be performed at home: using a blunt-tipped syringe with probiotic powder and a QSI Dental Serum, you deliver beneficial flora directly into the gingival sulcus to reset the gumline with beneficial bacteria.

Our bodies are brilliantly designed. When we seal and seed our oral microbiome and activate the invisible toothbrush of our DLS, the external maintenance of brushing and flossing becomes effortless. The condition of any mouth can evolve: enamel can be restored, dentine can be reactivated, systemic decay can cease, and saliva can remineralize, rejuvenating the gums into an optimized oral oasis.

FIND OUT MORE
Book a complimentary consultation at LivingLibations.com to optimize your oral care routine and deepen your dental understanding with these articles: Successful Self-Dentistry in 8 Steps, The Essential Guide to Daily Dental Care + Appointment Prep, Questions to Ask a Prospective Dental Practice and Peptides for Periodontal Care.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nadine Artemis, the founder of Living Libations, is the author of Holistic Dental Care: The Complete Guide to Healthy Teeth and Gums, and Renegade Beauty: Reveal and Revive Your Natural Radiance, which was named one of “The Top 10 Books on Skin Care” by The Strategist of New York Magazine. A media contributor and visionary formulator, Nadine’s creations have received acclaim in the New York Times, Vogue, and The Hollywood Reporter. Described by Alanis Morissette as “a true-sense visionary,” Nadine formulates elegantly effective, pure solutions that optimize oral care, awaken the skin’s inherent glow, and replenish the body's resonance. Her concept of Renegade Beauty encourages a return to ease through biological wisdom, inspiring a shift in how we understand wellness and the alchemy of beauty.

ENDNOTES

ⁱ The Parotid-Hypothalamic-Dental Axis (Steinman & Leonora): Decades of research established that the parotid gland acts as an endocrine "pump," triggered by the hypothalamus to move nutrient-rich dentinal fluid through the teeth to prevent decay. Steinman, R. R., & Leonora, J. (1971). Relationship of parotid hormone to the dental caries index. Journal of Dental Research, 50(6), 1536-1543.

EMF/RFR and Parotid Gland Dysfunction (2011 Trial): Research indicates that significant exposure to radiofrequency radiation from mobile devices leads to changes in salivary flow rates and alters the protein concentration in parotid saliva, indicating glandular stress. Hamada, A. J., et al. (2011). Effect of mobile phone use on parotid gland secretion and salivary flow rate. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology, 112(3), 332-338.

Oxidative Stress in the Parotid Gland (2015 Study): Clinical observation shows that long-term cell phone use is associated with a significant increase in oxidative stress markers within the parotid gland, which can impair its regulatory functions. Shivashankara, A. R., et al. (2015). Mobile phone use and salivary total antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation in the parotid gland. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 9(10), BC05.

RFR and Salivary Composition Changes (2012): This study demonstrated that the parotid gland, due to its anatomical location, absorbs more RFR than other tissues, leading to functional changes in the "pump" mechanism that regulates oral health. Bhargava, S., et al. (2012). Effect of handheld mobile phone use on parotid gland salivary flow rate and volume. Oral Radiology, 28, 100-105.

ⁱⁱ Clove Oil and Quorum Sensing (2011): Clove oil (Syzygium aromaticum) and its primary constituent, eugenol, were shown to inhibit quorum sensing-regulated virulence factors and biofilm formation by 70% to 78% in pathogenic bacteria. Husain, F. M., Ahmad, I., Asif, M., & Rais, K. (2011). Influence of Clove Oil on Certain Quorum-Sensing-Regulated Functions and Virulence of Chromobacterium violaceum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

Cinnamon Oil as a QSI (2006): Cinnamaldehyde, the major component of Cinnamon oil, was identified as a potent inhibitor of quorum sensing, effectively disrupting the molecular "chatter" that bacteria use to coordinate attacks on tooth enamel. Niu, C., Afre, S., & Gilbert, E. S. (2006). Subinhibitory Concentrations of Cinnamaldehyde Interfere with Quorum Sensing. Letters in Applied Microbiology, 43(5), 489-494.

Peppermint and Pathogen Communication (2011): Peppermint oil and menthol significantly attenuate quorum sensing-regulated virulence, acting as a "botanical-biotic" that reduces the harmfulness of bacteria without harming the host's beneficial flora. Husain, F. M., & Ahmad, I. (2011). Sub-MICs of Mentha piperita essential oil and menthol inhibit quorum sensing regulated virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Journal of Essential Oil-Bearing Plants, 14(5), 544-557.

Tea Tree Oil and Biofilm Disruption (2013): Clinical research validates that Tea Tree oil inhibits the adhesion of oral bacteria and interferes with the quorum-sensing signals required for the maturation of pathogenic dental biofilms. Kulkarni, V. V., et al. (2013). Effect of Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil on Porphyromonas gingivalis and Porphyromonas endodontalis: An In Vitro Study. Journal of International Oral Health, 5(2), 1-5.

ⁱⁱⁱ The Piezoelectric Property of Bone (1957 Foundation): This landmark study first demonstrated that bone tissue acts as a piezoelectric transducer, converting mechanical stress (like chewing) into electrical signals that direct bone remodeling and mineral deposition. Fukada, E., & Yasuda, I. (1957). On the Piezoelectric Effect of Bone. Journal of the Physical Society of Japan, 12(10), 1158-1162.

PEMF and Alveolar (Jaw) Bone Regeneration (2015): Clinical evidence shows that pulsed electromagnetic fields significantly enhance the regeneration of alveolar bone and increase bone mineral density by stimulating osteoblast activity and mineralized matrix formation. Cai, J., et al. (2015). Effects of electromagnetic fields on osteoblast differentiation and proliferation. Journal of Clinical Rehabilitative Tissue Engineering Research, 19(33).

High-Intensity PEMF and Bone Density (2020 Review): Research indicates that high-intensity pulsed electromagnetic fields (in the range of several thousand Gauss) are effective in stimulating the electrical potential of the bone matrix, reversing bone loss, and improving structural integrity. Mazurek, M., et al. (2020). Application of high-intensity electromagnetic field in the treatment of osteoporosis. Orthopedic Reviews, 12(s1).

Electromagnetic Stimulation of the Mandible (2011): Pulsed electromagnetic fields were clinically shown to accelerate bone healing and improve bone quality in the mandible (jawbone), specifically by mimicking the body’s natural piezoelectric signals. Tang, Y., et al. (2011). Effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields on bone formation and bone mass in the mandible. Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 22(6), 2054-2058.

^iv Fluoride as a Developmental Neurotoxin (2014): A landmark review published in The Lancet officially classified fluoride as a developmental neurotoxin, placing it in the same category as lead, mercury, and arsenic for its impact on brain development and IQ. Grandjean, P., & Landrigan, P. J. (2014). Neurobehavioural effects of developmental toxicity. The Lancet Neurology, 13(3), 330-338.

nHAp vs. Fluoride Efficacy (2019 Randomized Trial): This clinical study demonstrated that nano-hydroxyapatite is effective in re-mineralizing early caries and preventing decay but is also superior in its biocompatibility and lack of systemic toxicity. Schlagenhauf, U., et al. (2019). Impact of a non-fluoridated hydroxyapatite toothpaste on progression of incipient caries: a randomized controlled trial. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 1-10.

Remineralization of Dentin Tubules (2014): Research confirms that nano-hydroxyapatite particles are small enough to penetrate and "plug" open dentin tubules, creating a new layer of synthetic enamel that is structurally identical to the tooth’s own mineral makeup. Pepla, E., et al. (2014). Nano-hydroxyapatite and its applications in preventive, restorative and regenerative dentistry: a review of literature. Annali di Stomatologia, 5(3), 108.

Fluoride’s Impact on Collagen and Bone Brittleness (1981/2000): Clinical data indicates that fluoride disrupts collagen synthesis and alters the mineral structure of bone, replacing flexible hydroxyapatite with brittle fluorapatite, which increases the risk of fractures and skeletal rigidity. Yiamouyiannis, J. (1981). Fluoride and the aging process. High-Energy Life. (And confirmed by: Susheela, A. K., & Dhamodaran, P. (1991). Fluoride and bone health.)

^v The Mellanby Trials on Secondary Dentine (1922-1924): This foundational research proved that dental decay is not merely an external event but an internal nutritional deficiency. The Mellanbys demonstrated that diet—specifically the inclusion of fat-soluble vitamins found in cod liver oil—could trigger odontoblasts to produce protective "secondary dentine," effectively sealing off cavities and remineralizing the tooth from within. Mellanby, M. (1923). The relation of caries to the structure of teeth. British Dental Journal, 44, 1-13. (Also see: Mellanby, M. (1924). The influence of diet on the structure of teeth. British Medical Journal, 2(3321), 354.)

Fat-Soluble Vitamins and Odontoblast Activation: Clinical observation confirms that Vitamin D and Vitamin A are essential for the "differentiation" of odontoblasts—the cells responsible for forming dentine—ensuring that the tooth's internal repair mechanism remains active and robust. Berdal, A., et al. (1993). Vitamin D Action on Tooth Development and Regeneration. Journal of Biological Buccale, 21(1), 3-7.

Vitamin K2 and Osteocalcin in Teeth: Modern research identifies that Vitamin K2 is necessary to activate osteocalcin, a protein that binds calcium to the tooth matrix. Without K2, even high doses of Vitamin D cannot properly "shuttle" minerals into the dentine, confirming the synergy described in the "Mellanby diet." Thaweboon, S., et al. (2005). Induction of osteocalcin and bone sialoprotein expression by Vitamin K2 in human dental pulp cells. Journal of Endodontics, 31(2), 123-127.