Evaluation of different Apexification treatments of teeth with immature apices and apical periodontitis on the fractal dimensions of trabecular bone

[Revascularization in immature permanent tooth with apical periodontitis using Neoputty MTA. Case report]

The treatment of young necrotic permanent teeth with open apices represents a challenge for endodontists. Revascularization has emerged as a biologically based treatment alternative that allows the continued development of immature teeth. This procedure requires a hermetic coronal seal with a biocompatible cement. The objective of this work is to present a case of revascularization of an immature tooth with open apices in a 7-year-old patient, in Cvek stage III, with the diagnosis of previously initiated therapy and asymptomatic apical periodontitis, using NeoPUTTY MTA as a cervical barrier. After informed consent, the protocol proposed by Wei was followed in 2 appointments; using calcium hydroxide as intracanal medication in the first appointment, and performing the apical puncture in the second appointment, after an irrigation protocol with passive ultrasonic activation. The cervical barrier was created by compacting NeoPUTTY MTA and covered with TheraCal LC plus glass ionomer and composite resin. The patient was evaluated in 4 post-treatment consultations, at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year; he remained asymptomatic throughout the process and presented progressive radiographic improvement until resolution of the apical lesion, increased thickness of the root walls, decreased apical diameter of the mesial root to approximately 0.5 mm and of the distal root to approximately 1 mm and the formation of a new periodontal ligament space.

Outcome of single-visit root canal treatment with or without MTAD: A randomized controlled clinical trial

AIM

This study aimed to investigate 2-year changes in periapical trabecular patterns in single-rooted teeth with apical periodontitis using fractal analysis and periapical index (PAI) after root canal treatment performed with or without BioPure MTAD solution.

METHODOLOGY

In this randomized clinical trial, 100 patients were selected and randomized to either the BioPure MTAD or the control groups. Initial periapical radiographs were obtained for each participant before and 2 years after root canal treatment. The region of interest in the periapical lesion around the root apex was selected from the paired periapical radiographs, and then, the fractal dimension (FD) was calculated. With regards to the classification of periapical status, PAI was labelled as "healed" (PAI ≤ 2) or "unhealed" (PAI ≥ 3).

RESULTS

After 24 months, 28 patients did not comply with the follow-up and the data of 72 patients were compared. When the initial and the follow-up PAI scores were compared, the decrease was statistically significant in 33 of 37 teeth (89.2%) and 32 of 35 teeth (91.4%) in the BioPure MTAD and control group, respectively. In both groups, statistically significant increases were observed in FD values after 2 years in all patients (p < .001). No significant difference was found between the two groups amongst decreased PAI scores and increased FD values.

CONCLUSIONS

Root canal treatments with or without BioPure MTAD irrigation contributed to periapical healing in single-visit root canal treatment. Two years after root canal treatment, the extent of the periapical trabecular bone radiographically increased, as the FD and PAI data revealed.

Assessment of bone quality of apical periodontitis treated with MTA plug and regenerative endodontic techniques

Fractal analysis (FA) is a quantitative, objective and non-invasive method that facilitates the characterisation of the tissue architecture. This study aims to compare the periapical healing at 1-year follow-up by evaluating newly generated trabecular bone with FA after Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) plug and regenerative endodontic treatment (RET). A total of 55 asymptomatic teeth with a single-canal, open apex and periapical lesion, treated with MTA plug or RET, were evaluated retrospectively. After considering the inclusion/exclusion criteria, FA was conducted on 30 periapical images using the box-counting method. In both groups, a significant decrease was observed in the periapical lesion size at 1-year follow-up (p < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference between the MTA plug and RET (p > 0.01). Significantly higher fractal dimension values were detected at 1-year follow-up in both MTA plug and RET cases (p < 0.01). However, the difference was not significant between the groups (p > 0.01). Both procedures seem to improve periapical healing with a new resistant bone of similar density and complexity.

Fractal analysis and periapical index evaluation of multivisit nonsurgical endodontic retreatment: A retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

This retrospective study compared changes in periapical trabecular patterns using fractal analysis and the periapical index (PAI) on the periapical radiographs of patients who underwent multivisit nonsurgical endodontic retreatment of persistent periapical disease.

STUDY DESIGN

In total, 50 participants were included in the study. For each patient, baseline periapical radiographs were acquired just before retreatment and postoperative radiographs were acquired 1 year later. The region of interest, located in the abnormal tissue around the root apex, was selected from each of the paired radiographs and the fractal dimension (FD) was calculated. Periapical status was classified using the PAI as "healed" (PAI <3) or "unhealed" (PAI ≥3).

RESULTS

According to the PAI scores, retreatment after 1 year had a healing rate of 70%. In healed cases, the FD values increased significantly (P < .001), whereas FD decreased significantly in unhealed cases (P = .021). Change in FD was significantly different between healed and unhealed cases (P < .001). However, change in FD did not have a significant correlation with PAI in either healed or unhealed cases (P > .05). There was no significant effect of sex on the change in FD values in either healed or unhealed cases (P ≥ .690).

CONCLUSIONS

The significant differences in FD suggest that this parameter may be useful in detecting increased trabeculation and estimating retreatment prognosis.

Retrospective fractal analyses of one-year follow-up data obtained after single-visit nonsurgical endodontic retreatment on periapical radiographs

OBJECTIVES

The aim of retrospective study was to evaluate the changes to the periapical bone sites after non-surgical endodontic retreatment by using fractal analysis on periapical radiographs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty patients whose teeth had periapical lesions and underwent primary endodontic treatment were selected for nonsurgical single-visit endodontic retreatment. Two radiographs were taken, the first immediately after retreatment and the second at the 1-year follow-up. An identical region of interest close to the infected root apex was selected from each radiograph. FD was measured using the box-counting method. Periapical status was evaluated using the periapical index (PAI). Treatment outcomes were categorized into healed (PAI < 3), or not healed (PAI ≥ 3) based on radiographic criteria.

RESULTS

The mean FD value significantly increased at the 1-year follow-up compared to baseline. No significant sex biases were apparent. According to the PAI, retreatment after 1 year resulted in a 63.3% healed.

CONCLUSION

The extent of periapical trabecular bone evident radiographically increased, as revealed by FD data, 1 year after endodontic retreatment. Clinical relevance The use of fractal analysis as a quantitative method to evaluate changes in periapical trabecular bone (such as healing and inflammation) after endodontic retreatment can be an important marker in determining the prognosis of endodontic retreatment.