Studies suggest alternatives to amalgam as a retrograde filling material for apicectomy.
METHODS
Sources were Medline and the Cochrane Library.


METHODS
Studies included were in vivo with human subjects, had experimental and control groups, and gave quantitative results in English, German or French.


METHODS
Success and failure rates were derived from randomised controlled trials (RCT), clinical controlled trials (CCT), cohort studies (CS) and case-controlled studies (CCS). Qualitative synthesis of results was performed.


RESULTS
Two RCT, six CCT and 14 CCS were identified. The two RCT suggest that glass ionomer may be more effective than amalgam, conversely one CCT showed amalgam to be more effective. CCTs also suggest that EBA (reinforced zinc oxide eugenol) cement, composite with GLUMA (Bayer AG., Leverkusen, Germany) and gold leaf retrograde filling may be more effective than amalgam. A further CCT suggested that gutta-percha used as a retrograde filing is less effective than when used following an orthograde approach.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the outcome of two RCT, glass ionomer appears as effective as amalgam. EBA cement, composite with GLUMA and gold leaf and orthograde gutta-percha may also be as effective as amalgam. Evidence is limited, however, and further research is needed.
Naito
Toru
T
Department of Periodontology and Endodontology, Kyushu Dental College, Kitakyushu, Japan.