Retrograde root canal retreatment with pre‐bent ultrasonic files. A retrospective outcome study

Outcomes of Regenerative Endodontic Treatment Performed Using Different Magnification Devices: A Systematic Review

Aim

In this systematic review, we assessed whether the effects of the usage of various devices help with magnification in endodontics and whether they resulted in any significant changes in the clinical result of treatment.

Materials and Methods

An exhaustive search was performed across MEDLINE and Cochrane Registers for various clinical studies, which were focused on comparing regenerative endodontic treatment based on the usage of magnification devices. Various terms were used to search these clinical trials such as microscope, regenerative endodontic surgery, apicoectomy, endoscope, and loupes.

Results

After scrutinizing the studies, around three clinical trials based on magnification in endodontic surgeries were included in the present review. It was observed that no statistically noteworthy betterment of treatment outcome was seen in patients treated with either of the magnification devices such as loupes and microscope.

Conclusion

It was evident that these magnification devices can alter the effectiveness of regenerative endodontic treatment in a very minimal way. However, we believe that more randomized clinical studies should be conducted in this area.

The effect of periapical lesion size on the success rate of different endodontic treatments: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

This systematic review evaluated the effect of periapical lesion (PL) size on the success rate of different endodontic treatments, including root canal treatment (RCT), non-surgical retreatment (NSR), and apical surgery (AS).

METHODS

Cohorts and randomized controlled trials investigating the outcomes of endodontic treatment of permanent teeth with PL and its size were identified electronically through Web of Science, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase databases. Two reviewers independently conducted the study selection, data extraction, and critical appraisal process. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the 11-item Critical Appraisal Skills Program checklist for randomized controlled trials. The success rates of the endodontic treatments (small lesions and large lesions) were estimated using the rate ratios (RRs) with an associated 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Out of 44 included studies, 42 were cohort, and 2 were randomized controlled trials. Thirty-two studies had poor quality. For the meta-analysis, five studies in RCT, 4 in NSR, and 3 in AS were considered. The RR of the endodontic treatment success in PLs was 1.04 in RCT (95% CI, 0.99-1.07), 1.11 in NSR (95% CI, 0.99-1.24), and 1.06 in AS (95% CI, 0.97-1.16). Only sub-group analysis of long-term follow-up of RCT showed a significantly higher success rate in small lesions than in large lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering the quality of studies and variation in outcomes and size classification, our meta-analysis demonstrated that the PL size had no significant effect on the success rate of different endodontic treatments.

Healing after surgical retreatment at four time points: A retrospective study

AIM

To evaluate the outcome of surgical retreatment at four time points, that is 6, 12, 24 and 48 months post-operatively, and to search for prognostic factors that may affect the outcome.

METHODOLOGY

Clinical records and intraoral periapical radiographs were collected from patients who had undergone surgical retreatment between 2009 and 2015 and attended 6-, 12-, 24- and 48-month follow-up visits. Surgical retreatment was performed by one endodontist and involved minimal root-end resection and maximal length root-end preparation using prebent ultrasonic files. Outcomes were categorized as complete, incomplete, uncertain or unsatisfactory healing, based on clinical and radiographic findings. The complete and incomplete categories were pooled and considered successes, while uncertain and unsatisfactory outcomes were considered failures. Changes in healing outcome were analysed using the McNemar-Bowker test, and prognostic factors were analysed using univariate analysis.

RESULTS

The study cohort included 297 patients with 384 teeth. The overall success rate after 48 months was 90.6% compared with 88.5%, 93% and 92.4% after 6, 12 and 24 months respectively. Age, gender, presence of isthmus and length of canal preparation had no significant influence on the outcome. Lesion size and tooth type had a significant influence only after 6 and 12 months, respectively, with no significant differences at other time points. Fifty per cent of the teeth classified as unsatisfactory or uncertain healing at the 6 months follow-up improved to incomplete or complete healing after 12 months. None of the cases classified as unsatisfactory healing after 12 months subsequently improved, and only 2 cases that were classified as uncertain healing after 12 months improved after 24 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical retreatment was found to be a predictable procedure with a high success rate of 90.6% after 4 years. Over the follow-up periods, only a minor regression in the success rate was found. The 12 months follow-up results closely indicated the long-term outcome of surgical retreatment.

Chamberless Endodontic Access for Treatment of Calcified Anterior Central Incisors

INTRODUCTION

Modern techniques for treating maxillary anterior central incisors with calcified canals emphasize maintaining coronal dentin with small crown access. Alternatively, traditional retrograde surgical procedures are focused on creating an apical seal predominately limited to the remaining resected apical one third of the root canal space. A treatment option for calcified anterior teeth, with avoidance of traditional orthograde access, is presented. Chamberless endodontic access (CEA) to the canal is chosen in this case, leveraging a previous surgical treatment and osseous defect to create straight line canal access.

METHODS

A tooth presenting with a chronic apical abscess and an apparent previous apical surgery was instrumented and obturated using a CEA avoiding the traditional orthograde approach to the root canal system. Straight line approach was achieved retrograde and canal instrumentation was performed using ultrasonic activated U-files. Canal obturation was accomplished with warm vertical condensation technique followed by placement of an apical retroseal.

RESULTS

A successful 52-month outcome demonstrated the viability of CEA facilitating retrograde instrumentation and obturation.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of CEA simultaneously protected the clinical crown and provided a successful clinical outcome. A viable option for treatment of an anterior calcified canal and abscess due to dental trauma, CEA mitigates many of the risks associated with the treatment of calcified root anatomy.