Traumatic crown fractures in permanent incisors with immature roots: a follow-up study

Abstract – A follow-up study of crown fractured permanent incisors with incomplete root formation was carried out in a group of patients, aged 6–12 years, over a 5-year-period in the Dental Clinic of the University of Verona, Italy. The number of injured patients was 55, representing 84 injured incisors. All patients were followed clinically and radiographically using a standardized follow-up protocol. The most common type of trauma was fracture of enamel and dentine without pulpal exposure (80%) and the most common type of treatment was restoration with the acid-etch composite resin technique (46%). Bonding of the crown fragment was performed in 10 instances (12%). At the 5-year-control all teeth with fracture of the enamel had no pulp complications. Four of 67 teeth (6%) with fracture of the enamel and dentine without pulpal involvement showed pulp necrosis and 1 tooth showed pulp obliteration (1.5%). Eight of 14 teeth (57%) with fractures of the enamel and dentine with pulp involvement showed pulp necrosis. Aesthetically 36 of the restored teeth were deemed satisfactory (43%). In 9 teeth the bonded fragment had to be rebonded. 14 teeth were considered unsatisfactorily restored due to wear of the composite (17%). 34 restored teeth had to be retreated because of a new trauma (40%). In one tooth a previous bonded fragment had to be rebonded. These results confirmed that crown fractures without pulp involvement in permanent incisors with incomplete root formation have a low percentage of pulp complications, while 60% of the teeth with crown fractures with pulp involvement had pulp complications.     

A retrospective study of pulpal response in vital adult teeth prepared for complete coverage restorations at ultrahigh speed using only air coolant

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The dental literature has shown a 3% to 25% pulpal necrosis rate as a result of tooth preparation for complete coverage restorations. PURPOSE: The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine clinical and radiographic records for evidence of pulpal necrosis in teeth prepared for complete coverage restorations at ultrahigh speed when air coolant alone was used. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The 1847 teeth in this study (182 fixed partial denture abutment teeth and 1665 single teeth restored with 21 all-ceramic, 1095 metal-ceramic, and 731 all-metal restorations) were prepared with diamond instruments (burs) in a sweeping or painting motion with the use of light pressure (1-3 oz) at ultrahigh speed with air coolant alone from the handpiece. New burs were used for each patient and then discarded. Each bur was used on no more than 4 teeth. All impressions were made with reversible hydrocolloid. Provisional restorations were fabricated on a stone cast and cemented with zinc oxide and eugenol cement. Provisional restorations were removed at 3 to 4 weeks and definitive restorations placed. Between 1970 and 1989, 6 different luting agents (zinc phosphate, resin, glass ionomer, ortho-ethoxybenzoic acid, carboxylate, and polycarboxylate) were used to place definitive restorations. All patients were questioned about symptoms of tooth sensitivity, tenderness, or pain at their regular (4- to 6-month) hygiene recall appointments. Success was defined as any definitively restored teeth that remained free of radiographic evidence of periapical radiolucency and clinical signs and symptoms of pulpal sensitivity or pain recorded in the clinical record. The results were compared with rates of pulpal necrosis for teeth prepared with water coolant as reported in the dental literature published between 1970 and 1997. RESULTS: Of 638 teeth prepared between 1970 and 1979, the pulpal necrosis rate was 2.19% (14 teeth: 12 single teeth and 2 fixed partial denture abutment teeth) (97.81% success rate). Of 1209 teeth prepared between 1980 and 1989, the pulpal necrosis rate was 0.66% (8 teeth: 7 single crown teeth and 1 partial denture abutment tooth) (99.34% success rate). Of 1825 teeth prepared between 1970 and 1989, radiographic evidence of pulpal necrosis was found in 0% (100% success rate). No clinical symptoms of pain or sensitivity were recorded in the patient records for the surviving teeth during the time period of this study, which was conducted in May 2001. No crowns were repaired or removed as a result of carious lesions. No higher incidence of pulpal necrosis relative to the type of luting agent was observed. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this retrospective study, it is suggested that tooth reduction procedures can be completed with minimal damage to the pulp when only air coolant from the dental handpiece is used.     

Laser light passage through restored and carious posterior teeth

Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) has been used to investigate pulpal blood flow as a means of pulp vitality testing. Transmission of laser light from the tooth surface to the pulp space may be influenced by caries and restorations. One hundred and twenty‐two first and second molars that had caries into dentine, restorations or significant loss of coronal tissue were sectioned in half axio‐bucco‐lingually. The two sections were illuminated with a laser from their buccal and lingual aspects 2 mm coronal to the amelocemental junction. Light reaching the pulp space was recorded. Buccal and lingual illumination sites were equally effective for 67 teeth (55%). Buccal sites alone were effective for 35 teeth (29%), despite over one‐third of these surfaces being restored or featuring enamel or dentine caries. A lingual position alone was effective for 20 teeth (16%). Caries affected light transmission, but for over half the teeth, the pulp could be illuminated from all four probe positions. No effect was found when the influence of mesial and distal restorations on transmission into the corresponding tooth section was examined. The pulp spaces of most (84%) restored, and carious posterior teeth could be illuminated by laser light from their buccal aspect and these teeth could potentially be vitality tested using LDF.     

Is pulpitis painful?

AIM: To determine whether inflamed dental pulps progress to necrosis without pain. METHODOLOGY: Records of 2,202 maxillary anterior teeth endodontically treated at the University of Michigan were collected. Records of teeth presenting with periapical radiolucencies but no response to vitality tests were examined further to determine, from the history, whether the patient had experienced pain or no pain from the involved tooth. RESULTS: Approximately 40% of the teeth included gave no history of spontaneous or prolonged pain to a thermal stimulus. No statistically significant differences in the incidence of 'painless pulpitis' were related to either gender or tooth type. Patients aged >53 years experienced 'painless pulpitis' more often than patients <33 years. CONCLUSIONS: Many teeth appear to progress to pulpal necrosis without the patient experiencing pain attributable to the pulp.     

Clinical reliability of the dentine bridge formed after pulpotomy: A case report

An exposed pulp in a crown-fractured vital young tooth may be treated with either pulp capping or pulpotomy, using a calcium hydroxide dressing. Calcium hydroxide stimulates dentine bridge formation, which is a good indicator of pulp vitality. In this case it is reported that, although seriously contaminated for a long period with debris from the oral environment, the dentine bridge which formed after pulpotomy was able to function as a protective pulpal barrier. The tooth responded to an electrical pulp tester within normal limits and the periapical radiographic appearance was normal at review after 7 years.     

The effect of pulp obliteration on pulpal vitality of orthodontically intruded traumatized teeth

Limited information exists on the impact of pulp obliteration on pulpal vitality of orthodontically treated traumatized teeth. Pulpal condition was examined in 269 traumatized maxillary incisors after orthodontic intrusion (OT group) and in 193 traumatized maxillary incisors without subsequent orthodontic treatment (C group). According to the degree of initial pulp obliteration, the teeth were divided into three categories: teeth without, teeth with partial, and teeth with total pulp obliteration. Teeth in the OT group revealed a significantly higher rate of pulp necrosis than teeth in the C group (p < 0.001). In addition, teeth in the OT group with total pulp obliteration showed a significantly higher rate of pulp necrosis than teeth without (p < 0.001) or only partial pulp obliteration (p = 0.025). The results indicate that traumatized teeth with total pulp obliteration have a higher susceptibility to pulpal complications during orthodontic intrusion than traumatized teeth without or only partial pulp obliteration.     

Vital pulp therapy with new materials: new directions and treatment perspectives--permanent teeth

Pulp necrosis in immature teeth subsequent to caries has a major impact on long-term tooth retention. The aim of vital pulp therapy is to maintain pulp viability by eliminating bacteria from the dentin-pulp complex and to establish an environment in which apexogenesis can occur. A complicating factor in treating immature teeth is the difficulty predicting the degree of pulpal damage. The ability of the clinician to manage the health of the remaining pulpal tissue during the procedure is paramount. Currently, the best method appears to be the ability to control pulpal hemorrhage by using sodium hypochlorite. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) currently is the optimum material for use in vital pulp therapy. Compared with the traditional material of calcium hydroxide, it has superior long-term sealing ability and stimulates a higher quality and greater amount of reparative dentin. In the medium-term clinical assessment, it has demonstrated a high success rate. Thus, MTA is a good substitute for calcium hydroxide in vital pulp procedures.     

Long-term Pulpal and Restorative Outcomes of Pulpotomy in Mature Permanent Teeth

IntroductionPulpotomy in mature permanent cariously exposed teeth preserves the remaining pulp tissues, but long-term outcomes of the pulp and the restoration are unknown. This prospective study examined the immediate and long-term status of the pulp and the restored tooth and identified potential predictors of early and late failures in teeth that were asymptomatic or experiencing only mild symptoms at the time of treatment.MethodsPulpotomy was performed using the aseptic technique and a tricalcium silicate cement under local anesthesia. Teeth were assessed for up to 5 years for pulpal and apical signs and symptoms, restorative marginal integrity, and periodontal health.ResultsFifty-two patients (61 teeth) with a median age of 40 years (range, 21–75 years) were included in this study; 17 (32.7%) men and 35 (67.3%) women were treated and reviewed. Overall pulp survival was 90.2% (95% confidence interval, 79.8%–96.3%); 6 teeth developed irreversible pulpitis or pulp necrosis when the restoration was intact. Preoperative pain was a potential predictor (P < .05) for early failure. Eleven late failures occurred between 2 and 4 years: 1 tooth with intact coronal restoration had pulp necrosis and asymptomatic apical periodontitis, 4 had recurrent caries resulting in asymptomatic apical periodontitis, 4 remained vital and only needed new restorations, 1 was unrestorable, and 1 was extracted for periodontal reasons. The type of definitive restoration was a potential predictor for late failure (P < .05).ConclusionsCarious pulp exposures in asymptomatic mature permanent teeth can be predictably managed by pulpotomy using a tricalcium silicate cement. Short-term failures were few and managed by pulpectomy. Appropriate coronal restoration is critical to long-term success.     

Effect of pulp protection technique on the clinical performance of amalgam restorations: three-year results

This study evaluated the influence of the pulp protection technique on clinical performance of amalgam restorations after three years, with particular reference to post-operative sensitivity and secondary caries. One hundred and twenty (120) Class II amalgam restorations (68 premolars, 52 molars; 78 MOD, 42 OD/MO) were placed in 30 participants (four restorations per participant). The restorations were divided into four groups according to the pulp protection technique used: copal varnish; 2% neutral sodium fluoride; adhesive resin and no pulp protection. The parameters evaluated were post-operative sensitivity, staining of the dental structure, tooth vitality, partial or total loss of the restoration and secondary caries. One hundred and eight (108) restorations were available for evaluation after three years. No partial or total loss of restorations had occurred; all teeth were vital, no tooth structure staining or secondary caries was detected in any of the restored teeth. Post-operative sensitivity was observed only in two restorations at baseline and at seven-days. The three-year clinical performance of teeth restored with a high copper dispersed phase amalgam was not affected by the choice of pulp protection technique.     

Survival of intentionally retained permanent incisor roots following crown root fractures in children

Retaining tooth roots, following crown loss, confers a number of benefits including the preservation of alveolar bone. Intentional root retention in adults has been widely investigated but little is known about this treatment approach in children. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical outcomes associated with permanent anterior root retention in a young population. The study group comprised 53 children who had received treatment in the paediatric dentistry clinic, Charles Clifford Dental Hospital, Sheffield, UK, over the past 10 years, following a complicated crown root fracture of a permanent maxillary incisor at or below the gingival margin. Data relating to patient age at crown root fracture, gender, previous trauma history, tooth vitality, treatments performed and clinical outcomes were obtained retrospectively using patient records. The mean age of the subjects at initial crown root fracture was 12.1 years (range 8.3–15.8 years) and there were more than twice as many males (n = 37, 70%) as females (n = 16, 30%). In just over half of the cases seen (n = 29, 54%), the tooth involved was already nonvital at the time of crown root fracture. For the majority of these nonvital teeth (n = 27, 93%), primary treatment had comprised placement/replacement of a calcium hydroxide root dressing. The remaining two teeth did not require root treatment as a satisfactory gutta percha root filling was already present. A variety of treatments was undertaken for the 24 vital roots: in 15 (63%) cases the pulp was extirpated and calcium hydroxide placed; three (12%) cases were subject to a pulpotomy; five (21%) cases were left untreated with the hope that vitality would be maintained following gingival healing and in one case the radicular pulp was extirpated and immediately obturated with gutta percha. The mean time that the roots were kept under review was 2.6 years (± 1.57, range 0.6–6.8). During this period, only five roots (9%) had to be removed due to persistent periapical infection. There were no complications associated with the five cases where vital root submergence had been permitted but all three cases which had initially undergone a pulpotomy subsequently presented with pulpal necrosis necessitating pulpal extirpation and calcium hydroxide therapy. These findings indicate that efforts to retain permanent anterior roots in a young population are justified in view of the high clinical success rate of over 90% over a 2‐year period.     

Evaluation of pulpal blood flow by laser doppler flowmetry as a test of tooth vitality in long-term follow-up: case report

The reliability of laser Doppler flowmetry in a 2-probe assessment of pulpal blood flow is well known. The purpose of this case report was to determine its use as an exclusive and reliable tool for tooth vitality diagnosis in a long-term follow-up. As a result of a traumatic injury to a 24-years old Caucasian female, tooth pulp vitality was studied in 6 maxillary front teeth over 30 weeks through use of 2-probe laser Doppler flowmetry and current sensitivity tests. A similar assessment was repeated after 228 weeks. Confronted with an alveolar bone fracture with a tooth in the fracture line, one intrusion and several luxated teeth, current sensitivity tests are found not to be so reliable indicators of revascularisation as significant results are given later (7 weeks) compared to laser Doppler flowmetry tests (1 week). A pathway with ischaemia (3 weeks), hyperaemia (7 weeks) and restored blood supply in the pulp measured by laser Doppler flowmetry tests was found and avoided endodontic treatment. Teeth vascularisation evolved normally (228 weeks). Despite a high indication in all sensitivity tests for endodontic treatment, the use of laser Doppler flowmetry tests was clear, more reliable than sensitivity tests and exclusive as denervation was postponed and pulp vascularisation was evident.     

Pulp sensibility and pulp necrosis after Le Fort I osteotomy

A longitudinal study comprising 617 teeth in 51 patients was carried out to determine the frequency of pulp necrosis and loss of pulpal sensibility after Le Fort I osteotomy. A negative pulpal sensibility was found in 39 (6%) teeth after an average follow-up period of 28 months, range 11-59 months. Development of pulp necrosis, determined by pulp testing and periapical radiolucency, was only demonstrated in 3 (0.5%) teeth. The extent of horizontal or vertical displacement of the maxilla had no influence on pulpal sensibility. Teeth adjacent to a vertical interdental osteotomy showed a significantly higher frequency of negative reactions compared to the group without an interdental osteotomy (p = 0.002). The canines demonstrated a significantly greater number of teeth with a negative sensibility reaction compared to the other tooth types. A close relationship between the apex of the canines and a wire osteosynthesis was demonstrated to have significant importance for pulpal sensibility.     

A two-probe laser Doppler flowmetry assessment as an exclusive diagnostic device in a long-term follow-up of traumatised teeth: a case report

Abstract  – The reliability of laser Doppler flowmetry in a two-probe assessment of pulpal blood flow is well known. The purpose of this case report was to determine its use as an exclusive and reliable tool for tooth vitality diagnosis in a long-term follow-up. As a result of a traumatic injury to a 24-year-old Caucasian female, tooth pulp vitality was studied in six maxillary front teeth over 30 weeks using two-probe laser Doppler flowmetry and current sensitivity tests. A similar assessment was repeated after 228 weeks. Confronted with an alveolar bone fracture with a tooth in the fracture line, one intrusion and several luxated teeth, current sensitivity tests are found not to be as reliable indicators of revascularisation, as significant results are obtained later (7 weeks) than using laser Doppler flowmetry tests (1 week). A pathway with ischaemia (3 weeks), hyperaemia (7 weeks) and restored blood supply in the pulp measured by laser Doppler flowmetry tests was found and avoided endodontic treatment. Teeth vascularisation evolved normally (228 weeks). Despite a strong indication in all sensitivity tests for endodontic treatment, the use of laser Doppler flowmetry tests was clear, more reliable than sensitivity tests and exclusive, as denervation was postponed and pulp vascularisation evident.     

Pulp condition of successfully formocresol-treated primary molars.

The aim of the study was to assess the state of the pulp of primary teeth successfully treated by formocresol pulpotomy. Nineteen teeth, all of them with clinically and radiographically successful treatments, were extracted 3-24 months after treatment. The pulpal condition had changed in all the teeth. Inflammatory reaction or necrosis was observed in all teeth. Dentinal resorption followed by apposition of hard tissue were common findings. In the teeth with vital tissue only in the apical area, the tissue had minor or no signs of inflammation. Microorganisms could be demonstrated in the necrotic tissue in one tooth. The wide range of pulpal conditions observed indicated that there was no typical tissue reaction to formocresol even though treatment was clinically successful. The present study confirms that the formocresol method should be regarded only as a means to keep primary teeth with pulp exposures functioning for a limited period of time.     

Bleaching of a vital upper central incisor

One trauma can elicit tooth vitality loss, even partial. The pulpal tissue necrosis, that is produced, causes darkening of the tooth. We can return this teeth to its original color using the bleaching technique.     

Mineral trioxide aggregate pulpotomies: a case series outcomes assessment

BACKGROUND: The greatest threats to developing teeth are dental caries and traumatic injury. A primary goal of all restorative treatment is to maintain pulp vitality so that normal root development or apexogenesis can occur. If pulpal exposure occurs, then a pulpotomy procedure aims to preserve pulp vitality to allow for normal root development. Historically, calcium hydroxide has been the material of choice for pulpotomy procedures. Recently, an alternative material called mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) has demonstrated the ability to induce hard-tissue formation in pulpal tissue. The authors describe the clinical and radiographic outcome of a series of cases involving the use of MTA in pulpotomy procedures. METHODS: Twenty-three cases in 18 patients were treated with MTA pulpotomy procedures in an endodontic private practice. All of the patients had been referred to the practice for diagnosis and treatment of a symptomatic tooth. All of the authors provided treatment. Pulpal exposures were either due to caries or complicated enamel dentin fractures. RESULTS: Nineteen teeth in 14 patients were available for recall. The mean time of recall was 19.7 months. Of the 19 cases, 15 involved healed teeth, and three involved teeth that were healing. One of 19 cases involved a tooth with persistent disease. CONCLUSIONS: MTA may be useful as a substitute for calcium hydroxide in pulpotomy procedures. Further research, however, is required to clarify this conclusion. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: MTA conceivably could replace calcium hydroxide as the material of choice for pulpotomy procedures, if future research continues to show promising results.     

Coronal fractures in posterior teeth

Coronal fractures of posterior teeth are not rare in clinical practice. Most of the time they constitute a restorational problem for the clinician, since they usually end below the free gingival crest. Two hundred coronal fractures of posterior teeth were examined in this study, with respect to several factors. Some of the factors were the sex and age of the patient, type and location of the tooth, and vitality of the pulp. The results showed that frequency of fractures is not influenced by the sex or age of the patient, the type or location of the tooth, or the vitality of the pulp. Factors that significantly affect the appearance of a fracture include caries, restored surfaces, and tooth morphology. Lingual cusps fracture more often than buccal cusps, fractures ended more frequently above or at the gingival crest in teeth with vital pulps, and in nonvital teeth fractures ended more frequently below the crest. Conservative cavity designs for tooth restorations and conservative access to the root canals for endodontic treatment will decrease the frequency of tooth or restoration fracture.     

Pulpal effects of electrosurgery involving based and unbased cervical amalgam restorations

The pulpal effects of electrosurgery involving unrestored enamel, cementum, calcium hydroxide-copal varnish-based restorations and unbased restorations were evaluated in extracted human teeth and posterior teeth of cynomolgus monkeys. Electrosurgery for all studies was performed with a fully rectified filtered unit under conditions of normal clinical usage. Studies in extracted human teeth measured the voltage potential generated between a reference probe in apical pulp tissue and an activated electrosurgery electrode placed on enamel, cementum, based restorations, and unbased restorations. Placement of a base reduced but did not prevent passage of electrosurgical current, and no measurable potential was associated with activated electrode contact on cementum or enamel. Studies in three cynomolgus monkeys included electrosurgery of based and unbased cervical silver amalgam restorations, electrosurgery of unrestored enamel, restored teeth not subjected to electrosurgery and teeth that were neither restored nor subjected to electrosurgery. Electrosurgery of restored teeth, regardless of the presence of a base, consistently resulted in pulpal damage characterized by an altered dentin matrix, necrosis adjacent to the cavity preparation, and a transition zone between necrotic and apparently vital pulp tissue. By 8 weeks following electrosurgery, the majority of specimens showed replacement of the odontoblastic layer and adjacent pulp tissue by dense connective tissue with areas of irregular calcification.     

Penetration of the pulp chamber by bleaching agents in teeth restored with various restorative materials

It is thought that externally applied bleaching agents may penetrate into the pulp chamber. This study was conducted to evaluate the diffusion of peroxide bleaching agents into the pulp chamber of teeth restored with various restorative materials. Sixty-five human extracted anterior maxillary teeth were separated into the 13 groups containing 5 teeth. Five teeth (control group) were not subjected to any cavity preparation and restoration. Standardized class V cavities were prepared in the other 60 teeth and restored using composite resin (Charisma), polyacid modified composite resin (Dyract), or resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Vitremer). All teeth were sectioned 3 mm apical to the cementoenamel junction to remove the intracoronal pulp tissue, and the pulp chamber was filled with acetate buffer to absorb and stabilize any peroxide that might penetrate. Vestibular crown surfaces of teeth in the experimental groups were subjected to four different bleaching agents for 30 min at 37 degrees C, whereas the teeth in the control groups were exposed only to distilled water. Then the acetate buffer solution in the pulp chamber of each tooth was removed, and the pulp chamber of each tooth was rinsed with 100 ml of distilled water twice. Leukocrystal violet and enzyme horseradish peroxidase were added to the mixture of the acetate buffer and rinse water. The optical density of the resulting blue solution was determined spectrophotometrically and converted into microgram equivalents of hydrogen peroxide. Higher hydrogen peroxide concentrations resulted in a higher pulpal peroxide penetration. The highest pulpal peroxide penetration was found in resin-modified glass ionomer cement groups, whereas composite resin groups showed the lowest pulpal peroxide penetration.     

Possible application of transmitted laser light for the assessment of human pulpal vitality

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine whether use of transmitted laser light would enable a better assessment of human pulpal vitality than back-scattered light does (LDF: laser Doppler flowmetry). The experiments were carried out on ten upper central incisors in six subjects aged 23–28 years; five of the teeth were vital with no restoration, and five were non-vital. For use with transmitted laser light, the fibers within the probe of a conventional LDF apparatus were used, one for transmitting light onto the buccal surface, the other for receiving it at the palatal surface of the same tooth. For LDF, the probe was fixed at the buccal surface. Blood flow was measured at three different locations on each experimental tooth: the incisal third, the center and the cervical third of the tooth crown. In non-vital teeth, 1) output signals with transmitted laser light all registered zero, and no oscillation could be seen in recordings from any location on the tooth, but 2) LDF signals were above zero, there were regular oscillations related to heart rate, and passive increases in blood flow (corresponding to blood pressure increases) were recorded from both the center and the cervical third of the tooth, indicating that LDF registered blood flow of non-pulpal origin. In vital teeth, LDF signals were significantly higher than in non-vital teeth at each location on the tooth. At the central site on vital teeth, the output signals for transmitted laser light were about twice those seen with LDF, and passive blood flow changes corresponding to blood pressure increases were more clearly observed. These results indicated that transmitted laser light would be useful for the assessment of tooth pulp vitality both because the blood flow signals did not include flow of non-pulpal origin, and because its output signals and response to blood flow changes were clear and could easily be monitored.