Two-year clinical performance of indirect resin composite restorations in endodontically treated teeth with different cavity preparation designs: a randomized clinical trial.

TRIAL DESIGN: This is a randomized, controlled, superiority, double-blinded, parallel-group, two-arms trial with an allocation ratio of 1:1. This study aimed to assess whether the cavity design could affect the clinical performance of the CAD/CAM generated indirect resin composite restoration in endodontically treated teeth (ETT) evaluated using the Modified USPHS criteria after a two-year follow up. METHODS: A total of 30 participants who underwent endodontic treatment for MOD cavities in permanent molars were divided randomly into two parallel groups (n = 30 restorations) according to the performed cavity design to group 1 in which there was no cuspal reduction (inlay) and group 2 in which cuspal reduction was performed (overlay). All pulp chambers were filled with bulk fill flowable composite, and the cavities were prepared following the criteria of the cavities for indirect restorations and restored using nano-hybrid composite resin blocks (Brilliant, Coltene, Switzerland). The restorations were evaluated using the modified USPHS criteria at baseline, six months, one-year and two years follow-up visits. For qualitative data, frequencies (n) and percentages (%) were used to display the data, while mean and standard deviation (SD) were used for quantitative data. The normality of the data was evaluated using the Shapiro-Wilk and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests. For every test, P ≤ 0.05 was used as the significance threshold. RESULTS: Twenty-six individuals completed the follow-up period after receiving the assigned intervention.The inter-group comparison showed that, at the 6- months and 12- months observation points, the overlay design had significantly better marginal adaptation, less incidence of discoloration or tooth/restoration fracture, and similar marginal integrity and caries incidence to the inlay design. After 24- months, the overlay design still had better marginal adaptation, less incidence of discoloration or tooth/restoration fracture and less caries incidence in comparison to the inlay design, while there was no difference in the marginal integrity between either design. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cuspal reduction in endodontically treated teeth showed better clinical performance than the cusp preservation thus, the former is more reliable.

Replacement of an existing maxillary anterior fixed dental prosthesis, redo another fixed dental prosthesis, or convert to implants.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to discuss the considerations that need to be evaluated when considering the replacement of an existing maxillary anterior fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) with another FDP, or when to consider converting to implants and individual crowns on the previous abutment teeth. OVERVIEW: The need to replace unesthetic or failing maxillary anterior FDPs is something all restorative dentists will be faced with multiple times in their careers. Given the emphasis over the past few decades on utilizing implants for tooth replacement as opposed to a tooth supported FDP, the question becomes when is converting the existing FDP to implants and single crowns an appropriate choice, as opposed to redoing a new FDP. This article will focus on the risks of choosing to convert to an implant solution, and the risks of redoing the tooth supported FDP. Multiple systematic reviews on each approach will be used to aid in the decision process. The most significant risks for both approaches will be identified, and a chart of the key parameters to assess will be presented, along with their impact. CONCLUSIONS: The statistical outcomes at 5 and 10 years of tooth supported FDPs, and Implant based restorations are very similar if certain clinical parameters are met, namely vital healthy abutment teeth for the FDP, and adequate bone and soft tissue for the implant-based restoration. If one abutment tooth is compromised the long-term prognosis drops significantly and converting to an implant-based restoration may be more predictable. Similarly, if adequate bone and soft tissue cannot be obtained through surgical augmentation procedures, using a connective tissue graft for the ridge, and redoing the FDP may obtain a more acceptable esthetic result. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A significant number of maxillary anterior FDPs exist that will need replacement in the future. Given the desire of many dentists to utilize implants when possible, there can be a tendency to automatically treatment plan an implant-based approach for replacement of the existing FDP. Certainly, most clinicians would favor an implant-based tooth replacement rather than preparing unrestored teeth to place an FDP, but when an existing FDP exists, the teeth have already been prepared for full coverage in most instances. In addition, for most long term existing FDPs, there is a significant change in the vertical and horizontal dimension of the bone and soft tissue that can make getting an acceptable esthetic result with an implant challenging. This article provides a systematic approach to identifying when redoing the FDP may be preferable, or when converting to an implant-based approach is a better choice.

Characterization of the apical bridge barrier formed following amelogenin apexification.

BACKGROUND: Recombinant amelogenin protein (RAP) is reported to induce complete root apex formation in dog model when used as apexification therapy. It also induces pulp regeneration in 85% of the treated group. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the nature of the remaining regenerated calcified tissues of the RAP group that showed no pulp regeneration compared to the calcium hydroxide treated group (CH). METHODS: A total of 240 dogs' open apex root canals were used, after establishment of canals contamination. Canals were cleaned, irrigated, and filled with RAP as an apexification material and compared with CH. Treated teeth were assessed by H&E, trichrome staining, and/or immunohistochemistry technique, at 1, 3, and 6 months. RESULTS: A time-dependent increase in the calcified tissue barrier was observed in the apex of the RAP-treated group compared to the CH-treated group. The newly formed dentin in this RAP group was mainly tubular dentin and was functionally attached to the bone by periodontal ligament, while the CH group showed dentin-associated mineralized tissue (DAMT) associated with the newly formed apical barrier. CONCLUSIONS: Out results suggest that RAP can be used as novel apexification material, resulting in a thickening and strengthening of the canal walls, and achieving apical closure.

Number of Non-vital Teeth as Indicator of Tooth Loss during 10-year Maintenance: A Retrospective Study.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether number of non-vital teeth was an indicator of tooth loss during maintenance. Thirty-three general practitioners provided data on 321 patients undergoing maintenance over 10 years. The number of present teeth (PT), smoking status, level of bone loss, number of non-vital teeth, and reason for tooth loss during that period were investigated. Multiple logistic regression was performed to identify whether the number of non-vital teeth was associated with tooth loss. The average number of lost teeth was 1.07±1.82; that of PT at baseline was 24.4±3.9; and that of non-vital teeth at baseline was 5.4±4.5. Multiple logistic regression revealed a significant association between >8 non-vital teeth and tooth loss during maintenance (odds ratio [OR]: 2.40; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18-4.87). It also demonstrated relationships between >8 non-vital teeth and root fracture or caries (OR: 3.90; 95%CI: 1.68-9.03 or OR: 2.85, 95%CI: 1.14-7.10, respectively). The number of non-vital teeth was associated with tooth loss during maintenance. The results suggest that patients with many non-vital teeth before commencement of maintenance are particularly at risk of tooth loss due to root fracture or caries. Therefore, the number of non-vital teeth offers a useful indicator of potential tooth loss.

An evaluation of the periapical status of teeth with necrotic pulps using periapical radiography and cone-beam computed tomography.

AIM: To evaluate the presence or absence of periapical (PA) radiolucencies on individual roots of teeth with necrotic pulps, as assessed with digital PA radiographs and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODOLOGY: Digital PA radiographs and CBCT scans were taken from 161 endodontically untreated teeth (from 155 patients) diagnosed with non-vital pulps (pulp necrosis with normal PA tissue, symptomatic apical periodontitis, asymptomatic apical periodontitis, acute apical abscess and chronic apical abscess). Images were assessed by two calibrated endodontists to analyse the radiographic PA status of the teeth. A consensus was reached in the event of any disagreement. The data were analysed using a McNemar's test, and significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty paired images of roots were assessed with both digital PA radiographs and CBCT images. Fifteen additional roots were identified with CBCT. PA radiolucencies were present in 132 (38.8%) roots when assessed with PA radiographs, and in 196 (57.6%) roots when assessed with CBCT. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In teeth diagnosed with pulp necrosis, symptomatic apical periodontitis or acute apical abscess, CBCT images revealed a statistically larger number of PA radiolucencies than did PA radiographs (P < 0.05). No statistical differences were observed between PA radiographs and CBCT in teeth classified with asymptomatic apical periodontitis (P = 0.31) or chronic apical abscess (P = 1). CONCLUSIONS: Unlike PA radiographs, CBCT revealed a higher prevalence of PA radiolucencies when endodontically untreated teeth with non-vital pulps were examined.

Nasopalatine Duct Cyst Associated with Non-Vital Teeth: Report of a Rare Case.

Nasopalatine duct cyst, which is also known as incisive canal cyst, is the most common developmental cyst of the maxilla. It arises from the proliferation of the remnants of the nasopalatine duct stimulated by trauma or infection. In this article, the authors report a rare case of an extensive nasopalatine duct cyst in a 57-year-old Male associated with non-vital tooth. Clinical examination revealed facial asymmetry associated with swelling that is painful and tender. Correlating clinical and radiological findings, a diagnosis of nasopalatine duct cyst was formed, and the histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of nasopalatine duct cyst. This case highlights the importance of knowing that nasopalatine duct cyst can be associated with non-vital teeth, challenging the assumption that they are exclusively associated with vital teeth. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-024-04513-1.

Endocrowns - a literature review.

Introduction: The opportunity of using Endocrown-type restorations in the current prosthetic dentistry practice as an alternative to other, well-established methods of corono-radicular restorations and the evolving palette of adhesive materials has made these restorations more popular in the last few years. Objective: The purpose is to review the available literature about Endocrown restorations regarding mechanical properties - fracture strength and resistance, survival rate, the preparation design - marginal and internal adaptation, and esthetics. Method: The search was carried out on four databases: PubMed, Scopus (ScienceDirect), Web of Science, and Scielo using the following terms: "endocrowns", "endodontic crown", and" no buildup crown". Initially, a total of 163 articles published between 2015 and May 2021 were selected. After the duplicates, papers presented only as abstracts, articles in any other languages except English, and review articles were eliminated; a total of 72 articles remained to be considered for this review.After assessing the 72 considered articles, 37 were chosen as fit for this review. The reasons for the elimination of the other 35 articles were: their main focus was other than endocrowns, e.g., direct restorations, indirect restorations of vital teeth; case reports; study protocols. Results: From the 37 articles selected, 34 were focused on mechanical properties, including the influence of the preparation design, and three on survival rate, of which one also had a point of view regarding esthetics. Conclusions: The literature included in this review shows that endocrowns perform similarly or even better in some cases than other coronal restorations. However, this statement must be interpreted cautiously, given that most articles were in vitro or finite element analysis studies. Given the high degree of conflicting results found in the articles included in this review, the authors consider as reasonable to conclude that further studies are needed to confirm the feasibility of endocrowns and the best choice of material.

Porcelain Veneers in Vital vs. Non-Vital Teeth: A Retrospective Clinical Evaluation.

Nowadays, the ceramic veneer approach can be considered more predictable than direct composite veneer. To date, there is a lack of studies comparing the clinical performance of anterior veneers cemented on vital teeth (VT) and non-vital teeth (NVT). This longitudinal clinical study investigated the performance of ceramic veneers in VT or anterior NVT. A total of 55 patients were evaluated in the study. Two groups were defined based on the vitality status of the teeth (93 teeth-vital and 61 teeth-non-vital). The United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria were used to assess the clinical status. The data were evaluated statistically with the Mann-Whitney U test. All restorations were considered acceptable, and only one veneer in VT failed for the criteria of secondary caries. There were no statistically significant differences in any of the criteria evaluated (p ≤ 0.671). The ceramic veneers evaluated showed a satisfactory clinical performance both in VT and NVT.

Risk Factors for Tooth Loss in Patients with ≥25 Remaining Teeth Undergoing Mid-Long-Term Maintenance: A Retrospective Study.

Tooth loss represents a diffused pathologic condition affecting the worldwide population. Risk factors have been identified in both general features (smoking, diabetes, economic status) and local tooth-related factors (caries, periodontitis). In this retrospective study, we examined the data of 366 patients with a large number of remaining teeth (≥25) undergoing maintenance therapy in order to identify specific risk factors for tooth loss. The number of remaining teeth, number of non-vital teeth, and number of occlusal units were investigated for their correlation with tooth loss. The mean follow-up of patients was 9.2 years (range 5 to 14). Statistically significant risk factors for tooth loss were identified as number of remaining teeth at baseline (p = 0.05), number of occlusal units (p = 0.03), and number of non-vital teeth in posterior regions (p < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression showed that the number of occlusal units and number of non-vital teeth in the posterior regions were significantly associated with a greater risk of tooth loss (odds ratio 1.88 and 3.17, respectively). These results confirm that not only the number of remaining teeth, but also their vital or non-vital status and the distribution between the anterior and posterior regions influence the long-term survival.

Effect of fibre-reinforced composite as a post-obturation restorative material on fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Fracture resistance of endodontically treated tooth is affected due to large cavity designs and access cavities and an appropriate material capable to resist fracture plays an important role. This review aims to evaluate the effect of fibre-reinforced composite (FRC) as a post-obturation material on fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth. OBJECTIVES: To systematically gather and evaluate the fracture resistance of fibre-reinforced composite as a post-obturation restorative material in endodontically treated teeth. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, Ebsco Host, Scopus, Google Scholar, Hinari and manual search library resources from 1st Jan 2000 to 30th November 2019 to identify appropriate studies. RESULT: A total of 157 articles were examined out of which 55 articles were selected after reading the title. After removing the duplicates, 27 articles were screened for abstract and 1 article was eliminated as it did not meet the eligibility criteria. A thorough reading of the full text of the remaining 26 selected articles was assessed for eligibility. Amongst these, 1 article was then excluded from the study as the full text was not accessible. Lastly, 25 articles were included in the study. CONCLUSION: FRC as a core material increases fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth but they do not have the fracture resistance similar to the intact tooth. Both polyethylene and short fibre-reinforced composites showed greater fracture resistance when compared to glass FRC and restoration without reinforcement. Also, the fracture resistance increases if restored with FRC along with retention slots and are placed on the occlusal third surfaces of cavities. Also, favourable fractures were most commonly seen and it usually occurred at the level of enamel and dentin and adhesive fractures were seen.

Revitalisation endodontic treatment of traumatised immature teeth: a prospective long-term clinical study.

PURPOSE: Continuation of root development following revitalisation endodontics (RET) has been shown to be unpredictable with lower success rates in traumatised teeth. This study reports the outcomes for RET in traumatised teeth over a review period of 4 years. METHODS: A prospective uncontrolled study, where RET was performed on traumatised upper immature anterior teeth with necrotic pulps in 15 children (mean age = 8.3 years), was conducted. Patients were reviewed at 3, 9, 12, 24, and 48 months, where clinical and radiographic assessments were performed. At the last review appointment, patients and parents answered questions assessing their perception and acceptance of tooth colour change over time. McNemar's Exact test and linear mixed model assessment were used to assess changes in pulpal electrical response and radiographic evidence of continuation of root development over time, respectively. RESULTS: There was 83.3% healing with no significant changes in EPT responses, and no significant changes in root lengths, while significant changes in root widths (p < 0.05) and root apex widths (p < 0.001) were found over time. Twenty-five percent of patients and 33% of parents felt that there were changes in tooth colour following RET over time. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, traumatised teeth treated using RET showed no significant root lengthening, however, acceptable periapical healing, slow thickening of root dentinal walls, and rapid development of apical closure were evident over a period of 43 months. Using Portland cement and omitting minocycline, did not eliminate crown colour change following RET.

Dentists' perspectives on the reconstruction possibilities of a non-vital tooth.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The decision-making process when restoring a non-vital tooth is influenced by multiple factors. This study aimed to survey the dentists' preferences regarding cast post-and-core and fiber post techniques for the reconstruction of non-vital teeth and to identify a correlation between reconstruction technique and practitioners characteristics, or dental characteristics. METHODS: The survey instrument was a questionnaire, which included a general part with questions regarding the practitioner's profile (gender, age, years of experience, pattern and location of practice, etc.) and the dental characteristics (anterior or posterior position of the tooth on the arch, the amount of dental remaining tissues, etc.) and a technical part, containing more specific questions regarding the manufacture and performance of root-coronal reconstructions. RESULTS: Among the surveyed practitioners (n=35), 69.7% use more often cast post-and-core reconstructions (CPR) while 30.3% choose fiber post reconstructions (FPR). No difference in the reconstruction type was observed regarding patient's age (p=0.23) or gender (p=0.092). The para-function criterion was considered important by 8.23% of the participants. When deciding the type of the root-coronal reconstruction depending on the remaining dentine walls, CPRs are significantly more frequently used in posterior areas (p=0.043) or when para-functional habits exist (p=0.022). CONCLUSION: Cast post-and-core represent the most frequently used type of reconstruction for non-vital teeth. Fiber post reconstructions are indicated in the aesthetic zone and when the amount of healthy remaining dental structure is higher.

Endodontic Microbiome of Fractured Non-vital Teeth in Dogs Determined by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing.

Dental fractures resulting in pulp exposure will lead to an endodontic infection with microbes from the oral cavity. However, data on the endodontic microbial composition in veterinary dentistry is lacking. The aim of this study was to examine the microbiome of naturally occurring primary endodontic infections in client-owned dogs. The endodontic microbiome of 10 non-vital teeth with exposed pulp cavities was assessed using a 16S rRNA gene sequencing approach. The results were compared to the microbiome of the subgingival plaque of the same teeth. Analysis revealed an abundant mixed microflora of a comparable richness and diversity and with mostly the same phyla obtained from sulcal and endodontic samples. However, further analysis revealed significant differences between sulcal and endodontic samples in the relative abundance of the most abundant phyla and genera, with the relative abundance of Bacteriodetes being significantly higher in endodontic samples. Although each sample presented a particular profile regarding the genera identified, Bacteroides was the most abundant genus in the endodontic samples. Snowella was also significantly more abundant in endodontic samples, while Porphyromonas and Fusobacterium were significantly more abundant in sulcal samples. We confirmed that the microbiome of the diseased endodontic system is comparably abundant with microorganisms to the healthy subgingival plaque indicating that previous culture-based studies of primary endodontic infections in dogs underestimated the richness and diversity of the endodontic microbiota.

Pulp Revascularization- It's your Future Whether you Know it or Not?

Pulpal regeneration after tooth injury is not easy to accomplish. In teeth with immature apices and exposed vital pulp tissue, partial or complete pulpotomy is indicated to preserve pulpal function and allow continued root development. In many cases, injury causes loss of pulp vitality and arrested root development leading to a tooth with poor crown root ratio, a root with very thin walls, an open blunderbuss apex and development of apical pathosis. The ideal treatment in such cases would be to obtain further root development and thickening of dentinal walls by stimulating the regeneration of a functional pulp dentin complex. This outcome has been observed after reimplantation in avulsed immature permanent teeth but has been thought impossible in a necrotic infected tooth. This case series evaluates the efficacy of revascularization procedure in immature, non vital permanent teeth. Pulp regeneration was attempted in four patients at Department of Conservative Dentistry, ESIC Dental College, New Delhi using blood clotting approach. The cases were treated and followed up regularly at regular intervals ranging from 6 months to 3 years to assess the treatment response clinically and radiographically. The patients remained clinically asymptomatic with three out of four patients even responding positively to pulp responsiveness tests. Radiographic examination also revealed increased root formation and thickening of dentinal walls. It was concluded that the triad of a disinfected canal, a matrix (blood clot) in to which new tissue could grow and an effective coronal seal produced the desirable environment for successful revascularization.

Direct anterior composite veneers in vital and non-vital teeth: a retrospective clinical evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: This retrospective, longitudinal clinical study investigated the performance of direct veneers using different composites (microfilled×universal) in vital or non-vital anterior teeth. METHODS: Records from 86 patients were retrieved from a Dental School clinic, comprising 196 direct veneers to be evaluated. The FDI criteria were used to assess the clinical evaluation. The survival analysis was done using Kaplan-Meier method and Log-Rank test. The multivariate Cox regression with shared frailty was used to investigate the factors associated with failure. RESULTS: A total of 196 veneers were evaluated, with 39 failures. The mean time of service for the veneers was 3.5 years, with a general survival rate of 80.1%. In the qualitative evaluation of the restorations, microfilled composite showed slighty better esthetics. The annual failure rates (AFR) were 4.9% for veneers in vital teeth and 9.8% for non-vital teeth with statistical significance (p=0.009). For microfilled and universal veneers the respective AFRs were 6.0% and 6.2% (p>0.05). Veneers made in non-vital teeth had a higher risk of failure over time compared to those made in vital teeth (HR 2.78; 95% CI 1.02-7.56), but the type of material was not a significant factor (p=0.991). The main reason for failure was fracture of the veneer. CONCLUSION: Direct composite veneers showed a satisfactory clinical performance. Veneers performed in vital teeth showed a better performance than those placed in non-vital teeth. No difference in the survival rate for different composites was found, although microfilled composites showed a slightly better esthetic appearance. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Direct composite veneers show good results in esthetic dentistry nowadays. Composite veneers in vital teeth have a lower risk of failure than those in non-vital teeth.

Efficacy of Prophylactic use of Antibiotics to Avoid Flare up During Root Canal Treatment of Nonvital Teeth: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVES: Flare-up during root canal treatment of non vital teeth is a common clinical incident. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of prophylactic use of antibiotics to avoid flare up during root canal treatment of the teeth having asymptomatic necrotic pulp. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized double blind clinical trial with parallel design was conducted on 100 subjects with asymptomatic non vital teeth. They were randomly divided into two groups. The first group (50 participants) was given two gram amoxicillin one hour before the first visit of root canal treatment; the second group (50 participants) did not receive any treatment (control group). In both groups, root canal treatment was performed in two visits. The flare up was assessed by the pain visual analogue scale and based on the swelling criteria. The data were processed and analyzed using SPSS statistical software 17. A p-value of 0.05 or less was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 80% of participants in the experimental group had flare up while 12% of participants had flare up in the control group. Prophylactic Amoxicillin had no effect on inter-appointment flare up (p > 0.05). There was no relationship between flare up and patient's age, gender and tooth type (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Prophylactic use of Amoxicillin in asymptomatic non vital teeth before root canal treatment had no effect on the incidence of flare-up.

Whitening non vital teeth - a case report.

Commonly used in cosmetic dentistry teeth whitening can be used combined with other restorative techniques during dental treatment. Non-vital teeth whitening is necessary whenever we need an improvement of their aspect, as it's a known fact that these teeth can have a grey or pink-grey coloration when they are not correctly endodontical treated.

Resistencia a la fractura de dientes con raíces debilitadas usando postes con y sin relleno radicular. Revisión sistemática / Resistance to fracture of teeth with weakened roots using posts with and without root filling. A systematic review

Los dientes con paredes radiculares delgadas poseen un alto índice de fractura, por lo que es un reto encontrar el método ideal para proveerles resistencia. Para tal fin se utilizan postes con y sin relleno intrarradicular; pero aún no existe claridad acerca de la diferencia entre estas opciones terapéuticas. El objetivo de esta revisión fue comparar resultados de la evidencia sobre la resistencia a la fractura en dientes con raíces debilitadas reforzadas con postes con y sin relleno, luego de ser sometidos a fuerzas compresivas. Una búsqueda electrónica se realizó en las bases de datos (Medline, Embase, PubMed y Ovid), sin restricción por año o idioma, arrojando 148 artículos. La extracción de datos y la evaluación de calidad de cada artículo se realizaron de forma independiente por cada autor siguiendo los parámetros establecidos en la calibración. Finalmente se seleccionaron siete artículos que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. Luego de la recolección de información y análisis, se concluyó que el incremento de la resistencia en dientes con raíces debilitadas se produce con el uso de postes intrarradiculares, aunque indistintamente si están o no acompañados de refuerzo radicular dentinal.

Teeth with thin root walls exhibit high fracture rate; it is therefore a challenge to find the ideal method to provide them with resistance. To this end, posts, either unfilled or filled with intra-root filling have been used, nevertheless, to this date, no certainty has been established on the differences among these therapeutic options. The main purpose of the present review was to compare evidence results on resistance to fracture of teeth with weakened roots which had been reinforced with either filled or unfilled posts, after being subjected to compressive forces. An electronic search was conducted in different databases (Medline, Embase, PubMed and Ovid). The search was unrestricted with respect to year or language. Aforementioned search produced 148 articles. Each author independently conducted data extraction and quality assessment of each article, following parameters established in calibration (gauging). Finally, seven articles meeting with inclusion criteria were selected. After information collection and analysis, it was concluded that resistance increase in root-weakened teeth was effected when intra-root posts were used, irrespectively of whether these posts had or did not have dentin root reinforcement material.

Incidence of postoperative pain after single- and multi-visit endodontic treatment in teeth with vital and non-vital pulp.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the incidence of postoperative pain after single- and multi-visit endodontic treatment of teeth with vital and non-vital pulp. METHODS: In total, 306 patients with teeth requiring endodontic treatment were identified and were included in this study. Two experienced clinicians treated the patients, who were randomly assigned to two groups. While the teeth of patients in group 1 were obturated, group 2 were temporarily sealed and obturated after one week. Three days after the root canal instrumentation of each tooth, the patients were asked whether they experienced any postoperative pain and to rate the level of discomfort as no, mild, moderate, or severe pain. Data were analyzed statistically using the chi-square test. RESULTS: No significant difference in postoperative pain was found between vital and non-vital teeth (P>.01). Mild, moderate, and severe pain occurred in 31.4, 13.7, and 4.6% of vital teeth, respectively. Postoperative pain occurred in 107 (69.9%) and 106 (69.3%) teeth in the single- and multi-visit treatment groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in postoperative pain between the two groups (P>.01). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of postoperative pain did not differ between vital and non-vital teeth. The majority of patients in either groups reported no or only mild pain.

Resistencia a la fractura de dientes debilitados radicularmente rehabilitados con diferentes materiales / Fracture resistance of weak teeth with compromised roots rehabilitated with different materials

Resumen Introducción y objetivo: La preservación y restauración de dientes debilitados radicularmente se ha considerado como un procedimiento poco predecible debido a que existen factores que predisponen al fracaso. Esta condición se presenta frecuentemente y una alternativa para su rehabilitación es reforzar la superficie radicular para mejorar la estabilidad y retención del retenedor. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la resistencia a la fractura de dientes debilitados radicularmente reconstruidos con ionómero de vidrio en combinación con diferentes retenedores comparados con raíces debilitadas sin refuerzo radicular. Materiales y métodos: 60 premolares uniradiculares con similares características fueron seleccionados y divididos aleatoriamente en 6 grupos, 30 dientes fueron internamente debilitados a 1mm y posteriormente reforzados con ionómero de vidrio. Los especímenes fueron sometidos a carga compresiva en una maquina de ensayos universal Instrom con una angulación de 45°. Posteriormente se identificaron los sitios de fractura con ayuda de una lupa 4X de lente convergente a una distancia de 25 cm. Resultados: Resultados indicaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en relación a la condición radicular (P<0.05), demostrando que dientes con refuerzo radicular no mejora considerablemente la resistencia a la fractura. Conclusión: La conservación de la estructura dentaria es más importante que el tipo de refuerzo con materiales dentales. Las características físicas y químicas de los ionómeros permiten su empleo en zonas de socavado, sin aumentar la resistencia compresiva final de la estructura dentaria, brindando únicamente estabilidad del retenedor.

Abstract Introduction and objective: The preservation and restoration of weak teeth with compromised roots has been considered to be a slightly predictable procedure because there are factors that predispose to failure. This condition appears frequently, and an alternative to rehabilitation is to reinforce the radicular surface in order to improve the stability and retention of the retainer. The objective of this study was to evaluate the resistance to fracture of teeth with debilitated roots and reconstructed with glass ionomer combined with different retainers and compared with teeth with weakened roots without reconstruction. Materials and methods: 60 uniradicular premolars with similar characteristics were selected and divided randomly into 6 groups, 30 teeth were internally debilitated to 1mm and later reinforced with glass ionomer. The samples were submitted to a compressive load on an Instrom Universal Testing Machine with 45°angulation. Afterwards, fracture sites in each of the samples were identified using a magnifier 4X converging lens at a distance of 25 cm. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed regarding the root condition (P <0.05), demonstrating that teeth with root reinforcement did not improve significantly their resistance to fracture. Conclusion: The conservation of tooth structure is most important than the type of reinforcement with dental materials. The physical and chemical characteristics of the ionomers allow they can be used in undermined areas without increasing ultimate compressive strength of tooth structure, providing only stability of the retainer.