The effect of endodontic access cavity preparation and subsequent restorative procedures on incisor crown retention

Radiographic periapical healing associated with root-treated teeth accessed through existing crowns: a historical controlled cohort study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine the periapical healing rate and complications arising from non-surgical root canal treatment (NSRCT) conducted through the existing and retained restoration, compared to that conducted after removal of restoration (direct or indirect) with subsequent placement of a new crown.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two-hundred-and-forty-five teeth met the inclusion criteria and were followed up for 2 years. One-hundred-and-six teeth had NSRCT completed through existing cast restorations, and 57 and 82 had the existing crowns and direct restorations removed (respectively) and received a new crown after NSRCT. Periapical healing was assessed radiographically using strict (complete healing) and loose (complete and incomplete healing) criteria. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to investigate the effect of prior restoration removal on periapical healing following NSRCT, adjusting for potential confounding (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in the periapical healing rates amongst teeth accessed through existing crowns (72%, 90%) versus those where crowns (79%, 93%) or direct restorations (77%, 90%) were removed for NSRCT. The findings were adjusted for the significant influencing factor: size of pre-operative radiolucency (p < 0.05). Of the 109 teeth that were initially accessed through existing crowns, 9 (8%) displayed porcelain fracture or crown de-cementation.

CONCLUSION

Performing root canal treatment through an existing full coverage restoration did not compromise periapical healing and was associated with a low incidence of associated complications.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Crown removal before NSRCT is not mandatory for periapical healing but requires a judicious pre-assessment of current and future marginal and restorative integrity.

In Vitro Comparison of Porcelain Fused to Metal Crown Retention after Endodontic Access and Subsequent Restoration: Composite, Amalgam, Amalgam with Composite Veneer, and Fiber Post with Composite

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different access opening restorative materials on crown retention.

METHODS

Thirty-eight extracted molars were mounted in resin and prepared for porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crowns. The crowns were fabricated and cemented with zinc phosphate, and the force to displace it was measured with a tensile-testing machine before and after endodontic access preparations. The endodontic access area, crown preparation axial wall, and preparation surface area were measured for comparison. The crowns were then recemented, and access openings were restored with either amalgam or composite before displacement force was remeasured. The restorative material was removed from each access opening; access area was measured and restored again (amalgam with composite or fiber post with composite) for displacement force to be remeasured. Paired t test was used to compare the means of displacement between groups. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the mean outcome measure within the groups.

RESULTS

Statistical analyses showed retention after unfilled access was significantly lower than intact crowns. Amalgam, composite, amalgam + composite, and fiber post + composite increased retention beyond the original value. There was no statistical difference among the different restorative protocols. Qualitative results indicate that the restorative material remains in the crown after displacement regardless of the material used to restore the access.

CONCLUSIONS

The results from this study suggest that an endodontic access cavity decreases retention of a PFM crown. However, subsequent restoration with amalgam, composite, amalgam + composite, or post + composite may increase the original retention of the crown.

Restoration of the root canal treated tooth

When considering endodontically treated teeth, the quality of the restoration is important from the outset. It sheds light into possible causes of pulp necrosis or failure of endodontic treatment and influences the outcome of future endodontic treatment. A tooth undergoing endodontic treatment requires an effective coronal seal during and following completion of endodontic treatment. This paper discusses, using the available literature, the maintenance of optimal coronal seal and coronal integrity during and after root canal treatment.

Adhesive Dentistry and Endodontics: Materials, Clinical Strategies and Procedures for Restoration of Access Cavities: A Review

The complexity of restorative dentistry has increased greatly in recent years, with the myriad of products used in "adhesive dentistry." So too has the "simple" matter of restoring access cavities after completion of endodontic treatment. This review discusses current methods of "bonding" to tooth structure, ceramic materials, and metals, with emphasis on those aspects that are important to endodontics. Specific materials, procedures and major decision making elements are discussed, as well as how to avoid problems in compatibility between endodontic and restorative materials.

Compressive and tensile zones in the cement interface of full crowns: a technical note on the concept of resistance

PURPOSE

The objectives of the study were: 1) to map the stresses acting on the cement interface of crown and abutment analogs during loading; and 2) to provide a theoretical basis for the hypothesis that resistance to lateral dislodgment is a function of the distribution of compressive force vectors acting on the cement lute.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three-dimensional finite element (FE) meshes of crown and abutment analogs were constructed and loaded in a direction perpendicular to the axes of symmetry of the abutments. Three parameters were investigated: taper (10 degrees and 20 degrees of convergence), abutment substrate (Ni-Cr alloy and dentin), and type of cement (zinc oxide eugenol, zinc phosphate, glass ionomer, and composite resin). The tensile and compressive components of the resulting force systems were plotted along two axes (z: parallel to the axis of symmetry of the crown/abutment complex; and y: perpendicular to z, i.e., parallel to the direction of loading). Von Mises stresses were also generated.

RESULTS

First, it was shown that the restoration's axis of rotation was located inside the abutment cone and was perpendicular to and intersected the axis of symmetry of the crown/abutment complex. Second, stress distribution was dependent on the three parameters investigated. Varying taper led to shifts due mainly to alterations in specimen geometry, whereas the abutment substrate and the cement type had a bearing on the level of the axis of rotation. The smaller the modulus of elasticity of the abutment substrate or the cement lute, the farther apical the location of the axis of rotation.

CONCLUSIONS

Conventional schemes for explaining crown dislodgment in which the restoration rotates around an axis located at the preparation margin should be reassessed. The results of the FE analysis are compatible with the hypothesis that resistance to lateral dislodgment is a function of the distribution of compressive force vectors acting on the cement interface.

The effect of endodontic access cavity preparation and subsequent restorative procedures on molar crown retention

Preparation of an endodontic access cavity through a full crown may affect its retention. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects on molar crown retention of endodontic access cavities and their subsequent restoration. Thirty human molars were mounted in resin, crown preparations were cut and their surface areas were determined. Vented metal copings were cemented with zinc phosphate and the forces required to displace each coping were measured using a tensile-testing machine. The copings were recemented, access cavities were cut and their surface areas determined prior to the displacement forces being re-measured. The copings were recemented, assigned to two groups, and the access cavities were restored--Group 1 with amalgam; Group 2 with glass ionomer (GIC). Displacement forces were re-measured and the copings were recemented. The occlusal margins of the access cavities were bevelled and restored again prior to displacement forces being remeasured. Mean displacement forces were - Group 1: Original (kg force), 37.86 +/- 3.97; After access cavity, 29.28 +/- 3.22; Amalgam, 50.21 +/- 4.71; Amalgam + bevel, 46.45 +/- 6.21. Group 2: Original, 42.77 +/- 4.49; After access cavity, 39.25 +/- 5.91; GIC, 48.11 +/- 3.55; GIC + bevel, 39.63 +/- 5.31. Statistical analyses with paired t tests showed that retentive values with access cavities were significantly lower than with intact crowns. Amalgam or GIC restorations increased retention beyond original values, significantly with amalgam. Bevelled occlusal margins decreased retention of crowns with restored access cavities but this was not significantly different from the original values. A significant relationship existed between total surface areas of the crown preparations, areas of the occlusal tables, and retentive values for crowns without access cavities. The access cavity area, as a proportion of the total area of the preparation, was related to the decrease in retention.