[Treatment of teeth with open apices using mineral trioxide aggregate as apical barrier].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical effect of treatment of teeth with open apices using mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as apical barrier under surgical operating microscope.


METHODS
The root canals of 23 teeth with open apices were cleaned and shaped, and disinfected with calcium hydroxide. The MTA mixture were then carried into the apical part of the root canals to create a 3-5 mm apical barrier. The remainder of the canals were filled with AH plus and Obtura II gutta-percha. The revisit times, the period and result of the treatment were recorded for all cases.


RESULTS
The treatment of all cases was accomplished within 2 or 3 weeks. Postoperative X-ray films showed that the canals of 16 teeth were obturated very well. 7 teeth showed 1-2 mm over-filling. All recalled patients declared their teeth to be asymptomatic. The recall radiographs indicated that the apical radiolucent areas of teeth with pre-existing apical lesion decreased apparently or disappeared completely. No new radiolucency was found around the roots.


CONCLUSIONS
MTA is effective and quick in treatment of teeth with open apices, even thought there is slight over-filling of the material.
Xu
Qiong
Q
Department of Endodontics, Guanghua College of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong Province, China. xuqionggz@yahoo.com.cn
Lin
Jun-qi
JQ
Huang
Fang
F
Liu
Jian-wei
JW
D017607:Aluminum Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D006801:Humans; D010087:Oxides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017640:Silicates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000187:drug effects*
D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D017610:Calcium Compounds; D004338:Drug Combinations; D010087:Oxides; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D017640:Silicates; C086631:mineral trioxide aggregate; C113130:obtura II; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide