Characterizing the Root Canal Configuration of Mandibular Incisors in a Western Saudi Arabian Sub-population Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography.

Aim This study aimed to explore the morphology and complexity of mandibular anterior teeth in a Western Saudi Arabian sub-population using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methodology CBCT scans from 818 patients were evaluated, and 3193 mandibular anterior teeth were analyzed for the number of roots, canal, canal configurations, separation level, bilateral symmetry, and gender associations. Results The results showed that all examined central and lateral incisors had a single root, and the majority exhibited a single canal. The prevalence of two canals in mandibular central and lateral incisors was 20.1% and 23.2%, respectively, resulting in an overall prevalence of 21.7% for two root canals in mandibular anterior teeth. The separation level of the two canals was predominantly located in the middle third of the root. Type I canal configuration was the most common, followed by type III. A high degree of bilateral symmetry in the number of canals and canal configurations was noted. Conclusion The findings contribute to the understanding of root canal anatomy in the Saudi population and provide valuable information for endodontic treatment planning.

The Incidence of Devitalization of Vital Teeth Associated with Pathologies of the Jaws Following Surgical Intervention: A Mixed-case Study.

AIM: The purpose of this mixed-case study is to explore the incidence of pulp necrosis of vital teeth after surgical treatment of adjacent lesions of the jaws. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 341 biopsies submitted to the institute's histopathology laboratory were reviewed to include cases that met the inclusion criteria. About 84 biopsies collected from patients during surgical enucleation of lesions in proximity to healthy vital teeth were included of which 22 patients were recalled. Adjacent teeth were examined clinically and radiographically to assess their pulpal and periapical status after at least 8 months of follow-up. RESULTS: There were 7 different pathological lesions diagnosed histologically. The follow-up period ranged between 8 and 72 months; 12 cases (54.6%) have developed pulpal necrosis for at least one tooth after surgical enucleation of the lesion. The other 10 cases (45.4%) showed normal responses to sensibility testing for all the teeth adjacent to the lesion. Ten out of the 12 cases (83%) that underwent pulpal necrosis were associated with odontogenic cysts, whereas the remaining 2 were associated with periapical granuloma and fibrous dysplasia. CONCLUSION: Pulp necrosis is high in vital teeth associated with lesions without pulpal involvement. These teeth may benefit from root canal treatment prior to surgical enucleation of the lesion, which may prevent impaired healing or recurrence of infection. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Careful treatment planning and thorough discussion should take place between the surgeons, endodontists, and patients prior to executing the treatment. The patient should be aware that there is a possibility that they may need root canal treatment as a preventative measure to enhance the chances of healing following the surgical procedures and in case the patients opted not to perform root canal treatment beforehand, close follow-up in the future should take place to monitor the vitality of the teeth in the follow-up visits.

Outcomes of endodontic microsurgery using different calcium silicate-based retrograde filling materials: a cohort retrospective cone-beam computed tomographic analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of endodontic microsurgery (EMS) using mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA; Dentsply Sirona, Charlotte, NC, USA), EndoSequence root repair material (RRM putty; Brasseler, Savannah, GA), and injectable Bioceramic (BC) sealer (Brasseler USA) followed by the application of RRM putty (lid technique) as root-end filling materials. METHODS: One hundred and ten patients who underwent EMS between 2016 and 2020 at King Abdulaziz University Dental Hospital were recruited for clinical and radiographic follow-up after a minimum of 1 year. Radiographic assessment was performed using periapical radiographs (PAs) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Volumetric analysis of periapical radiolucencies (PARLs) was performed using Amira software. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients (103 teeth: MTA group, n = 28; RRM putty, n = 41; lid technique, n = 34), attended the follow-up visit, with an average follow-up period of 24 months (recall rate = 74.5%). Of the 103 teeth, 40 were anteriors, 24 were premolars, and 39 were molars. All three groups of retrograde filling materials (MTA, RRM putty, and lid technique) showed high success rates on both PA (85.7, 85.4, 94.1%, respectively) and CBCT imaging (67.9, 75.6, 88.2%, respectively), without any significant difference among the success rates of different materials. Overall, a slight agreement was noted between the PA and CBCT outcomes, with a statistically significant difference (P = 0.029). None of the patient-, tooth-, or treatment-related factors significantly influenced the outcomes of EMS. Adequate density of root canal filling material was significantly associated with a high percentage of completely healed cases on CBCT (P = 0.044). PARL volumes were reduced significantly over 1-4 years follow-up after EMS (P < 0.001) CONCLUSIONS: EMS showed high success rates on both PA and CBCT when MTA, RRM putty or lid technique were used as retrograde filling materials. CBCT imaging is more precise than PA in detecting the healing outcomes of EMS.

Maxillary sinus volume in patients with canted occlusal plane: A cone-beam computed tomography study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the maxillary sinus volume between both sides in adult patients with upper occlusal canting (>2 mm cant) and a control group (≤2 mm cant) using cone-beam computed tomography scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included a total of 84 scans (42 scans per group) according to predetermined selection criteria. OnDemand 3-D™ software was used for volumetric and linear measurements of the maxillary sinus. Maxillary occlusal canting was determined at the level of the maxillary first molars. It was defined as the vertical difference between right and left sides relative to the Frankfort horizontal plane. Non-parametric tests were applied. RESULTS: The median difference in the maxillary sinus volume between the sides was statistically significant between the control and cant groups (P < 0.001). Also, the median difference in the maxillary sinus craniocaudal height and apex sinus distance between the sides was statistically significant between the control and cant groups (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: In adult patients, maxillary occlusal canting of more than 2 mm was associated with asymmetric maxillary sinus volumes. In the cant group, maxillary first molars on the canted-down side were in close proximity to the sinus floor, which suggests a limited leeway for molar intrusion.