Provider Perceptions of Treatment Options for Immature Permanent Teeth.

INTRODUCTION: Current treatment options for immature permanent teeth with pulpal necrosis include both apexification and regenerative endodontics. The purpose of this study was to survey endodontists on the use of these 2 treatment options. METHODS: Surveys were created by using Qualtrics and Teleform software and distributed by using the Salant and Dillman method. Endodontists (n = 1615) in 4 geographically and demographically diverse states, North Carolina, New York, Texas, and California, were surveyed. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and χ2 analysis. Level of significance was set at 0.05. RESULTS: A 32.9% response rate was obtained. The majority of responders reported that apexification was the treatment of choice when considering the evidence base supporting the treatment (60%) and the predictability of treatment outcome (77.8%). Apexification was also the preferred treatment by 57.3% of respondents when asked to consider patient compliance, by 51.2% when considering the number of required patient appointments, and by 53.3% when considering the likelihood of tooth discoloration. Regenerative endodontics was reported as the preferred treatment by 89% of respondents when considering continued root development and by 66.7% when considering apical closure. The respondents' age and continuing education courses taken were significantly associated with their preferred treatment option. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study indicate that endodontists consider both clinical and patient factors when treating immature teeth with pulpal necrosis. Increase in continuing education options may increase adoption of regenerative endodontic therapy.

Treatment Outcomes of Apexification or Revascularization in Nonvital Immature Permanent Teeth: A Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: The purposes of this retrospective study were to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of mineral trioxide aggregate apexification and revascularization in nonvital immature permanent teeth and to analyze factors influencing treatment outcome. METHODS: Forty-six cases (29 cases of apexification and 17 cases of revascularization) were recruited into this study. Patients' preoperative and postoperative information was analyzed. Treatment outcomes were categorized as a success or failure and functional retention. Further root development was assessed in terms of the percentage changes in root length and root width. RESULTS: The success rates of mineral trioxide aggregate apexification and revascularization were 80.77% and 76.47% and functional retention was 82.76% and 88.24%, respectively. Revascularization provided significantly greater percentage changes in root width (13.75%) in comparison with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) apexification (-3.30%). The mean percentage change of increased root length was 9.51% in the revascularization group and 8.55% in the MTA apexification group. Interestingly, revascularization showed various degrees of increased root length ranging from -4% to 58%. Fracture was the main cause of failure in MTA apexified teeth. All failed revascularized teeth presented with signs and symptoms of apical periodontitis caused by persistent infection. CONCLUSIONS: MTA apexification and revascularization provide a reliable outcome in the aspects of resolution of the disease and tooth functional retention. None of these treatments provides satisfactory predictable further root development.