Vital pulp therapy in dogs: 190 cases (2001-2011).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate factors associated with the outcome of vital pulp therapy (VPT) in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SAMPLE: 190 teeth in 138 dogs. PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed; radiographs obtained before, immediately after, and during the last available follow-up examination for VPT were evaluated. Treatment was categorized as successful (with radiographic evidence of continued secondary dentin production, continued root formation in immature teeth, and absence of clinical and radiographic signs of apical periodontitis and internal or external inflammatory root resorption), having no evidence of failure (with signs for success fulfilled except the width of the apical periodontal ligament space, which could be wider than but no more than double the width of the periodontal ligament space in other areas), or failed (with radiographic evidence of pulp necrosis, apical periodontitis, or inflammatory root resorption). Associations between diagnostic or treatment-related variables and outcome were assessed with multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall, treatment was classified as successful for 162 of 190 (85%) teeth, including 23 (12%) teeth with no evidence of failure, and as having failed for 28 (15%) teeth. The overall success rate was 137 of 149 (92%) for teeth treated with mineral trioxide aggregate alone and 21 of 36 (58%) for teeth treated with Ca(OH)2 alone. Use of Ca(OH)2 and deep penetration of dressing material into the vital pulp were each significantly associated with increased odds of treatment failure. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that VPT with mineral trioxide aggregate was an effective option for use in crown reduction to treat malocclusion and for treatment of recent crown fractures in immature or mature permanent teeth.

Outcome of surgical endodontic treatment in dogs: 15 cases (1995-2011).

OBJECTIVE: To document the short- and long-term outcomes of surgical endodontic treatment in dogs in a clinical setting. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 15 dogs that underwent surgical endodontic treatment. PROCEDURES: Medical records of dogs that underwent surgical endodontic treatment at 3 institutions from January 1995 to December 2011 were reviewed. Information extracted included signalment, history, initial clinical signs, physical and radiographic examination findings, treatment, and outcome. Outcome was determined through evaluation of the pre- and postoperative radiographs as well as clinical and radiographic findings at follow-up evaluations. On the basis of radiographic findings, treatment was considered successful if the periapical lesion and bone defect created by surgery had completely healed and no new root resorption was detected; a treatment was considered to have no evidence of failure if the periapical lesion remained the same or had not completely resolved and root resorption was static. RESULTS: 15 dogs were treated by means of apicoectomy and retrograde filling following a failed or complicated orthograde root canal treatment. The mean long-term follow-up time was 15.2 months (range, 3 to 50 months). On radiographic evaluation, 10 of 15 dogs had successful resolution of the periapical disease; 5 dogs had no radiographic evidence of failure of endodontic treatment. All dogs were considered to have a successful clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Surgical endodontic treatment was an effective option for salvaging endodontically diseased but periodontally healthy teeth of dogs in which orthograde treatment was unsuccessful and nonsurgical retreatment was unlikely to succeed.

Peri-implant tissue response to TiO2 surface modified implants.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate peri-implant soft tissue attachment and alveolar bone height on nanoporous TiO(2) thin film on commercial titanium dental implants compared with unmodified standard implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In six adult beagle dogs, the mandibular premolars P2-P4 were extracted bilaterally. Sol-gel-derived nanoporous TiO(2) thin film was produced on smooth coronal part of standard ITI Straumann implants (4.1 mm x 8.0 mm) by dip coating method. After 3 months healing period of the extraction sockets modified (n=24) and unmodified (n=11) control implants were placed bilaterally. The animals were killed after 8 weeks and the samples were retrieved and processed for histologic/histomorfometric and TEM/SEM evaluations. RESULTS: Histological examination showed mild or absent inflammatory reaction in peri-implant connective tissues around the surface modified implants. Further, junctional epithelium (JE)/connective tissue (CT) appeared to be in immediate contact with the experimental implants. Of the experimental implants, 22% were judged to be detached from the implant surface while 45% of the untreated control implants were detached. Dense plaques of hemidesmosomes were found in TEM evaluation of the JE cell membrane facing the surface-treated implants. In the histomorfometric analysis, the distance between the implant margin and alveolar bone crest was significantly shorter in surface-treated implants than in the control implants (P<0.02). CONCLUSION: Nanoporous sol-gel-derived TiO(2) thin film on ITI Straumann dental implants improved soft tissue attachment in vivo.

Mandibular reconstruction with an alloplastic bone tray in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: Mandibular alloplastic bone trays have an unacceptably high rate of extrusion. The introduction of resorbable mesh has renewed interest in such trays. This study evaluates the effect of resorbable trays on bone graft healing in a dog model. DESIGN: Unilateral, 20-mm mandibular body defects were created in 10 dogs, and repaired with cancellous bone grafts. A resorbable mesh bone tray was applied to 5 animals. All mandibles underwent gross examination, 4-point stress testing, and histologic and radiographic analysis. RESULTS: All animals had excellent bony unions. There was one intraoral mesh exposure. There was no difference between the control and treatment groups with regard to clinical findings, radiologic analysis, stress testing (P = 0.17), or histologic analysis (P = 0.66). CONCLUSION: The metabolic breakdown products of the resorbable mesh do not inhibit bone healing or strength. Resorbable mesh trays are a viable modality for reconstruction of segmental mandibular defects in a dog model.

Results of root canal treatment in dogs: 127 cases (1995-2000).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate results of root canal treatment in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 127 tooth roots in 64 dogs. PROCEDURE: Radiographs obtained before surgery, immediately after surgery, and during follow-up examinations after surgery were evaluated by 2 individuals. Treatment was considered successful if the periodontal ligament space was normal and possible preoperative root resorption, if present, had ceased. Treatment was considered to show no evidence of failure if possible preoperative root resorption had ceased but a preexisting periapical lesion had remained the same or only decreased in size and not complete resolved. Treatment was considered to have failed if a periapical lesion or root resorption developed subsequent to endodontic treatment, if a preexisting periapical lesion had increased in size, or if possible preoperative root resorption appeared to continue after endodontic treatment. RESULTS: Follow-up time ranged from 1 to 60 months (mean, 13 months). Treatment was classified as successful for 87 (69%) roots, as showing no evidence of failure for 33 (26%) roots, and as having failed for 7 (6%) roots. The success rate was lower for canine teeth than for maxillary fourth premolar teeth. Roots with a preexisting periapical lucency or preexisting root resorption had lower success rates. The use of intracanal medication and the method and quality of obturation were not associated with outcome. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that root canal treatment offers a viable option for salvage of periodontally sound but endodontically diseased teeth in dogs.