Association between pulp and periapical disease with type 2 diabetes: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization.

AIM: This current Mendelian randomization (MR) study aims to comprehensively explore the potential bidirectional link between pulp and periapical disease (PAP) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODOLOGY: Summary level data of European-based population genome-wide association studies (GWASs) were employed to undertake this MR study. With the selection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as the instrumental variable, the radial inverse-variance weighted (radial IVW) method with modified second-order weights was applied as the primary method. Additionally, a range of sensitivity analyses were conducted to investigate pleiotropy. Results from different sources of outcome were pooled by meta-analysis with the fixed model. RESULTS: The results of this MR analysis did not suggest a significant impact of pulp and periapical disease on type 2 diabetes (combined OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.00-1.07, p = .033) and vice versa (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.96-1.14, p = .329). No significant pleiotropy was detected in the final model after the removal of outliers, demonstrating the reliability of the results in our primary analysis. CONCLUSIONS: With the limitations inherent in the present MR study, there is no significant evidence in either direction to suggest a causal association between pulp and periapical disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

External root resorption during orthodontic treatment in root-filled teeth and contralateral teeth with vital pulp: A clinical study of contributing factors.

INTRODUCTION: There is a lack of research to support the belief that root canal treatment can be considered for stopping or decreasing external apical root resorption (EARR). There is conflicting evidence as to whether root-filled teeth are more or less likely to experience EARR after orthodontic treatment. The purpose of this study was to compare the degree of EARR of root-filled teeth with that of contralateral teeth with vital pulp after fixed orthodontic treatment. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 35 patients aged 25.23 ± 4.92 years who had at least 1 root-filled tooth before orthodontic treatment. Digital panoramic radiographs of each patient taken before and after orthodontic treatment were used to measure the EARR. The Student t test for matched pairs and the Pearson correlation analysis were applied. RESULTS: The mean EARR values were 0.22 (0.14, 0.35) for root-filled teeth and 0.87 (0.59, 1.31) for contralateral teeth with vital pulp, indicating significantly less EARR for root-filled teeth compared with the contralateral teeth with vital pulp after orthodontic treatment. EARR was influenced by the patient's age, treatment duration, treatment type, and periapical pathosis, but not by tooth type and sex. CONCLUSIONS: Root-filled teeth appear to be associated with significantly less EARR than are contralateral teeth with vital pulp. This study suggests that the possible complication of EARR in root-filled teeth may not be an important consideration in orthodontic treatment planning, and root canal treatment can be considered for stopping or decreasing EARR when severe EARR occurs during orthodontic treatment.

The odontogenic-related microinflammation in patients with chronic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVES: This study estimated plasma levels of interleukin IL-1ß, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (INF-γ) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with a single odontogenic pathology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-nine selected adult CKD patients with single odontogenic pathology based on clinical and X-ray examination: patients after proper root canal treatment, without periapical lesions (n = 12), with pulp necrosis (n = 7), with asymptomatic periapical lesions (n = 22), with periodontal disease (n = 8), and 14 with healthy teeth were enrolled. Patients with coexisting different dental pathologies and the evidence of other infection were excluded. In all patients plasma concentrations of CRP, IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, and INF-γ were measured. RESULTS: Patients with periodontitis were characterized by increased concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α. Those with pulp necrosis had significantly more frequently serum CRP level over 2 mg/L and presented significantly elevated IL-6, but decreased TNF-α concentration than in the subjects with healthy teeth. In patients with periapical lesions and patients after root canal therapy, the concentrations of cytokines did not indicate for the systemic inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Periodontitis and pulp necrosis are important sources of systemic microinflammation in CKD patients. Plasma concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α appear to be more sensitive markers of odontogenic inflammation in CKD patients than CRP.

The importance of early intervention in the treatment of dental infection.

UNLABELLED: With recent reports of increasing hospital admissions relating to dental infection, the authors believe it is time to re-visit the importance of its effective early treatment. A series of three cases is used to illustrate the potentially life-threatening progression of what, in the early stages, is an easily treatable condition. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The principles of effective management of dental infection are highlighted in the first instance and then indications for specialist maxillofacial referral are discussed.

A prospective, controlled clinical trial evaluating the clinical radiological and aesthetic outcome after 5 years of immediately placed implants in sockets exhibiting periapical pathology.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to compare the clinical, aesthetic and radiological outcome of immediately placed implants in sockets with or without periapical pathology 5 years after placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients were followed 5 years after immediate implant placement (test-group: 12 patients with periapical pathologies; control-group: 15 patients without periapical pathology). Clinical (FMBS, FMPS, CAL, keratinized mucosa), aesthetical (length of clinical crown, Papilla index), and radiological (vertical distance implant shoulder to first bone to implant contact (IS-BIC)) parameters were assessed. Both 95% confidence intervals, as well as results of statistical tests (one-sample, two-sample, paired t-test) were provided. RESULTS: After 5 years the implant survival rate was 100% for all 27 implants. In the test group the width of the keratinized mucosa increased significantly over the observation period (0.8 ± 1.0 mm). Concerning aesthetic parameters at the 3-month as well as at the 5-year examination no statistically significant difference could be found between the two groups. In the control-group the papilla mesial and distal to the implant increased statistically significant during the observation period by 0.5 ± 0.5 and 0.4 ± 0.6 index score points, respectively. The position of the gingival margin at the implant site and the two neighboring teeth remained stable. At the 5-year visit IS-BIC measured between 1.4 ± 0.5 mm (mesial, control) and 1.7 ± 0.7 mm (distal, test), no significant difference could be found between the two groups. Over the observation period no statistically significant change of IS-BIC could be found in the test- as well as in the control-group. None of the examined radiographs revealed any signs of retrograde peri-implantitis. CONCLUSION: The replacement of teeth exhibiting periapical pathologies by implants placed immediately after tooth extraction can be a successful treatment modality with no disadvantages in clinical, aesthetical and radiological parameters to immediately placed implants into healthy sockets.

Predictive models of pain following root canal treatment: a prospective clinical study.

AIM: To determine the probability of the incidence, intensity, duration and triggering of post-endodontic pain, considering factors related to the patient (age, gender, medical evaluation) and to the affected tooth (group, location, number of canals, pulp vitality, preoperative pain, periapical radiolucencies, previous emergency access, presence of occlusal contacts with antagonist). METHODOLOGY: A total of 500 one-visit root canal treatments (RCTs) were performed on patients referred to an endodontist. Shaping of root canals was performed manually with Gates-Glidden drills and K-Flexofiles, and apical patency was maintained with a size 10 file. A 5% NaOCl solution was used for irrigation, and canals were filled with lateral compaction and AH-Plus sealer. Independent factors were recorded during the treatment, and characteristics of post-endodontic pain (incidence, intensity, type and duration) were later surveyed through questionnaires. Of the 500 questionnaires, 374 were properly returned and split in two groups for two different statistical purposes: 316 cases were used to adjust the logistic regression models to predict each characteristic of post-endodontic pain using predictive factors, and the remaining 58 cases were used to test the validity of each model. RESULTS: The predictive models showed that the incidence of post-endodontic pain was significantly lower when the treated tooth was not a molar (P = 0.003), demonstrated periapical radiolucencies (P = 0.003), had no history of previous pain (P = 0.006) or emergency endodontic treatment (P = 0.045) and had no occlusal contact (P < 0.0001). The probability of experiencing moderate or severe pain was higher with increasing age (P = 0.09) and in mandibular teeth (P = 0.045). The probability of pain lasting more than 2 days was increased with age (P = 0.1) and decreased in males (P = 0.007) and when a radiolucent lesion was present on radiographs (P = 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Predictive formulae for the incidence, the intensity and the duration of post-endodontic pain were generated and validated taking account of the interrelation of multiple concomitant clinical factors. A predictive model for triggering post-endodontic pain could not be established.

Is the Schneiderian membrane thickness affected by periodontal disease? A cone beam computed tomography-based extended case series.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to assess the thickness of Schneiderian membranes (SM) in patients with advanced periodontal disease. METHODS: 17 dentate patients (DG) scheduled for periodontal surgery on maxillary molars were consecutively recruited and cone beam computed tomographies performed for preoperative diagnosis. Twenty-one patients (EG) requiring cone beam computed tomography-based planning of implant placement in the edentulous posterior maxilla served as controls. RESULTS: Schneiderian membrane thickness measured from cone beam computed tomography was significantly greater in the dentate group compared to the edentulous group, both in the first (p = 0.028) and second (p < 0.001) molar position. In the dentate group, clinical signs of periodontal destruction (increased probing pocket depth or furcation involvement) were not associated with Schneiderian membrane thickness. Additional findings, such as periapical lesions (p = 0.008), and the distance between root tips and maxillary sinus revealed a significant association (p = 0.036) with Schneiderian membrane thickness. CONCLUSION: In molar regions with periodontal destruction, Schneiderian membrane thickening occurred, particularly in combination with small bone layers above the root tips or periapical lesions.

Crystal-storing histiocytosis: a rare lesion in periapical pathology.

Crystal-storing histiocytosis is a rare manifestation of plasma cell dyscrasia/monoclonal gammopathies and lymphoproliferative disorders, characterized by cytoplasmic accumulation of crystallized immunoglobulins in histiocytes. Nevertheless, some reported cases of crystal-storing histiocytosis raise the possibility that this lesion may also be reactive. Crystal-storing histiocytosis in the oral cavity is extremely rare; only one case affecting the tongue has been reported in the English-language literature. In this report, we discuss the case of a 38-year-old man who presented a persistent periapical lesion affecting the maxillary left lateral incisor. Histopathological analysis showed numerous crystal-laden histiocytes associated with a mild plasma cell infiltrate within a fibrous stroma. The plasma cells failed to show clonal light-chain restriction, and the patient had no associated hematologic disorder or systemic disease. Thus, this lesion was probably the result of hypersecretion of immunoglobulins by polyclonal plasma cells found in the periapical lesion. Crystal-storing histiocytosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of periapical lesions.

Effect of a calcium hydroxide/chlorhexidine paste as intracanal dressing in human primary teeth with necrotic pulp against Porphyromonas gingivalis and Enterococcus faecalis.

BACKGROUND: Intracanal medication is important for endodontic treatment success as it eliminates microorganisms that persist after biomechanical preparation. Aim. To evaluate the effect of two intracanal medications against Porphyromonas gingivalis and Enterococcus faecalis in the root canals of human primary teeth with necrotic pulp with and without furcal/periapical lesion, using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). DESIGN: Thirty-two teeth with necrotic pulp were used. Twelve teeth did not present lesion, and 20 teeth presented radiographically visible furca/periapical lesion. Microbiological samples were collected after coronal access and biomechanical preparation. The teeth were medicated with calcium hydroxide pastes prepared with either polyethylene glycol or chlorhexidine. After 30days, the medication was removed and a third collection was performed. Microbiological samples were processed using qRT-PCR. Data were analysed by Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests (α=0.05). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the microbiota present in the primary teeth with and without furcal/periapical lesion. Biomechanical preparation was effective in reducing the number of microorganisms (P<0.05). The intracanal medications had similar antibacterial activity. CONCLUSION: The association of chlorhexidine with calcium hydroxide did not increase the antibacterial activity of the intracanal medication in the treatment of primary teeth with necrotic pulp with and without furcal/periapical lesion.

Analysis of root canal treated primary incisor after trauma: two year outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The low number of clinical studies of traumatized teeth submitted to root canal treatment is completely out of proportion to the seriousness that dental trauma imposes on children in early years. AIM: This study evaluates the outcomes of root canal treatment (RCT) in traumatized primary incisors and identifies the predisposing factors associated with therapy success. METHODS: This is a retrospective study conducted with all dental records of 704 patients who had one or more teeth with traumatic injuries. Patients with irreversible pulp changes in primary teeth leading to RCT with a 24 month follow-up met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Twenty-five maxillary incisors of 17 children were evaluated. The children's age at the time of therapy ranged from 24 to 72 months (mean 47.3). Pulp necrosis was the most common disorder (84.0%) and pre-operative periapical lesions were observed in 52.0%. Coronal discoloration was found in 48.0%. The roots were filled with ZOE paste (68.0%) or Guedes-Pinto paste (32.0%). Overall RCT success rate was 68.0%. The absence of pre-operative periapical lesions (p = 0.02) and pathological root resorption (p = 0.02) presented positive association with therapy success. Success was not associated to filling paste (p = 0.49), filling extent (p = 0.44), of discoloration (p = 0.39) nor the patients' age (p = 0.59). CONCLUSIONS: RCT was considered successful in 68.0% of the cases at the 24 month follow-up. Failure of RCT in traumatized primary incisors was associated with pre-operatory periapical lesions and pathological root resorption. The filling paste, the filling extent and the patient's age were unrelated with therapy success.

Dental infection and vascular disease.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory response to bacterial plaque in which the anchoring bone and soft tissues supporting teeth are destroyed, resulting in tooth mobility and loss. Dental caries involves the spread of infection from the dentine to the vascular dental pulp and periapical bony tissues, before involvement of adjacent soft tissues and spreading sepsis. Several case-controlled, cross-sectional, and cohort studies report correlation between periodontitis and increased cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and peripheral artery disease, as determined by clinical disease, angiography, ultrasonography, and reduced flow-mediated dilation. Some studies report a similar relationship of atherosclerosis with periapical infection and potentially also with coronal caries, and this review identifies the need to investigate these associations further. Smoking and cadmium exposure are epidemiologically confounding environmental risk factors shared by atherosclerosis and periodontitis. Further complicating epidemiological studies are the risk factors for both atherosclerosis and periodontitis, with which periodontitis appears to have separate positive feedback relationships. These include diabetes, increased plasma lipid levels, hypertension, and white blood cell count. Animal and human intervention studies provide some direct support of a causal role for periodontitis in atherosclerosis, and possible mechanisms include bacterial invasion of arteries, specific atherogenic properties of oral bacteria, the acute phase response, and cytokine polymorphisms.

A prospective study of the factors affecting outcomes of non-surgical root canal treatment: part 2: tooth survival.

AIM: To investigate the probability of and factors influencing tooth survival following primary (1°RCTx) or secondary (2°RCTx) root canal treatment. METHODOLOGY: This prospective study involved annual follow-up of 2 (100%) to 4 years (50%) of 1°RCTx (759 teeth, 572 patients) and 2°RCTx (858 teeth, 642 patients) carried out by Endodontic postgraduate students. Pre-, intra- and post-operative data were collected prospectively from consented patients. Information about extraction of the root filled tooth was sought from the patient, the referring dentist or derived from the patient's records and included the timing and reasons for extraction. Tooth survival was estimated and prognostic factors were investigated using Cox regression. Clustering effects within patients were adjusted in all models using robust standard error. RESULTS: The 4-year cumulative tooth survival following 1°RCTx [95.4% (93.6%, 96.8%)] or 2°RCTx [95.3% (93.6%, 96.5%)] was similar. Thirteen prognostic factors were identified. Significant patient factors included history of diabetes and systemic steroid therapy. Significant pre-operative factors included narrow but deep periodontal probing depth; pain; discharging sinus; and iatrogenic perforation (for 2°RCTx cases only). Significant intra-operative factors included iatrogenic perforation; patency at apical terminus; and extrusion of root fillings. Significant post-operative restorative factors included presence of cast restoration versus temporary restoration; presence of cast post and core; proximal contacts with both mesial and distal adjacent teeth; and terminal location of the tooth. The presence of pre-operative pain had a profound effect on tooth loss within the first 22 months after treatment [hazard ratio (HR) = 3.1; P = 0.001] with a lesser effect beyond 22 months (HR = 2.4; P = 0.01). Patency at the apical terminus reduced tooth loss (HR = 0.3; P < 0.01) within the first 22 months after treatment but had no significant effect on tooth survival beyond 22 months. Extrusion of gutta-percha root filling did not have any effect on tooth survival (HR = 1.1; P = 0.2) within the first 22 months but significantly increased the hazard of tooth loss beyond 22 months (HR = 3.0; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The 4-year tooth survival following primary or secondary root canal treatment was 95%, with thirteen prognostic factors common to both.

Endodontic-periodontal management of two rooted maxillary lateral incisor associated with complex radicular lingual groove by using spiral computed tomography as a diagnostic aid: a case report.

AIM: To present the successful endodontic and periodontal management of a two rooted maxillary lateral incisor tooth with a complex radicular lingual groove and severe periodontal destruction using spiral computed tomography as a diagnostic aid. SUMMARY: A 30-year-old male patient presented with a chief complaint of mobility and discharge of pus in an upper front tooth. Clinical examination revealed a sinus tract on the labial gingival surface and a 10-mm-deep periodontal pocket associated with maxillary left lateral incisor tooth. On the lingual side, a groove emerging from cingulum, continuing mesioapically down the lingual aspect of tooth was found. Intraoral periapical radiographs demonstrated a lateral periodontal defect around the mesial aspect and a diffuse radiolucency at the apex of maxillary left lateral incisor tooth. The sinus tract was traced with gutta-percha to the maxillary left lateral incisor that showed an accessory root surrounded by a large radiolucent area. A spiral computed tomographic scan for better understanding of the complicated root canal morphology of the tooth was performed. Based on the clinical, radiographic and spiral computed tomographic findings, a diagnosis of an endo-perio lesion in tooth 22 was made. Management consisted of conventional root canal treatment, radiculoplasty, root resection of accessory root and surgical curettage of the periodontal defect. Follow-up with radiographic examination at 3 months and 1 year was performed. At 1-year recall, the patient was asymptomatic, there was no evidence of the sinus tract and a 3-mm nonbleeding pocket was present in relation to tooth 22. Progression of hard tissue healing was observed in the periapical radiograph taken 1 year postoperatively. KEY LEARNING POINTS: The key to achieving favourable results in this particular type of developmental anomaly is accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. The health of the periapical osseous tissues appears to be the provital factor for tooth retention. A favourable outcome can only be achieved with a comprehensive treatment approach that effectively manages all local factors that are contributing to the disease process.

Effect of alendronate on alveolar bone resorption and angiogenesis in rats with experimental periapical lesions.

AIM: To investigate the effects of systemically administered alendronate, one of the most potent bisphosphonates (BPs), on alveolar bone resorption and angiogenesis in rats subjected to experimental periapical lesions over two time periods. METHODOLOGY: Forty adult Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided equally into control and experimental groups, and the pulp chambers of mandibular first molars of all rats were exposed to the oral environment to induce periapical lesions. The experimental group received daily subcutaneous injections of alendronate at a dose of 0.25 mg kg(-1), whereas the control group received only the saline vehicle. These injections were initiated 1 week before the periapical lesion induction and then continued daily throughout the entire experimental period. After 2 or 4 weeks following pulp exposure, the rats were killed, and the mandibles were examined histologically for periapical bone loss area, number of microvascular vessels (NMV) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity. RESULTS: Overall, periapical bone loss area and the number of TRAP-positive cells (osteoclasts) were significantly decreased at 2 and 4 weeks, respectively, after daily subcutaneous injection of alendronate compared with the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant decrease change in NMV (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Administration of alendronate to rats might inhibit alveolar bone resorption associated with periapical disease, which might not lead to impairment of angiogenesis. However, because of the differences between rats and humans, one has to consider the possible consequences of this treatment in the clinic.

Do preoperative cutaneous bleeding time tests predict the outcome of intraoral surgical bleeding?

PURPOSE: To determine whether cutaneous bleeding time (BT) is related to perioperative bleeding outcome measures after tooth extraction. To determine whether this investigation is reliable to predict bleeding outcome after an intraoral surgical procedure. METHODS: A prospective clinical pilot study of 30 subjects. Cutaneous BT was evaluated before tooth extraction. After extraction, an oral BT was determined. Subjects were contacted 2-5 hours after extraction to assess further post operative bleeding. RESULTS: The mean cutaneous BT was 2.3 minutes (range 1.5-3.5). The mean oral BT was 9.1 (range 7-12). Cutaneous BT did not correlate with oral BT or any other measures of prospective bleeding. However, the time necessary for extraction correlated with extraction site bleeding 2-5 hours after surgery. CONCLUSION: There was no relationship between cutaneous and oral post extraction BT. The use of BT test as a screening procedure is unnecessary for prediction of prolonged bleeding after tooth extraction or minor surgical procedures in the present situation.

Immediate implant placement into fresh extraction sites with chronic periapical pathologic features combined with plasma rich in growth factors: preliminary results of single-cohort study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of implants immediately placed into fresh extraction sockets of teeth affected by chronic periapical pathologic findings, using plasma rich in growth factors (PRGFs) as an adjunct during the surgical procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 partially edentulous patients with teeth requiring extraction and chronic periapical lesions were included in the present study. A total of 61 transmucosal implants were installed immediately after extraction and careful debridement combined with PRGF placement into the socket. Before insertion, the implant surface was bioactivated by humidification with liquid PRGFs. The prosthetic phase occurred 3 to 4 months after surgery. The implant success and survival and radiographic bone loss were evaluated after 1 year of function. Patient satisfaction for mastication function, phonetics, and esthetics was assessed using a questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 61 implants, 1 had failed 2 months after insertion because of infection. No additional complications were recorded. The overall implant success and survival rate was 98.4% at 1 year of function. The mean follow-up was 18.5 months (range 10 to 21). All prostheses were successful. The peri-implant bone loss after 1 year averaged 0.41 +/- 0.22 mm. All patients reported full satisfaction for mastication function, phonetics, and esthetics. CONCLUSIONS: The use of PRGFs combined with an immediate implant placement procedure can be considered a safe, effective, and predictable treatment option for the rehabilitation of fresh postextraction infected sockets.

Retratamiento endodóntico no quirúrgico de molar inferior con lesión apical: estrategia terapéutica / Non-surgical endodontic retreatment of a lower molar with an apical lesion: therapeutic strategy

La terapéutica endodóntica se apoya básicamente en dos modelos teóricos o paradigmas: el concepto de "tubo hueco" técnico y quirúrgico esencialmente mecanicista, y el modelo terapéutico para conductos radiculares, que busca la restitución ad integrum de los tejidos apicales y el hueso alveolar que los rodea. La instrumentación debe complementarse con la limpieza por irrigación abundante y la obturación con un biomaterial bioactivo, con características reológicas que permitan su adaptación plástica a las paredes del conducto radicular y module la respuesta de los tejidos hacia la regeneración con aposición de tejido calcificado en el foramen apical (AU)

Endodontic therapy is basically based on two theoretical models or paradigms, which are the concept of the technical and surgical "hollow tube", essentially mechanistic, and the therapeutic model of root canals, which seeks the ad integrum restitution of the apical tissues and bone. alveolar that surrounds them. The instrumentation must be complemented with cleaning by abundant irrigation, and with a bioactive biomaterial, with rheological characteristics that allows its plastic adaptation to the walls of the root canal and modulates the response of the tissues towards regeneration with apposition of calcified tissue in the apical foramen (AU)

Imipramine treatment reverses depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors, normalize adrenocorticotropic hormone, and reduces interleukin-1ß in the brain of rats subjected to experimental periapical lesion.

BACKGROUND: A periodontal lesion is a consequence of chronic inflammatory processes, itself triggered by a bacterial infection of the pulpal and endodontic microenvironment. Evidence suggests that periodontal lesion induction could alter inflammatory cytokines leading to behavior changes. These effects in the context of anxiety and depressive behavior have been not full investigated. We aimed to observe anxiety- and depressive-like behavioral in rodent subjected to periapical dental lesions. METHODS: Pro-inflammatory cytokines levels also were investigated in the frontal cortex and hippocampus. Parameters related to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation also were evaluated. Wistar rats were divided in groups: control/saline; control/imipramine; periapical lesion/saline; and periapical lesion/imipramine. Three weeks after induction of the periapical dental lesion, they were subjected to behavioral tests. RESULTS: In the periapical lesion group was demonstrated anhedonic behavior and depressive-like behavior. In the elevated plus-maze test the periapical lesion group had an increase in the number of entries and spent more time in the closed arms. Imipramine treatment was able to reverse depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors. In the hippocampus and frontal cortex tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, and serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels were higher in the periapical lesion group. However, rats treated with imipramine had lower IL-1ß and ACTH levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors following induction of a specific dental lesion. These effects could be associated to higher levels of brain pro-inflammatory cytokines and HPA axis changes. Antidepressants treatments could be an alternative to treat comorbidities associated to periodontal lesions.