Root-end cavity preparation after apicoectomy using a new type of sonic and diamond-surfaced retrotip: a 1-year follow-up study.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the outcome of periradicular surgery using a new set of retrotips for root-end cavity preparation.


METHODS
Forty-three patients who had 50 consecutively treated teeth with periradicular pathology were enrolled in this prospective study. After apicoectomy, root-end cavity preparation was performed, using diamond-surfaced retrotips driven by a sonic handpiece; EBA-cement was used as the root-end filling material. Healing assessment was based on clinical and radiographic criteria.


RESULTS
At the 1-year follow-up, 82% of the reexamined surgical cases presented with successful healing. Fourteen percent of the treated teeth were deemed as improved (partial healing), and 4% were classified as failures.


CONCLUSIONS
The new retrotips were found to be ideal for root-end cavity preparation. They simplify the surgical approach to root ends where the working space is limited by restricted access. Root-ends prepared with this new sonoabrasive technique yielded excellent results at the 1-year follow-up examination.
von Arx
T
T
Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, State Hospital, Lucerne, Switzerland. vonarx@uthscsa.edu
Kurt
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001047:Apicoectomy; D003762:Dental Instruments; D018130:Diamond; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012184:Retrograde Obturation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013010:Sonication; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018130:Diamond