ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cutaneous draining sinus tracts of dental origin often are a diagnostic challenge. A delay in correctly diagnosing these types of lesions can result in ineffective and inappropriate treatment. CASE DESCRIPTION: The authors present five cases of facial lesions that were initially misdiagnosed as lesions of nonodontogenic origin. The correct diagnosis in each case was cutaneous sinus tract secondary to pulpal necrosis and suppurative apical periodontitis. All facial sinus tracts resolved after the patients received nonsurgical root canal therapy. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: As patients with cutaneous facial sinus tracts of dental origin often do not have obvious dental symptoms, possible dental etiology may be overlooked. Early correct diagnosis and treatment of these lesions can help prevent unnecessary and ineffective antibiotic therapy or surgical treatment.
Subject(s)
Cutaneous Fistula/etiology , Dental Fistula/etiology , Dental Pulp Necrosis/complications , Periapical Abscess/complications , Adult , Cutaneous Fistula/diagnosis , Cutaneous Fistula/therapy , Dental Fistula/diagnosis , Dental Fistula/therapy , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Root Canal TherapyABSTRACT
This study compared root surface temperatures produced during warm vertical obturation using the System B Heat Source (SB), the Touch 'n Heat device (TH), and a flame-heated carrier (FH). The root canals of 30 maxillary incisor, premolar, and mandibular incisor teeth were prepared; divided into three groups; and obturated using each heat source. A thermocouple placed 2 mm below the cementoenamel junction transferred the temperature rise on the external root surface to a digital thermometer. SB surface temperature rise was < 10 degrees C for all experimental teeth. TH temperature rise in maxillary incisors and premolars was < 10 degrees C; however, > 10 degrees C was observed for mandibular incisors. FH produced a > 10 degrees C surface temperature rise in all experimental teeth. The critical level of root surface heat required to produce irreversible bone damage is believed to be > 10 degrees C. The findings of this study suggest that warm vertical condensation with the SB should not damage supporting periradicular tissues. However, caution should be used with TH and FH on mandibular incisors.
Subject(s)
Gutta-Percha , Root Canal Obturation/instrumentation , Tooth Root , Body Temperature , Dental Pulp Cavity , Hot Temperature , Humans , Root Canal Obturation/methods , Surface PropertiesABSTRACT
The first reported case of endodontic therapy in dentinal dysplasia, Type I, is described. The first histologic diagnosis of periapical granuloma instead of periapical cyst in dentinal dysplasia, Type I, is also reported.
