João Miguel Santos1, Patrícia Diogo2, Sónia Dias3, Joana A Marques2, Paulo J Palma2, João Carlos Ramos4. 1. Institute of Endodontics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovation and Research in Oral Sciences (CIROS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) and Center of Investigation on Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine and Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: jsantos@fmed.uc.pt. 2. Institute of Endodontics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovation and Research in Oral Sciences (CIROS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. 3. Institute of Endodontics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. 4. Center for Innovation and Research in Oral Sciences (CIROS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute of Operative Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcome of 16 permanent maxillary central incisors with nonvital pulps and open apices treated with apexification and corono-radicular adhesive restorations, within a follow-up span of 5 to 22 years. METHODS: Fourteen patients providing a total of 16 teeth treated with mineral trioxide aggregate (n = 12), Biodentine (n = 3), or β-tricalcium phosphate (n = 1) apical barrier and corono-radicular restoration, with or without fiberglass post, were included. Clinical and radiographic criteria were defined for assessment at recall. Restoration and periapical tissue status evaluation were performed according to FDI World Dental Federation's esthetic, functional, and biological criteria and Ørstavik Periapical Index (PAI). Outcome was dichotomized as "healed" (PAI ≤ 2, asymptomatic with absence of signs of infection) or "not healed" (PAI ≥ 3, presence of clinical signs and/or symptoms). RESULTS: Fourteen of 24 patients were available for the present study (recall rate = 58%). Within a follow-up of 5 to 22 years, 10 (62.5%) teeth were considered "healed," fulfilling both strict clinical and radiographic success criteria. Only 1 tooth was missing due to root resorption and 1 patient was presenting with clinical signs and symptoms at recall, resulting in a survival rate of 93.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Adhesive corono-radicular restoration in nonvital permanent immature teeth treated with apexification allows for favorable long-term outcomes, by ensuring structural reinforcement and coronal microleakage prevention. Teeth sustaining a substantial loss of coronal structure may require post/core placement. In the case of failure, this endodontic-restorative combination ensured teeth survival until growth phase conclusion, thus allowing for proper prosthetic rehabilitation approaches.
INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcome of 16 permanent maxillary central incisors with nonvital pulps and open apices treated with apexification and corono-radicular adhesive restorations, within a follow-up span of 5 to 22 years. METHODS: Fourteen patients providing a total of 16 teeth treated with mineral trioxide aggregate (n = 12), Biodentine (n = 3), or β-tricalcium phosphate (n = 1) apical barrier and corono-radicular restoration, with or without fiberglass post, were included. Clinical and radiographic criteria were defined for assessment at recall. Restoration and periapical tissue status evaluation were performed according to FDI World Dental Federation's esthetic, functional, and biological criteria and Ørstavik Periapical Index (PAI). Outcome was dichotomized as "healed" (PAI ≤ 2, asymptomatic with absence of signs of infection) or "not healed" (PAI ≥ 3, presence of clinical signs and/or symptoms). RESULTS: Fourteen of 24 patients were available for the present study (recall rate = 58%). Within a follow-up of 5 to 22 years, 10 (62.5%) teeth were considered "healed," fulfilling both strict clinical and radiographic success criteria. Only 1 tooth was missing due to root resorption and 1 patient was presenting with clinical signs and symptoms at recall, resulting in a survival rate of 93.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Adhesive corono-radicular restoration in nonvital permanent immature teeth treated with apexification allows for favorable long-term outcomes, by ensuring structural reinforcement and coronal microleakage prevention. Teeth sustaining a substantial loss of coronal structure may require post/core placement. In the case of failure, this endodontic-restorative combination ensured teeth survival until growth phase conclusion, thus allowing for proper prosthetic rehabilitation approaches.