Apical Barrier Formation After Incomplete Orthograde MTA Apical Plug Placement in Teeth with Open Apex - Report of Two Cases

Present status and future directions: Apexification

The success rate of apexification is primarily determined by multiple factors, including the material used, the size of the open apex compared to the length of the root, and the technique used in each case. The main objective of this review was to provide an update on the present management of open apex to identify factors and circumstances that may influence the success of apexification using different materials and techniques. Future research on apexification should focus on how to treat open apices with wide periapical lesions without surgery. Previously, the predictability of these parameters with non-surgical procedures was uncertain, but now, with the use of a dental operating microscope, it has become more predictable. Another reason could be that extra visits are no longer required due to major advances in the armamentarium and materials used for apexification.

Evaluation of the cytotoxic effects of a new Harvard MTA compared to MTA Flow and ProRoot MTA on human gingival fibroblasts

Background

Biocompatibility is an essential property for any dental root repair material that may interact with the surrounding periodontal tissues. We hypothesise that the three mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) restorative brands ProRoot MTA, MTA Flow and Harvard MTA have similar biocompatibility. To test this hypothesis, we compared the cytotoxic effects of these materials on human gingival fibroblast (GF).

Methods

MTA cements were prepared, and after completion of setting, they were incubated in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium for 1 day or 4 days to obtain low and high concentrations of MTA elutes respectively. The elutes of MTA supplemented with fetal bovine serum were added to GF and incubated for 3 days at 37 °C and 5% CO2. Untreated cells were used as control. The cell viability was assessed using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay at 24, 48 and 72 h.

Results

After 24 h, the MTT assay showed that both 1- and 4-day elutes of MTA flow and Harvard MTA reduced cell viability significantly compared to control (P < 0.05). After 48 h, the 1-day elute of ProRoot MTA induced GF proliferation (P = 0.0136) while MTA flow and Harvard MTA were similar to control. After 72 h, the 1-day elute of ProRoot MTA and Harvard MTA induced GF proliferation, while the elute of MTA flow was comparable to control. The 4-day elute of Harvard MTA continued to be cytotoxic to GF after 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h incubation, while the 4-day elute of ProRoot MTA and MTA flow were similar to control.

Conclusion

ProRoot MTA and MTA Flow showed comparable biocompatibility. However, the 4-day elute of Harvard MTA was cytotoxic to GF. Further studied are required to assess the cell viability after direct contact with these materials versus eluent in vitro and compare these sealers in the clinical setting.

Retreatment of failed revascularization/revitalization of immature permanent tooth - A case report

The aim of this article is to describe the clinical case of the non-surgical retreatment of a failed revascularization/revitalization treatment (RRT). The retreatment was preceded by two sessions including an interim medication with calcium hydroxide and a modified irrigation protocol containing a highly-concentrated sodium hypochlorite and prolonged usage of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to reverse unacceptable side effects of hypochlorite. During a 15- month follow-up, the healing of the periapical lesion, increased thickening of root canal walls and maturation of root was apparent. The repeated RRT represents a possible treatment modality for s failed RRT. Key words:Retreatment, revascularization, revitalization, maturogenesis, immature tooth.

Mineral trioxide aggregate and other bioactive endodontic cements: an updated overview - part II: other clinical applications and complications

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is a dental material used extensively for vital pulp therapies (VPT), protecting scaffolds during regenerative endodontic procedures, apical barriers in teeth with necrotic pulps and open apices, perforation repairs as well as root canal filling and root-end filling during surgical endodontics. A number of bioactive endodontic cements (BECs) have recently been introduced to the market. Most of these materials have calcium and silicate in their compositions; however, bioactivity is a common property of these cements. These materials include the following: BioAggregate, Biodentine, BioRoot RCS, calcium-enriched mixture cement, Endo-CPM, Endocem, EndoSequence, EndoBinder, EndoSeal MTA, iRoot, MicroMega MTA, MTA Bio, MTA Fillapex, MTA Plus, Neo MTA Plus, Ortho MTA, Quick-Set, Retro MTA, Tech Biosealer, and TheraCal LC. It has been claimed that these materials have properties similar to those of MTA but without the drawbacks. In Part I of this review, the available information on the chemical composition of the materials listed above was reviewed and their applications for VPT was discussed. In this article, the clinical applications of MTA and other BECs will be reviewed for apexification, regenerative endodontics, perforation repair, root canal filling, root-end filling, restorative procedures, periodontal defects and treatment of vertical and horizontal root fractures. In addition, the literature regarding the possible drawbacks of these materials following their clinical applications is reviewed. These drawbacks include their discolouration potential, systemic effects and retreatability following use as a root filling material. Based on selected keywords, all publications were searched regarding the use of MTA as well as BECs for the relevant clinical applications. Numerous publications were found regarding the use of BECs for various endodontic applications. The majority of these investigations compared BECs with MTA. Despite promising results for some materials, the number of publications using BECs for various clinical applications was limited. Furthermore, most studies had several methodological shortcomings and low levels of evidence.

Endodontic Management of Open Apex Teeth Using Lyophilized Collagen Sponge and MTA Cement: Report of Two Cases

Teeth with open apices, such as in immature teeth or those with apical root resorption are clinical cases with difficult immediate resolution. With the use of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) in dentistry, it was possible to optimize the treatment time of these cases by immediate placement of apical plug and the root canal filling. However, some negative effects can occur if MTA is extruded beyond the apex. To avoid this accident, it has been recommended to use of an apical matrix prior to placement of MTA. This study reports two clinical cases of apical plug placement in teeth with pulp necrosis and open apices. One case had an immature apex due to dental trauma and the other case had apical resorption due to the presence of endodontic infection in the root canal. MTA apical plug with approximately 4 mm thickness, was placed in the apical zone of the root and immediately the canal was obturated with gutta-percha and endodontic sealer. Follow-up evaluations showed clinical and radiographic evidence of success.

Paradigm Shift from Stem Cells to Cell-Free Regenerative Endodontic Procedures: A Critical Review

Regenerative endodontic procedures of immature teeth with necrotic pulp have become a part of therapeutic endodontic spectrum and are considered as an alternative to calcium hydroxide or mineral trioxide aggregate apexification. In last decade, numerous case reports and series with usage of cell-free approaches known as revascularization, revitalization, or maturogenesis have been published. This cell-free approach prevails in clinical regenerative endodontics because of its relative ease of performance, lower financial demands, and absence of complications such as tumorigenesis of used stem cells. In this article, the integral steps of cell-free treatment approaches such as source of stem cells, possible endogenous scaffolds, sources of growth factors, and width of apical foramen in the context of sufficient disinfection of root canal system and outcome of treatment are discussed. Despite not being a fully established treatment protocol, the achieved outcomes are promising regardless of it having a reparative character than a regenerative one.

Altered Apical Morphology (Reverse Architecture): Use of Indirect Ultrasonic Technique for Orthograde MTA Placement in Maxillary Premolars

Aim. To report the management and orthograde technique of MTA placement in case of reverse architecture maxillary premolars. Summary. Two cases of 17-year-old and 21-year-old female patients were referred to endodontic speciality for management of maxillary premolar having reverse architecture with wide immature open apex like a bell mouth. In both the cases, after control of intraradicular infection, it was decided to use MTA for apexification and obturation of canals. Orthograde placement of MTA is a challenging procedure in terms of length control and condensation especially in divergent irregular reverse architecture wide open apex. A novel technique with the help of finger plugger, sterilized paper point, and ultrasonic agitation for 3D compaction of MTA at apical reverse architecture was used. Thickening of the canal wall and complete apical closure were confirmed one year after the treatment.