Holland R

Reaction of rat connective tissue to implanted dentin tubes filled with mineral trioxide aggregate or calcium hydroxide

This study was conducted to observe the rat subcutaneous connective tissue reaction to the implanted dentin tubes filled with calcium hydroxide or mineral trioxide aggregate. The animals were sacrificed after 7 and 30 days, and the specimens were prepared for morphological study. Some undecalcified specimens were prepared for histological analysis with polarized light and Von Kossa technique for calcium. The results were similar for both studied materials. At the tube openings, there were Von Kossa-positive granules that were birefringent to polarized light. Next to these granulations, there was an irregular tissue like a bridge that was Von Kossa-positive. The dentin walls of the tubes exhibited in the tubules a structure highly birefringent to polarized light, usually like a layer and at different depths. It is possible that the mechanism of action of both materials has some similarity.

Ability of a new calcium hydroxide root canal filling material to induce hard tissue formation

Root canals of dog and monkey teeth were filled with Sealapex, calcium hydroxide, or kerr Root Canal Sealer. As a control, some root canals were left empty. The animals were killed 6 months later and the specimens removed and prepared for histological analysis. There was no significant difference between reactions observed in the teeth of dogs as compared with those in monkeys. The results showed that Sealapex and calcium hydroxide encourage apical closure by cementum deposition. Closure was more frequently observed in cases with partial pulpectomy than in cases with total pulpectomy.

Reaction of human periapical tissue to pulp extirpation and immediate root canal filling with calcium hydroxide

The purpose of this study was to carry out a histologic investigation of apical human teeth after vital pulp extirpation and immediate root canal filling with calcium hydroxide. The findings showed that the healing process of human apical tissues in teeth filled with calcium hydroxide was similar to the pulp healing process when the same material is used, and that calcium hydroxide as a root canal filling material induced apical closure by hard-tissue deposition.

Root canal treatment with calcium hydroxide

Root canals of dog premolar teeth were negotiated and overfilled with calcium hydroxide paste. After 30 days, half of the treated teeth were refilled up to the apical limit. Root canals not filled were considered as the control group. Ninety days after the first treatment, histologic analysis showed more favorable results in the refilled root canals. The overfilling elicits calcium hydroxide resorption and the ingrowth of periapical connective tissue into the root canal.

Characterization of Successful Root Canal Treatment

Knowing the outcome of root canal treatment (RCT) is determinant to substantiate the clinical decision making process, especially when RCT is weighed against the extraction of natural teeth or replacement by prosthetic elements. The ideal scenario in all clinical situations should combine healing/prevention of disease (apical periodontitis) and the functional retention of the tooth. Understanding the risk factors associated with endodontic failure is a key factor to increase the chances of success. The logical action is to reverse the existing disease, which requires intervention to neutralize the bacterial invasion and disrupt the bacterial biofilm within the complex anatomy. Success is more predictable when the immune host defenses are favorable. However, success has different meanings to the dentist, to the patient and to the tooth itself. The life of an endodontically treated tooth depends on the accuracy of the diagnosis and planning, excellence of disinfection, instrumentation and filling procedures (antimicrobial strategies, root canal shaping and coronal and apical seal) and finally the rehabilitation management. The interpretation of constant or intermittent pain and/or discomfort associated with apical periodontitis (AP) in endodontically treated tooth may be suggestive of endodontic failure. The success features of RCT, namely absence of pain, regression of AP, tight seal of canal and coronal spaces, and recovery of tooth function, must be reevaluated over time. In case of doubt between success and failure, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) could be indicated for detection and precise localization of AP. The possibility of map reading on CBCT images characterizes the real multidimensional structure, providing accurate information on the presence, absence or regression of AP. The survival of an endodontically treated tooth implies understanding the biological and mechanical outcomes as multifactorial events over the individuals life span. The objective of this review of literature is to discuss relevant factors associated with patients health, tooth and dentist that could account for a successful RCT.

Influence of bony resorption on endodontic treatment

A review of prognosis studies has examined success rates between samples of teeth, both with and without radiolucent lesions, treated conventionally. The presence of a lesion predisposes the endodontic case to a lower success rate. On the basis of experimental data on the use of calcium hydroxide, investigation of increasing success with placement of calcium hydroxide in the canals of teeth with periapical lesions for 3 to 10 months prior to conventional filling is proposed.

Root canal treatment with calcium hydroxide: II. Effect of instrumentation beyond the apices

Root canals of dog premolar teeth were instrumented beyond the apices and enlarged up to the size of a No. 40 or 80 file and filled with calcium hydroxide up to the foramen. Ninety days later the histologic data showed more favorable results with the root canals instrumented until file No. 80.

Apical leakage after root canal filling with an experimental calcium hydroxide gutta-percha point

This study was an in vitro analysis of the apical seal of root canals filled with an experimental calcium hydroxide gutta-percha point. One hundred and ten recently extracted human permanent teeth with a single root were used. The root canals were biomechanically prepared, and some received a dressing of calcium hydroxide for 7 days. Root canals not dressed were filled by the lateral condensation technique with either regular gutta-percha or calcium hydroxide gutta-percha points. The dressed root canals were filled with the same sealers and regular gutta-percha points. The specimens were placed into a 2% methylene blue dye solution under vacuum, and the apical leakage was linearly evaluated. The experimental groups with calcium hydroxide dressing and the one with calcium hydroxide gutta-percha points exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) less leakage than the groups filled with regular gutta-percha points. The results obtained indicated that calcium hydroxide gutta-percha points produced an improvement in the apical sealing quality of the root canal filling.

Apical seal of root canals with gutta-percha points with calcium hydroxide

The objective of this research was to determine if gutta-percha points with calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] improve the apical seal after root canal filling and if the master point does it alone. Human single recently extracted teeth were biomechanically prepared and the root canals filled by the lateral condensation technique with ZOE and gutta-percha points, with or without calcium hydroxide. The teeth were placed into a 2% methylene blue solution in a vacuum environment for 24 h after which they were processed for stereomicroscope evaluation. Better results were observed with the teeth filled with gutta-percha points with calcium hydroxide (p=0.01). We conclude that these new points make a better apical seal and that these results can also be obtained with the calcium hydroxide master point associated with regular ones (p=0.05).

Experimentally Induced Anachoresis in the Periapical Region After Root Canal Filling

Anachoresis is the phenomenon through which blood-borne bacteria, dyes, pigments and other materials are attracted and fixed to circumscribed areas of inflammation. This study evaluated the occurrence of anachoresis in the periapical region of dogs submitted to root canal fillings. One hundred and four roots from four dogs were endodontically treated and root canals were filled with zinc-oxide-eugenol cement. Fifty percent were filled up to the dentinocemental junction and the others were overfilled. At 120 days after root canal treatment, experimental bacteremia was induced by intravenous inoculation of 105 CFU Streptococcus pyogenes. The dogs were sacrificed 48 hours and 30 days after the bacteremia. Culture and DNA amplification by PCR revealed the presence of the inoculated bacteria just in periapical tissues of dogs sacrificed 48 hours after bacteremia and not in animals sacrificed after 30 days. AP-PCR fingerprints of recovered colonies of S. pyogenes and the presence of genetic markers of resistance to antimicrobials were similar to the inoculated strain. Endodontically treated periapices seemed to be prone to the occurrence of anachoresis and there was no relationship between the phenomenon and the level of root canal filling. ˚