Conventional vs ultrasonic irrigation - which leads to less post-operative pain?

Data sources Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov and OpenGrey databases were systematically searched to find studies comparing post-operative pain experienced following root canal treatment with ultrasonic and conventional irrigation (up to May 2021). Hand searching of selected journals was also performed.Study selection Randomised controlled trials assessing post-operative pain experienced following primary non-surgical root canal treatment using conventional versus ultrasonic irrigation were screened. Exclusion criteria included an unsuitable follow-up period, systemic disease among the participants, severe pain, acute apical abscess diagnoses and fewer than 12 patients per trial arm. English language only studies were included. Two reviewers independently screened the studies and disagreements were resolved by consulting a third reviewer.Data extraction and synthesis Data extracted included tooth type, root type, pre-operative diagnosis, pain recording, time of pain recording, number of patients requiring analgesics and study conclusions. Meta-analyses of different post-operative time periods (6h, 24h, 48h, 72h and 7 days) were performed using a fixed-effects model to obtain a mean difference (with 95% confidence intervals) for post-operative pain. Heterogeneity between studies was evaluated using the I2 statistic. Quality assessment of the included studies was performed according to the Cochrane Collaboration protocol for randomised controlled trials. Publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot and modified via the 'trim-and-fill' method.Results A total of six articles were included in the systematic review, of which four were included in the meta-analysis. Overall risk of bias was deemed to be 'low' with one study presenting an unclear risk with respect to selection bias. Meta-analysis demonstrated that ultrasonic agitation significantly reduced post-operative pain compared to conventional irrigation at 6, 24 and 48 hours (p <0.05) but no significant differences were found at later time points.Conclusions Ultrasonic irrigation may lead to less post-operative pain compared to conventional irrigation techniques; however, the evidence base is limited and further research is needed to support these findings.

Diagnostic difficulties in a patient with multiple sclerosis who presents with cranial nerve palsies: an unusual complication of dental work.

A woman in her 60s with multiple sclerosis (MS) presented with right-sided ptosis, right sixth nerve palsy, right facial paraesthesia and signs of sepsis. She had a recent diagnosis of a dental abscess. Investigations revealed a right submasseter abscess leading to bacterial meningitis (Streptococcus intermedius) and a cavernous sinus thrombosis. She was managed in intensive care and underwent surgical drainage of the abscess. Anticoagulation for 6 months was planned. Cavernous sinus thrombosis is a very rare complication of a dental abscess, and even less frequently associated with submasseter abscesses. The case was complicated by a history of MS, to which the patient's symptoms and signs were initially attributed to. This case highlights the diagnostic pitfalls, and aims to enhance learning around similar cases. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of a masseter/submasseter abscess leading to cavernous sinus thrombosis.

Abscesos cervicofaciales de origen odontógeno: ¿cuándo y cómo debemos drenarlos? / 6 EFFICACY OF PERCUTANEOUS TREATMENT AND SURGICAL DRAINAGE IN DENTAL ABSCESSES

ANTECEDENTES: La afectación de los espacios cervicales como resultado de focos infecciosos cervicofaciales son eventos infrecuentes, pero potencialmente mortales. La causa más frecuente de infecciones profundas del cuello son el resultado de la infección odontogénica (IO). Estas afectan a individuos de todas las edades y pueden presentar distintos grados de severidad. Son diagnosticadas con examen físico, estudios por imágenes, Ecografía o Tomografía Computada (TC). Debe realizarse siempre el drenaje quirúrgico de forma clásica o percutánea según el caso de las colecciones en forma precoz. OBJETIVO: Analizar la eficacia clínica del tratamiento percutáneo y el drenaje quirúrgico en abscesos odontogenos MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se llevo a cabo un trabajo transversal de enero de 2015 a diciembre de 2019. Se realizo revisión de historias clínicas en la sección de Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello de nuestro Hospital de todos los pacientes que requirieron internación y fueron sometidos a drenaje quirúrgico y/o percutáneo por la presencia de absceso cervical de origen odontogeno. RESULTADOS: Fueron analizados 174 pacientes. Edad promedio 36 +/- 2 años. Solo al 37% se les realizo drenaje quirúrgico abierto. Al resto se realizó punciones percutáneas en forma seriada. El 25 % presento algún signo de compromiso de vía aérea (escala de severidad 3), y solo 2 pacientes con mediastinitis que requirieron drenaje urgente. Se realizo la exodoncia a todas los pacientes durante la internación. DISCUSION: Las infecciones cervicofaciales representan un tipo de infección potencialmente fatal si no se inicia rápidamente un tratamiento eficaz. La causa principal son IO que se manifiestan como flemones o abscesos. Las caries dentales suelen ser el origen. Debe establecerse la terapéutica antibiótica empírica en forma precoz y corticoides con bajas dosis cuando hay edema y/o trismus. A estos pacientes se les realiza tratamiento antibiótico (ampicilina sulbactam), acompañado de tratamiento quirúrgico (drenaje percutáneo o drenaje quirúrgico). La complicación más temida, es la progresión de la infección al mediastino (mediastinitis descendente) y / o Angina de Ludwig. CONCLUSIONES: No está protocolizado a quienes se les debe realizar tratamiento quirúrgico o tratamiento percutáneo. El drenaje quirúrgico abierto parece ser la primera opción frente al compromiso de vía aérea o colecciones no pasibles de drenaje percutáneo. Para el resto de los pacientes, que son la mayoría, las punciones percutáneas guidas con ecografía y en forma seriada son la mejor opción

Background: The involvement of cervical spaces as a result of cervical infectious focuses are rare but life-threatening events. The most common cause of deep neck infections is the result of dental infection (DI). These affect individuals of all ages and may have varying degrees of severity. They are diagnosed with physical examination, imaging, ultrasound or computed tomography (CT). Surgical drainage should always be performed in a classic or percutaneous method early. Objective: To analyze the clinical efficacy of percutaneous treatment and surgical drainage in dental abscess Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study was carried out from January 2015 to December 2019. Medical records were reviewed in the Head and Neck Surgery Section of our Hospital of all patients who required hospitalization and were subjected to surgical and/or percutaneous drainage due to the presence of cervical abscess of dental origin. Results: 174 patients were analyzed. Average age was 36 +/- 2 years old. Only 37% were performed open surgical drainage. The rest of them were percutaneous drainage. 25% showed any signs of airway engagement (severity scale 3). Only 2 patients had mediastinitis who required urgent drainage. Exodontics was performed on all patients during hospitalization Discussion: Cervical infections represent a potentially fatal type of infection if effective treatment is not initiated quickly. The main cause is DI that manifest as phlegmons or abscesses. Tooth decay is usually the source. Empirical antibiotic therapy should be established early and low-dose corticosteroids should be established when there is edema and/or trismus. These patients are treated with antibiotics (ampicillin sulbactam), accompanied by surgical treatment (percutaneous drainage or surgical drainage). The most feared complication is the progression of infection to the mediastinum (descending mediastinitis) and/or Ludwig's Angina. Conclusions: Surgical or percutaneous treatment are not protocolized. Open surgical drainage seems to be the first choice over airway compromise or non-passable collections of percutaneous drainage. For the rest of the patients, who are the majority, guided percutaneous drainage with ultrasound and serial form are the best option

¿Retratamiento ortógrado o retrógrado? A propósito de un caso / Ortograde or retrograde retreatment? A case report

Actualmente un gran porcentaje de dientes tratados endodóncicamente necesitan un nuevo tratamiento por aparición o persistencia de la lesión periapical. Cuando un paciente presenta una periodontitis apical crónica tras un tratamiento de conductos, debemos decidir si realizamos un retratamiento convencional por vía ortógrada o procedemos a un retratamiento quirúrgico. Si analizamos la evidencia científica, actualmente no existe un consenso en cuanto a cuál es la vía de acceso idónea en un retratamiento. Sin embargo, aunque el tratamiento de elección suele ser en primer lugar por vía ortógrada, presentamos un caso de retratamiento quirúrgico retrógrado como primra opción

Currently, a large percentage of teeth treated endodontically require a new treatment due to the appearance or persistence of the periapical lesion. When a patient presents a chronic apical periodontitis after a root canal treatment, we must decide if we perform a conventional retreatment by orthograde or we proceed to a surgical retreatment. If we analyze the scientific evidence, there is no clear procedure in this regard, although there is a tendency to try to always carry out a conventional retreatment that is more conservative first and if it does not work to perform the surgical procedure. We present a case in which we acted a little differently but with a correct evolution

Systemic antibiotics for symptomatic apical periodontitis and acute apical abscess in adults.

BACKGROUND: Dental pain can have a detrimental effect on quality of life. Symptomatic apical periodontitis and acute apical abscess are common causes of dental pain and arise from an inflamed or necrotic dental pulp, or infection of the pulpless root canal system. Clinical guidelines recommend that the first-line treatment for teeth with these conditions should be removal of the source of inflammation or infection by local, operative measures, and that systemic antibiotics are currently only recommended for situations where there is evidence of spreading infection (cellulitis, lymph node involvement, diffuse swelling) or systemic involvement (fever, malaise). Despite this, there is evidence that dentists frequently prescribe antibiotics in the absence of these signs. There is concern that this could contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacterial colonies within both the individual and the community. This review is an update of the original version that was published in 2014. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of systemic antibiotics provided with or without surgical intervention (such as extraction, incision and drainage of a swelling, or endodontic treatment), with or without analgesics, for symptomatic apical periodontitis and acute apical abscess in adults. SEARCH METHODS: Cochrane Oral Health's Information Specialist searched the following databases: Cochrane Oral Health's Trials Register (to 26 February 2018), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2018, Issue 1) in the Cochrane Library (searched 26 February 2018), MEDLINE Ovid (1946 to 26 February 2018), Embase Ovid (1980 to 26 February 2018), and CINAHL EBSCO (1937 to 26 February 2018). The US National Institutes of Health Ongoing Trials Register (ClinicalTrials.gov) and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform were searched for ongoing trials. A grey literature search was conducted using OpenGrey (to 26 February 2018) and ZETOC Conference Proceedings (1993 to 26 February 2018). No restrictions were placed on the language or date of publication when searching the electronic databases. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials of systemic antibiotics in adults with a clinical diagnosis of symptomatic apical periodontitis or acute apical abscess, with or without surgical intervention (considered in this situation to be extraction, incision and drainage or endodontic treatment) and with or without analgesics. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors screened the results of the searches against inclusion criteria, extracted data and assessed risk of bias independently and in duplicate. We calculated mean differences (MD) (standardised mean difference (SMD) when different scales were reported) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for continuous data. A fixed-effect model was used in the meta-analysis as there were fewer than four studies. We contacted study authors to obtain missing information. MAIN RESULTS: We included two trials in this review, with 62 participants included in the analyses. Both trials were conducted in university dental schools in the USA and compared the effects of oral penicillin V potassium (penicillin VK) versus a matched placebo when provided in conjunction with a surgical intervention (total or partial pulpectomy) and analgesics to adults with acute apical abscess or symptomatic necrotic tooth. The patients included in these trials had no signs of spreading infection or systemic involvement (fever, malaise). We assessed one study as having a high risk of bias and the other study as having unclear risk of bias.The primary outcome variables reported in both studies were participant-reported pain and swelling (one trial also reported participant-reported percussion pain). One study reported the type and number of analgesics taken by participants. One study recorded the incidence of postoperative endodontic flare-ups (people who returned with symptoms that necessitated further treatment). Adverse effects, as reported in one study, were diarrhoea (one participant, placebo group) and fatigue and reduced energy postoperatively (one participant, antibiotic group). Neither study reported quality of life measurements.Objective 1: systemic antibiotics versus placebo with surgical intervention and analgesics for symptomatic apical periodontitis or acute apical abscessTwo studies provided data for the comparison between systemic antibiotics (penicillin VK) and a matched placebo for adults with acute apical abscess or a symptomatic necrotic tooth when provided in conjunction with a surgical intervention. Participants in one study all underwent a total pulpectomy of the affected tooth, while participants in the other study had their tooth treated by either partial or total pulpectomy. Participants in both trials received oral analgesics. There were no statistically significant differences in participant-reported measures of pain or swelling at any of the time points assessed within the review. The MD for pain (short ordinal numerical scale 0 to 3) was -0.03 (95% CI -0.53 to 0.47) at 24 hours; 0.32 (95% CI -0.22 to 0.86) at 48 hours; and 0.08 (95% CI -0.38 to 0.54) at 72 hours. The SMD for swelling was 0.27 (95% CI -0.23 to 0.78) at 24 hours; 0.04 (95% CI -0.47 to 0.55) at 48 hours; and 0.02 (95% CI -0.49 to 0.52) at 72 hours. The body of evidence was assessed as at very low quality.Objective 2: systemic antibiotics without surgical intervention for adults with symptomatic apical periodontitis or acute apical abscessWe found no studies that compared the effects of systemic antibiotics with a matched placebo delivered without a surgical intervention for symptomatic apical periodontitis or acute apical abscess in adults. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is very low-quality evidence that is insufficient to determine the effects of systemic antibiotics on adults with symptomatic apical periodontitis or acute apical abscess.

A severe deep neck odontogenic infection not prioritised by the emergency department triage system and National Early Warning Score.

A 62-year-old man with a background of type 2 diabetes mellitus presented to the emergency department (ED) with a 5-day history of dental pain, progressive right facial swelling, trismus, dysphagia and voice changes. The oropharynx could not be directly examined completely due to trismus. The patient had a National Early Warning Score of 0 and so was triaged into the 'minors' section of ED. Following assessment by the on-call oral and maxillofacial surgeon, an urgent contrast-enhanced CT demonstrated a large parapharyngeal collection, which required urgent anaesthetic and surgical intervention. The patient developed pulmonary complications postoperatively, but eventually made a full recovery.

Regenerative Endodontic Treatment with Orthodontic Treatment in a Tooth with Dens Evaginatus: A Case Report with a 4-year Follow-up.

Dens evaginatus is a developmental tooth anomaly in which an extra cusp or tubercle protrudes on the occlusal surface of the tooth along with some pulpal tissue. Because of the fragile nature of the protrusion, these teeth are often at risk of pulpal exposure. When this occurs in an immature tooth, regenerative endodontic treatment may be a good treatment approach to promote root formation. There is limited literature that documents the occurrence of orthodontic treatment in teeth that have undergone regenerative endodontic therapy using triple antibiotic paste. Here we present a case of an immature premolar tooth with dens evaginatus that was diagnosed with pulp necrosis and chronic apical abscess. The tooth was treated with regenerative endodontic treatment; after which, the patient received orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances for 2 years. The tooth responded favorably to the regenerative endodontic treatment and orthodontic tooth movement. Clinically and radiographically, all the follow-up examinations revealed an asymptomatic tooth with evidence of periapical healing with stunted root development. The tooth remained asymptomatic even after 4 years. The regenerative endodontic procedure (REP) was successful in treating an immature permanent premolar with pulp necrosis and apical periodontitis with dens evaginatus. In this case, the tooth treated with an REP responded to orthodontic treatment similar to the nonendodontically treated teeth. Further studies are recommended to clarify the precise effects of orthodontic treatment on teeth treated with an REP.

Comparison of two combinations of opioid and non-opioid analgesics for acute periradicular abscess: a randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Acute periradicular abscess is a condition characterized by the formation and propagation of pus in the periapical tissues and generally associated with debilitating pain. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the overall analgesic effectiveness of two combinations of opioid and non-opioid analgesics for acute periradicular abscess. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 26 patients who sought emergency care in a Brazilian dental school. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: Co/Ac - oral prescription of codeine (30 mg) plus acetaminophen (500 mg), every 4 h, for 3 days or Tr/Ac - oral prescription of tramadol hydrochloride (37.5 mg) plus acetaminophen (500 mg) on the same schedule. Two factors were evaluated: (1) pain scores recorded by the patients in a pain diary 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment, using the Visual Analogue Scale; and (2) the occurrence of adverse effects. RESULTS: In both groups, there was a reduction in pain scores over time. For the Co/Ac group, there was a significant reduction in the scores 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after treatment (P<0.05). In the Tr/Ac group, the scores significantly decreased over time from time point 6 h (P<0.05). Comparing the pain at each time point, the groups were not significantly different (P>0.05), i.e., both treatments were effective in controlling pain caused by APA; however, the combination of Tr/Ac caused more adverse reactions as two patients had to stop using the medication. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that, considering both analgesic efficacy and safety, the combination of codeine and acetaminophen is more effective to control moderate to severe pain from acute periradicular abscesses.

Comparison of two combinations of opioid and non-opioid analgesics for acute periradicular abscess: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract Acute periradicular abscess is a condition characterized by the formation and propagation of pus in the periapical tissues and generally associated with debilitating pain. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the overall analgesic effectiveness of two combinations of opioid and non-opioid analgesics for acute periradicular abscess. Material and Methods: This study included 26 patients who sought emergency care in a Brazilian dental school. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: Co/Ac - oral prescription of codeine (30 mg) plus acetaminophen (500 mg), every 4 h, for 3 days or Tr/Ac - oral prescription of tramadol hydrochloride (37.5 mg) plus acetaminophen (500 mg) on the same schedule. Two factors were evaluated: (1) pain scores recorded by the patients in a pain diary 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment, using the Visual Analogue Scale; and (2) the occurrence of adverse effects. Results: In both groups, there was a reduction in pain scores over time. For the Co/Ac group, there was a significant reduction in the scores 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after treatment (P<0.05). In the Tr/Ac group, the scores significantly decreased over time from time point 6 h (P<0.05). Comparing the pain at each time point, the groups were not significantly different (P>0.05), i.e., both treatments were effective in controlling pain caused by APA; however, the combination of Tr/Ac caused more adverse reactions as two patients had to stop using the medication. Conclusion: This study suggests that, considering both analgesic efficacy and safety, the combination of codeine and acetaminophen is more effective to control moderate to severe pain from acute periradicular abscesses.

Endodontic regeneration and tooth revitalization in immature infected sheep teeth.

AIM: To examine the response of immature sheep teeth with infected root canal systems to a commonly used pulp regeneration/revitalization protocol. METHODOLOGY: Immature mandibular right first incisors in four sheep were mechanically exposed and the pulps infected. The mandibular left first incisors remained intact as controls. Five weeks later, the experimental root canals were chemo-mechanically cleaned and dressed with a triple-antibiotic paste for 4 weeks, before bleeding was induced inside the canal by mechanically irritating the periapical tissues. A collagen dressing was packed coronally onto the blood clot and the canal orifice sealed with mineral trioxide aggregate and glass ionomer cement. Six months later, the mandibles were collected and the teeth with associated periapical tissues were analysed radiographically, with CT scanning, and by histology. The changes in root length, dentine thickness in the apical third (mesially and distally), and apical diameter were analysed using Student's t-test. RESULTS: Radiographs revealed significant increases in root length, root wall thickness and narrowing of the apical diameter of the canals after treatment (P < 0.05), with no significant differences in root diameters found between the experimental and the control teeth (P > 0.05) on both radiographic and CT results. Root maturation and thickening of the walls due to hard tissue deposition was confirmed by histology in all experimental teeth. Hard tissues in the apical portion of the root were more developed than in the coronal portion. CONCLUSION: Endodontic regeneration and tooth revitalization procedures in immature infected sheep teeth showed positive outcomes with similar increases in root length and development to the control teeth.

Proposta de uma técnica minimamente invasiva para drenagem de lesão periapical aguda: relato de caso e estratégia clínica / Proposal of a minimally invasive technique for acute periapical lesion drainage: a case report and clinical strategies

A lesão periapical aguda é causada por infecção presente no canal radicular, sendo caracterizada pela presença de exsudato purulento inflamatório nos tecidos perirradiculares. Esse exsudato pode estar localizado intra- e/ou extrabucal e, em alguns casos clínicos, há a necessidade de se realizar drenagem cirúrgica, fato que pode ocasionar desconforto ao paciente. O presente relato de caso descreve uma técnica minimamente invasiva para drenagem de lesão perirradicular aguda na região do incisivo lateral superior direito, utilizando uma sonda de aspiração traqueal conectada no sugador endodôntico. Essa técnica oferece uma drenagem cirúrgica indolor para o paciente e reduz o risco de difusão da infecção. Depois do acesso coronário do elemento envolvido, neutralização precoce do conteúdo séptico e o desbridamento do canal radicular, uma pequena incisão foi realizada na mucosa palatina e imediatamente uma sonda traqueal modificada, sob pressão negativa, foi utilizada para aspirar o exsudato purulento. Na sequência, depois da remissão dos sinais e sintomas agudos, a cirurgia com a obturação endodôntica simultânea do canal radicular foi realizada, utilizando-se um cimento à base de resina epóxi e condensação lateral ativa. A proservação foi realizada por 6 meses, por meio de exames clínicos e radiográficos, demonstrando satisfatória reparação óssea e adequada evolução clínica.

An unnoticed origin of fever: periapical tooth abscess. Three case reports and literature review.

Dental infections may lead to severe local or systemic infections such as endocarditis, brain abscesses and mediastinitis. Fever may be the only symptom. We aim to highlight dental/odontogenic abscesses as the occult source of unexplained fever by reporting on three cases and reviewing the relevant literature. Early dental evaluation and referral of patients with persistent fever (even without any oral symptoms) to a dentist plays a critical role in preventing unnecessary, time-consuming and high-cost further diagnostic tests and invasive procedures. A simple panoramic dental radiography may suffice to establish the diagnosis.

Hypophosphatemic Rickets and Pre-eruptive Spontaneous Dental Abscess.

The purpose of this report is to describe the diagnosis and dental treatment of a medically complex 14-year-old boy with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets who presented with a pre-eruptive abscess on a mandibular molar and facial swelling.

Regeneration or replacement? A case report and review of literature.

Endodontic treatment of immature necrotic teeth is a real challenge. Recently, a biologically based treatment strategy, referred to as regeneration, has been introduced. Tissue regeneration requires the presence of stems cells, a scaffold, and growth factors. Endodontic regeneration may improve the prognosis of immature necrotic teeth by re-establishing the functional pulpal tissue and further development of the root. However, the tissue formed in the pulpal space may not be original pulp tissue, and in some cases, it may result in uncontrolled calcification of the pulp. This study reports a case of successful endodontic regeneration and compares this process with the normal development of the contralateral tooth. Finally, it discusses the nature of the tissue formed during endodontic regeneration.

Root sepsis associated with insect-dwelling Sebaldella termitidis in a lesser dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus medius).

Sebaldella termitidis is a rare fastidious microorganism of the Leptotrichiaceae family. A variety of closely related species are associated with severe and even life-threatening disease in humans and animals, such as Streptobacillus moniliformis, the etiological organism of rat-bite fever as well as members of Leptotrichia spp. and Sneathia sanguinegens, which have been reported from cases of septicaemia. In contrast, since its description some 50 years ago, S. ermitidis has so far never been reported as a vertebrate pathogen, nor has it been found aside from its natural termite host. A lesser dwarf lemur was presented with unilateral facial inflammation originating from rotten maxillary teeth and septic root abscess. Surgical intervention and root extraction significantly improved the clinical cause in that a pus-filled cavity underneath the right eye could be drained, sampled and flushed. Bacteria displaying substantial characteristics of S. termitidis were cultured from the sampled pus. Morphological features observed included strictly anaerobic regular Gram-negative rods. Significant shared biochemical properties included negative reactions for cytochrome oxidase, catalase, urease, nitrate reduction and indole production. Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed 99.9 % sequence homology to the S. termitidis type strain NCTC 11300(T), from which it, nevertheless, differed with respect to rep and rep- and RAPD-PCR profiles. An affiliation of the lemur isolate described in this study with the type strain of S. termitidis as well as a clear discrimination from other members of the Leptotrichiaceae could also be confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of flight mass spectrometry and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy. This is the first evidence for clinical disease caused by S. termitidis in a vertebrate species indicating a broader host spectrum of this rarely encountered microorganism.

Effects of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy and surgical endodontic treatment on the bacterial load reduction and periapical lesion healing. Three years follow up.

Besides the advances in endodontics, there are situations in which surgery is necessary to retain a tooth that otherwise would be extracted. This study analyzes the microbial reduction after conventional periapical surgery followed by antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) in 3 years follows up. Twenty-eight teeth needing periapical surgery were enrolled in this study. Microbiological samples were taken after: (1) accessing the lesion, (2) surgical procedure, and (3) aPDT. The teeth received a full mucoperiosteal flap, osteotomy with a high-speed bur, manual curettage of lesion and of the root, root-end resection and retrograde cavities prepared using ultrasonic retro-tips. After the conventional procedure the cavities received an aqueous solution of methylene blue (60 µM, 3 min) and were irradiated with a diode laser λ=660 nm (6 min, 15 J). After aPDT, a retrograde filling with mineral trioxide aggregate, flap re-positioning, and sutures conventionally ended the procedure. In all the cases, a periapical X-ray exam was taken before and after the surgical procedure. The microbiological samples showed an overall significant reduction, surgical procedure achieved a mean reduction of about 3.5 log while aPDT achieved a 5 log reduction. After 36 months of follow up the patients had, in average a reduction of 78% of the periapical lesion area. It appears that surgical endodontic treatment associated with antimicrobial photodynamic therapy highly improves the microbial reduction compared to the traditional technique and this could directly affect the treatment prognosis and periapical lesion healing.