Pulp canal obliteration after traumatic injuries in permanent teeth - scientific fact or fiction?

Abstract: Pulp canal obliteration (PCO) is a frequent finding associated with pulpal revascularization after luxation injuries of young permanent teeth. The underlying mechanisms of PCO are still unclear, and no experimental scientific evidence is available, except the results of a single histopathological study. The lack of sound knowledge concerning this process gives rise to controversies, including the most suitable denomination. More than a mere semantic question, the denomination is an important issue, because it reflects the nature of this process, and directly impacts the treatment plan decision. The hypothesis that accelerated dentin deposition is related to the loss of neural control over odontoblastic secretory activity is well accepted, but demands further supportive studies. PCO is seen radiographically as a rapid narrowing of pulp canal space, whereas common clinical features are yellow crown discoloration and a lower or non-response to sensibility tests. Late development of pulp necrosis and periapical disease are rare complications after PCO, rendering prophylactic endodontic intervention useless. Indeed, yellowish or gray crown discoloration may pose a challenge to clinicians, and may demand endodontic intervention to help restore aesthetics. This literature review was conducted to discuss currently available information concerning PCO after traumatic dental injuries (TDI), and was gathered according to three topics: I) physiopathology of PCO after TDI; II) frequency and predictors of pulpal healing induced by PCO; and III) clinical findings related to PCO. Review articles, original studies and case reports were included aiming to support clinical decisions during the follow-up of teeth with PCO, and highlight future research strategies.

Fracture Strength of Weakened Anterior Teeth Associated to Different Reconstructive Techniques

Abstract This study evaluated the fracture strength of endodontically treated teeth submitted to reconstructive techniques through dynamic and static tests. Forty human anterior teeth were divided into 4 groups (n=10): GNW (non-weakened) - root restored with glass fiber post (GFP), GW - weakened root restored with GFP, GDA - weakened root restored with direct anatomic GFP, and GIA - weakened root restored with indirect anatomic GFP. The teeth were endodontically treated considering that experimental groups (GW, GDA and GIA) simulated weakened roots for restoration with GFP using different techniques. The GFP was luted with resin cement and the coronal portion was restored with composite resin and metallic crowns. All samples were submitted to chewing simulation at 60 cycles/min in a total of 300,000 cycles. The survival samples were further exposed to compressive loading at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/min in a universal testing machine. The load was applied at 135° to the long axis of the tooth until failure. Data were analyzed by ANOVA (a=0.05). After chewing simulation were observed: GNW: 100% of survival roots; GW: 70% of survival roots, and GDA and GIA: 80% of survival roots. The mean fracture strength values (N) were 280.6 (GNW), 239.0 (GW), 221.3 (GDA), and 234.1 (GIA) without significant difference among the groups (p=0.7476). The results suggested similar fracture strength in both weakened and non-weakened teeth regardless the reconstructive technique of root internal wall. Higher incidence of catastrophic fracture was observed in weakened teeth without restoration of the root internal wall.

Resumo Este estudo avaliou a resistência à fratura de dentes tratados endodonticamente submetidos a diferentes técnicas de reconstrução por meio de testes dinâmico e estático. Quarenta dentes humanos anteriores foram divididos em 4 grupos (n=10): GNW (não fragilizado): raiz restaurada com pino de fibra de vidro (PFV), GW: raiz fragilizada restaurada com PFV, GDA: raiz fragilizada restaurada com PFV anatômico direto, e GIA: raiz fragilizada restaurada com PFV anatômico indireto. Os dentes foram tratados endodonticamente considerando que nos grupos experimentais (GW, GDA e GIA) simulou-se fragilização radicular das raízes para restauração com PFV utilizando diferentes técnicas. Os PFV foi cimentados com cimento resinoso e a porção coronária foi restaurada com resina composta e coroa metálica. Todas as amostras foram submetidas a simulação de mastigação em 60 ciclos/min totalizando 300,000 ciclos. As amostras sobreviventes foram submetidas a teste de compressão com velocidade de 1,0 mm/min em máquina universal de ensaio. A carga foi aplicada a 135° em relação ao longo eixo do dente até a falha do dente. Os dados foram analisados por ANOVA (a=0,05). Após a simulação da mastigação foi observado: GNW: 100% de sobrevivência das raízes; GW: 70% de sobrevivência das raízes, e GDA e GIA: 80% de sobrevivência das raízes. O valor médio de resistência à fratura (N) foi de 280,6 (GNW), 239,0 (GW), 221,3 (GDA) e 234,1 (GIA) sem diferença significante entre os grupos (p=0,7476). Os resultados sugerem similar resistência à fratura em ambos os dentes fragilizados ou não-fragilizados em relação à técnica de reconstrução das paredes radiculares internas. Elevada incidência de fraturas catastróficas foram observadas nos dentes fragilizados sem a restauração das paredes radiculares internas.

Influence of intraradicular post and crown ferrule on the fracture strength of endodontically treated teeth

The aim of this study was to investigate the fracture strength of endodontically treated teeth restored with different posts and variable ferrule heights. Sixty freshly extracted human canines were treated endodontically and randomly assigned to 6 groups (n=10), being restored with custom-made cast post-and-core (CP0 and CP3 groups), prefabricated post and composite resin core (PF0 and PF3 groups), and composite resin (CR0 and CR3 groups). The CP0, PF0 and CR0 groups presented no ferrule and the CP3, PF3 and CR3 presented 3 mm of coronal structure. All teeth were restored with full metal crowns. The fracture strength was measured in a universal testing machine at 45o to the long axis of the tooth until failure. Data were analyzed statistically by 2-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (?=0.05). When the mean fracture strength values were compared (CP0 group - 820.20 N, CP3 group - 1179.12 N; PF0 group - 561.05 N; PF3 group - 906.79 N; CR0 group - 297.84 N; and CR3 group - 1135.15 N) there was statistically significant among the groups (p<0.05), except for the three groups with 3 mm of coronal remaining, which were similar to each other. The results of this study showed that the ferrule in crowns promoted significantly higher fracture strength in the endodontically treated teeth.

O objetivo neste estudo foi avaliar a resistência à fratura de dentes tratados endodonticamente restaurados com diferentes pinos e diferentes alturas de remanescente dentinário da coroa. Sessenta caninos recém-extraídos foram tratados endodonticamente, separados em 6 grupos (n=10) e restaurados com núcleo metálico fundido (CP0 e CP3), pino pré-fabricado e núcleo em resina composta (PF0 e PF3) ou resina composta (CR0 e CR3). Os grupos CP0, PF0 e CR0 não possuíam férula e os grupos CP3, PF3 e CR3 apresentaram 3 mm de remanescente coronário. Todos os dentes foram restaurados com coroas totais metálicas. A resistência à fratura foi medida em máquina universal de ensaios com o longo eixo do dente posicionado a 45 graus em relação ao carregamento axial, até que ocorresse fratura. A análise de variância 2 critérios (?=0,05) mostrou diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos. Quando as médias das forças para fratura foram comparadas (CP0 = 820,0 N; CP3= 1179,12 N; PF0 = 561,05 N; PF3 = 906,79 N; CR0 = 297,84 N; e CR3 = 1135,15 N) não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os 3 grupos com 3 mm de remanescente coronal. Os resultados mostraram que a presença de férula em coroas aumenta significantemente a resistência à fratura de dentes tratados endodonticamente.

Effect of enamel preparations on fracture resistance of composite resin buildup of fractures involving dentine in anterior bovine teeth: an in vitro study.

Sixty bovine teeth with simulated mesio-incisal angle fracture were randomly and equally divided in one untreated (control) group and three experimental groups (Bevel, Chamfer and newly introduced Stair-step Chamfer preparation group) to evaluate the effect of enamel preparations on the fracture resistance of composite resin. Post restoration, fracture mechanics approach was used to quantify the failure of composite resins in testing the samples in Instron testing machine. Mean peak failure load (Newton) of composite amongst experimental groups was observed in the order; Chamfer (326.09 +/- 72.73), Stair-step chamfer (315.21 +/- 81.77) and Bevel (253.83 +/- 67.38). Results of the One-Way ANOVA revealed significant difference in the mean peak failure load values of the four different groups. (P<0.001) Scheffe's Post-Hoc comparison test (Subset for alpha = 0.05) revealed that there was no significant difference in the mean peak failure load values of the bevel, stair-step chamfer and chamfer preparation when considered together, but the mean peak values of control group (605.22 +/- 48.96) were observed significantly higher. Failure mode evaluation revealed, majority of failures occurred as cohesive and mixed type for all the experimental groups. Adhesive type failure was observed maximum (33%) in the bevel group. Stair-step chamfer preparation showed greatest potential for application and use as it no only demonstrated comparable values to Chamfer preparation ['t' value (0.39) (P > 0.05)] but also involved sacrificing less amount of tooth structure adjacent to fractured edge.