Assessment of endodontic treatment and prevalence of apical periodontitis using cone-beam computed tomography: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was a retrospective cross-sectional study of the Polish subpopulation, performed to evaluate the quality of endodontic treatment (ET) and the condition of the periapical tissues of permanent teeth based on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Material and methods: The retrospective study included a group of patients who underwent CBCT at the University Dental Clinic of the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin. An endodontically treated tooth index (ETTI) was used to evaluate ET. Once apical periodontitis was recognised, the size, extent, and ratio of adjacent anatomical structures were assessed using the complex periapical index (COPI). Results: Analysis of the CBCT images showed that ET was performed in 9.9% of the teeth examined, of which 52.7% of the canals were treated correctly, while 28.1% of the root canals were found to be underfilled, 6.8% were overfilled, 9.3% of the root canals were not obturated at all, and in 3.1% of the teeth examined, the filling material was only visible in the pulp chamber. Apical periodontitis was observed in 6% of all teeth examined, while the percentage of teeth following ET was 38.5%. Conclusions: The quality of the ET provided to the Polish subpopulation is unsatisfactory. Lack of root canal filling homogeneity is a significant risk factor for ET failure. Improper ET and poor quality of crown restoration after ET have an impact on the increased risk of occurrence, size, degree of root coverage, and extent of inflammatory periapical lesions in relation to adjacent anatomical structures.

Internal Adaptation of Composite Fillings Made Using Universal Adhesives-A Micro-Computed Tomography Analysis.

This study aimed to evaluate internal tooth-filling interfaces of composite fillings made using universal adhesives using micro-computed tomography (µCT). Sixty class V cavities were randomly assigned into six groups: Peak Universal etch and rinse (PER), Peak Universal self-etch (PSE), Adhese Universal etch and rinse (AER), and Adhese Universal self-etch (ASE). Two further adhesives considered gold standards were used as control groups: OptiBond FL (OER) for the etch and rinse technique and Clearfil SE for the self-etch technique (CSE). All teeth were subjected to thermomechanical loading and four-year water storage. Next, they were analyzed using µCT to investigate the internal tooth-filling interfaces. The proportions between the gap volume (GV) at the tooth-filling interface and the volume of applied composite filling (FV), between the gap and cavity volumes (CV), and between the gap volumes at the tooth-filling interface of the external (EGV) and internal (IGV) parts were calculated. Adhese Universal achieved the significantly lowest gap-to-filling- and gap-to-cavity-volume ratios for both types of etching techniques comparing to those of the Peak Universal and control groups. Significant differences between the gaps in external and internal parts of the tooth-filling interface were only noted in the control groups. Internal gap formation and development at the tooth-filling interface depend on the material as well as the type of its application.

Volumetric Assessment of Apical Periodontitis Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography-A Systematic Review.

This systematic review aimed to investigate the scientific literature on volumetric studies concerning the diagnosis and treatment of apical periodontitis using CBCT. A systematic review protocol was written following the preferred reporting items for the systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) checklist. Four electronic databases were searched for relevant publications in English, which were published up to 21 January 2023. The inclusion criteria and corresponding search keys were applied. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistic Assessment and Review Instrument. The search strategy identified 202 studies, with 123 studies excluded during the title and abstract screening and 47 studies left for full text screening. A total of 17 studies met the inclusion criteria. The lesion volume was measured and classified according to different indices which compared the effectiveness of their diagnostics. Moreover, the volume of AP lesions increased with the thickness of the maxillary sinus mucosa in primary and secondary infections and decreased due to endodontic treatment. Volumetric measurements using CBCT are useful in the correct definition of periapical tissue pathosis using a CBCT periapical volume index and assessment of the dynamics of the treatment of apical lesions.

Treatment of External Cervical Resorption and Its Late Complication: A Case Report.

External cervical resorption is a type of pathological root resorption that is often asymptomatic. It leads to progressive loss of dental hard tissues while the pulp usually remains vital. The first symptom reported by a patient may be a pink shadow at an esthetic zone. This case report describes the treatment of external cervical resorption of a first upper incisor according to the new classification, treatment and management methods introduced in 2018. After 30 months the endodontic treatment was performed due to pulp necrosis and symptomatic apical periodontitis.

New Bioactive Calcium Silicate Cement Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Repair High Plasticity (MTA HP)-A Systematic Review.

Bioactive calcium silicate cement Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) has been used for years as a gold standard in intravital pulp treatment and specialist endodontic procedures. Owing to flaws of the material, the manufacturers have been trying to enhance and produce materials showing improved physical, chemical and biological parameters. One of the new calcium-silicate cements based on mineral trioxide aggregate, however without some flaws exhibited by the cement, is Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Repair High Plasticity (MTA HP). The aim of the present paper was a systematic literature review concerning the MTA HP material used nowadays in dentistry, as a review of its specific features. The present paper is the first article providing a systematic literature review on MTA HP. The aim of the present article is the better understanding of MTA HP properties, which can aid the decision-making process in endodontic treatment.

Evaluation of gap formation at the composite resin-tooth interface after using universal adhesives: In vitro SEM study using the replica technique.

The aim of this study was to evaluate gap formation after using two universal adhesives, Peak Universal Bond (P), which contains chlorhexidine and Adhese Universal (A), which contains 10-MDP monomer, and to compare them with two gold standard adhesives. The adhesives were tested in different etching modes, etch-and-rinse (ER) or self-etch (SE), and under thermomechanical loading (TML). Two identical Class V cavities were prepared in each of 30 human third molar teeth, and resin-composite restorations were made. Before and after TML, replicas of the restorations were prepared. Gap formation and their frequency according to the modified classification of Blunck and Zaslansky and the width of the maximum marginal gap (MG) were separately evaluated in enamel and dentin. Gap frequency did not differ significantly only in the enamel before TML, despite the use of different adhesives or etching modes. At both timepoints, the highest MG values were obtained with the Peak Universal Bond self-etch (PSE) group in enamel (6.2 µm before TML, 12.2 µm after TML) and the Peak Universal Bond etch-and-rinse (PER) group in dentine (21.3 µm before TML, 35.5 µm after TML). After TML, there was a significant increase of gap frequency for Adhese universal self-etch (ASE) group and MG values for PER, PSE, ASE groups at the resin-enamel interface, and gap frequency and MG values for all groups at the resin-dentin interface. Universal adhesive with 10-MDP monomer have beneficial effect on the resin-dentin interface, while chlorhexidine may reduce the resistance of the universal adhesive system to oral cavity conditions.