Outcome of Regenerative Endodontic Procedures

Overview

Clinical management of immature non-vital (necrotic) permanent teeth is challenging, due to inherent structural weakness. Earlier management of such teeth relied on the traditional calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) apexification procedure or the application of apical barriers However, neither procedure allows for promoting root dentin maturation. In 2004, a novel management technique for treating immature, non-vital teeth called regenerative endodontic procedures (REP; also known as revascularization) was introduced. This procedure allowed for continued root maturation presented in an increase in root length and dentin wall thickness. The key points of REP include minimal or no instrumentation of the dentinal walls, disinfection with irrigant solutions and intracanal medicaments, provocation of bleeding into the canal space for creation of a blood clot, capping with calcium silicate-based material, and an effective coronal seal to prevent reinfection of the root canal system. Several case reports and clinical studies reported promising results for REP treatment. However, studies widely varied in their treatment methods, hence the search for an optimal REP protocol is still ongoing. A recent review reported that the methodological quality of REP clinical trials available to date, was low with a moderate to high risk of bias. To date, only few studies evaluated the outcome of REPs based on different types of intracanal medicaments. These studies either presented a retrospective design, low sample size and/or short follow up period. Hence, the need for randomized, controlled clinical studies to provide persuasive evidence on the efficacy of different intracanal medicaments in REP is of utmost importance. The aim of this study is to prospectively assess and compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of REP in non-vital immature permanent teeth using an intracanal medicament modified TAP or non-setting Ca(OH)2 paste. Forty-five patients yielding a total of 50 anterior and posterior non-vital immature teeth were randomly divided into 2 groups. REP utilizing either non-setting calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) (n=25) or modified triple antibiotic paste (TAP) (n=25), as intracanal medicaments were performed. NeoMTA Plus was applied for coronal sealing. Cases were followed up clinically and radiographically for 24 months. Survival rate, success rate, and clinical outcome measures were analyzed.