A total of 33 teeth with 66 root canals were clinically diagnosed as irreversible pulpitis, and 38 teeth with 53 canals were diagnosed as apical periodontitis. Those 71 teeth had 119 root canals, with incompletely formed roots, and they underwent root canal therapy and filling using a formulation of calcium hydroxide and iodoform called Vitapex and were clinically observed for 30 to 1312 days. The following are the results and conclusions. 1: After root canal therapy, the condition of the root canal filling material was determined by radiograph In 66 root canals with irreversible pulpitis, 16 cases were overfilled, 11 cases were flush and 39 cases were underfilled. In 53 cases with apical periodontitis, 28 cases were overfilled, 10 cases were flush and 15 cases were underfilled. 2: Clinical discomfort was experienced in 10 cases with irreversible pulpitis and in 3 cases with apical periodontitis. However, most of the discomfort was of a mild degree and disappeared within a week. 3: At the last observation, a high frequency of closure of the root apex was observed by radiograph. Cases with apical periodontitis tend to have a slight delay in inducing closure of the root apex compared with cases with irreversible pulpitis. However, after 540 days, closure of the root apex was observed in all cases. 4: Clinical and radiographic findings show that in 33 cases with irreversible pulpitis, 23 cases were good, 9 cases were fair and 1 case was poor. On the other hand, in 38 cases with apical periodontitis, 35 cases were good, 2 cases were fair and 1 case was poor.
Editor, Toshiyuki Kawakami
Language Editor, David M Carlson
viii, 232 p. ill. (some col.)
Chapter 9 : Clinical and Radiographic Observation of Permanent Teeth with Incompletely Formed Roots after Root Canal Therapy
