Decision Making in the Restoration of Endodontically Treated Teeth: Effect of Biomimetic Dentistry Training.

The restoration of endodontically treated teeth (ETT) is challenging as these teeth often present with structural deficiencies. Currently, there is no consensus regarding the final restoration choice. Historically, the full coverage crown was the universally selected treatment for endodontically treated teeth. With advances in adhesive and biomimetic dentistry, more minimally invasive treatment modalities have become a viable option. With this study, we aim to understand the restorative decision of the general dentist with or without additional training in biomimetic dentistry. Seventy-eight general dentists, with or without biomimetic training, were surveyed to determine their restorative preferences on five extracted posterior teeth, categorized according to volumetric loss of tooth structure, as indicated by the number of missing walls, the isthmus width, the presence or absence of marginal ridges, and cusps. CAD/CAM reconstructions were made with the teeth to analyze the volume of tooth loss and compare these with the survey results. Data were compared using the chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test. The frequency of responses recommending a crown and the volume of tooth loss were correlated using the Pearson test (p < 0.05). For all five teeth, survey responses showed a statistically significant difference in the restorative decision of full coverage versus alternative restorations, with biomimetic dentists selecting a direct restoration or inlay/onlay in lieu of a full coverage crown (n = 63, p < 0.05). The age of the participant did not have a significant impact on the restorative decision making process for these teeth. The biomimetic trained dentists showed a greater tendency to select a crown option only when the volume of tooth loss was greatest, otherwise their restorative decisions tended towards the conservative treatment options. This study also demonstrates a novel method of digitally developing a volume of tooth loss to compare against the visual interpretation of the volume of tooth loss.

Biomimetics and the restoration of the endodontically treated tooth / Biomimética e a restauração do dente tratado endodonticamente

Although much progress has been obtained in terms of the Endodontic treatment, the literature shows that true success can be only achieved with adequate coronal seal to avoid bacterial contamination, and protect the tooth structure from fracture. There are many options available to the clinician to restore the endodontically treated tooth; however, there is not much evidence available on what alternative is better than another. This review will critically present the current knowledge on restorative choices, including posts and endocrowns, showing advantages and disadvantages of different treatment forms. With this knowledge, we will also introduce the concept of biomimetics to endodontically treated teeth, and how the nature of their remaining tooth structure can benefit from this approach. This concept entails the use of mechanisms and biologically produced materials to restore a tooth in a way that would mimic its natural structure, with the purpose of achieving better long-term prognosis (AU)

Embora tenha se obtido progresso em relação ao tratamento endodôntico, a literatura mostra que o sucesso real só pode ser atingido com o selamento coronal adequado, para evitar-se a contaminação bacteriana e proteger-se a estrutura dental de fraturas. Há muitas opções disponíveis para o clínico para a restauração do dente tratado endodonticamente; entretanto, não há muita evidência disponível sobre qual alternativa é melhor que a outra. Esta revisão apresentará criticamente o conhecimento atual sobre opções restauradoras, incluindo retentores intraradiculares e endocrowns, mostrando vantagens e desvantagens das diferentes formas de tratamento. Com esse conhecimento, também introduziremos o conceito de biomimética, uma vez que dentes tratados endodonticamente, devido a natureza de sua estrutura dental remanescente, podem se beneficiar desta abordagem. Esse conceito envolve o uso de mecanismos e materiais produzidos biologicamente para restaurar um dente de forma a imitar a estrutura natural, com o objetivo de alcançar melhor prognóstico de longo-prazo.(AU)