Treatment Outcome after Repair of Root Perforations with Mineral Trioxide Aggregate: A Retrospective Evaluation of 90 Teeth

IntroductionIn this retrospective study, the success rate for the repair of root perforations using mineral trioxide aggregate was investigated.MethodsOne hundred forty consecutive cases of teeth with perforations were included in the sample; 128 finally met the inclusion criteria. All treatments were performed between 1999 and 2009 in a dental office limited to endodontics. Perforations were sealed with mineral trioxide aggregate using a dental operating microscope. Treatment success was assessed by analyzing clinical data and radiographs 1–10 years after treatment. The radiographs were evaluated by 2 independent calibrated examiners. The outcome measure was dichotomized as “healed” or “failure.” The relationship between preoperative data and treatment outcome was examined to determine potential prognostic factors.ResultsFrom 128 teeth, 90 were accessible for recall (70.3%). The mean follow-up interval was 3.4 years. Sixty-six teeth (73.3%) were classified as healed. A significant relationship between treatment success and the presence of a preoperative lesion at the perforation site was found. Those teeth in which a lesion at the perforation site was present before treatment showed a lower healing rate. Teeth with a preoperative communication between the perforation and the oral cavity showed the lowest success rate.ConclusionsTwo prognostic factors for healing of teeth with perforations were identified. The presence of a preoperative lesion at the perforation site and direct contact between the perforation and the oral cavity were related to lower treatment success rates.