title: Preliminary results and analysis of a new set of sonic instruments for root-end cavity preparation.
abstract: The introduction of microinstruments for root-end cavity preparation has clearly improved the surgical technique in periradicular surgery with apicectomy. The new generation of sonic and ultrasonic root-end preparation devices, usually termed 'retrotips', has simplified the preparation of a sufficiently deep cavity that follows the original path of the root canal. The present paper describes the use of a new set of diamond-surfaced retrotips driven by a sonic handpiece. For clinical evaluation a prospective study was carried out, with assessment of pre-, intra- and postoperative data in 50 teeth (43 patients). This paper analyses: (i) the applicability of the new retrotips; (ii) the quality of the root-end filling assessed radiographically; (iii) the immediate postoperative course. Access with the retrotips to the resected root-end was found to be excellent in 80% of the treated teeth. The postoperative radiographs showed a root-end filling of at least 3 mm in 70% of the resected teeth. Healing was uneventful in all cases and most patients presented without any symptoms after 5 days and 10 days. The long-term treatment outcome will be reported in a future paper.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, State Hospital, Lucerne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Von Arx
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kurt
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ilgenstein
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hardt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001047:Apicoectomy / Q000295:instrumentation; D003754:Dental High-Speed Equipment; D003762:Dental Instruments; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010483:Periapical Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D012184:Retrograde Obturation; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013010:Sonication / Q000295:instrumentation; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000601:surgery