Obliterated Canals: Etiology

Reduction of the pulpal space by production of new dentin is a physiological event. As a result, the pulp chamber and the root canals in teeth of old people are considerably smaller and narrower than in teeth of young people. This physiologic obliteration seldom makes endodontic preparation difficult. However, a variety of factors (caries, dental procedures, trauma etc.) may by irritation stimulate odontoblasts to increase the speed of secondary dentin formation. This may result in extensive obliteration of the root canal system in a relatively short time.
Sometimes after dental trauma, when the circulation is compromised, revascularisation of the pulpal lumen may occur. This is often accompanied later by formation of an osteoid-like hard tissue, which gradually fills the whole pulp. No pulp chamber or root canals can be seen in the radiograph, but histologically small vessels may be found even in the area of the coronal pulp.