[An index for untreated severe caries]. / Een index voor onbehandelde ernstige cariës.

Hardly any data are available on the clinical consequences of untreated severe caries, because there is no method to quantify the prevalence of oral conditions resulting from untreated caries. In the Philippines, an index was developed which records for (the location of) each tooth whether caries has reached the dental pulp, whether ulceration is present in the surrounding soft tissues due to sharp edges of fragments of a tooth lost due to caries, or whether a fistula or abscess is present. By adding the index to the existing Decayed Missing Filled Tooth index, insight is provided on the extent and the consequences of untreated caries and research may be carried out on its possible impact on the general health and wellbeing of national populations.

A clinical classification of the status of the pulp and the root canal system.

Many different classification systems have been advocated for pulp diseases. However, most of them are based on histopathological findings rather than clinical findings which leads to confusion since there is little correlation between them. Most classifications mix clinical and histological terms resulting in misleading terminology and diagnoses. This in turn leads to further confusion and uncertainty in clinical practice when a rational treatment plan needs to be established in order to manage a specific pathological entity. A simple, yet practical classification of pulp diseases which uses terminology related to clinical findings is proposed. This classification will help clinicians understand the progressive nature of the pulp disease processes and direct them to the most appropriate and conservative treatment strategy for each condition. With a comprehensive knowledge of the pathophysiology of pain and inflammation in the pulp tissues, clinicians may accomplish this task with confidence.

Endodontic diagnosis: clinical aspects.

The objectives of this article are to review classic and current concepts on endodontic diagnosis, to describe the current classification of the pulp and periradicular diseases and to present and discuss the diagnostic tools available for endodontic diagnosis. The "SOAP" approach to endodontic diagnosis is a very efficient and simple method to accomplish accurate diagnosis. SOAP serves as a mnemonic to guide the clinician in data collection and stands for: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan.

Long-term follow-up of cases considered healed one year after apical microsurgery.

A previous report demonstrated 96.8% healing within 1 yr after apical surgery was performed with the surgical operating microscope and Super-EBA as the root-end filling material. The purpose of this paper is to report on the long-term follow-up of those cases that were considered healed at the short term. Clinical examinations were made and radiographs were evaluated 5 to 7 yr after the case had first been considered healed. Criteria for determining healed cases were the same as those used in the first report. Of the 59 roots evaluated, 54 (91.5%) remained healed, whereas 5 (8.5%) showed evidence of apical deterioration.

Apicomarginal defects in periradicular surgery: classification and diagnostic aspects.

The prognosis of periradicular surgery is affected by the amount and location of bone loss. Apicomarginal defects are localized bony defects encompassing the total root length, and periradicular surgery on these teeth is associated with a lower success rate. This paper reviews the etiology, pathogenesis, and morphology of apicomarginal defects as encountered in periradicular surgery on the basis of a series of 24 consecutively treated patients. Periodontal data were recorded before surgery in all patients, and apicomarginal defects were diagnosed after flap reflection or, if applicable, apicoectomy. On the basis of the findings in these cases and on theoretic considerations, a classification system for apicomarginal defects with potential therapeutic and prognostic implications is presented and several criteria for differential diagnosis are discussed.

Comparison of clinical and histologic diagnoses in periapical lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency with which histopathologic examination of periapical biopsy specimens contributed information not anticipated clinically. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical and histopathologic information from 805 sequentially submitted periapical biopsy specimens over a 2-year period was compared. Clinical data included endodontic status, age and sex of patient, location of lesion, and submitting clinician. Histopathologic diagnoses were categorized as 1) sequelae of pulpal necrosis (SPN), 2) complicated SPN (CSPN) with infection or antral involvement, or 3) periapical lesions unrelated to pulpal necrosis (PLUPN). RESULTS: Of the 805 cases, 788 (97.9%) were SPN, 9 (1.1%) were CSPN, and 8 (1%) were PLUPN, representing a range of locally aggressive but benign lesions and 1 malignancy. Comparison of clinical and histologic diagnoses indicated that the clinical interpretation was inaccurate in 4.1% of cases (suggesting SPN in PLUPN cases or PLUPN in SPN cases). In another 0.9% of cases, the histologic analysis (indicating CSPN) contributed additional information to the clinical diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: A histopathologic examination contributed clinically relevant information in 5.0% of submitted cases. General extrapolation of this figure is not possible. Theoretical considerations, which could positively or negatively bias this figure, are discussed.

Endodontic classification.

Clinical and histopathologic findings are mixed in current endodontic classifications. A new system, based on symptomatology, may be more useful in clincial practice. The classifications are vital asymptomatic, hypersensitive dentin, inflamed-reversible, inflamed/dengenerating without area-irreversible, inflamed/degenerating with area-irreversible, necrotic without area, and necrotic with area.

Classification and diagnosis of pulpal pathoses.

The purpose of this article has been to review some concepts regarding the histophysiology and histopathology of the pulpodentinal complex and the "language of classification." Although there may not be agreement on the "language" presented here, there can be no disagreement that from a clinical perspective, knowledge and appreciation of the ideas presented can be helpful in determining pathologic presence. In reaching the ultimate clinical decision, the following questions must be answered: Are we dealing with a pulpal disease that is potentially reversible? If treatment is necessary do we treat the pulp or the pulp canal?

Endodontic-periodontic interrelationships. Diagnosis and Treatment.

As the clinician is confronted with an endodontic and periodontic related lesion, he or she is able to classify the lesion according to diagnostic criteria and allow the development of a working diagnosis. Definitive therapy for the correctly identified lesion is now possible.

Rationale for the application of the GTR principle using a barrier membrane in endodontic surgery: a proposal of classification and literature review.

Periradicular surgery has become an established treatment option in endodontic surgery. The major objective of this surgery is to obtain periradicular tissue regeneration, including the formation of a new attachment apparatus, by exclusion of any potentially noxious agent within the physical confines of the affected root. However, in a substantial number of cases, the endodontic lesion has a concomitant marginal periodontal lesion that may complicate the healing success. In periodontology, the guided tissue regeneration (GTR) principle using a barrier membrane has been extensively studied and successfully used, and thus may become an adjunct in endodontic surgery. This article presents a classification system of endodontic and periodontal lesions with respect to the application of the membrane technique and reviews the pertinent literature based upon this classification system.

The diagnosis, classification and treatment of acute pulpal pain by UK general dental practitioners: results of a survey.

There are several problems related to the diagnosis and treatment of the acute painful tooth associated with a deep carious lesion, including the fact that there is little or no correlation between the clinical signs and symptoms and also that the diagnostic tools are not reliable. It is important to understand the problems experienced by dental practitioners and how they routinely make diagnosis and formulate treatment plans. The way general dental practitioners diagnosed, categorised and treated teeth with acute pain was ascertained by a questionnaire completed by practitioners attending postgraduate courses. The results indicate that dental radiographs and the dental history were most frequently used and that few practitioners had, and fewer used electric pulp testers. The concept of using simple clinical categories which correspond to treatment categories does not seem to be in widespread use, though the generally accepted role of calcium hydroxide as an indirect and direct capping material is widespread. The use of corticosteroid materials is not as widespread in younger practitioners as in their older colleagues and the use of emergency pulpotomy is infrequent.

Periodontal-endodontic interdisciplinary treatment--a case report.

Periodontal-endodontic lesions pose a difficult diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the dental practitioner. A careful diagnostic examination consisting of a thorough patient and dental history, comprehensive clinical examination, and use of appropriate dental radiographs is necessary to arrive at a proper diagnosis of the periodontal-endodontic lesion. Despite these measures, it is not always possible to make an accurate diagnosis, which is imperative to provide the proper therapy in the correct treatment sequence. In some instances, endodontic or periodontal therapy alone may suffice; however, in other instances, a combination of endodontic and periodontal therapy may be required to successfully treat the case. In this article, classifications of periodontal-endodontic lesions are discussed, including the appropriate treatment and correct treatment sequence for each classification. Prognosis of periodontal-endodontic lesions depends on the diagnosis, treatment, and chronicity of the lesion, as well as the duration of periodontal involvement. A clinical case is presented in which a periodontal endodontic lesion has been successfully treated with a combination of conventional endodontic therapy and regenerative periodontal surgery.

Classification and prognostic factors of endodontic-periodontic lesions in the dog.

The classification of the possible pathologic relationships between the periodontium and endodontium in man includes three separate groups. This classification system is adapted for utilization in the dog to clarify the appropriate treatment and prognosis of dog's teeth affected with endodontic-periodontic lesions. This article describes the classification and treatment planning with illustrations of each type.

An endodontic conundrum: the association between pulpal infection and periodontal disease.

This paper reviews the classification of periodontal-endodontic lesions and considers the pathways through which inflammatory lesions or bacteria may communicate between the pulp and the periodontium. Such communications have previously underpinned the classification of periodontal-endodontic lesions but a more up-to-date approach is to focus specifically on those lesions that originate concurrently as pulpal infection (and necrosis) and periodontal disease on the affected teeth. In doing so, both conventional periodontal and endodontic treatments are indicated for the affected teeth, although more complex management strategies may occasionally be indicated.

Clinical longevity of extensive direct composite restorations in amalgam replacement: up to 3.5 years follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: This prospective clinical trial evaluated the longevity of direct resin composite (DRC) restorations made on stained dentin that is exposed upon removal of existing amalgam restorations in extensive cavities with severely reduced macro-mechanical retention for amalgam replacement. METHODS: Between January 2007 and September 2013, a total of 88 patients (57 women, 31 men; mean age: 51.6 years old) received extensive cusp replacing DRCs (n=118) in the posterior teeth. DRCs were indicated for replacement of existing amalgam restorations where dentin substrates were stained by amalgam. After employing a three-step total-etch adhesive technique (Quadrant Unibond Primer, Quadrant Unibond Sealer, Cavex), cavities were restored using a hybrid composite (Clearfil Photo Posterior, Kuraray). At baseline and thereafter every 6 months, restorations were checked upon macroscopically visible loss of anatomical contour, marginal discolouration, secondary caries, fractures, debonding and endodontic problems. Restorations were scored as failed if any operative intervention was indicated for repair, partial or total replacement. RESULTS: Restorations were observed for a minimum of seven, and maximum 96 months (mean: 40.3 months). In total, four failures were observed due to fracture (n=1), endodontic complications (n=2) and inadequate proximal contact (n=1). Failures were related neither to inadequate adhesion nor to secondary caries. Cumulative survival rate was 96.6% (95% CI: 89-95) up to a mean observation time of 40.3 months (Kaplan-Meier) with an annual failure rate of 0.9%. CONCLUSION: In case of amalgam replacement, dentin that is exposed upon removal of existing amalgam restorations does not impair clinical longevity of extended cusp replacing direct resin composite restorations. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Extensive amalgam restorations can be replaced with a variety of treatment options. This clinical study indicates that in such cases directly applied resin based composites offer a reliable and low-cost treatment option, even if dentin is stained by amalgam corrosion products.

Pain prevalence and severity before, during, and after root canal treatment: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Anticipation and experience of root canal associated pain is a major source of fear for patients and a very important concern of dentists. Pretreatment, treatment, and posttreatment pain is anticipated, experienced, remembered, and shared by patients. The purpose was to determine the influence of root canal treatment on pain prevalence and severity and estimate the prevalence and severity of pretreatment, treatment, and posttreatment pain in patients receiving root canal treatment. METHODS: Defined searching of MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, and PsycINFO databases identified 5,517 articles. Systematic review, including title scanning, abstract scanning, full-text review, and quality rating, provided 72 studies for meta-analysis. L'Abbe plots were used to evaluate the influence of root canal treatment on pain prevalence and severity. Pretreatment, treatment, and posttreatment pain prevalence and severity data were analyzed. RESULTS: L'Abbe plots revealed that pain prevalence and severity decreased substantially after treatment. Mean pretreatment, 24-hour posttreatment, and 1-week posttreatment pain prevalences with associated standard deviations were 81 (28%), 40 (24%), and 11 (14%), respectively. Pretreatment, 24-hour posttreatment, and 1-week posttreatment pain severities, on a 100-point scale, were 54 (24%), 24 (12%), and 5 (5%), respectively. Supplemental injections were frequently required (60 [24%]). CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment root canal-associated pain prevalence was high but dropped moderately within 1 day and substantially to minimal levels in 7 days. Pretreatment root canal-associated pain severity was moderate, dropped substantially within 1 day of treatment, and continued to drop to minimal levels in 7 days. Supplemental anesthesia was often required.