[An unnecessary endodontic treatment and extraction due to defective diagnosis]

A 22-year-old male patient was referred by his dentist to a department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery because of recurrent swelling of the oral mucosa of unknown origin in region 17. One year before, molar 17, although clinically sound but showing an apical radiolucency, was endodontically treated. Eight months ago, molar 17 was removed because of recurrent complaints. Clinical examination revealed a fistula with purulent drainage in region 17. Radiographic examination revealed the cause, viz. a follicular cyst originating from the right wisdom tooth located in the maxillary sinus. Thus, the persisting complaints in region 17 were not related to molar 17, but related to a chronically inflamed follicular cyst originating from an impacted third molar.

Taurodontism in Six Molars: A Case Report

This case report describes taurodontism in six molars of one patient. There were two mandibular second molars and four maxillary molars. All of them were hypertaurodont.

Impact of IL-1 genotype and smoking status on the prognosis of osseointegrated implants

AIM

This study evaluated the impact of the IL-1 genotype and smoking status on the prognosis and development of complications of osseointegrated implants.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The clinical charts of 180 consecutively admitted patients were analyzed with respect to the occurrence of biological complications in conjunction with oral implants. Biologic complications were defined as clinical conditions with suppuration from the peri-implant sulcus, development of a fistula or peri-implantitis with radiologic bone loss. All patients had received one or more ITI dental implants, which had been in function for at least 8 (range: 8-15) years. This patient population had received 292 implants. From these, 51 implants in 34 patients showed late (infectious) biologic complications, and 241 implants had survived without any biologic complications at all.

RESULTS

Of the 180 patients, 53 were smokers, who were subdivided in a series of classes according to their intensity of smoking and 127 were never smokers. Sixty-four of 180 (36%) patients tested positive for the IL-1 genotype polymorphism. This prevalence corresponds to previous reports for the prevalence of European descent populations. The results for the non-smoking group indicated no significant correlation between implant complications and a positive IL-1 genotype. However, there was a clear association for heavy smokers between a positive IL-1 genotype and implant complications. 6 of 12 or half of the heavy smokers and IL-1 genotype-positive patients had either an implant failure, i.e. loss of implant, or a biologic complication during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings have led to the conclusion that there is a synergistic effect between a positive IL-1 genotype and smoking that puts dental implants at a significantly higher risk of developing biologic complications during function.

Successful treatment of a radicular groove by intentional replantation and EmdogainR therapy

Radicular groove is an anatomical malformation often predisposing to a severe periodontal defect. Treatment of such an anomaly presents a clinical challenge to the operator. Presented is a case of successful treatment of a radicular groove associated with a maxillary lateral incisor in a 15-year-old girl. A combination of endodontic, intentional replantation and Emdogain therapy was used. At 1-year follow-up, the patient was comfortable and active healing was evident.

Management of Extra Oral Sinus Cases: A Clinical Dilemma

The cutaneous sinus tract of dental origin is an uncommon but well documented condition. Its diagnosis is not always easy unless the treating clinician considers the possibility of its dental origin. Such patients may undergo multiple surgical excisions, biopsies, and antibiotic regimens, but all of them fail with the recurrence of the sinus tract. This is because the primary etiology is incorrectly diagnosed. This case report describes the treatment of four patients presenting with variable complaints of pain and purulent or hemorrhagic discharge from lesions of the face. Clinical and radiographic examination revealed carious teeth with radiolucent areas indicating chronic periradicular abscess. The teeth were restorable, so nonsurgical endodontic therapy was performed in all of them. No systemic antibiotic therapy was provided. The patients responded well, and the cutaneous lesions healed uneventfully. Improper diagnosis can lead to needless loss of teeth that can be otherwise maintained through timely and proper management.

The healing potential of periodontal-endodontic lesions

Osseous lesions involving the periodontium, and which are sometimes associated with discomfort and pathologic changes such as swelling or the development of a sinus tract, are not always due to periodontal disease. Thus, it is not uncommon to find a dentition with generally good periodontal health but with one tooth having a severe isolated bony periodontal defect. In other cases, periodontal treatment may result in a general improvement, except in relation to one tooth which does not respond to the therapy. Very often these cases are instances of combined periodontal-endodontic lesions, but which are solely of pulpal origin. This paper serves to help the dental practitioner recognise the disease process underlying the condition and appreciate its effective management with non-surgical root canal treatment.

Nonsurgical Management of a Dilacerated Maxillary Lateral Incisor with Type III Dens Invaginatus: A Case Report

Type III dens invaginatus is a developmental anomaly characterized by an enamel-lined channel that originates on the coronal surface and passes apically through part or all of the root and exits into the periodontal ligament. In this case report, a 13-yr-old male had a Type III dens that exited at the midroot level of tooth #7. At that same level, the root dilacerated severely to the mesial, and a periradicular radiolucency was present on the distal. A 12-mm periodontal defect was present on tooth #6 and a sinus tract was present. All maxillary anterior teeth responded normally to pulp vitality testing, and no other abnormal probing depths were present. The channel opening in the crown was located, and the channel was negotiated, enlarged, and filled with calcium hydroxide. Thirteen weeks later, the probing was normal and the canal was obturated with gutta-percha and restored. Two- and 6-yr recalls showed complete healing of the bony defects and continued normal responses to vitality testing.

Surgical intervention of mucosal fenestration in a maxillary premolar: a case report

Labial mucosal fenestration of the root apex is an uncommon occurrence. An unusual case involving a maxillary right first premolar is described. When presented, the tooth was nonvital with the buccal root apex readily seen through a soft tissue and bone fenestration. Conventional endodontic treatment with gutta percha failed to resolve the problem. Periodontal surgery with a laterally positioned pedicle flap was thus scheduled. At the 1-month recall, complete healing was evident in the surgical site, and the fenestrated area of the maxillary right first premolar was filled with healthy mucosal tissue. One-year postoperatively, the mucosa remained covered, and there was radiographic evidence of bone infilling in the periapical region.

Prevalence of odontogenic sinus tracts in patients referred for endodontic therapy

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of odontogenic sinus tracts in patients referred for endodontic therapy. Charts of 330 patients (393 permanent teeth) endodontically treated during a 10-month period were reviewed and data was collected. Among the 393 permanent teeth there were a total of 160 teeth with preoperative status of periradicular inflammation. Of 160 teeth with preoperative status of periradicular inflammation, 29 teeth (18.1%) had an odontogenic sinus tract, which correlates to almost one in five teeth with periradicular inflammation having a sinus tract.

[Atypical surgical approach to the extraction of retained teeth]

Indication to extract deep impacted teeth as well as the surgical approaches is controversally discussed in the litterature. Based on a clinical case report we describe two atypical approaches, one is extraoral the other lingual for removing tow deeply impacted teeth. The revue of the litterature shows that atypical surgical approaches are only indicated in particular clinical situations. The indication to remove the teeth and the approach depends on the patient's compliance as well as the experience of the operator. In the reported case the extraoral approach is justified by the chronical dentogene infection with fistulisation and cutaneus changes in the submandibular region. Based on the much easier access to the tooth and the only minimal cutaneus modifications in this case, we recommand the extraoral approach for extraction of deep impacted teeth in some special cases like the one we present.

Extraoral Sinus Tract Misdiagnosed as an Endodontic Lesion

The extraoral sinus tract may occur as a result of an inflammatory process associated with a necrotic pulp. However, several non-odontogenic disorders may also produce an extraoral sinus tract. Thus, the differential diagnosis of this clinical finding is of paramount importance in providing appropriate clinical care because misdiagnosis of this condition may result in healing failure or unnecessary treatment. This case report of a 19-yr-old male patient describes an extraoral cutaneous sinus tract misdiagnosed as an endodontic lesion. Consequently, the patient underwent unnecessary exploratory procedures and antibiotic therapy. Identification of the inflammatory source of the lesion and removal of the affected tissue led to tissue healing.

Pulp therapy in a maxillary fused primary central incisor--report of a case

This paper describes a case in which pulp therapy was provided in a fused maxillary primary central incisor in a 4-year-old patient with a history of fistula on the gingival mucosa. The tooth involved was larger than expected, suggesting fusion. The diagnosis of fusion was confirmed on radiographical examination. The clinical management of the case is described and the diagnosis and treatment discussed.

Non-surgical post perforation repair with mineral trioxide aggregate: a case report

Mineral trioxide aggregate, or MTA, is a biocompatible material that has demonstrated numerous clinical applications in endodontics. It appears to be an improvement over other materials for use in procedures that involve root repair and bone healing, as it has consistently demonstrated the ability to promote regeneration of the original tissues when it is placed in contact with the periradicular tissues. This article describes the use of MTA for the successful non-surgical repair of an iatrogenic post perforation.

Clinical repair of an osseous defect associated with a cemental tear: a case report

Cemental tears have been described as detachment of cementum caused by trauma or aging. They often result in severe periodontal lesions that may necessitate the extraction of the affected tooth. This case report describes the clinical resolution of a periodontal lesion associated with a cemental tear. A maxillary central incisor was subjected to endodontic treatment twice with no resolution of a deep distobuccal pocket and a palatal sinus tract from its apical region. The preoperative differential diagnosis for the condition present on the tooth included a vertical fracture and a combined periodontal-endodontic lesion. Surgical exploration of the area revealed a cemental tear on the apical third of the tooth. The cementum fragments were removed, root-end resection was performed, and the osseous lesion was treated with an osseous graft and guided tissue regeneration. Clinical examination of the area 1 year after surgery revealed resolution of both the prior pocket and sinus tract. Radiographic examination of the area showed increased radiopacity in the area of the original lesion, suggesting bone fill.

The periapical space--a dynamic interface

The ultimate aim of endodontic treatment is to encourage the healing of apical periodontitis, or to prevent it from occurring if it was not present prior to treatment. Apical periodontitis is a general term used to describe an inflammatory response to irritation caused by the contents of a root canal system and it has several distinct forms. The most common is a granuloma but this can develop into other disease entities such as an abscess, a periapical pocket cyst or a true cyst, all of which present as radiolucencies. However, periapical radiolucencies may also be caused by extra-radicular infections, foreign body reactions and periapical scars, or they may be due to other tumours and cysts that have not originated from pulp disease. Practitioners must recognise and understand the different pathological entities and the dynamic interactions that occur in the periapical tissues in order to correctly diagnose and treat these conditions.

Dental emergencies presenting to a dental teaching hospital due to complications from traumatic dental injuries

In Jordan, only two surveys of dental trauma have been carried out. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and pattern of dental emergencies resulting from traumatic injuries, as well as treatment provided to children presenting with these dental emergencies. Over a 1-year period, 620 children presented to our pediatric dental clinics with dental emergencies; 195 (31%) of these emergencies were a consequence of dental trauma to 287 teeth and were included in the study. The average time between the trauma and the dental emergency was 5 months. Pain or sensitivity was the most frequent presenting symptom (31.3%) followed by swelling or sinus tract (17.4%). The age of these patients ranged from 15 months to 14 years, with an average age of 9.3 years. Males accounted for 75.4% of the children in the samples, whereas females accounted for only 24.6%. The main cause of dental trauma was falling during play (58.5%); the least common cause was motor vehicle accidents, accounting for only 1.5% of all injuries. Most of the dental injuries occurred at home (41.5%), around noon time. The most commonly involved teeth were permanent maxillary central incisors accounting for 79.5% of all teeth involved by dental trauma. The most frequently encountered type of trauma in this sample was crown fracture seen in 76.6% of the teeth. Soft tissue injuries were estimated to occur in 16.9% of the children. The treatment received by the children in the sample ranged from no active treatment (6.2%) to elaborate dental procedures such as pulp therapy (41.3%) and prosthetic replacement of missing teeth (5.1%).

The use of MTA in teeth with necrotic pulps and open apices

Three clinical cases have been treated with the use of an apical plug of MTA for apexification. All three cases were central incisors that had suffered premature interruption of root development as a consequence of trauma. According to the treatment protocol, the root canals were rinsed with 5% NaOCl; then, calcium hydroxide paste was placed in the canals for 1 week. Consequently, the apical portion of the canal (4 mm) was filled with MTA. The remaining portion of the root canals was then closed with thermoplastic gutta-percha. At 6-month and 1-year follow-up period the clinical and radiographic appearance of the teeth showed resolution of the periapical lesions. MTA appears to be a valid option for apexification with its main advantage being the speed at which the treatment can be completed.

Facial sinus of dental origin: a case report

Sinus tracts of dental origin opening on the skin can be a diagnostic challenge. A delay in correctly diagnosing these lesions can result in ineffective and inappropriate treatment; however, if recognized early, the sinus tract usually resolves after appropriate endodontic therapy or extraction. We report a case of a cutaneous sinus tract secondary to a periapical abscess of the mandibular first molar tooth. The case was successfully treated by extraction and the sinus tract healed.

Where is it coming from?

A case report is presented of an unusual situation where standard routine diagnostic methods failed to reveal the true origin of an endodontic infection.

[The use of Dental D (polyacetal resin) as an alternative for chrome-cobalt removable partial denture: a case report]

Polyacetal resin (Delrin) is well known material in many medical fields as for artificial heart valves and artificial hip joints. In dentistry the material is known as Dental D, and among its other applications, is used for removable partial dentures. The article presents a cleft lip and palate patient with missing teeth (12 and 22). The patient underwent on operations for closure of the cleft, but even so some sinus tracts from the nasal cavity to the soft and hard palate exist. The patient was rehabilitated 10 years ago with chrome-cobalt removable partial denture, but lately, episodes of swelling and burning sensation were reported. The patient was diagnosed (by the allergy clinic in Hadassah hospital) as allergic to chrome-cobalt. Some optional treatment plans were offered to the patient (fixed, which involved an operation of closing the fistulas, and then a fixed restoration, another option was removable denture with Dental D). The patient chose to be rehabilitated with Dental D removable partial denture, which closes the fistulas and reconstructs the missing teeth. Due to the physical properties of the Dental D, its biocompatibility and the improved esthetics results, the Dental D can be a good alternative for the chrome-cobalt removable partial denture. The esthetic results with the Dental D, as far better than the conventional partial denture.