Resolution of a Cystic Endodontic-Periodontal Lesion Utilizing Combined Apicoectomy and Guided Tissue Regeneration: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Endodontic-periodontal combined lesions pose a treatment challenge for clinicians, especially when the lesion is persistent and does not show signs of healing after initial endodontic treatment. This case report describes interdisciplinary management of a non-healing combined endodontic-periodontal lesion related to a peri-apical cyst, through a combined approach of apicoectomy and guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with enamel matrix derivative (EMD). Most documented cases have been treated in a sequential manner, with minimal literature present on the effects of a combined approach utilizing EMD for the treatment of these lesions. CASE PRESENTATION: A 72-year-old male patient presented with an endodontic-periodontal lesion at tooth #31 initially treated with nonsurgical root canal therapy. The lesion was not responsive to initial endodontic treatment. The patient was informed of questionable prognosis, however wished to save the tooth. Tooth #31 was treated via a combination approach of apicoectomy with bioceramic putty retrograde filling, followed by GTR of the defect using allograft, EMD, and resorbable barrier membrane. The lesion was biopsied and diagnosed as a periapical cyst. Clinical and radiographic examination at 1 year showed resolution of lesion, reduction in probing depths, and good bone fill of the defect. CONCLUSION: Traditionally, endodontic-periodontal lesions, which were not responsive to initial therapy, would be given a questionable prognosis and be extracted. This case demonstrates that non-healing, peri-apical lesions may be cystic in nature and effectively managed utilizing a combined approach, with apicoectomy and GTR with EMD, to produce a stable outcome.

The additive effect of clonidine to lidocaine on postoperative pain management after root canal treatment on mandibular molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis: A prospective randomised double-blind clinical trial.

CONTEXT: Postoperative pain control has been a common challenge to clinicians in endodontics. AIMS: This double-blind randomized clinical trial assessed the efficacy of clonidine added to lidocaine for postoperative pain following endodontic treatment of mandibular molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP). METHODS: One hundred participants with lower molars experiencing SIP were recruited and randomly assigned to two groups. 1.8 mL of 2% lidocaine with either epinephrine (1:80,000) or clonidine (15 µg/mL) was administered to each group via an inferior alveolar nerve block. A Heft-Parker Visual Analog Scale was used to rate preoperative pain and at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 h following endodontic treatment. Their postoperative analgesic consumption was recorded. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The analgesic efficacy was analyzed by Chi-square test, paired t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Early postoperative pain was significantly lower in the lidocaine/clonidine group than the lidocaine/epinephrine group (6 h: P = 0.038; 12 h: P = 0.031). The lidocaine/clonidine group consumed a significantly lower amount of analgesics (P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: The administration of clonidine added to lidocaine may reduce early postoperative pain and consumption of analgesics following endodontic treatment in lower molars with SIP.

Evaluation of different materials used for sealing of implant abutment access channel and the peri-implant sulcus microbiota: A 6-month, randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Peri-implantitis has been attributed to a myriad of factors, including microleakage at the abutment-implant interface. Implant abutment access channel sealing materials (IACSM) are readily used in implant dentistry, with little evidence on their effect on microleakage. This study aims to evaluate the effect of IACSM on the microbial composition in the implant access channel and the peri-implant sulcus. METHODS: A total of n = 8 patients (64 implants) were included in this single-blinded, randomized controlled trial, whereas four different materials (cotton, polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE], synthetic foam, or polyvinyl siloxane [PVS]) were randomly placed as an IACSM. Following 6 months, microbial analysis was completed on the IACSM and samples from the peri-implant sulci via PCR and high-throughput sequencing. Bacterial samples on the IACSM and in the peri-implant sulci were classified according to Socransky's microbial complexes. RESULTS: There was a preponderance of early colonizing bacteria within the IACSM, while the peri-implant sulci were dominated by Orange complex bacteria. The proportion of Red and Orange complex members on the IACSM was significantly less than in the peri-implant sulci. The proportion of Green, Yellow, and Blue complex members found on the IACSM was significantly greater than in the peri-implant sulci. Atopobium, a diverse species not included in the microbial complexes, was frequently detected in the peri-implant sulcus samples. CONCLUSIONS: No detectable effects of IACSM on the microbial community in the peri-implant sulcus or on the IACSM were identified. Variation of bacterial species was most dependent on the individual patient. No significant differences were found in the periodontal parameters between the different treatment groups.

Management of Root Fenestration Using Buccal Decortication and Guided Tissue Regeneration: A Case Report and 3-dimensional Analysis.

The management of patients with apical fenestration and clinical symptoms has always been limited to apical root resection and placement of the root tip within the bony crypt. This result would often present resolution of clinical symptoms based on a few case studies. In this case report, we present a case in which apical resection alone did not resolve the patient's discomfort; on the contrary, it resulted in further bone loss and persistence of clinical symptoms. A corrective surgery was performed with the use of guided bone regeneration in conjunction with decortication of the cortical plate to induce bleeding. The patient symptoms resolved within a few weeks after the surgery, and the follow-up scan showed apical root coverage. Three-dimensional analysis was performed to compare the bony changes between the 2 surgeries and showed a significant amount of bone gain of around 200 mm3 and a 2-mm linear bone gain opposite the distobuccal root. The case presents a conservative approach to manage root fenestration of the buccal plate without further compromising the root apex.

Selective Retreatment and Sinus Lift: An Alternative Approach to Surgically Manage the Palatal Roots of Maxillary Molars.

Endodontic microsurgery on the palatal root of maxillary molars presents a clinical challenge because of the root position and approximation from the maxillary sinus floor. Attempting a buccal or a palatal approach to address the root is associated with limited accessibility and visibility as well as the risk of injury to the maxillary sinus membrane and/or the greater palatine nerves and vessels. If all the maxillary molar roots require surgical intervention, two flaps may even be needed, which can make the procedure technically more difficult and lengthier. This case report presents 2 clinical cases in which apicoectomy was needed on the palatal roots of maxillary molars. The treatment includes selective nonsurgical retreatment of the palatal root and obturation using a root repair material followed by a surgical intervention from a buccal approach to treat the buccal roots, sinus lift using piezosurgery, and root resection of the palatal root. The approach was successful in both cases without any untoward events. We monitored the radiographic changes using cone-beam computed tomographic imaging immediately after the surgery and at multiple follow-up appointments. The cone-beam computed tomographic images revealed healing of the periapical disease around all the roots up to 14 and 24 months and apical repositioning of the maxillary sinus floor.

Nonsurgical Endodontic Treatment of Necrotic Teeth Resolved Apical Lesions on Adjacent Implants with Retrograde/Apical Peri-implantitis: A Case Series with 2-year Follow-up.

Retrograde (or apical/periapical) peri-implantitis (RPI) presents with radiographic signs of bone loss at the periapical area of endosteal implants and may also present with clinical signs of abscess formation or a sinus tract traceable to the implant periapex. The lesion may form days up to several years after the initial implant placement. In contrast to marginal peri-implantitis, which has a prevalence of 19.83%, RPI may be underreported because many clinicians are currently not aware of this type of lesion. The etiology, although not fully understood, may be attributed to endodontic infection of an adjacent tooth or residual microorganisms present after the extraction of an infected tooth at the implant site. There are several treatment modalities available for the management of RPI. Nonsurgical root canal treatment may be an option if the implant RPI etiology is suspected to be related to an adjacent endodontically involved tooth. In a previous report, surgical treatment modalities to correct RPI were described. This current case series presents 2 cases of RPI in which nonsurgical treatment of the necrotic adjacent teeth resulted in full radiographic and clinical resolution of the adjacent apical peri-implant lesions with 18-month and 2-year follow-ups, respectively. RPI may be prevented by evaluating the endodontic status of natural teeth adjacent to the implants and by addressing endodontic infections near the implant sites. Certain types of implant RPI may successfully be resolved nonsurgically by addressing adjacent endodontic infections as shown by this case series.

Enhanced efficacy of chemically modified curcumin in experimental periodontitis: systemic implications.

INTRODUCTION: Dental microbial biofilm initiates gingival inflammation, and its suppression is the current dominant strategy for treating periodontitis. However, the host response to the biofilm is largely responsible for the connective tissue breakdown including alveolar bone loss, which is mediated by proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). METHODS: The current study compared the efficacy of a novel host-modulation compound, a chemically modified curcumin (CMC 2.24), to that of its parent compound (natural curcumin), in both lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (a bacterial endotoxin)-induced cell culture and in vivo models of periodontitis. RESULTS: In cell culture, both CMC 2.24 and curcumin appeared similarly effective in suppressing LPS-induced cytokine (IL-1ß and TNF-α) secretion by mononuclear inflammatory cells; however, CMC 2.24 significantly reduced MMP-9 secretion by 78% (P<0.05) whereas curcumin was ineffective. In vivo, CMC 2.24 administration was more effective than curcumin in suppressing (a) IL-1ß in gingival tissue and (b) MMP-9 in both gingiva and plasma, the latter indicating a reduced severity of systemic inflammation. The difference in primary clinical outcome between the two treatments was that CMC 2.24 reduced the pathologically excessive alveolar bone loss, assessed morphometrically at multiple sites, by 80%-90% (P<0.01), whereas curcumin, surprisingly, either increased (P<0.05) or had no effect on alveolar bone loss at these sites. CONCLUSION: These data, plus that from previous studies, support the therapeutic potential of CMC 2.24 in the management of inflammatory periodontal disease and its ability to reduce the risk of associated systemic diseases. The current study also indicates that the MMP-9 inhibitor efficacy is associated with the ability of CMC 2.24 (but not curcumin) to inhibit alveolar bone loss in this rat model of periodontitis.

Comparison between Single-file Rotary Systems: Part 1-Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Adverse Effects in Endodontic Retreatment.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the performance of 3 single-file systems: WaveOne Gold Primary (WOG; Dentsply Sirona, Ballaigues, Switzerland), Hyflex EDM "one file" (EDM; Coltene/Whaledent, Alstatten, Switzerland), and XP Shaper (XP; FKG, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland), for nonsurgical endodontic retreatment on mandibular anterior teeth in regard to the amount of remaining filling material inside the canal, debris extrusion, and operation time. METHODS: Sixty extracted standardized mandibular incisors presenting with a single oval canal were prepared to size 30.04 and obturated using warm vertical condensation. After 30 days (37°C, 100% humidity), teeth were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 20) according to the file used for retreatment (WOG, EDM, or XP operated at 3000 rpm). During the retreatment procedures, preweighed vials were used to collect apically extruded debris, and the time required to remove the filling material was recorded in seconds. Cone-beam computed tomographic scans were taken before and after the retreatment to determine the amount of remaining filling material inside the root canal space. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, 1-way analysis of variance, and the Pearson test at a 5% significance level. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference among the groups regarding the instrumentation time (P < .05). XP was the fastest to remove gutta-percha from the canals (40.54 ± 28.03 seconds) followed by EDM (55.77 ± 19.76 seconds) and WOG (105.92 ± 53.92 seconds). The percentage of remaining filling was significantly greater for WOG (26.65% ± 14.63%) (P < .05). No difference was found between EDM (13.51% ± 9.53%) and XP (8.60% ± 7.28%). No difference was found regarding the amount of extruded debris among the 3 groups (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: XP was the most efficient in gutta-percha removal from the canals when operated at a higher speed (3000 rpm) followed by EDM and WOG.

Application of Enamel Matrix Derivative (Emdogain) in Endodontic Therapy: A Comprehensive Literature Review.

INTRODUCTION: Enamel matrix derivative (EMD) is a protein extract used for the treatment of periodontal defects and soft tissue recession. Its use in endodontics has been a subject of exploration, especially in regenerative procedures. The aim of this review was to evaluate the current literature available on the application of EMD in the field of endodontics. METHODS: An initial literature search of databases using different combinations of the search terms yielded 1089 articles. From the 29 qualified studies, there were 17 animal studies and 12 human case series and clinical trials. RESULTS: The evidence for the application of EMD as a direct pulp capping agent was relatively dichotomous. In determining the possible effect of EMD on pulpotomy procedures, only 1 animal study qualified under the criteria set forth previously. When comparing EMD against calcium hydroxide (Ca[OH]2), Portland cement, and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), Ca(OH)2 induced more histologic hard tissue formation, whereas MTA performed best clinically and radiographically. The scientific literature available is inconclusive on the effectiveness of EMD in preventing root resorption. In regeneration, EMD treatment induced mainly the formation of a cementumlike tissue at the apical region of the root's external surface and showed an ingrowth of newly formed hard tissues into the root canal space. CONCLUSIONS: The results of EMD application in endodontic treatments are highly variable, warranting additional research, specifically in the subjects of replantation and regeneration/revascularization.

Phosphate buffer-stabilized 0.1% chlorine dioxide oral rinse for managing medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

PURPOSE: This is a review of the literature on nonsurgical treatment of non-healing medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) utilizing a phosphate buffer-stabilized 0.1% chlorine dioxide mouthrinse. METHODS: A literature search in PubMed revealed only six case reports. MRONJ lesion site description, patient's medication history, the healing time, and the MRONJ treatment protocol followed by those authors were recorded. Additional literature review of the scientific mechanism, risks and benefits, safety and efficacy of the phosphate buffer-stabilized 0.1% chlorine dioxide mouthrinse was also performed and discussed. RESULTS: Many of the authors of the published case reports utilized 0.12% chlorhexidine as the initial mouthrinse, but the lesions did not decrease in size. After switching to a phosphate buffer-stabilized 0.1% chlorine dioxide mouthrinse for a duration ranging from 1-12 months, there was complete healing of the MRONJ lesions in all of the cases. The phosphate buffer-stabilized 0.1% chlorine dioxide mouthrinse can be helpful in the management of active MRONJ lesions as well as the prevention of recurrent MRONJ lesions in the susceptible patient population. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This literature review supports the use of phosphate buffer-stabilized 0.1% chlorine dioxide mouthrinse in the management of MRONJ lesions either as a first line of therapy or after 0.12% chlorhexidine had not been effective.

Classification and Clinical Management of Retrograde Peri-implantitis Associated with Apical Periodontitis: A Proposed Classification System and Case Report.

Biological complications involving dental implants include peri-implant diseases such as peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis. The latter presents with progressive bone loss from the alveolar crest in a coronal apical direction. However, a separate disease entity termed retrograde peri-implantitis (RPI), which presents with progressive bone loss at the periapex of the implant, also exists and may be of particular interest to endodontists because it typically presents with periapical pathology of both the implant and adjacent tooth or at a site that previously housed an endodontically treated tooth. The reported prevalence of retrograde peri-implantitis is 0.26%, which is much lower than the prevalence of marginal peri-implantitis; however, its incidence increases to 7.8% when teeth adjacent to the implant exhibit an endodontic infection. It is positively correlated with a shorter distance between the implant and the adjacent tooth and a shorter time elapsed from the endodontically treated adjacent tooth to implant placement. This case report describes a patient diagnosed with an RPI lesion (RPI) associated with an adjacent endodontically treated tooth with a persistent periapical radiolucent lesion. The diagnosis, possible etiology, and management of the RPI lesion is thoroughly reported including follow-up visits showing complete resolution after subsequent periodontal and endodontic therapy. Endodontic evaluation of teeth adjacent to the implant site should be performed for primary prevention of RPI. Proper classification of RPI will aid in determining the course of treatment; class 1 and 2 cases require endodontic therapy of the involved teeth for healing to occur.

Enhanced Lateral Bone Augmentation With a Perforated Resorbable Barrier Membrane.

INTRODUCTION: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report to describe the use of a perforated resorbable barrier membrane (PRBM) to enhance lateral bone augmentation for implant site development. CASE PRESENTATION: A 41-year-old female presented to the Advanced Specialty Education Program in Periodontics at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, for implant consultation regarding a missing maxillary right lateral incisor. The tooth had been lost as a result of trauma 10 years prior to presentation. Clinical examination and radiographs showed significant horizontal ridge deficiency (<5 mm) that supported a staged intervention. Horizontal bone augmentation was performed following guided bone regeneration principles using a mineralized mixed corticocancellous (70:30) allograft followed by a PRBM. A cone beam computed tomography scan was obtained before surgery and 8 months after treatment, from which volumetric width changes were quantified. A bone biopsy was obtained at the time of implant placement to measure new vital bone (NVB) formation, residual graft (RG) particles, and connective tissue (CT) formation. Dimensional width changes were assessed during reentry for implant placement. The lateral bone gain was 5.0 mm, clinically and radiographically. Histologically, the amount of NVB formation, RG particles, and CT infiltration was 38.1%, 38.9%, and 23.1%, respectively. Implant placement was uneventful, with no further need for bone augmentation. CONCLUSIONS: Previous studies using similar techniques and regenerative materials have shown an average of 3.5 mm of horizontal bone augmentation. The use of a PRBM appeared to significantly enhance lateral bone augmentation. An ongoing clinical trial is underway to confirm these results.

A Novel Treatment Decision Tree and Literature Review of Retrograde Peri-Implantitis.

BACKGROUND: Although retrograde peri-implantitis (RPI) is not a common sequela of dental implant surgery, its prevalence has been reported in the literature to be 0.26%. Incidence of RPI is reported to increase to 7.8% when teeth adjacent to the implant site have a previous history of root canal therapy, and it is correlated with distance between implant and adjacent tooth and/or with time from endodontic treatment of adjacent tooth to implant placement. Minimum 2 mm space between implant and adjacent tooth is needed to decrease incidence of apical RPI, with minimum 4 weeks between completion of endodontic treatment and actual implant placement. The purpose of this study is to compile all available treatment modalities and to provide a decision tree as a general guide for clinicians to aid in diagnosis and treatment of RPI. METHODS: Literature search was performed for articles published in English on the topic of RPI. Articles selected were case reports with study populations ranging from 1 to 32 patients. Any case report or clinical trial that attempted to treat or rescue an implant diagnosed with RPI was included. RESULTS: Predominant diagnostic presentation of a lesion was presence of sinus tract at buccal or facial abscess of apical portion of implant, and subsequent periapical radiographs taken demonstrated a radiolucent lesion. On the basis of case reports analyzed, RPI was diagnosed between 1 week and 4 years after implant placement. Twelve of 20 studies reported that RPI lesions were diagnosed within 6 months after implant placement. A step-by-step decision tree is provided to allow clinicians to triage and properly manage cases of RPI on the basis of recommendations and successful treatments provided in analyzed case reports. It is divided between symptomatic and asymptomatic implants and adjacent teeth with vital and necrotic pulps. CONCLUSIONS: Most common etiology of apical RPI is endodontic infection from neighboring teeth, which was diagnosed within 6 months after implant placement. Most common findings, radiographically and clinically, are lesions around implant apex and sinus tract. A small number of implants did not improve with treatment. Decision tree provides a path to diagnose and treat lesions to facilitate their management. Further studies are needed to focus on histologic data around periapical microbiota to establish specific etiology and differential diagnoses compared with marginal peri-implantitis and other implant-related conditions.

Acute Local Spontaneous and Profuse Gingival Hemorrhage during Neoadjuvant Treatment with Paclitaxel and Trastuzumab.

This case report describes a 33-year-old female currently undergoing breast cancer treatment following the AC-T-T (doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin) and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel (Taxol) and trastuzumab (Herceptin)) treatment regimen. Her chief complaint at the time of the emergency visit at the dental office was that she had an episode of profuse spontaneous bleeding located at the palatal gingiva in the maxilla between the left central and lateral incisor. To our knowledge, this is a novel finding related to the medications she is utilizing and should be further investigated.

Retrieval of Displaced Implant Attributable to an Ill-Fitting Denture From the Maxillary Sinus Six Months After Transcrestal Sinus Floor Augmentation and Implant Placement.

INTRODUCTION: Asymptomatic displacement of dental implants into the maxillary sinus after a transcrestal sinus augmentation is a rare complication that can occur when there is poor bone quality and minimal residual bone height. Patient compliance with postoperative appointments and failure to comply with denture-wearing instructions are critical contributing factors. To the best of the authors' knowledge, no cases of implant dislodgement attributable to a removable prosthesis have been reported in the literature, although some studies have suggested that improper occlusal forces can cause a long-standing implant to develop peri-implantitis and subsequent displacement of an implant into the sinus cavity. CASE PRESENTATION: A 71-year-old female presented 6 months after undergoing transcrestal sinus lift and implant surgery that involved a modified Summers technique using mineralized solvent-dehydrated cancellous bone allograft and placement of six maxillary implants. A displaced dental implant was retrieved from the right maxillary sinus, which had an intact Schneiderian membrane. The patient was asymptomatic and infection free. The displaced implant was accessed and retrieved via a lateral window sinus technique. No clinical signs of sinus infection were evident, and there were no additional complications during the 2-year follow-up period. CONCLUSION: This case report demonstrates a technique for the retrieval of implants that have been dislodged and migrated into the maxillary sinus cavity caused by an ill-fitting denture and improper masticatory forces.