Primary molar with chronic periapical abscess showing atypical presentation of simultaneous extraoral and intraoral sinus tract with multiple stomata

Chronic periapical abscess drains through a sinus tract either intraorally or extraorally. However, intraoral drainage is more common than extraoral in both dentitions. Nevertheless, the simultaneous presentation of extraoral and intraoral sinus tract is very rarely reported in primary dentition. This case report discussed the management of a girl aged 7 years with a chronic periapical abscess of tooth no. 85 with both non-healing extraoral and intraoral sinus tract having multiple stomata. Non-vital pulpectomy using calcium hydroxide paste intracanal dressing was performed initially until 2 weeks without remarkable healing; then antibiotic dressing consisting of a mixture of ciprofloxacin, metronidazole and clindamycin was placed as an intracanal medicament for 1 week, which shows uneventful healing of both intraoral and extraoral sinus tract. This case report clearly indicates about how history, correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment of endodontic infection associated with sinus tract can be conservatively healed with endodontic treatment alone.

Endodontic treatment of trauma-induced necrotic immature teeth using a tricalcium silicate-based bioactive cement. A report of 3 cases with 24-month follow-up

BACKGROUND

Pulp necrosis is the second most common complication after traumatic dental injuries and occurs mostly within the first 6-24 months of follow-up period, depending on the type of dental trauma.

CASE REPORT

Three cases with endodontic treatment scenarios of trauma-induced necrosis in immature permanent anterior teeth. All cases were treated by full canal obturation with Biodentine (Septodont, Saint Maur des Fosses, France) and documented for a follow-up period of 24 months.

CONCLUSION

Copious irrigation of the root canal, minimal mechanical preparation, use of calcium hydroxide for a short period of time and complete obturation of these immature teeth with a bioactive cement with superior mechanical properties such as Biodentine were the prominent reasons attributed to the success of these three cases.

Treatment time for non-surgical endodontic therapy with or without a magnifying loupe

BACKGROUND

Use of magnifying loupe may increase the efficiency of dental care. This clinical trial compared the time in performing non-surgical endodontic therapy with or without the use of a magnifying loupe.

METHODS

Patients who required primary endodontic treatment in clinical trial centres at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) in Hong Kong and Peking University (PKU) in Beijing were invited to participate in this study. Two HKU dentists and 2 PKU dentists, forming 2 pairs of dentists with similar years of clinical experience, performed endodontic treatments according to the same procedures and used the same materials, either in single or multiple visits. They had no prior experience with the use of a magnifying loupe. One dentist from each pair was trained to use a magnifying loupe (x2.5). The treatment time was recorded.

RESULTS

Eighty-four PKU patients with a mean age of 42.8 years and 98 HKU patients with a mean age of 46.0 years were recruited in this study. Ninety-six teeth were treated with a magnifying loupe and 86 teeth were treated without a magnifying loupe. The results showed that treatment time was not associated with age, gender, tooth vitality, or the presence of apical radiolucency or sinus tract. The results of ANCOVA revealed the treatment time was associated with the clinic (HKU or PKU), root canal system (single or multiple), presence of preoperative pain, treatment visit (single or multiple), the use of a magnifying loupe, and the experience of the operator.

CONCLUSION

In this study, the use of a magnifying loupe could significantly reduce the endodontic treatment time.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical Trials ChiCTR-IOR-15005988 registered 15 February 2015.

A clinical report of Type III dens invaginatus: relevant aspects of a combined therapeutic approach

Dens invaginatus is a developmental abnormality that alters dental morphology; as a result, treating this condition is a challenge for endodontic practices. This article describes how a combination of nonsurgical and surgical therapies was utilized to treat a maxillary central incisor with Type III dens invaginatus and vital pulp. The treatment plan included using computed tomography (CT) for a detailed analysis of the dental anatomy and periapical area, endodontic and surgical procedures, and a 4-year follow-up period that included periodic clinical and radiographic examinations. The follow-up examinations revealed a regression of the apical lesion and no other signs or symptoms. Based on the present case report, the authors concluded that this combination of surgical and nonsurgical approaches was effective and that CT is a valuable auxiliary tool for the study of dental anatomy.

Odontogenous sinus tract to the chin--case report

This report describes the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of a rare case of an odontogenic sinus tract to the chin. Despite the absence of caries, fillings, or crown damage, both lower central incisors were involved in a bony lesion. No history of any traumatic facial or dental injury was reported, and no orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances was performed. The findings on panoramic radiograph were incidental--the patient applied to the dental clinic due to a toothache in a lower first molar. The patient's history comprised seven-year-long unsuccessful dermatologic therapy. This included intraoral antibiotic and antihistamine intake, as well as topical antibiotic and steroid application. Endodontic treatment was proceeded, followed by recovery of the skin lesion. In the case of a single chronic suppurative or nodulocystic facial lesion, a dental clinical examination as well as a radiological assessment of the maxillary and mandibular dentition should be performed to exclude any odontogenic cause.

Orthograde retreatment failure with extruded MTA apical plug in a large periradicular lesion followed by surgical intervention: case report

Absence of periapical healing after orthograde retreatment using an apical plug with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) can require surgical intervention. A patient with a root-filled maxillary central incisor with chronic apical periodontitis and sinus tract was referred for endodontic retreatment. Excessive apical enlargement was verified, indicating an MTA apical plug placement; however, an unintentional extrusion of MTA occurred during this step. The root canal was filled with gutta-percha and sealer, and periodic recalls were scheduled. The sinus tract was observed after six months and the lesion remained unaltered, although the extruded MTA had resorbed; therefore, an apicoectomy and retrograde root-end filling with MTA were performed. Absence of sinus tract, normal clinical aspect, and complete repair of the lesion were observed at the two-year follow-up.

Treatment of severe inflammatory root resorption in a young permanent incisor with mineral trioxide aggregate

Inflammatory root resorption is a pathologic condition caused by several etiologic factors including traumatic dental injury. In this case report, we describe treatment of a maxillary lateral incisor affected by severe, perforating inflammatory root resorption. An 11-year-old patient presented with a previously traumatized, root-filled maxillary lateral incisor associated with pain, mobility and a sinus tract. Radiographic examination revealed a large periradicular lesion involving pathologic resorption of the apical region of the root. After removal of the root canal filling, the tooth was treated with intracanal calcium hydroxide for 2 weeks. The calcium hydroxide dressing was then removed and the entire root canal was filled with mineral trioxide aggregate. The endodontic access cavity was restored with composite resin. After 1 year, advanced osseous healing of the periradicular region had occurred and no clinical symptoms were apparent.

Endodontic treatment and hypotheses on an unusual case of dens invaginatus

This work describes a case of "dens invaginatus" and analyzes the possible aspects of this malformation. An unusual type of dens invaginatus was detected in a young patient corresponding to the maxillary lateral incisor and showing extensive periradicular radiolucency and a vestibular fistula. The radiographic and tomographic examination revealed two apices: one wide open in the distal part of the root and the other normally formed in the mesial. Nonsurgical endodontic treatment was performed by using the "one-step apexification technique," filling both apexes with mineral trioxide aggregate followed by composite resin. The follow-up examination 6 months later showed the healing of the radiolucent area and the healing of the sinus tract. Hypotheses on which was the type of dens invaginatus we had to deal with are formulated.

Use of MTA for orthograde obturation of nonvital teeth with open apices: report of two cases

The purpose of this report is to present the treatment of 2 immature necrotic permanent incisors with the use of apical plugs of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) for apexification. With this technique, MTA mixture is used to create an artificial stop against which to condense gutta-percha in pulpless teeth with open apices. The report of these cases confirms that MTA acts an apical barrier and can be considered as an effective material to support regeneration of apical tissue in immature necrotic teeth. The treated teeth were asymptomatic, and radiographic follow-ups showed healing of periradicular tissues and new hard tissue formation in the apical area of the affected teeth.

Endodontic management of a fused mandibular second molar and paramolar with the aid of spiral computed tomography: a case report

Fusion and gemination are developmental anomalies of the dental hard tissues that might require endodontic and surgical treatment for functional, orthodontic, or esthetic reasons. In this article, we report a rare case of successful endodontic management of unilateral fused mandibular second molar with a paramolar. The rarity with which this entity appears, along with its complex characteristics, often makes it difficult to diagnose and treat. The use of high-end diagnostic imaging modalities such as spiral computed tomography can help the clinician in making a confirmatory diagnosis and determining the treatment plan before undertaking the actual treatment. This case report highlights the usefulness of spiral computed tomography in accurate diagnosis and endodontic management of these unusual cases.

Persistent sinus tract formation 1 year following cast post-and-core replacements: a case report

Sinus tracts are paths of drainage for abscesses and can occur both intraorally and extraorally. It is a fact that sinus tracts can heal with proper endodontic therapy. However, there are those types that are persistent and will not respond to any treatment. In these perplexing cases, it may be necessary to elevate a surgical flap to unveil the real etiologic factor. In this article, a case is presented in which 2 persistent and nonhealing sinus tracts were observed around the maxillary left incisor area of a 53-year-old female patient. A difficult cast post-and-core removal had been accomplished to the compromised tooth 1 year previously. A surgical flap had to be reflected, and the cause of the persistent inflammation was determined to be 2 separate root perforations. The granulation tissue was removed, the perforations were sealed with mineral trioxide aggregate, and bone graft was packed in the resorptive bone areas. The symptoms subsided by the time of the 2-week recall. No complaints were noted from the patient during the 4-month follow-up period. This case is a good example that demonstrates the possible complications of post preparation and the necessity of explorative surgery for unveiling the etiologic factor of persistent sinus tract formation.

Three-dimensional visualization of a mandibular first molar with three distal roots using computer-aided rapid prototyping

Nonsurgical endodontic therapy of a right mandibular first molar with 3 distal roots was successfully performed with the aid of magnification. 3D data (DICOM format) of the tooth were obtained from a CT HighSpeed Advantage and a Denta Scan program produced by GE Medical Systems. The CT protocol used for this procedure involved a slit thickness of 1 mm. The 3D digital data obtained were fed into a visualization program (V-works; Cybermed Co) and then exported to the rapid prototyping machine for fabrication of the actual-sized tooth model. The material for the model-making process was starch. The 3D digital visualization and the computer-aided rapid prototyping (CARP) model clearly showed 3 separate distal roots (distobuccal, distolingual, and middle distal). The CARP technique seems to be a useful imaging technology to document unusual root anatomy in clinical dentistry.

Endodontic management of a maxillary first molar with a single root and a single canal diagnosed with the aid of spiral CT: a case report

The aim of this article is to present an endodontically managed maxillary first molar with an unusual morphology of a single root and a single canal, which has not been reported in the literature so far. An accurate assessment of this unusual morphology was made with the help of a Spiral computed tomography. This report extends the range of known possible anatomical variations to include teeth with lesser number of roots and canals. This report also highlights the role of Spiral computed tomography as an objective method to confirm the three-dimensional anatomy of teeth.

Nonsurgical endodontic management of cutaneously draining odontogenic sinus

Odontogenic cutaneous sinus tract is a rare but well documented condition. It is usually misdiagnosed as a local skin lesion and maltreated by systemic antibiotics and/or surgical excision with eventual recurrence. This is because the primary etiology is incorrectly determined. We came across a 38 year old patient who presented with a cutaneous lesion on her left cheek with frequent purulent discharge and was not responding to systemic antibiotics. The case history, diagnosis and management of this condition is presented here.

Federal University of Santa Catarina endodontic treatment of traumatized primary teeth - part 2

This research sought to evaluate periapical repair in 28 traumatized deciduous teeth that had suffered endodontic intervention due to the presence of internal or external inflammatory resorption or replacement root resorption. After obtaining endodontic access, work length and biomechanical preparation, the root canals were filled with calcium hydroxide and propylene glycol under the form of a dense slurry, during 12 months. Replacement of the intracanal dressing was performed when monthly radiographic examinations showed its absence. After 12 months the teeth were obturated with zinc oxide and eugenol cement. Halting of the inflammatory and replacement root resorption (64.3%; n = 28) occurred 9 months after the use of calcium hydroxide dressings, in a total of 18 successful cases. Fisher's test was applied to relate success with the type of trauma, work length time, child's age and pulpal condition. The test did not present statistical significance (P < 0.05). However, in the qualitative analysis, failure was observed in those cases (35.7%) where replacement resorption was already present at the moment of treatment (up to two-thirds) associated with severe trauma cases. The authors concluded that endodontic treatment must be initiated at an early stage, and must be coincident with the radiographic signs of resorption. Success of the treatment is directly related to the seriousness of the sequelae at the moment of the first examination or the endodontic treatment.

Management and Prevention of Retrograde Peri-Implant Infection from Retained Root Tips: Two Case Reports

Fracture of root tips in the maxillary premolar region is not an uncommon finding because of the high incidence of bifid and root dilacerations. Therefore, a retained root tip may serve as a nidus of infection when a dental implant is placed. The likely result is the development of an implant periapical lesion. This case report shows the successful management of a rapidly developing implant periapical lesion caused by an undetected retained root tip. Initially, systemic antibiotics failed to subdue the infection. A retained root fragment was retrieved surgically, together with the implant, and a new wide-body implant was engaged with DFDBA mixed with tetracycline. A 5-month follow-up showed increased radiographic density, and clinical reentry revealed the formation of bone with a hard consistency. The second case demonstrates the management of a retained root tip via a guided bone regeneration technique when it is detected prior to or during implant placement. Finally, a systematic therapeutic approach is proposed based on 17 case reports on implant periapical lesion management.

Periapical repair and apical closure of a pulpless tooth using calcium hydroxide--a case report

A case with a open apex and a large periapical lesion in a 10 year old boy is presented. The lesion formed as a result of necrosis from trauma to a maxillary right central incisor 1 year ago. Apical closure and complete healing of periapical lesion was observed after non-surgical endodontic treatment using calcium hydroxide paste. This report suggests that even large periapical lesions could respond favourably to non-surgical treatment.

Management of Extra Oral Sinus Cases: A Clinical Dilemma

The cutaneous sinus tract of dental origin is an uncommon but well documented condition. Its diagnosis is not always easy unless the treating clinician considers the possibility of its dental origin. Such patients may undergo multiple surgical excisions, biopsies, and antibiotic regimens, but all of them fail with the recurrence of the sinus tract. This is because the primary etiology is incorrectly diagnosed. This case report describes the treatment of four patients presenting with variable complaints of pain and purulent or hemorrhagic discharge from lesions of the face. Clinical and radiographic examination revealed carious teeth with radiolucent areas indicating chronic periradicular abscess. The teeth were restorable, so nonsurgical endodontic therapy was performed in all of them. No systemic antibiotic therapy was provided. The patients responded well, and the cutaneous lesions healed uneventfully. Improper diagnosis can lead to needless loss of teeth that can be otherwise maintained through timely and proper management.

MTA for Obturation of Mandibular Central Incisors with Open Apices: Case Report

The case reported demonstrates dramatic healing of the periapical region of retreated root canals with open apices by the successful use of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Unsuccessful conventional root canal therapy for the mandibular central incisors had been followed by surgical treatment. The severely damaged root canals were obturated using MTA in anticipation of the formation of artificial apical plugs. The treated teeth were asymptomatic, and radiographic examination demonstrated apparent regeneration of periradicular tissue 2 years after the obturation. MTA can be considered a very effective material to promote regeneration of apical tissue, even in teeth with large open apices.

Intentional replantation - a ‘last resort’ treatment or a conventional treatment procedure? Nine case reports

Intentional replantation is an accepted endodontic treatment procedure in which a tooth is extracted and treated outside the oral cavity and then inserted into its socket to correct an obvious radiographic or clinical endodontic failure. This article reviews nine cases of intentional replantation (IR) that show the feasibility of the procedure in a variety of indications. Only one case of replantation showed evidence of pathosis that reflected root resorption or ankylosis. This report suggests that IR is a reliable and predictable procedure and should be more often considered as a treatment modality in our efforts to maintain the natural dentition.

Non-surgical post perforation repair with mineral trioxide aggregate: a case report

Mineral trioxide aggregate, or MTA, is a biocompatible material that has demonstrated numerous clinical applications in endodontics. It appears to be an improvement over other materials for use in procedures that involve root repair and bone healing, as it has consistently demonstrated the ability to promote regeneration of the original tissues when it is placed in contact with the periradicular tissues. This article describes the use of MTA for the successful non-surgical repair of an iatrogenic post perforation.

Antibiotic therapy--managing odontogenic infections

Several pharmaceuticals have been developed in the past 10 years that have made a significant impact on the health of the human race. There have been few advances, however, that have proved more efficacious than the pharmacotherapies we have had available for many decades for the treatment of odontogenic infections. Many new antibiotics/antimicrobials have been developed, but none have been determined to be of significant benefit to replace or supplant the use of penicillins for the management of orofacial infections caused by pathogens in and around the oral cavity. Judicious use of antibiotics in conjunction with surgical therapy is the most appropriate method to treat odontogenic infections. Using the antibiotic "du jour," many times promoted by pharmaceutical representatives, results in costly and unnecessary complexity of care. A return to the basics is indicated for the antibiotic management of odontogenic infections.

Comprehensive treatment concept in a young adult patient with severe periodontal disease: a case report

This case report describes the comprehensive treatment of generalized, advanced periodontal disease in a young patient. In view of the necessary reconstruction, the extensive destruction of the periodontal tissues required a systematic approach to determine the possibilities and the expectations of the patient. The subsequent oral rehabilitation was accomplished with fixed prosthodontics. In the mandible, strategically important anchor teeth were replaced with implants, allowing smaller units to be inserted. The long-term treatment result, however, can only be ensured with the full cooperation of the patient and consistent periodontal maintenance care.

Garre's osteomyelitis associated with a fistula: a case report

A report of Garre's osteomyelitis of the mandible associated with a fistula is presented. Elimination of pulpal periapical infection through endodontic therapy was shown to be an effective treatment. The total bone healing was observed one year later.

The use of MTA in teeth with necrotic pulps and open apices

Three clinical cases have been treated with the use of an apical plug of MTA for apexification. All three cases were central incisors that had suffered premature interruption of root development as a consequence of trauma. According to the treatment protocol, the root canals were rinsed with 5% NaOCl; then, calcium hydroxide paste was placed in the canals for 1 week. Consequently, the apical portion of the canal (4 mm) was filled with MTA. The remaining portion of the root canals was then closed with thermoplastic gutta-percha. At 6-month and 1-year follow-up period the clinical and radiographic appearance of the teeth showed resolution of the periapical lesions. MTA appears to be a valid option for apexification with its main advantage being the speed at which the treatment can be completed.

Alopecia areata of dental origin

The association of alopecia areata and infectious foci of dental origin is relatively common, and may be explained by the autoimmune nature of the disorder. We describe a case of alopecia areata with no apparent cause and that was effectively resolved by eliminating a focalized dental infection via endodontic treatment. The presence of common immune mediators in the pathogenesis of both alopecia areata and dental infection could account for the dental origin of the hair loss. In this sense, patients with localized alopecia should be subjected to careful exploration of the oral cavity in search of possible dental infections.

Interappointment emergencies in teeth with necrotic pulps

The incidence of interappointment emergencies in symptomatic and asymptomatic teeth with necrotic pulps was evaluated, and severity of flare-ups was determined by a quantitative method using a flare-up index. There were no significant differences in the incidence of flare-ups attributable to gender, age, diameter of lesion, taking analgesics, placebos, or no medication, or preoperative symptomatic or asymptomatic tooth diagnoses (p > 0.05). There were significantly more painful flare-ups in mandibular teeth than in maxillary (p < 0.05).

Apexification: an interesting case

This case of total pulpal necrosis and infection illustrates a relatively unexpected apexification outcome that morphologically closely resembled normal root end formation.

Effect of occlusal trauma on healing of periapical pathoses: report of two cases

AIM

To present two clinical cases and demonstrate that occlusal trauma may affect healing of periapical pathoses.

SUMMARY

Two teeth with periradicular disease did not respond successfully to conventional root canal treatment or endodontic surgery. Occlusal adjustment was finally performed on both cases. After occlusal adjustment, uncomplicated healing and periapical repair occurred in both cases. The findings in these two cases suggest that occlusal trauma may play a role in the healing of periapical pathoses.

KEY LEARNING POINTS

Occlusal trauma is positively correlated with changes in periodontal tissues. Although experiments in animals have shown that application of forces to teeth will not induce further periodontal destruction, we believe that some failures of root canal treatment may be due to the presence of occlusal trauma modulating the responses of inflamed periapical tissues or apical pathoses with persistent infection.

Revascularization of an immature permanent tooth with apical periodontitis and sinus tract

A necrotic immature mandibular second premolar with periapical involvement in a 13-year-old patient was treated. Instead of the standard root canal treatment protocol and apexification, antimicrobial agents were used in the canal, after which the canal was left empty. Radiographic examination showed the start of apical closure 5 months after the completion of the antimicrobial protocol. Thickening of the canal wall and complete apical closure was confirmed 30 months after the treatment, indicating the revascularization potential of a young permanent tooth pulp into a bacteria-free root canal space.

Calcium hydroxide in endodontic retreatment after two nonsurgical and two surgical failures: report of a case

AIM

To describe the role of calcium hydroxide in infection control during complex endodontic retreatment.

SUMMARY

A case is presented in which two conventional endodontic treatments and two surgical interventions failed to bring periapical healing. Despite this history, a further conventional treatment augmented by long-term disinfection with calcium hydroxide finally delivered a successful outcome.

KEY LEARNING POINTS

Periapical healing follows proper intracanal infection control. Despite repeated surgical and nonsurgical intervention, careful retreatment can often bring healing. Calcium hydroxide has long-acting antimicrobial and soft-tissue dissolving activity. It is a helpful adjunct in endodontic retreatment.

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as a root end filling material in apical surgery--a case report

Many root end filling materials for apical surgeries have been identified either for scientific evaluation or clinical usage but none meets the requirements of an ideal root end filling material. Recently a new cement, Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) was researched as a potential root end filling material and showed promising results. This paper reports the significant findings of research done on MTA as a root end filling material and presents a clinical case where apical surgery was performed using MTA as retrograde filling.

The dental management of a patient with a cocaine-induced maxillofacial defect: a case report

There are several dental complications associated with cocaine abuse, including adverse reactions to dental anesthetics, post-operative bleeding, and cellulitis, which can lead to necrosis of orbital, nasal, and palatal bones. Following is a report of the initial treatment rendered to a patient who had destroyed most of her hard palate over a ten-year period of cocaine abuse. There are no classic socio-economic or educational profiles for abusers of cocaine. Drug abuse victims may present as patients in any dental office. Though there are certain classic physiological and psychological symptoms of their condition, they may not display symptoms at all.

Treatment of teeth with open apices using mineral trioxide aggregate

Injuries to the dentition may ultimately result in the interruption of root development. If the pulp remains vital following trauma, this state should be maintained and root-end closure should be induced by apexogenesis. When the pulp is necrotic, the placement of an apical barrier can be utilized as an alternative to establish an environment that facilitates the closure of the apical opening. This article demonstrates the use of mineral trioxide aggregate as an apical barrier material for root-end closure in the permanent teeth of three patients.

Successful treatment of pulpal-periodontal combined lesion in a birooted maxillary lateral incisor with concomitant palato-radicular groove. A case report

Palato-radicular groove (PRG) is a common developmental anomaly of maxillary incisors, whereas PRG associated with a birooted maxillary incisor is relatively infrequent. The clinical significance of PRG is related to the incidence of localized periodontitis with or without pulpal pathosis, depending on the depth, extent, and complexity of the groove. Successful treatments of PRG in single-rooted incisors have been reported in the literature. However, treatment of PRG in birooted incisors has often been ineffective. This case report describes a pulpal-periodontal combined lesion occurring on a birooted maxillary left lateral incisor with concomitant PRG in a 13-year-old boy which was successfully treated by conventional endodontic therapy in combination with periodontal treatment including accessory root resection, radiculoplasty and bone grafting. Seven-year follow-up is included in this report. The basis of a successful result is accurate diagnosis and elimination of inflammatory irritants and contributory factors. Awareness of the existence of this abnormality by the clinician is important.

A case of an odontogenic cutaneous sinus tract

CASE REPORT

A 22-year-old female presented with a draining sinus tract on her left cheek. The tooth responsible was examined clinicopathologically. On clinical examination, the mandibular left first molar tooth was restored with an amalgam filling. Radiographic examination revealed base or pulp capping material below the restoration and a radiolucent periapical lesion surrounding the distal root apex. Conservative non-surgical root canal treatment was performed; 10 months later, the sinus had healed completely and the periapical lesion had resolved. Histopathological examination of pulp tissue recovered during treatment revealed foreign bodies, made up of capping material and amalgam, associated with chronic inflammation. These findings suggested that chronic inflammation in the pulp tissue had resulted in a draining sinus tract.

Diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous facial sinus tracts of dental origin

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous draining sinus tracts of dental origin often are a diagnostic challenge. A delay in correctly diagnosing these types of lesions can result in ineffective and inappropriate treatment.

CASE DESCRIPTION

The authors present five cases of facial lesions that were initially misdiagnosed as lesions of nonodontogenic origin. The correct diagnosis in each case was cutaneous sinus tract secondary to pulpal necrosis and suppurative apical periodontitis. All facial sinus tracts resolved after the patients received nonsurgical root canal therapy.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

As patients with cutaneous facial sinus tracts of dental origin often do not have obvious dental symptoms, possible dental etiology may be overlooked. Early correct diagnosis and treatment of these lesions can help prevent unnecessary and ineffective antibiotic therapy or surgical treatment.

Management of an avulsed primary incisor

The case describes the management of an avulsed maxillary central primary incisor of a 3 1/2-year-old girl. The tooth was retained in the oral cavity for 30 min. After replantation it was splinted for 17 days. At day 11 the root canal was completely instrumented and obturated with a calcium hydroxide paste. The 1-year follow-up documented no pathologic clinical or radiographic findings. One and a half years after the trauma the tooth was extracted since a fistula and extensive external inflammatory resorption had developed. The permanent successor erupted along with its neighboring central incisor without any complications 6 months later. Conventional approaches for treating avulsed permanent teeth could also be applied to avulsed primary incisors to preserve them for a certain period without the additional risk of damaging their developing permanent successors.

Median mental sinus in twins

Sinus on the chin can be the result of a chronic apical abscess due to pulp necrosis of a mandibular anterior tooth. The tooth is usually asymptomatic, and a dental cause is therefore not apparent to the patient or the unsuspecting clinician. Not infrequently, the patient may seek treatment from a dermatologist or general surgeon instead of a dentist. Excision and repair of the fistula may be carried out with subsequent breakdown because the dental pathology is not removed. This paper reports the presence of median mental sinus of dental origin in twins. One case healed following root canal therapy while the other required both root canal therapy and surgery to eliminate the infection.