Root-end surgery with leucocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin and an occlusive membrane: a randomized controlled clinical trial on patients’ quality of life

The impact of bone grafting with/without barrier membrane placement on the outcome of apical surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Regenerative techniques are increasingly being advocated in endodontic apical surgery (AS) to enhance the healing of periapical lesions. Various grafting and membrane materials are employed as adjuncts to modern AS.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review aimed to answer the following PICO question: In patients with apical periodontitis (P) what is the impact of bone grafting with/without barrier membrane materials (I) compared with surgery without grafting materials (C) on the outcome of AS evaluated clinically and radiographically (O).

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in four databases (Embase, Web of Science, PubMed and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) until 1 August 2023. Google Scholar was also manually searched. Studies with a prospective randomized design were included. Cochrane risk-of-bias (RoB) tool 2.0 assessed bias. Two independent reviewers performed the study selection, data extraction and appraisal of studies. Meta-analysis was performed using R3.5.1 software.

RESULTS

From the identified 2582 studies, eight randomized clinical trials were included for meta-analysis. Two studies had low RoB, while six had some concerns. Analysis revealed significantly better outcomes when surgery involved bone regeneration techniques than conventional surgery (OR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.32-4.31, p = .004). Subgroup analyses on individual grafts (OR = 0.22, 95% CI: -0.99 to 1.44, p = .720) (OR = -0.09, 95% CI: -1.42 to 1.23, p = .885) and membranes (OR = -1.09, 95% CI: -2.94 to 0.76, p = .247) and their combinations (OR = 0.03, 95% CI: -1.50 to 1.55, p = .970) did not yield any significant results. The type of membrane used did not significantly impact the outcome (OR = -1.09, 95% CI: -2.94 to 0.76, p = .247) nor did altering the combination of graft/membrane.

DISCUSSION

This systematic review examined the effects of bone grafting with/without membrane placement on the outcome of AS. It highlights the potential advantages of regenerative techniques and the need for further research in this area.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on current evidence, bone grafting with/without barrier membrane placement significantly improves healing after AS. Subgroup analysis of resorbable membranes or grafting did not significantly influence the outcome. The combination of membrane and graft was also not significant. Future well-designed, randomized controlled trials in this area are essential before these materials can be recommended for routine use to enhance healing outcomes in AS.

REGISTRATION

PROSPERO (CRD42021255171).

The efficacy of Platelet and Leukocyte Rich Fibrin (L-PRF) in the healing process and bone repair in oral and maxillofacial surgeries: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

The search to optimize the healing and bone repair processes in oral and maxillofacial surgeries reflects the constant evolution in clinical practice, driven by the demand for increasingly satisfactory results and the need to minimize postoperative complications.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of Platelet and Leukocyte Rich Fibrin (L-PRF) in the healing and bone repair process in oral and maxillofacial surgeries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The systematic review protocol for this study included the definition of the research question, the domain of the study, the databases searched, the search strategy, the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the types of studies to be included, the measures of effect, the methods for screening, data extraction and analysis, and the approach to data synthesis. Systematic literature searches were carried out on Cochrane databases, Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Embase and Google Scholar.

RESULTS

The strategic search in the databases identified 1,159 studies. After removing the duplicates with the Rayyan© software, 946 articles remained. Of these, 30 met the inclusion criteria. After careful evaluation based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 8 studies were considered highly relevant and included in the systematic review.

CONCLUSION

Platelet and Leukocyte Rich Fibrin (L-PRF) has a positive effect on the healing process and bone repair in oral and maxillofacial surgeries.

Autologous concentrated growth factor mediated accelerated bone healing in root-end microsurgery: A multicenter randomized clinical trial

Introduction

Concentrated growth factor (CGF) is a new-generation autologous platelet concentrate that promotes tissue regeneration and has anti-inflammatory properties. This randomized multicenter trial aimed to evaluate the effects of CGF on bone healing in combination with root-end microsurgery.

Methods

Healthy adult patients indicated for root-end microsurgery were randomly assigned to either the CGF or control (no CGF implantation) groups. CGF was implanted into the bone cavity after root-end filling with mineral trioxide aggregate. Clinical and periapical radiographic evaluations were conducted at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, with follow-up cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) at 6 months. The lesion volume reduction rate was calculated based on data from the preoperative and follow-up CBCT images.

Results

A total of 24 patients were enrolled. The treatment success rate was 91.7% and 83.3% on 12-month periapical radiography and 6-month CBCT, respectively, without a significant difference between the two groups. The lesion volume reduction rate in the CGF group (75.6%) was significantly higher than that in the control (61.0%) group.

Conclusions

Autologous CGF in conjunction with root-end microsurgery accelerated lesion reduction as observed on CBCT. Administering autologous blood products to stimulate healing in addition to removing the source of infection appears to be a promising treatment option for root-end microsurgery.

The Effectiveness of Autologous Platelet Concentrates in the Clinical and Radiographic Healing after Endodontic Surgery: A Systematic Review

Regenerative techniques are increasingly applied in endodontic surgery, but different materials may have varying impacts on soft and hard tissue healing. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of autologous platelet concentrates (APCs) in clinical and radiographic healing after endodontic surgery. The data for this systematic review were processed following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for improving the reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. A literature search was conducted until October 2023 on PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Databases. Randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials addressing the use of APCs in patients who presented persistent periapical lesions and needed periapical surgery were included. Dual publications, narrative reviews, systematic reviews, case series, questionnaires, animal studies, case reports, letters to the editor, in vitro studies, and abstracts were excluded. In total, the search resulted in 14 papers. Clinical and radiographical findings were reported, showing that when APCs were used, patients exhibited less pain and swelling and a greater reduction of apical radiolucency after 12 months follow-up on average. However, the moderate/high risk of bias of included studies and their high heterogeneity, do not allow one to draw definitive conclusions on the effectiveness of APC after endodontic surgery.

Comparative histological evaluation of two PRF formulations (PRF High and PRF Medium) on quality of life and healing outcome of apicomarginal defects: A randomized clinical trial

The objective of this randomized clinical trial was to investigate the effects of two PRF formulations (PRF High and PRF Medium) on quality of life and healing outcome (2D and 3D) of apicomarginal defects. Patients presenting with endodontic lesions and concomitant periodontal communication were randomly allocated to PRF High and PRF Medium groups. The treatment protocol in each group included a periapical surgical procedure with placement of PRF clot and membrane in the bony defect and on the denuded root surface, respectively. Quality of life was assessed for 1 week after surgery following a modified version of the patient's perception questionnaire. Postoperative pain was assessed using a visual analog scale. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed using Rud and Molven 2D criteria and Modified PENN 3D criteria. Buccal bone formation was assessed using sagittal and corresponding axial sections in CBCT. Histological analysis was performed using hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining and attaching primary antibodies to tissue sections. In total, 40 patients were enrolled in the trial (N = 20 per group). PRF Medium group patients reported significantly less swelling on the 1st (p = 0.036), 2nd (p = 0.034), and 3rd (p = 0.023) days, and average pain on the 2nd (p = 0.031), 3rd (p = 0.03), and 4th (p = 0.04) days postoperatively. The difference in success rate for periapical healing was non-significant between the PRF Medium group (89.5%) and PRF High group (90%), in both 2D and 3D imaging (p = 0.957). The formation of buccal bone was observed in five cases (26.3%) and four cases (20%) in the PRF Medium and PRF High groups, respectively, with a non-significant difference (p = 0.575). PRF Medium clots had a loose fibrin structure with a significantly higher number of neutrophils (473.79 ± 82.89 per mm²) than PRF High clots, which had a dense structure and fewer neutrophils (253.15 ± 63.86 per mm²) (p = 0.001). Autologous platelet concentrates (APCs) promoted satisfactory periapical healing, with no significant difference between the groups. Within the limitations of the study, it seems that PRF Medium should be preferred over PRF High when the patients' quality of life is the priority.

Patient-centric outcome assessment of endodontic microsurgery using periapical radiography versus cone beam computed tomography: A randomized clinical trial

AIM

This study aimed to evaluate whether utilizing additional cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging has any effect on quality of life and healing outcome following periapical surgery compared with periapical radiographs (PR).

METHODOLOGY

The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04333940). In this parallel group randomized controlled trial, 52 patients (88 teeth) with persistent apical periodontitis and periapical radiographic evidence of periapical lesion were randomly assigned to either PR or CBCT group. The primary predictor was the type of the imaging method (PR only or with additional CBCT). The primary outcome was patient's quality of life during the first week after periapical surgery and the secondary outcomes were duration of surgery and healing outcome at 12-month follow-up. Participants of both groups received periapical surgery based on the pre-surgical plan provided by the radiographic imaging methods. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed using Modified Shugars questionnaire. Radiographic analysis for healing was conducted using Molven's criteria and modified PENN 3D criteria. The categorical data between groups were analysed using the Chi-square test, whilst intragroup comparisons were analysed using the McNemar test. The average scores for each component of QoL (oral functions, general functions, pain, swelling and other symptoms), combined QoL scores (overall average of values of 13 variables) and analgesic usage on each day were calculated and analysed.

RESULTS

At 12 months of follow-up, fifty patients were evaluated. Participants in PR group reported significantly more swelling on first three days compared with CBCT group. The analgesic use was higher in the PR group on 2nd and 3rd day (Mann-Whitney U test with Bonferroni correction; p < .007). A significant difference in the limitation of general functions was observed at the second day (p < .07) with the higher values in the PR group. The combined QoL score between the two groups was found to be non-significant. However, none of the patients experienced intraoperative complications or neurovascular exposure. The mean surgical time was lesser in the CBCT group (p < .05). Radiographic healing revealed a success rate of 96.2% for the PR group and 95.8% for the CBCT group with no significant difference between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Participants in the CBCT group experienced substantially less early postoperative swelling and limitation in general functions, in comparison with the PR group. However, preoperative CBCT had no effect on other QoL parameters and intraoperative complications in medium-risk patients. Furthermore, CBCT did not exhibit any added advantage over periapical radiography in terms of assessing healing outcome following endodontic microsurgery. CBCT offered surgically relevant anatomic information for pre-surgical planning and ensured the treatment rendition with a significantly reduced operative time.

PROMs Following Root Canal Treatment and Surgical Endodontic Treatment

The FDI is currently working on developing a tool to encompass patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) within the overall assessment of outcomes of endodontic treatment. The outcome of endodontic treatment has traditionally been determined by various clinical and radiographic criteria. However, these parameters do not address the impact of treatment on a patient's oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). OHRQoL, a crucial PROM, can be used to understand treatment outcome from a patient-centred perspective, thus improving clinician-patient communication whilst guiding decision-making. This focussed review aims to recount the OHRQoL of patients following nonsurgical root canal treatment and surgical endodontic treatment, with a specific focus on the minimal important difference (MID; the minimum score changes of an outcome instrument for a patient to register a clinically significant change in their OHRQoL and/or oral condition) and the methods used to determine it. The current evidence indicates that the OHRQoL of patients requiring root canal treatment is poorer than those without such need. Accordingly, the literature suggests that OHRQoL improves following nonsurgical or surgical endodontic treatment. However, study methodologies vary widely, and conclusions cannot be drawn with high confidence, nor can MID recommendations be provided. Well-designed clinical studies with baseline measurements and appropriate follow-up time frames are therefore needed. Despite that the literature is rife with outcome studies, research on PROMs is an area that deserves greater attention, particularly in relation to the MID. Determining the MID will facilitate the understanding of changes in outcome scores from the patients' perspective, thus allowing for more informed decision-making in clinical practice.

Effect of periapical surgery on oral health-related quality of life in the first postoperative week using the Dutch version of Oral Health Impact Profile-14

Objective

To evaluate whether periapical surgery affects oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) within the first postoperative week.

Study design

The primary outcomes in 133 patients (54 men, 79 women; mean age 50.8 years) undergoing periapical surgery were the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) score and postoperative sequelae, including pain, analgesic intake, swelling, limited mouth opening, chewing difficulties, and postoperative infection.

Results

We found a significant effect on OHIP-14, pain, and analgesics, which decreased throughout the week. We found no significant differences in mean OHIP-14, pain scores, or analgesic use for gender, medical history, surgical flaps, operation time, or location of the operated teeth. Younger patients had a higher OHIP-14 score in the first 2 days after surgery and more pain on the first postoperative day. Women experienced more pain during the first 3 days. Smokers had a higher OHIP-14 score on the first postoperative day and greater pain during the first 3 days compared to non-smokers.

Conclusion

We identified a low incidence of pain and reduced OHRQoL following periapical surgery. The postoperative reduction in OHRQoL and pain were of short duration, with maximum intensity in the early postoperative period and rapidly decreasing with time.

Impact of different regenerative techniques and materials on the healing outcome of endodontic surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Regenerative techniques are increasingly applied in endodontic surgery, but different materials used in regenerative techniques may have varying impacts on wound healing.

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the effects of different regenerative techniques and materials on the outcome of endodontic surgery.

PARTICIPANTS

patients with persistent periapical lesions, treated with root-end surgery.

CONTROL

endodontic surgery without the use of regenerative techniques/materials.

INTERVENTION

endodontic surgery with the use of regenerative techniques/materials.

OUTCOME

combined clinical and radiographic results.

METHODS

PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, SinoMed and the CENTRAL Cochrane were searched up to 10th July 2020, followed by a manual search. Detailed eligibility criteria were applied. Cochrane's risk-of-bias tool 2.0 was used to assess the risk of bias of the eligible studies. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan software. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the regenerative materials used in endodontic surgery.

RESULTS

Eleven eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the meta-analysis: two had a low risk of overall bias, and nine had some concerns of overall bias. Generally, the use of regenerative techniques significantly improved the outcome of endodontic surgery (risk ratio [RR]: 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.26-0.68; P < 0.001). On subgroup analysis, the use of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) membranes alone had no added benefits (RR: 2.00; 95% CI, 0.22-18.33; P = 0.54). The application of collagen membranes or autologous platelet concentrates (APCs) alone was associated with a trend for better outcomes (RR: 0.51; 95% CI, 0.20-1.25; P = 0.14) (RR: 0.55; 95% CI, 0.18-1.71; P = 0.30). The combined use of collagen membranes and bovine-derived hydroxyapatite significantly improved the outcome (RR: 0.35; 95% CI, 0.17-0.75; P = 0.007).

DISCUSSION

This systematic review evaluated the effects of collagen membranes, e-PTFE membranes, APCs and bone grafting materials, providing detailed information about the risks and benefits of using each regenerative technique/material or its combination in endodontic surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Regenerative techniques improve periapical lesion healing after endodontic surgery. The combined use of collagen membranes and bovine-derived hydroxyapatite may be beneficial as an adjunct to endodontic surgery. In contrast, the positive efficacy of e-PTFE membranes or APCs alone remains doubtful.