Clinical outcome of the endodontic treatment of teeth with apical periodontitis using an antimicrobial protocol.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the long-term (1-4 years) outcome of the endodontic treatment of teeth with apical periodontitis lesions performed by undergraduate students using a defined antimicrobial protocol.


METHODS
Treatment protocol included a crown-down instrumentation technique, apical enlargement to predetermined sizes and apical level, irrigation with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite, and intracanal medication with calcium hydroxide/camphorated paramonochlorophenol (CPMC) paste. The first 100 teeth from patients who returned for follow-up were examined. The outcome was assessed based on radiographic and clinical criteria as healed (success), healing (uncertain), or not healed (failure).


RESULTS
Overall results showed that 76% of the teeth healed, 19% were healing, and 5% had not healed. Most healed cases (75%) or failed cases (80%) were already evident at 2 years. Seven cases took 4 years to heal completely.


CONCLUSIONS
The low failure rate observed in this study reinforces the importance of using an evidence-based antimicrobial strategy during endodontic treatment of teeth with apical periodontitis.
Siqueira
José F
JF
Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Estácio de Sá University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. siqueira@estacio.br
Rôças
Isabela N
IN
Riche
Fernanda N S J
FN
Provenzano
José C
JC
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001729:Bismuth; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide; D002164:Camphor; D002733:Chlorophenols; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000628:therapy; D003790:Dental Pulp Necrosis / Q000628:therapy; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D006801:Humans; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000628:therapy*; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000379:methods; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000379:methods; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D016733:Rubber Dams; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002733:Chlorophenols; D004338:Drug Combinations; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; C080620:Sealer 26; D002164:Camphor; C029804:camphorated parachlorophenol; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide; D001729:Bismuth