An in vivo evaluation of Root ZX electronic apex locator.

The Root ZX has been introduced recently as a device capable of performing accurately in the presence of sodium hypochlorite, blood, water, local anesthetic, and pulpal tissues. The Root ZX was used to locate the apical foramen in 26 root canals of vital teeth. After extraction of the teeth, a stereomicroscope was used to confirm visually the relationship of the tip of the endodontic file to the apical foramen. The Root ZX located exactly the apical foramen in 17 canals (65.4%), was short in 1 canal (3.8%), and was overextended in 8 canals (30.8%). When a potential error of +/-0.5 mm from the foramen is accepted as a tolerable range for the clinical application of an electronic apex locator, the Root ZX was able to locate the foramen within this range in 25 teeth for a clinical accuracy rate of 96.2%.

Redemption of a perforated furcation with a multidisciplinary treatment approach.

A long-standing lesion associated with an undetected perforation of the furca in a mandibular molar was successfully managed using a multidisciplinary treatment approach. The sequence of therapeutic procedures involved conventional endodontic retreatment, an initial orthograde sealing of the perforation, guided tissue regeneration, and a subsequent orthograde resealing of the perforation with Ketac-Endo and Intermediate Restorative Material.

Periapical electrolytic corrosion in the failure of silver point endodontic restorations: report of two cases.

Electrolytic corrosion is part of a broader electrochemical phenomenon that is responsible for oral galvanism. Because several physiopathologic manifestations are associated with the electrochemical phenomenon of galvanism, making the differential diagnosis can be difficult. In endodontically treated teeth, periapical electrolytic corrosion phenomena with associated symptoms can easily be misinterpreted, and the clinical presentation may be accepted as a diagnosis rather than a symptom. The purpose of this paper is to describe two cases of symptomatic periapical electrolytic corrosion resulting from the creation of "active" bimetallic galvanic cells involving silver points. The treatment involved the placement of a retrograde seal into the apical part of the root canal, which controlled the unwanted effect of leakage into the canal space. With the electrochemical activity attenuated, periapical healing and remission of symptoms occurred.

Efficient amalgam core elimination and root preservation with ultrasonic instrumentation.

An efficient ultrasonic vibratory energy technique for the elimination of deeply placed amalgam core in an endodontically treated tooth is presented. Root integrity is ensured by avoiding complete reliance on rotary burs for the removal of the obstructing alloy.

Complex facial radicular groove in a maxillary lateral incisor.

A case report of a developmental anomaly known as a radicular groove is presented. This case is unusual in that it is believed to be the first reported case of complex involvement of the entire facial aspect of a tooth root. An alveolar crest to apex facial root defect in a maxillary right lateral incisor of a 12-yr-old black female led to early pulpal necrosis and periapical rarefaction. Clinical and histologic findings as well as morphologic and treatment ramifications are discussed.

Prodromal odontalgia and multiple devitalized teeth caused by a herpes zoster infection of the trigeminal nerve: report of case.

A case of oral herpes zoster infection with prodromal odontalgia is presented. Tooth devitalization, facial scarring, and neuralgia occurred without concurrent local and systemic factors. The cause, pathological features, diagnosis, and management of an oral herpes zoster infection with prodromal odontalgia are discussed.