Effect of delayed calcium hydroxide treatment on periodontal healing in contaminated replanted teeth

Abstract – The effect of delayed intracanal calcium hydroxide treatment on experimentally induced extensive inflammatory root resorption in monkeys was studied. A significant shift from inflammatory resorption to ankylosis was noted following calcium hydroxide treatment. Furthermore, calcium hydroxide treatment appeared to change the pattern of ankylosis over time, although the total ankylotic area remained the same. Ankylosis preceded by root resorption (replacement resorption) increased, while ankylosis not associated with root resorption decreased. It was concluded that intracanal calcium hydroxide treatment of teeth with compromised PDM may cause unnecessary replacement resorption if left in the root canal for a long time or changed repeatedly.     

Effect of immediate calcium hydroxide treatment and permanent root-filling on periodontal healing in contaminated replanted teeth

The effect of immediate permanent root-filling and immediate intracanal calcium hydroxide treatment on experimentally contaminated and necrotized periodontal membranes (PDM) in avulsed and subsequently replanted monkey teeth was studied. Almost the entire root surface in the non-endodontically treated control teeth were covered with inflammatory resorption. A significant shift towards ankylosis not associated with root resorption (greater than 80% of the total root surface area) was noted following calcium hydroxide treatment. About two thirds of the root surfaces from the teeth with permanent root fillings showed surface resorptions or ankylosis preceded by root resorption. The root surface area which would have been covered by inflammatory resorption, unless endodontic treatment had been implemented, were instead predominantly covered by either surface resorption (permanent root filling) or ankylosis (calcium hydroxide treatment). Ankylosis compared with surface resorption may in the long term lead to progressive loss of root substance due to replacement resorption. It was concluded that calcium hydroxide may be an excellent initial intracanal treatment in teeth with healthy PDM, but care should be taken not to risk unnecessary development of ankylosis by prolonged treatment of teeth with compromised PDM.     

Endodontic infection and calcium hydroxide-treatment. Effects on periodontal healing in mature and immature replanted monkey teeth

Abstract Large experimental defects with marginal communication, and small isolated experimental defects were created on the root surfaces of extracted monkey lateral incisors with either open or closed apices. The pulp tissue was either infected or removed, and calcium hydroxide placed in the root canal. The teeth were then replanted and the healing pattern evaluated histomorphometrically after 20 weeks. From the results, it was concluded that (1) an intrapulpal infection promotes marginal epithelial down-growth on a denuded dentin surface irrespective of tooth developmental stage, and that (2) the periodontal healing potential after calcium hydroxide-treatment appears to be higher in teeth with open apices compared with teeth with closed apices, where ankylosis was promoted as opposed to teeth with open apices where significantly more reparative cementum was found.     

Effect of delayed calcium hydroxide treatment on periodontal healing in contaminated replanted teeth

The effect of delayed intracanal calcium hydroxide treatment on experimentally induced extensive inflammatory root resorption in monkeys was studied. A significant shift from inflammatory resorption to ankylosis was noted following calcium hydroxide treatment. Furthermore, calcium hydroxide treatment appeared to change the pattern of ankylosis over time, although the total ankylotic area remained the same. Ankylosis preceded by root resorption (replacement resorption) increased, while ankylosis not associated with root resorption decreased. It was concluded that intracanal calcium hydroxide treatment of teeth with compromised PDM may cause unnecessary replacement resorption if left in the root canal for a long time or changed repeatedly.     

Timing of calcium hydroxide therapy in the treatment of root resorption in replanted teeth in dogs

Abstract The effect of time of the onset of calcium hydroxide (CH) pulpectomy on root resorption of 31 permanent dog incisors was investigated. CH pulpectomy was delayed 4, 9, 14 and 18 days after the teeth were extracted and replanted. Control teeth were replanted 1) without pulpectomy, 2) with a pulpectomy only or 31. with a pulpectomy and CH filling. All teeth were prepared for histologic evaluation 8 weeks after the teeth were replanted. Cross section were examined using a computer microscope and linear (jam) and/or square areas (μm²) of surface (SRR), inflammatory (IRR), and replacement (RRR) root resorption were calculated. From this data the percentage of linear and area resorption was averaged for each group. Duncan multiple range t-test (P<0.05) revealed that teeth in which a pulpectomy with CH filling was done extraorally had significantly greater SRR than the rest of the groups; teeth in which a pulpectomy without CH filling was done extra orally had significantly greater RRR than teeth in which CH pulpectomy was delayed for 18 days; there was no significant difference in SRR. IRR or RRR when CH placement was delayed 4, 9, 14 or 18 days after replantation. Although it was not significant the overall resorption was least when CH pulpectomy was delayed 18 days.     

Effect of calcium hydroxide treatment on periodontal repair and root resorption

Abstract Pulpal application of calcium hydroxide is a common treatment for external root resorption. Several mechanisms of action have been suggested. In the present investigation, the effect of pulpal calcium hydroxide on cells at the root surface and in the periodontal ligament was studied by means of scanning-electron microscopy and light microscopy. Lateral incisors in monkeys were extracted, a groove was made- in the root surface and the teeth were then immediately replanted. The pulps of some teeth were infected by bacteria from the saliva. Application of calcium hydroxide in the root canal caused a limited necrosis of the cells resorbing dentin as well as the cells forming reparative cementum in the experimental groove. In the non-infected teeth, a temporary ankylosis developed. The high pH having a bactericidal and necrotizing effect seemed to be sufficient to explain the therapeutic effect of calcium hydroxide on root resorption.     

Effect of an oily calcium hydroxide suspension on early wound healing after nonsurgical periodontal therapy

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate clinically the effect of an oily calcium hydroxide suspension on early wound healing after nonsurgical periodontal therapy. A total of 19 patients with chronic periodontitis were enrolled in the study. Each subject had three sites in each of two contra-lateral jaw quadrants with a probing pocket depth (PPD) of ≥5 mm and bleeding on probing (BoP+). All teeth received scaling and root planing under local anesthesia followed by irrigation with sterile saline. An oily calcium hydroxide suspension (Osteoinductal) was applied subgingivally to the test sites at random. All sites were reexamined after 1, 2 [gingival index (GI) and BoP], and 3 weeks (GI, BoP, and PPD). Treatment success was defined as no signs of GI (GI=0), no BoP (BoP−), and pocket closure (PPD≤4 mm). At all three different points in time, there were improvements in both GI and BoP at the control and test sites, which were in favor of the test therapy (p<0.05). For PPD change, no differences were found between the test and the control sites. The results of the study suggest that the topical application of an oily calcium hydroxide suspension (Osteoinductal), after nonsurgical periodontal therapy, improves early periodontal wound healing.     

Comparison of two calcium hydroxide pastes used for endodontic treatment of non-vital immature incisor teeth

Abstract A proprietary calcium hydroxide paste, Reogan Rapid, that previously has been demonstrated to induce apical closure in non-vital immature incisor teeth, was becoming unavailable. A prospective clinical trial was conducted to compare Reogan Rapid with another proprietary paste, Hypo-cal. For teeth treated with Reogan Rapid apical closure was obtained in an average of 6.8 months involving 3.1 visits and the respective figures for teeth treated with Hypo-cal were 5.1 months and 2.4 visits. These results demonstrated that Hypo-cal was as effective as Reogan Rapid when used in a standardised technique for inducing apical closure.     

Replantation of teeth and antibiotic treatment

Abstract Administration of antibiotics is usually recommended when a traumatically avulsed tooth is replanted, in order to prevent bacterial contamination. In the present study, permanent lateral incisors of monkeys were extracted, allowed to dry for 1 h and then replanted. Some teeth had their pulp chambers opened labially and left open for 3 wk after replantation. The monkeys were treated with antibiotics (i.m.) either at the lime of replantation or 3 wk after replantation. In some monkeys, antibiotics were placed in the pulpal cavity. Comparisons were made of the effect of endodontic treatment on periodontal healing and root resorption. The monkeys were killed 8 wk after replantation. It was found that after systemic antibiotic treatment at the time of replantation there was no inflammatory root resorption. Also, endodontic treatment at the time of replantation prevented inflammatory root resorption. When systemic antibiotic treatment was instituted 3 wk after (he replantation, there was no reduction of the inflammatory root resorption as compared with teeth without antibiotic treatment. Application of antibiotics in the pulp 3 wk after replantation almost completely eliminated the inflammatory resorption. In all the treatment groups where administration of antibiotics or endodontic treatment had prevented, reduced or eliminated inflammatory root resorption, 30–45% of the root surface area was ankylotic 8 wk after replantation.     

Allo- and autotransplantation of mature teeth in monkeys: a sequential time-related histoquantitative study of periodontal and pulpal healing

Abstract – Root resorption is known to be the most relevant complication determining the long‐term prognosis of allotransplanted teeth, and it is initiated during the first few postoperative months. The aim of the present study was to quantitatively assess the dynamics of the periodontal ligament (PDL) and pulpal healing reactions during the first 8 weeks after allotransplantation of mature teeth. The material comprised 112 maxillary central and mandibular lateral incisors of 28 mature green Vervet monkeys, immunogenetically untested, and only matched according to the size of the grafts. Donors and recipients exchanged simultaneously both maxillary incisors and one mandibular incisor, whereas the contralateral mandibular incisors were autotransplanted as controls. At random, every second maxillary allograft was endodontically treated preoperatively. Histoquantitative analysis of the PDL and pulpal healing reactions was carried out after 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks on serial cross‐sections of the grafts in 6, 6, 6 and 8 monkeys, respectively. Necrosis zones in the PDL were prominent in both auto‐ and allografts after 1 week. Inflammation in the PDL dominated healing in all types of grafts 1 week after transplantation, whereas it subsided significantly after 2 weeks in autografts compared to allografts (P = 0.005). Inflammatory resorption (IR) became prominent after 4 weeks in autografts and this remained stationary. In contrast, IR initiated significantly earlier in allografts compared to autografts after 2 weeks (P = 0.007), and this type of resorption was further increasing in allografts after 4 and 8 weeks. Endodontic treatment, however, reduced IR nearly totally in the allografts with time. Replacement resorption (RR) was nearly absent in autografts. In contrast, allografts showed increasing appearance of RR with time, initiating at 4 weeks. By removing IR from the allografts by endodontic treatment, RR was unmasked significantly at 4 weeks (P = 0.02) and dominated most of the periodontal ligament (70%) after 8 weeks (P = 0.0004). Within the 8 postoperative weeks autografts showed healing with increasing amount of normal PDL reaching significantly higher levels compared to allografts already after 2 weeks (P = 0.02), with increasing differences thereafter. In most allografts, the normal PDL occupied less than 10% of the entire root surface and was located in the supra‐alveolar cervical region. Downgrowth of periodontal pocket epithelium was absent or found very infrequently in all groups irrespective of type, time and treatment. In conclusion, the healing of allo‐ and autotransplanted mature teeth differed significantly on several aspects during the first 8 postoperative weeks. The recorded differences included a higher amount of inflammation in the PDL of allografts after 2 weeks, inflammatory resorption from the second week, and replacement resorption dominating in the eighth week, indicated that an immunologic stimulus for root resorption existed in the allogenic PDL apart from the pulp. Furthermore, specific healing reactions was found in the cervical region with almost identical gingival healing in auto‐ and allografts.     

Local dexamethasone improves periodontal healing of replanted dogs' teeth

Abstract— The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate histologically the effect of dexamethasone on root resorption in stored and replanted dogs' teeth. Twenty-nine roots from three beagle dogs were endodontically treated to prevent subsequent inflammatory root resorption of pulpal origin. The teeth were extracted and randomly assigned to three groups for 18-h storage. Group 1: control group teeth ( n = 13) were stored in vials containing ViaSpan only; Group 2: topical treatment teeth ( n =10) were stored in vials containing ViaSpan and dexamethasone (16 μg/ml); and Group 3: systemic treatment teeth ( n =6) were stored in bids containing ViaSpan without any additives. Dexamethasone was administered intramuscularly (0.5 mg/kg body weight) 2 days prior to, on the day of, and every other day after extraction and replantation for two administrations. After 12 weeks, the dogs were sacrificed, and the teeth histologically prepared and evaluated according to the analysis of Andreasen. Significant differences were found for complete healing ( P= 0.0583) and inflammatory root resorption ( P= 0.0568) but not for replacement resorption ( P= 0.1952). In addition, comparing local to systemic administration of dexamethasone (Group 2 vs. Group 3), statistically significant differences were found for healing, 85% (Group 2) vs. 67% (Group 3) ( P =0.0125) and inflammatory root resorption, 13% (Group 2) vs. 28% (Group 3) ( P =0.0126). This study indicated that topical use of dexamethasone enhances healing and results in fewer resorption complications.     

Influence of calcium hydroxide intracanal dressings on the prognosis of teeth with endodontically induced periapical lesions

AIM: This prospective clinical study explored the influence of calcium hydroxide as an interappointment dressing on the healing of periapical lesions associated with pulpless teeth that had not been endodontically treated previously. This was achieved by comparing the prognosis after a two-visit root canal treatment with that following a one-visit treatment. METHODOLOGY: Seventy-three patients were recruited having one tooth with an endodontically induced lesion. Of these patients, 67 could be re-examined. Calcium hydroxide was placed in the instrumented root canals of 31 teeth for at least one week and the treatment finished at the second visit. Thirty-six teeth were root canal treated at one visit. The criteria for success were the absence of signs and symptoms indicating an acute phase of periapical periodontitis and radiographically a periodontal ligament space of normal width. Methods for event time analysis were used to evaluate and compare the prognosis of both treatment approaches. RESULTS: The probability that complete periapical healing will take place increased continuously with the length of the observation period. In both treatment groups the likelihood that the root canal treatment yields a success within an observation time of five years exceeded 90%. A statistically significant difference between the two treatment groups could not be detected. CONCLUSIONS: From a microbiological perspective, one-visit root canal treatment created favourable environmental conditions for periapical repair similar to the two-visit therapy when calcium hydroxide was used as antimicrobial dressing. One-visit root canal treatment is an acceptable alternative to two-visit treatment for pulpless teeth associated with an endodontically induced lesion.     

Periapical lesions accidentally filled with calcium hydroxide

AIM: To evaluate the effect of accidental and voluminous calcium hydroxide overextensions into periradicular lesions and tissues on the prognosis of periapical healing. SUMMARY: Eleven cases with periapical lesions and voluminous calcium hydroxide overextension are presented. Despite literature reports on the deleterious effects of calcium hydroxide extension in the periapical area, none of the endodontic treatments failed and surgical intervention was not indicated. KEY LEARNING POINTS: Extensive extrusion of calcium hydroxide into the periapical tissues does not appear to comprise periapical healing. Despite this finding, the deliberate extrusion of dental materials into the apical tissues is not advocated.     

Short vs. long-term calcium hydroxide treatment of established inflammatory root resorption in replanted dog teeth

Abstract This study examined, histologically, the healing of intentionally produced inflammatory root resorption of replanted teeth in beagle dogs, treated with short- or long-term placement of calcium hydroxide. Thirty beagle dog incisors were randomly divided into four groups. In group 1 (negative control), uninfected incisors were extracted, the roots were longitudinally grooved and the teeth were replanted within 2 min. In group 2 the root canals were artificially infected followed by extraction, longitudinal grooving, and replantation as in group 1. Radiographs were taken biweekly and at the first signs of inflammatory root resorption or at 4 weeks, the root canals were fully instrumented and medicated with calcium hydroxide. In group 2, the root canals were permanently obturated with gutta-percha and sealer after 1 week of calcium hydroxide. The teeth in group 3 were treated as described in group 2 but after 1 wk the calcium hydroxide dressing was repacked for the duration of the study. In group 4 (positive control) the teeth were treated as described in groups 2 and 3 but no endodontic treatment was performed. Twrelve weeks after the initiation of the endodontic treatment, sacrifice and histological preparation were carried out. In group 1, complete cemental repair was seen in all teeth. In group 2, five often teeth showed complete cemental repair whereas in group 3 complete cemental repair was seen in nine of ten teeth. None of the teeth in group 4 showed cemental repair. It was concluded that long-term may be more effective than short-term calcium hydroxide treatment of established inflammatory root resorption.     

Evaluation of long-term calcium hydroxide treatment in avulsed teeth — an in vivo study

Calcium hydroxide has been advocated for use in avulsed teeth as a temporary dressing in an attempt to prevent or inhibit external resorption. However, there have been no long-term histological studies that have examined gutta-percha versus calcium hydroxide treatment in avulsed teeth. The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term therapeutic effect of calcium hydroxide therapy in avulsed teeth. Six adult macaca monkeys were anesthetized and all four maxillary incisors were extracted and bench-dried for 25 min. The teeth were replanted and splinted with composite for approximately 2 weeks. Each animal served as its own control and the teeth were accessed, instrumented, and filled with either Ca(OH)₂ or gutta-percha and AH26 cement. All access openings were filled with composite. The Ca(OH)₂ was replaced twice during the experimental period (approximately every 8 weeks). The animals were killed between 5 and 7.5 months postavulsion. The teeth were removed, sectioned, and examined histologically by two examiners. The results of the histological evaluation of external resorption indicated that there were no statistically significant differences in resorption indices between the teeth obturated with gutta percha or with calcium hydroxide (P>0.05). Replacement resorption was the primary cause of root destruction and only a few histological sections exhibited evidence of inflammatory resorption.     

The role of endodontics in the treatment of luxated permanent teeth

Abstract  – Pulp necrosis is a common complication following traumatic dental injuries and is related to the type and severity of the injury, as well as to the stage of development of the injured tooth. Endodontic intervention is required when there are clinical and radiographic signs of pulpal infection and its sequelae. Arrested tooth development with periradicular pathosis, external inflammatory root resorption, sinus tract formation and pain on percussion are indicative of root-canal infection in the post-traumatized teeth, and require immediate endodontic treatment. The use of calcium hydroxide in the treatment of teeth with post-traumatic pulp necrosis and its sequelae has been shown to be extremely beneficial for the long-term retention of the injured teeth. Calcium hydroxide has been shown to arrest and repair external inflammatory root resorptive defects, eliminate the endodontopathic microorganisms from the root canal system and induce hard-tissue barrier formation at the apex of non-vital immature teeth. This paper reviews the endodontic treatment required by post-traumatic non-vital permanent teeth.     

Prognosis of luxated non-vital maxillary incisors treated with calcium hydroxide and filled with gutta-percha. A retrospective clinical study

Abstract A material of 885 luxated, non-vital incisors was evaluated radiographically with respect to healing of periodontal tissues including inflammatory root resorption and occurrence of ankylosis and cervical root fractures. The results were assessed after completion of calcium hydroxide treatment and 4 years after filling of the root canal with gutta-percha. After treatment with calcium hydroxide, periapical healing occurred in 95% of the teeth. Four years after filling with gutta-percha, periapical healing was present in 91% of the teeth. In the remaining teeth, recurrent or persistent periapical radiolucency was more frequent in overfilled than adequately filled teeth (P = 0.0001). There was no difference between immature and mature teeth. Inflammatory root resorption healed in 192 of 197 teeth (97%); in 5 teeth it developed into ankylosis. Ankylosis occurred in 13 teeth, all of which were intruded into the alveolar bone at the time of injury. The frequency of cervical root fractures was markedly higher in immature than mature teeth (P>0.0001). Among immature teeth, the frequency of fractures was dependent on the stage of root development [x²= 31,6) and ranged from 77% in teeth with the least to 28% in teeth with the most developed roots. The frequency of fractures was also related to the defects after healing of inflammatory root resorption in the cervical area of the root, significant at P< 0.0001.