Emergency management of acute apical periodontitis in the permanent dentition: a systematic review of the literature. (1/26)

OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic literature review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of interventions used in the emergency management of acute apical periodontitis in the permanent dentition. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched from their inception to 2001. These searches, combined with manual searching, yielded 1,097 citations, of which 92 were relevant. Independent application of inclusion criteria by 2 teams of reviewers yielded 15 eligible randomized controlled trials. Data on population, interventions, outcomes (pain relief or change in intensity of pain as reported by patients or clinicians) and methodological quality were determined by independent duplicate review. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. RESULTS: Meta-analysis showed that pre-emptive analgesics (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs]) in conjunction with pulpectomy provided a significant benefit (weighted mean difference -11.70, 95% confidence interval -22.84 to -0.56). Three interventions did not show significant benefit: systemic antibiotics, intracanal treatment with a steroid-antibiotic combination, and trephination through attached gingiva. CONCLUSIONS: In the management of pain associated with acute apical periodontitis, there is strong evidence to support the use of systemic NSAIDs in conjunction with nonsurgical endodontics. The use of antibiotics is not recommended.  (+info)

Endodontic management of taurodontic teeth. (2/26)

Taurodontism is a morpho-anatomical change in the shape of the tooth in which the body of the tooth is enlarged and the roots are reduced in size. Although taurodontism is a dental rarity, this unusual radicular form should merit circumspect considerations in planning and treatment. Endodontic management in taurodont teeth has been described as complex and difficult. The present paper describes the successful completion of endodontic treatment in three taurodontic teeth with appropriate use of instruments and techniques and also emphasizes the need for post endodontic rehabilitation.  (+info)

Study of root canal accessibility in human primary molars. (3/26)

The aim of the present study was to provide a general scheme for pulpectomy of primary molars that may be useful for decision-making about negotiation of root canals and selection of appropriate instruments. A total of 160 vital primary molars in 85 patients (40 males, 45 females) aged 4-6 years were selected. After taking primary radiographs, local anesthesia was induced, and the teeth were isolated using a rubber dam. Canal accessibility index (CAI) and tooth accessibility index (TAI) were calculated according to initial file size. Mandibular first molars had either three canals (79.2%) or four canals (20.8%), and all second molars had four canals. Maxillary first molars had three canals and second molars had either three canals (70.9%) or four canals (29.1%). Lower accessibility of the mandibular first molar distobuccal root accounted for the lower accessibility of these teeth in comparison with mandibular second molars. While three-canal maxillary second molars were more accessible due to the lower accessibility of the distobuccal canal of the maxillary first molar, poor accessibility of the distal canal in four-canal second molars was responsible for the difficult accessibility of these teeth. In conclusion, it seems that the accessibility of a single canal in each tooth determines the difficulty of accessibility for any given tooth. Moreover, while primary second molars are more accessible than first molars, all of them are negotiable.  (+info)

Postnatal stem/progenitor cells derived from the dental pulp of adult chimpanzee. (4/26)

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Microbial distribution in the root canal system after periapical lesion induction using different methods. (5/26)

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Histopathological evaluation of different methods of experimental induction of periapical periodontitis. (6/26)

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Influence of cervical preflaring on determination of apical file size in mandibular molars: SEM analysis. (7/26)

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Endodontic treatment of primary teeth using combination of antibacterial drugs: an in vivo study. (8/26)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiographic success of endodontic treatment of infected primary teeth using combination of ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, and minocycline. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The treatment was performed on selected 60 teeth, which were randomly divided into two groups, viz. Group A and B with 30 teeth in each group. In Group A, only the necrotic coronal pulp was removed, whereas in Group B both necrotic coronal as well as all accessible radicular pulp tissue was extirpated. The orifice of the canal was enlarged in both the groups and was termed as "Medication cavity." The medication cavity was half-filled with antibacterial mix, sealed with glass-ionomer cement and reinforced with composite resin. Resolution of clinical signs and symptoms was evaluated within a month after the treatment. At every subsequent visit, clinical and radiographic evaluation was done once in 6 months for a period of one year. RESULTS: Both the groups showed considerable clinical and radiographic success, but Group B showed greater clinical and radiographic success than Group A.  (+info)