Fused roots of maxillary molars: characterization and prevalence in a Latin American sub-population: a cone beam computed tomography study.

OBJECTIVES: The upper molars generally have three roots; therefore, different combinations of fusion can occur, increasing the possibility of finding more complex root canal systems. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and characterization of fused roots in first and second maxillary molars using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in a Colombian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1274 teeth were evaluated, of which 534 were maxillary first molars and 740 were maxillary second molars. Axial sections were made at the cervical, middle, and apical levels to determine the prevalence of root fusion and the types of fusion. RESULTS: Overall, 43% of the molars (n = 551) presented some type of fused root. Root fusion was present in 23.4% of the maxillary first molars. The most frequent type of fused root was type 3 (distobuccal-palatal; DB-P) (58.9%). Root fusion was observed in 57.6% of the maxillary second molars, and the most prevalent type of fused root was type 6 (cone-shaped) (45.2%). Of the maxillary molars, 12.5% were classified as C-shaped. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, there was a high prevalence of fused roots in maxillary molars in the Colombian population, mainly in the maxillary second molars. In first molars, the most common type of fused root was type 3 (DB-P) and in second molars, the most common type was type 6 (cone-shaped). Additionally, molars with root fusion presented variation at different levels of the radicular portion, with implications for treatment quality.

Knowledge about emergency dental trauma management among school teachers in Colombia: A baseline study to develop an education strategy.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Dental trauma in school populations has a high frequency and school teachers are often close to the place where such injuries occur. However, many studies have confirmed the lack of knowledge as to how to act in these cases. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge in regard to dental trauma of school teachers in Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicentre, descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in 251 schools using a stratified randomized sampling. A structured hard copy survey was personally delivered to 2390 school teachers in the selected schools. The survey contained questions related to work experience, teaching level and demographic data, as well as questions related to their knowledge of and attitude towards emergency dental trauma management. RESULTS: The response rate was 96%. Most of the school teachers (95%) had never received training related to dental trauma, although 35% had witnessed at least 1 case. Of 2296 school teachers surveyed, only 5.8% would have replanted an avulsed tooth. An association was found between work experience and appropriate management of an avulsed tooth. No significant differences were found in regard to school location (city), school type (private/public), gender and school teachers' education level. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of school teachers in Colombia about emergency dental trauma management is inadequate. The findings strongly suggest a need for an education strategy with the involvement of the government, dentistry schools and private organizations.

Autotransplantation of a Premolar with Incipient Root Development, an 18-Year Follow-Up.

In young patients, premature tooth loss in the anterior maxilla after trauma is challenging for the patient and the dental professional, with serious implications from aesthetic and functional points of view, as well as from a craniofacial growth aspect perspective. Premolars autotransplanted into the maxillary anterior region have been shown to be a biological alternative in this situation. This report describes the clinical management of a case of premature loss of a maxillary central incisor after traumatic injury. A mandibular premolar at the stage of initial root development was transplanted into the alveolar socket of the lost incisor. After 18 years, the transplanted tooth remained responsive to pulp sensibility tests and the periradicular bone and soft tissues were within normal limits. Autotransplantation of premolar teeth into the maxilla could be considered an excellent treatment choice with many biological advantages over implants or fixed dentures as long as proper case selection is followed.

Reparación apical posterior a obturación retrógrada del conducto con ionómero de vidrio / Posterior apical repair by retrograde root canal filling with glass ionomer cement

Se presenta un caso con lesión periapical, fístula y una falsa vía durante un retratamiento endodóntico a nivel del 22 y en el cual se realizó cirugía y obturación retrógrada con ionómero de vidrio. Después de varios controles clinicorradiográficos a distancia, los resultados evidencian reparación apical posterior a la cirugía endodóntica y a la obturación y cirugía de la falsa vía

Reparación apical posterior a obturación retrógrada del conducto con ionómero de vidrio / Posterior apical repair by retrograde root canal filling with glass ionomer cement

Se presenta un caso con lesión periapical, fístula y una falsa vía durante un retratamiento endodóntico a nivel del 22 y en el cual se realizó cirugía y obturación retrógrada con ionómero de vidrio. Después de varios controles clinicorradiográficos a distancia, los resultados evidencian reparación apical posterior a la cirugía endodóntica y a la obturación y cirugía de la falsa vía (AU)