Periodontal healing following avulsion and replantation of teeth: a multi-centre randomized controlled trial to compare two root canal medicaments.

BACKGROUND: Non-setting calcium hydroxide (Ultracal XS(®) ) is recommended by the International Association of Dental Traumatology as the initial medicament following avulsion and replantation for mature teeth. There is experimental evidence to suggest Ledermix(®) , placed as an alternative inter-visit dressing may improve periodontal healing. AIM: This study investigated, using a multi-centre randomized controlled trial, the effect of two root canal medicaments, Ledermix(®) and Ultracal XS(®) , on periodontal healing of avulsed and replanted teeth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Children were recruited if they fulfilled all inclusion criteria. Treatment followed a standardized protocol. Assessment of periodontal healing or ankylosis was made clinically and radiographically by an experienced, 'blinded', clinician at 12months. RESULTS: Over 200 patients were assessed for eligibility at five centres. Twenty-nine patients were eligible for inclusion. Final analysis involved 22 patients with 27 teeth. Ankylosis was detected in four of the 12 teeth in the Ledermix(®) group and nine of 15 in the Ultracal XS(®) group. No significant difference between medicaments was found in the proportion of teeth or patients showing periodontal healing. DISCUSSION: There was no significant difference in periodontal healing between the two medicaments at either a tooth or patient level. The numbers recruited fell short of an estimated power calculation. For patients meeting the inclusion criteria and completing the trial, periodontal healing was seen in 52% of teeth at the 12-month assessment between both groups. The only factor found to significantly influence the periodontal outcome was dry time.

Efficacy of spirally filled versus injected non-setting calcium hydroxide dressings.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of spirally filled vs injected non-setting calcium hydroxide (NS Ca(OH)(2)) in the management of traumatized permanent teeth undergoing endodontic treatment for apexification, control of infection or the management of root resorption. A random selection of patients with traumatized teeth undergoing endodontic procedures was made. A total of 100 cases were assigned for placement of NS Ca(OH)(2) by spiral filling and 50 cases by injection of the dressing directly into the canal. Post-operative radiographs were assessed for complete canal obturation and in particular, the density and length of the dressing within the canal. The results revealed that the injected NS Ca(OH)(2) dressing consistently produced better results than the spirally placed dressings. It also completely removed the chance of instrument fracture and as a result of this trial, the department of child dental health has now adopted the use of this injectable system.

Discoloration of teeth after avulsion and replantation: results from a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: There is evidence to suggest that Ledermix, placed as an intervisit root canal dressing, might improve periodontal healing after replantation of avulsed teeth. As a part of a multicenter randomized controlled trial, we aimed to compare the effect of 2 root canal medicaments, Ledermix and Ultracal XS, on the discoloration of replanted teeth. METHODS: Discoloration was investigated by using 3 methods: patient satisfaction with the color of replanted teeth, clinical photographs taken at baseline and 12-month reviews, and estimation of color change by using CIELAB scores for baseline and 12-month photographs. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (27 teeth) were recruited. Ten patients (12 teeth) were randomized to the Ledermix group and 12 patients (15 teeth) to the Ultracal XS group. At 12 months, 8 patients were concerned with the discoloration of their teeth. Seven came from the Ledermix group and 1 from the Ultracal XS group. This difference was significant (Fisher exact test, P = .009). Standardized photographs were taken for the patients recruited at one center only (17 patients). There was significant discoloration of teeth from baseline with Ledermix, causing a darkening and gray-brown discoloration (mean change from baseline to 12 months, L∗ = -5.1, a∗ = 0.3, b∗ = -1.2, and ΔE = 8.1) and Ultracal XS, causing a yellowing and lightening of teeth (L∗ = 1.9, a∗ = 0.3, b∗ = 3.3, and ΔE = 5.4). There was a significant difference for the L∗ and b∗ variables (independent t test) between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both root canal medicaments cause discoloration, with Ledermix proving less acceptable to patients.