Continuously infused calcium hydroxide: its influence on hard tissue repair.

To study the ability of calcium hydroxide to promote hard tissue repair, Alza Alzet Osmotic Pumps, implanted in Sprague-Dawley rats, were used to deliver either calcium hydroxide and glycerol, barium hydroxide and glycerol, tetracycline and glycerol, or glycerol only to a standardized round bur defect in a rat femur. The pumps infused one of the reagents into the defects continuously over a 4-wk experimental period. The effects of each reagent on the healing of the bony defects were compared by histological evaluation. The Alza Osmotic Pump proved to be an effective method to deliver an agent to an experimental site. Our preliminary findings from a limited sample size indicated that calcium hydroxide contributed to a more complete osseous repair than either barium hydroxide or tetracycline. Barium hydroxide with a sustained pH equivalent to calcium hydroxide showed no greater healing than the controls. Tetracycline results were also similar to controls.

Restoring a tooth with massive internal resorption to form and function: report of case.

This case report describes an innovative restorative technique using glass ionomer and posterior composite resin materials. It was used to treat a patient with extensive internal resorption of the clinical crown of the maxillary first molar. Although unconventional, this method successfully strengthened and restored the tooth.

Dens invaginatus of a maxillary lateral incisor: endodontic treatment.

A right maxillary central incisor and an adjacent lateral incisor with a dens invaginatus were identified as requiring endodontic treatment. Both teeth were treated by nonsurgical means. Thirteen months postoperatively the central incisor showed evidence of periapical resolution, whereas the lateral incisor did not. The lateral incisor was then treated with apical curettage, an apicoectomy, and retrograde amalgam filling. One year after the surgical procedure the periapical tissues of both the lateral and central incisors exhibited satisfactory resolution. This case demonstrates that certain cases of dens invaginatus can be successfully treated only with a surgical approach.

Using the electric pulp tester with gloves: a simplified approach.

A method is presented which simplifies the use of the electric pulp tester for the dentist who routinely wears gloves in practice. Advantages of this method include a reduction in patient apprehension as well as a possible decrease in discomfort for the patient.