In Vivo Detection of External Apical Root Resorption Induced by Apical Periodontitis Using Periapical Radiography and Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

Abstract Objective: To compare the accuracy of periapical radiography (PR) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for the detection of external apical root resorption (EARR) due to root canal contamination. Material and Methods: Dog's teeth with experimentally induced root resorption due to root canal contamination underwent or not root canal treatment (n=62). True positives (TP), false positives (FP), true negatives (TN), and false negatives (FN) in PR and CBCT diagnoses were determined using histopathologic findings as the gold standard. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and diagnostic accuracy (TP + TN) in the diagnosis of EARR were calculated. Data were compared using chi-squared test (α=0.05). Results: EARR was detected in 35% of roots by PR, in 47% by CBCT, and in 50% of the roots by microscopy (p=0.03 PR versus microscopy; p=0.67 CBCT versus microscopy). Overall, CBCT produced more accurate diagnoses than PR (p=0.008). PR and CBCT allowed the identification of large resorption in 100% of the cases and showed the same accuracy. However, for small resorptions, PR showed an accuracy of 0.83, whereas CBCT showed an accuracy of 0.96 (p=0.003). Conclusion: Cone-beam computed tomography showed higher accuracy in detecting external apical root resorption of endodontic origin.

Importância da radiografia intra-oral em tratamentos periodontais de cães e gatos: relato de três casos / The importance of intra-oral radiographs in periodontal treatmentsof dogs and cats: three cases reports

A radiografia intra-oral é um método de diagnóstico por imagem essencial em pacientes submetidos a tratamento odontológico de qualquer natureza, especialmente em casos de doença peridontal. Permite a avaliação de estruturas ósseas e dentárias, elucidando múltiplos diagnósticos que não são firmados clinicamente. Inclui-se no estudo radiográfico a análise da integridade da lâmina dura, do ligamento periodontal, de afecções dentárias como abscessos periapicais, cistos, alterações de desenvolvimento coronário e radicular, agenesias, dentes inclusos ou supranumerários, raízes fraturadas remanescentes na região subgengival, reabsorções dentárias ou ósseas (associadas à doença periodontal ou neoplasias) e estruturas internas do dente (diâmetro da câmara pulpar e canal radicular). O presente artigo visa, portanto, mostrar através da apresentação de casos clínicos, a relevância do exame radiográfico para a correta abordagem diagnóstica e terapêutica de afecções subclínicas, mesmo em pacientes sem sinais de dor ou supostamente portadores de apenas gengivite. Foram relatados um caso de hipoplasia radicular, um de cisto de origem dentária e outro de reabsorção dentária, todos diagnosticados após a realização da documentação radiográfica intra-oral.

The intra-oral radiography is an essential diagnosis imaging method, in patients submitted to dental treatment of any nature, especially cases of periodontal diseases. It allows the evaluation of structural bone and dental diseases, elucidating multiple diagnoses, which are not clinically proven. The radiographic study includes the analysis of the periodontal ligament and lamina dura integrity, dental anomalies such as periapical abscesses, cysts, coronary and root development failures, agenesis, unerupted or supernumerary teeth, fractured roots remaining in the subgingival area, tooth or bone resorption, (associated with neoplasia or periodontal disease) and Internal tooth structures such as diameter of pulp chamber and root canal. The present article aims to show, through clinical case reports, the relevance of the radiographic examination towards the correct diagnosis and therapeutic approach of subclinical infections, even in patients without signs of pain or supposedly gingivitis bearers. Amongst the reported cases, there is a root hipoplasia, a dental origin cyst and a tooth resorption, all diagnosed after intra-oral radiographic completion.

Validation of self-reported history of root canal treatment in a southern Brazilian subpopulation

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess self-reported history of root canal treatment (SRHRCT) as a method for detecting the presence of root canal treatment (RCT) and apical periodontitis (AP) in a southern Brazilian subpopulation. In this cross-sectional study, 136 military police officers from the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil, were included. The participants were interviewed and full-mouth periapical radiographs were taken. A calibrated examiner determined the presence of RCT and AP by applying standardized criteria. The diagnostic accuracy of SRHRCT was calculated separately for RCT and AP. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (+PV and -PV), efficiency, and positive and negative likelihood ratios (+LR and -LR) were estimated. The mean age of the participants was 34.1 ± 10.4 years and 88.2% were males. Overall, SRHRCT demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for RCT, but not for AP: sensitivity (RCT = 0.960, AP = 0.757) and specificity (RCT = 0.835, AP = 0.631). The estimated values for PV and LR were: +PV (RCT=0.777, AP=0.396), -PV (RCT = 0.972, AP = 0.890), +LR (RCT = 5.853, AP = 2.057), and -LR (RCT = 0.046, AP = 0.383). SRHRCT proved to be a good predictor of the presence of RCT, but a weak predictor of AP in this subpopulation.

Evaluación de Lesiones Periapicales en Pacientes Derivados a Cirugía Periapical Mediante Tomografía Computarizada de Haz Cónico / Evaluation of Periapical Lesions by Cone Beam Computed Tomography in Patients Referred for Apical Surgery

El uso de la tomografía computarizada de haz cónico (CBCT) en endodoncia ha ido en aumento, justificando su uso en casos más complejos, como cirugías periapicales. El objetivo fue evaluar las características imagenológicas encontradas en un grupo de pacientes derivados a cirugía periapical, mediante el uso de CBCT. Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo, en un grupo de pacientes, derivados a cirugía periapical, a los cuales se realizó un examen de CBCT, evaluación clínica y radiografía periapical. Un total de 18 pacientes fueron examinados (6 hombres y 12 mujeres), cuyas edades estaban entre los 19 y 64 años de edad. El diámetro mayor de las lesiones varió entre 6 mm a 16 mm. El uso de CBCT en cirugías periapicales entrega información más completa al cirujano, ya que permite mayor precisión al realizar el acceso quirúrgico y detecta un mayor número de lesiones periapicales que con la radiografía periapical, logrando en casos complejos un mejor diagnóstico y planificación del tratamiento.

The use of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in endodontics has increased, justifying its use in more complex cases, such as apical surgery. The aim was to evaluate the radiologic characteristics found in a group of patients referred to apical surgery, using CBCT. A descriptive study was conducted in a group of patients referred for apical surgery. In these patients, a clinical examination, a conventional radiographic evaluation and CBCT were performed. A total of 18 patients were examined (6 men and 12 women), ages were between 19 and 64 years old. The major diameter of the lesions ranged from 6 mm to 16 mm. The use of CBCT in apical surgery provides more complete information to the surgeon, allowing greater precision when performing surgical access and detects a greater number of periapical lesions than with conventional radiography. In complex cases is possible obtain better diagnosis and treatment planning.

The use of a biocompatible cement in endodontic surgery. A randomized clinical trial 1

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical applicability of Pozzolana Biologic Silva cement (PBS(r)) in endodontic surgery. METHODS: Persistent apical periodontitis was diagnosed in 30 teeth of 12 patients by cone-beam computed tomography (CT). All patients had 2 or 4 affected teeth and underwent endodontic surgery with root-end filling. Patients with 2 affected teeth had one tooth (control) treated with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA-Angelus(r)) as a root-end filling material, and the other tooth treated with PBS (experiment). When the patient had four affected teeth, two of them were treated with MTA and two with PBS. Six months after surgery, all patients were assessed by CT scan. Between-group comparisons of measurements were performed using the Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: Periradicular tissue regeneration was observed in all cases. Significant within-group differences in long axes of the lesion were found in the bucco-palatal direction (PBS group, p=0.0012; MTA group, p=0.024) and coronal-apical direction (PBS group, p=0.0007; MTA group, p=0.0015) between pre- and postoperative measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Pozzolana Biologic Silva cement can be used in the treatment of persistent periradicular lesions. The clinical use of PBS as a root-end filling material may be an alternative to MTA. PBS has additives, which provide enhanced strength.