Atypical healing of an endodontic lesion following emergency treatment: a case report.

This case report examines the atypical healing of an endodontic lesion without standard endodontic treatment, influenced by the patient's failure to attend treatment appointments. A 50-year-old woman with no notable medical history presented with a deep carious lesion on her mandibular right first molar, accompanied by localized pain. Citing forgetfulness as a reason, the patient missed her initially scheduled root canal treatment, necessitating an emergency intervention. The emergency treatment included access cavity preparation, irrigation with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution, application of a modified triple antibiotic paste (equal parts penicillin G, metronidazole, and ciprofloxacin), and temporary restoration with amalgam. A large apical lesion was detected in immediate postoperative radiographs. However, the patient failed to return for definitive endodontic treatment, due to a lack of symptoms and time for treatment. Follow-up examinations 1 and 5 years after emergency treatment disclosed gradual healing of the lesion, culminating in the establishment of a normal periodontal ligament. This case underscores the potential efficacy of a modified triple antibiotic paste and highlights the importance of a well-sealed coronal restoration in promoting the healing of endodontic lesions, even in the absence of pulpectomy and conventional root canal therapy. Additional research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind such healing events.

THREE-YEAR OUTCOME OF DIODE LASER PULPOTOMY OF PRIMARY MOLARS USING THREE PULP CAPPING AGENTS: A SPLIT-MOUTH RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL.

OBJECTIVES: Pulpotomy is the most commonly performed treatment for asymptomatic primary molars with exposed dental pulp. This study aimed to assess the clinical /radiographic success of diode laser pulpotomy with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), calcium hydroxide (CH), and calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement as pulp capping agents. METHODS: This split-mouth randomized clinical trial was conducted initially on 34 children aged 3-8 years but 4 patients left the study before the first follow-up visit and the study was accomplished and analyzed with 30 cases. The patients had at least 3 first/second molars with deep caries that in radiographic evaluation revealed that they required pulpotomy. Following pulpotomy, the pulp stump was irradiated with diode laser (noncontact mode, 632 nm, 30 mW power) as photobiomodulation mode. Pulp tissue was then capped with MTA, CH, or CEM cement (n = 30 in each group). Reinforced zinc oxide eugenol was applied over the capping agent, and the teeth were restored with stainless steel crowns. Teeth were clinically/radiographically assessed at 6, 12, 18, and 36 months, after treatment. Data were analyzed by Cochran and McNemar tests. RESULTS: All 30 patients showed up for clinical/radiographic follow-ups for up to 36 months. Regarding clinical outcomes, the 6-, 12-, 18-, and 36-month success rates of all experimental groups were nearly similar with no significant difference (p > .05). Regarding radiographic outcomes, the 6-month success rates were similar among the groups (p > .05); however, the 12-, 18-, and 36-month outcomes of CEM and MTA groups were similar but significantly superior to that of CH group (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Diode laser irradiation and subsequent capping of pulp tissue with MTA or CEM cement can be employed for pulpotomy of primary molars.

Cytokine co-stimulation effect on odontogenic differentiation of stem cells.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to evaluate the effect of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß1) co-stimulation on odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The viability/proliferation of hDPSCs treated with BMP-2 (group B), TGF-ß1 (group T), or BMP-2/TGF-ß1 (group BT) were evaluated. The experiments on odontogenic differentiation were done for 14 days. The following subgroups were added to investigate the effect of co-stimulation with different timing: subgroup B1, TGF-ß1 co-stimulation in the first week; subgroup B2, TGF-ß1 co-stimulation in the second week; subgroup T1, BMP-2 co-stimulation in the first week; and subgroup T2, BMP-2 co-stimulation in the second week. The mineralization was assessed using alizarin red staining. The expression of following genes was assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction: dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP1), osteopontin (OPN), and alkaline phosphatase. RESULTS: All groups showed viability similar to the control group (P > .05). The greater mineralization was detected in B groups on day 14. The expressions of DSPP, DMP-1, and OPN increased on day 14 (P < .05). In the combination groups, the higher expressions of DSPP and DMP-1 were observed in subgroups B1 and B2 than groups B and T (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: BMP-2 was the key in odontogenic differentiation of hDPSCs, which was further enhanced by co-stimulation with TGF-ß1. Continuous stimulation with TGFß-1 did not improve the differentiation of hDPSCs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Combined use of the BMP-2 and TGFß-1 at the specific sequence can provide a tissue engineering approach for the future guided dentin regeneration.

Outcomes of root canal therapy or full pulpotomy using two endodontic biomaterials in mature permanent teeth: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The concept of minimally invasive endodontics recommends less-invasive vital pulp therapy (VPT) modalities over more aggressive traditional endodontic approaches in mature permanent teeth with carious pulp exposure, including irreversible pulpitis (IP) cases. Consequently, VPT needs to be compared with root canal therapy (RCT) in terms of treatment outcomes. This randomized clinical trial compares the results of full pulpotomy using two calcium-silicate cements, i.e., mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement, with RCT in mature permanent teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 157 carious pulp exposure cases in two academic centers with/without established IP were selected/included/randomly appointed to three study arms; (i) RCT (n = 51) as the reference treatment, (ii) pulpotomy with ProRoot MTA (PMTA; n = 55), and (iii) pulpotomy with CEM cement (PCEM; n = 51) as two alternative VPT treatments. Two-year clinical/radiographic results were the outcomes of interest. Data were statistically analyzed through the analysis of variance, chi-square, Fisher exact test, and Kruskal-Wallis. RESULTS: At 2-year recall, 147 teeth were examined (6.4% dropout). All molars, except for one, were clinically functional/symptom-free, and there was no statistical difference between the three study arms (p = 0.653). The radiographic success rates in RCT, PMTA, and PCEM arms were 98%, 100%, and 97.9%, respectively, without statistically significant differences (p = 0.544). CONCLUSION: In the management of mature permanent teeth with/without established IP, all experimental groups exhibited equivalent/comparable results. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Simple VPT using MTA/CEM can be suggested/recommended as a viable advantageous alternative to RCT for the management of carious pulp exposures with/without sign/symptoms of IP.

Management of an infected immature tooth with a talon cusp using regenerative endodontic treatment: A case report.

OBJECTIVE: Regenerative endodontic treatment (RET) has been considered a successful approach to manage infected immature teeth; however, cases associated with dental anomalies, i.e., talon cusp, need to be further investigated. CASE REPORT: A 7-year-old girl with local swelling associated with the permanent maxillary right central incisor was referred; cone-beam computed tomography revealed a talon cusp, an immature root and two well-defined endodontic lesions. The treatment consisted of regenerative endodontic treatment (RET); the canal was chemically cleaned and a modified triple antibiotic paste was used as intracanal medication. In the next appointment, RET was performed through the creation of blood clot scaffold in the canal covered/sealed with calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement. RESULTS: In the 7-day recall session, clinical examination showed that the swelling had completely resolved. At 24-month recall, the treated tooth was asymptomatic and functional. CBCT images demonstrated evidence of maturation in the apical third of the root, healing of two large endodontic lesions and complete dentinal bridge formation beneath CEM cement. CONCLUSION: RET for an infected immature tooth with a dental anomaly, i.e., talon cusp, may be a desirable treatment option and result in the resolution of endodontic lesions as well as regeneration of new vital tissues; allowing continuous root maturation.

Effects of antibiotic administration on post-operative endodontic symptoms in patients with pulpal necrosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy of prophylactic oral antibiotics in the management of post-operative endodontic symptoms in adults with necrotic pulp. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search up to April 2020 was performed to find all randomised controlled trials (RTCs) comparing oral antibiotics with placebo to manage post-endodontic symptoms. The outcome measures were post-operative pain, swelling and/or the combined pain and swelling at different follow-ups. Standardised mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using random-effect inverse-variance method. Additional analysis was performed if heterogeneity existed (P < .05). RESULTS: For post-endodontic pain, 8 RCTs (n = 690) were included. Antibiotic prescription had no significant effect on endodontic pain at 6 (SMD = -0.008, 95% CI -0.279 - 0.264, P = .95), 12 (SMD = -0.080, 95% CI -1.39 - 1.23, P = .90), 24 (SMD = -0.044, 95% CI -0.29 - 0.20, P = .72), 48 (SMD = 0.18, 95% CI -0.26 - 0.62, P = .42) and 72 h (SMD= -0.050, 95% CI -0.33 - 0.23, P = .723) post-operatively. For post-endodontic swelling, 4 RCTs (n = 149) were included. Antibiotic prescription had no significant effect on endodontic swelling at 24 (SMD = 0.29, 95% CI -0.72 - 1.32, P = .56), 48 (SMD = -0.23, 95% CI -0.98 - 0.51, P = .54) and 72 hours (SMD= -0.03, 95% CI -1.25 - 1.33, P = .96), post-operatively. For combined pain and swelling, no meta-analysis was performed. CONCLUSION: The administration of prophylactic antibiotics to prevent post-operative endodontic symptoms is not supported by the current evidence.

Does occlusal reduction reduce post-endodontic pain? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Pain management during endodontic therapy is an important issue in clinical practice. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of occlusal reduction to control the post-operative endodontic pain in adults undergoing root canal therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic database and manual searches of English papers were conducted up to August 2019 to identify randomised placebo-controlled trials. The MeSH terms used were (endodontics OR root canal therapy) AND (postoperative pain) AND (occlusal reduction). The primary outcome measure was the post-operative pain intensity up to 72 hours. Pooled standardised mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects inverse variance method. The statistical heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochrane Q test. The significance level was set at P < .05. RESULTS: In total, six randomised controlled trials including 344 participants were included. Our meta-analyses showed that relief of occlusal surface did not significantly reduce the pain intensity scores at 12- (SMD = -0.46; 95% CI = -1.24, 0.30; P = .239), 24- (SMD = -0.17; 95% CI = -0.73, 0.38; P = .533) and 48- (SMD = -0.67; 95% CI = -1.38, 0.03; P = .063) when compared to placebo. However, at 72 hours, patients received intervention showed significant more pain reduction than placebo groups (SMD = -1.07; 95% CI = -1.81, -0.32; P = .005). CONCLUSION: Based on this meta-analysis, the efficacy of occlusal reduction in post-endodontic pain control for up to 2 days is not supported. However, on day three, it had a positive influence on the control of post-endodontic pain.

Surgical endodontics for management of progressive actinomycosis.

Actinomycosis is caused by gram-positive, branching, filamentous, anaerobic bacteria of the genus Actinomyces. This case report describes treatment of a 35-year-old woman who had a progressive apical lesion after nonsurgical endodontic retreatment of her maxillary left lateral incisor. The area had localized soft tissue swelling, and the tooth was sensitive to percussion. Radiographic evaluation showed a large apical lesion with a clear margin. After treatment options, including extraction, were discussed, the patient chose to preserve the tooth through endodontic surgery. Root-end resection, canal preparation, and filling with calcium-enriched mixture cement were performed. Histopathologic examination of surgical specimens revealed a radicular cyst associated with actinomycosis. At an 18-month follow-up, the patient was symptom free and bone healing was almost completed. Periradicular actinomycosis is one of the most common reasons for the failure of nonsurgical endodontic treatment and retreatment. If a tooth is nonresponsive to nonsurgical endodontic treatments, apical actinomycotic infection should be suspected and a surgical approach should be planned to obtain a successful outcome.

Effect of preoperative oral analgesics on pulpal anesthesia in patients with irreversible pulpitis-a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to assess the efficacy of preemptive oral administration of single dose of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen on the local anesthetic success in adults with irreversible pulpitis and to find the possible covariates that could predict treatment effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search using electronic databases up to March 2015 was conducted. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using random and fixed-effect inverse variance method. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were conducted to assess the potential source of heterogeneity. RESULTS: Results showed that preemptive analgesics are more effective than placebo in increasing anesthetic success (OR = 0.30, CI% 0.24-0.39, p = 0.000) [Q = 55.860 (p = 0.001)]. In the subgroup analysis, administration of NSAIDs as monotherapy, ibuprofen as mono- vs. combination therapy, oxicam type drugs as monotherapy, and acetaminophen as combination therapy were significantly more effective in increasing anesthetic success OR = 0.25, CI% 0.16-0.38, p = 0.00, Q = 40.539 (p = 0.003); OR = 0.44, CI% 0.26-0.75, p = 0.00, Q = 12.833 (p = 0.011); OR = 0.48, CI% 0.30-0.74, p = 0.002, Q = 15.898 (p = 0.14); OR = 0.30, CI% 0.16-0.38, p = 0.001, Q = 7.506 (p = 0.02); OR = 0.10, CI% 0.16 0.38, p = 0.001, Q = 5.075 (p = 0.07), respectively. However, there was no significant difference in increasing anesthetic success between treatment and placebo arms when acetaminophen was administrated alone. In meta-regression analysis, an association between different types of NSAIDs (indomethacin, diclofenac potassium, and oxicam-type drugs) and articaine with treatment effect was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of preemptive analgesics can induce superior intraoperative analgesia for patients with irreversible pulpitis. However, strategies such as co-administration of certain types of analgesics and anesthetic solution might be predictors of treatment effect. Additionally, there was no association between different timing and dosage of analgesics and treatment effect. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: When compared to placebo, preemptive oral analgesics are superior in achieving anesthetic success in inflamed pulp.

Long-term outcomes of pulpotomy in permanent teeth with irreversible pulpitis: A multi-center randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To compare success rates of full pulpotomy (FP) with two endodontic biomaterials on symptomatic vital teeth with closed apices in the presence of apical periodontitis. METHODS: In this multicenter controlled clinical trial, 412 volunteers met the inclusion criteria; they were all randomly allocated to either FP/ProRoot mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) or FP/calcium enriched mixture (CEM) group. The subjects were followed up for 2 and 5 years to evaluate and compare the treatment outcomes. Data were analyzed using Chi square test and the multiple binary logistic regression model. RESULTS: Data for a total number of 344 and 304 subjects were available for 2- and 5-year follow-ups. In terms of clinical outcomes, 2- and 5-year success rates of both groups were ≥ 98%, without significant differences. In terms of radiographic outcomes, the 2-year result of FP/MTA was significantly superior to FP/CEM (P= 0.005); however, the 5-year success rates were similar (P= 0.413). Age and preoperative periapical status did not affect the treatment outcomes. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Both MTA and CEM biomaterials were found to be equally effective pulpotomy agents for mature permanent molars with irreversible pulpitis and associated apical periodontitis in different age groups. The performance of this novel minimally invasive biotechnology may support a paradigm shift towards more biologic/conservative treatments in dentistry worldwide.

Regenerative Endodontic Treatment versus Apical Plug in Immature Teeth: Three-Year Follow-Up.

This report compares and evaluates the treatment outcomes of regenerative endodontic treatment and apical plug as two accepted treatment protocols in a pair of necrotic immature maxillary central incisors of a 12-year old female. The patient was referred complaining of a dull pain and swelling in her upper lip area. She had a history of trauma to the anterior maxilla two years earlier. Both teeth were clinically diagnosed with pulp necrosis and periapical radiographs revealed that separate periapical radiolucent lesions surrounded the immature apices of both teeth. The left and right incisors were treated with apical plug and regenerative endodontic treatment, respectively, using calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement. The patient was followed-up for three years. During this period, both teeth were clinically asymptomatic and showed complete radiographic healing of the periapical lesions. The right central incisor showed root development. No tooth discoloration was evident. Apexification by apical plug placement and pulp regeneration are both reliable treatments for immature non-vital teeth. In order to choose the right treatment the advantages of either technique should be weighed against its drawbacks. CEM cement can be successfully applied for both purposes. This biomaterial causes less discoloration of the tooth.

Pulpotomy With Calcium Hydroxide May be an Effective Alternative to Root Canal Therapy in Vital Teeth.

ARTICLE TITLE AND BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: Permanent teeth pulpotomy survival analysis: retrospective follow-up Kunert GG, Kunert IR, da Costa Filho LC, de Figueiredo JA. J Dent. 2015 Sep;43(9):1125-31. SOURCE OF FUNDING: Information not available TYPE OF STUDY/DESIGN: Historical cohort study.

Five-year results of vital pulp therapy in permanent molars with irreversible pulpitis: a non-inferiority multicenter randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Previous reported results of up to 12 months as well as 24-month follow-ups revealed superior and equivalent treatment outcomes for vital pulp therapy (VPT) using calcium-enriched mixture cement (CEM) in comparison with root canal therapy (RCT) for mature molars with established irreversible pulpitis, respectively. Present non-inferiority multicenter randomized clinical trial assesses the final long-term (5-year) results as well as the effects of patients' age/gender and the presence of preoperative periapical lesion on the treatment outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total number of 407 patients were blindly allocated into two treatment groups [group 1 (VPT/CEM, n = 205) and group 2 (RCT, n = 202)] treated in 23 health-care centers by calibrated dentists. The treatment outcomes were assessed after 60 months. RESULTS: The 5-year results revealed no significant differences in the successes of both study arms (P = 0.29); a total number of 271 patients were available (~33 % were lost to follow-up). The patients' age/gender did not affect the outcomes; the presence of preoperative periapical lesion also did not implement a significant effect in both groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: As an alternative for RCT, VPT/CEM can be considered as a valid treatment for vital mature permanent molars clinically diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Considering the favorable outcomes of 6- to 60-month follow-ups, as an evidence-based/simple/affordable/effective/biologic approach in cases of irreversible pulpitis, VPT/CEM is highly recommended for universal clinical practice.

Surgical repair of invasive cervical root resorption with calcium-enriched mixture cement: a case report.

Invasive cervical resorption (ICR) occurs in the cervical area of the teeth due to the formation of a soft tissue that progressively resorbs dentin. The disease is asymptomatic unless the pulp is exposed. This article presents a case involving a mandibular canine that was treated with a calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement. After a full mucoperiosteal flap was performed, the soft tissue was curetted away and the cavity filled with CEM biomaterial. One week later, the supragingival surface of the CEM was polished and covered with composite resin. At a 1-year follow-up visit, the pulp was healthy and the gingival probing depth decreased from >3 mm to 1 mm, showing attachment gain. As a biocompatible material, CEM has proven its ability in dentinogenesis, cementogenesis, and osteogenesis; it may prove to be a suitable biomaterial for treating ICR cases.

Mineral trioxide aggregate versus formocresol pulpotomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

OBJECTIVES: This study systematically reviewed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) investigating the effectiveness of primary molar pulpotomies with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and formocresol. The study also aimed to assess the possible association of reported prognostic factors on the success rate and relative risk using meta-regression analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive literature search using Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central databases up to March 2013 was conducted. After scoring and data extraction of qualified trials (n = 19, representing 1,585 patients), meta-analyses were performed using Mantel-Haenszel model and inverse variance-weighted method. RESULTS: The results revealed that MTA is more effective than formocresol in primary molars pulpotomy, resulting in a lower failure rate with a relative risk of 0.26 (CI, 0.13-0.49), 0.37 (CI, 0.19-0.70), and 0.41 (CI, 0.25-0.68) for 6-, 12-, and 24-month follow-ups (test for statistical heterogeneity: p = 0.99, p = 0.98, and p = 0.23), respectively. Compared to amalgam restoration, success rate was significantly greater with SS crown (P < 0.05); however, no evidence for association between other reported prognostic factors such as selection of first/second molar, upper/lower jaw, gender, and various follow-up times with treatment success was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the quality, homogeneity, and sufficient number of included RCTs, primary molar pulpotomy with MTA can produce a higher success rate in comparison with formocresol. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: When compared with formocresol, MTA pulpotomy is superior in treating primary molars.

Two-year results of vital pulp therapy in permanent molars with irreversible pulpitis: an ongoing multicenter randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Oral healthcare expenses are increasing rapidly as a result of the growth of high-cost health technologies worldwide. In many developing/developed countries, low-cost tooth extraction is the alternative treatment option for a high-cost root canal therapy (RCT) for management of human molars with irreversible pulpitis. Vital pulp therapy with calcium-enriched mixture cement (VPT/CEM) as a new alternative treatment option has demonstrated excellent treatment outcomes up to 1 year; if 2-year radiographic/clinical effectiveness as well as cost-effectiveness of the VPT/CEM is also non-inferior compared with RCT, it can serve as a viable treatment for mature molars with irreversible pulpitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective, multicenter (n = 23), non-inferiority clinical trial, 407 patients were randomized to either one-visit RCT (n = 202) or VPT/CEM (n = 205) for 27 months. In this part of study, the primary outcome measure was the 2-year clinical and radiographic treatment outcomes. Cost-effectiveness was also analyzed. RESULTS: Mean follow-up times were 24.62 ± 0.72 and 24.61 ± 0.69 months in RCT (n = 166) and VPT/CEM (n = 166) arms, respectively. Clinical success rates in the two study arms were equal (98.19%); however, radiographic success rates were 79.5 and 86.7% in RCT and VPT/CEM arms, respectively, with no statistical difference (P = 0.053). The treatment time span mean was approximately three times greater in the RCT than in the VPT/CEM arm (94.07 vs. 31.09 min; P < 0.001). RCT had a cost of 171.5K per molar tooth compared with 44.5K for VPT. CONCLUSIONS: VPT/CEM reduced time and cost spent. When considering clinical as well as cost-effectiveness of VPT/CEM, this treatment option is not only non-inferior but also superior to RCT in mature permanent molar teeth with established irreversible pulpitis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Vital pulp therapy with CEM is a cost-effective and reliable biological technique for endodontic treatment of permanent molar teeth with irreversible pulpitis and can be recommended for general clinical practice.

Concurrent intentional replantation of maxillary molars using a novel root-end filling.

This article describes the successful concurrent intentional replantation (IR) of 2 maxillary molars. A 28-year-old woman complained of repeated swelling and pain in the left maxilla when chewing. Teeth No. 14 and 15 were sensitive to percussion and palpation. Radiographs revealed a large periapical radiolucent lesion and inadequate root canal fillings in both teeth. The patient refused nonsurgical retreatment, periradicular surgery, or implant replacement as treatment options, so IR was chosen. After the extraction of tooth No. 14, root-end resection and root-end preparation of the 3 roots were completed. All root-end cavities were filled with calcium enriched mixture cement and the tooth was replanted. The same procedure was done for tooth No. 15. The patient was recalled 1, 7, and 14 days post-treatment for clinical evaluations. Follow-up visits at 6, 10, 15, and 24 months postsurgery revealed that both teeth were functional with no signs or symptoms of inflammation or resorption. The periapical lesion was healed at 24 months.

Long-Term Success of Regenerative Endodontic Treatment in Managing Traumatized Teeth: A Case Report With Seven-Year Follow-Up.

Traumatic injuries to maxillary incisors often result in complex dental complications, such as pulp necrosis and periapical pathology, particularly in young patients. Traditional root canal treatments may prove insufficient, especially for immature teeth requiring apexification. Regenerative endodontic treatment (RET) presents a promising alternative, aiming to eliminate infection while fostering root development and tooth vitality. This case report illustrates the successful management of a necrotic-infected traumatized maxillary incisor in a seven-year-old girl using RET. The treatment involved a meticulously planned protocol comprising disinfection, induction of bleeding, and placement of a calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement plug, followed by composite restoration. Remarkably, despite the initial detection of an endodontic lesion in the postoperative radiograph, the clinical outcomes remained aesthetically pleasing, with subsequent radiographs revealing regression of the apical lesion and complete tooth maturation over the seven-year follow-up period. This case highlights the efficacy and feasibility of RET using CEM in managing infected, traumatized teeth, emphasizing its potential for long-term healing and functional restoration. The absence of tooth discoloration further underscores the benefits of utilizing specific materials and protocols.

Artificial Intelligence in Endodontics: A Scoping Review.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the diagnostic methods and treatment approaches in the constantly evolving field of endodontics. The current review discusses the recent advancements in AI; with a specific focus on convolutional and artificial neural networks. Apparently, AI models have proved to be highly beneficial in the analysis of root canal anatomy, detecting periapical lesions in early stages as well as providing accurate working-length determination. Moreover, they seem to be effective in predicting the treatment success next to identifying various conditions e.g., dental caries, pulpal inflammation, vertical root fractures, and expression of second opinions for non-surgical root canal treatments. Furthermore, AI has demonstrated an exceptional ability to recognize landmarks and lesions in cone-beam computed tomography scans with consistently high precision rates. While AI has significantly promoted the accuracy and efficiency of endodontic procedures, it is of high importance to continue validating the reliability and practicality of AI for possible widespread integration into daily clinical practice. Additionally, ethical considerations related to patient privacy, data security, and potential bias should be carefully examined to ensure the ethical and responsible implementation of AI in endodontics.

Successful Tampon Pulpotomy in a Molar With an Endodontic Lesion: A Case Report.

Vital pulp therapy (VPT) has emerged as an alternative approach to root canal treatment (RCT) for managing cases with irreversible pulpitis/apical periodontitis, aiming to preserve pulp vitality and promote healing and regeneration of pulpal tissues. The tampon approach, which entails the placement of endodontic biomaterials over the pulpal wound to mechanically tamponade uncontrollable bleeding, shows promise as a technique within VPT. A 32-year-old female patient presented with severe/lingering pain in the lower left quadrant. Clinical/radiographic examinations confirmed symptomatic irreversible pulpitis and symptomatic apical periodontitis in the first right lower molar; radiographic examination exhibited an endodontic lesion for the mesial root and periodontal ligament (PDL) widening for the distal root. The patient opted for VPT; however, despite several attempts to achieve hemostasis using various solutions, including NaOCl, hemorrhage persisted. Therefore, a layer of freshly mixed calcium-enriched mixture cement was applied using a dry cotton pellet, resulting in bleeding control. Then, a permanent restoration was placed. Follow-up examinations revealed the resolution of symptoms and the one-year radiographic examination showed complete healing of the endodontic lesion. The successful outcomes highlight the effectiveness of tampon pulpotomy in managing irreversible pulpitis and associated apical lesions. Tampon pulpotomy offers several advantages, including preserving healthy pulp tissue, reduced invasiveness, and immediate hemorrhage control. This technique presents an alternative to more invasive procedures, such as RCT, and promotes patient satisfaction through a simplified treatment approach. Further clinical trials are needed to validate the findings of this case report and establish the long-term success rates of tampon pulpotomy.