Search

Background/purpose: There is controversial evidence on the best choice for root-end filling materials in follow-up periods and treatment protocols. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different root-end filling materials in modern surgical endodontic treatment. Materials and methods: A total of 16 studies with a minimum follow-up of 12-months were qualified to be reviewed, involving randomized control trials and observational studies in PubMed, Cochrane library and Scopus until September 1, 2021. The outcome of modern surgical endodontic treatment was assessed based on clinical and radiographic success. Direct comparisons were combined to estimate indirect comparisons, and the estimated effect size was analyzed using the odds ratio (OR). The comparative effectiveness of all materials for target outcomes were shown as P-score. Results: Within this network meta-analysis, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) had superior effects among all root-end filling materials at 12-months follow-up. (MTA: OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 0.84–4.91; P-score, 0.86; reference material, gutta-percha). In further sensitivity analyses, MTA, calcium silicate-based root repair material (RRM) and super EBA cement (Super EBA) were associated with significantly higher success rates at 12-months follow-up. (MTA: OR, 5.62; 95% CI, 1.58–19.99; P-score, 0.88; RRM: OR, 5.23; 95% CI, 1.05–25.98; P-score, 0.74; Super EBA: OR, 3.99; 95% CI, 1.06–15.04; P-score, 0.54; reference material, gutta-percha). Conclusion: MTA remains the best choice for root-end filling materials of modern surgical endodontic treatment at the 12-month follow-up. Comparative randomized clinical trials in the long-term follow-up are warranted in future investigations.

Background/purpose: Presence of pulp stones increase the difficulty of locating canal orifice during endodontic treatment. This study aims to determine the prevalence of pulp stones in a northern Taiwanese population through analysis of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods: A total of 144 patients and 2554 teeth were used in the present study which were collected from a CBCT image archive. To determine the presence of pulp stones, images of pulp chamber and root canals were analyzed in the sagittal, axial and coronal planes and from the occlusal to apical direction. Correlations between pulp stones and gender, age, tooth type, dental arch or side were also examined. Results: Of the 144 patients, 120 patients (83.3%) and 800 (31.3%) teeth were found to have one or more pulp stones through CBCT examination. Prevalence of pulp stones between dental arches and tooth types were significantly different (P

Background/purpose: Inadequacy to locate the second mesiobuccal canal (MB2) canal leads to the highest probability of endodontic failure in permanent maxillary first molars (PMFMs) and still remains a constant challenge for many clinicians. The aim of this study was to characterize the geometrical features between MB2 and other orifices of examined PMFMs using cone-beam computed tomography images. Materials and methods: A total of 108 teeth qualified in the cone-beam computed tomography image archives were enrolled in the present study. The intersecting point (T) was determined as the perpendicular line (h, altitude of triangle) projected from the vertex of the MB2 canal orifice to mesiobuccal canal orifice-palatal canal orifice line (MB1-P). We measured the geometric features of PMFMs with the MB2 canal, including the interorifice distances, area, altitude, and the ratio between the canal orifices. Results: The average interorifice distance was found to be 1.91±0.59 mm for MB1-MB2, 5.73±0.66 mm for MB1-P, and 4.11±0.79 mm for MB2-P, with significant gender difference for MB1-MB2 distance. For the MB1-T distance, a significant difference was found between genders (P=0.02), with males averaging 1.78±0.07 mm, and females 1.48±0.11 mm. For the MB1-P distance, the majorities of both genders were found in the 20–40% cut-off. A portion of the males exhibited a tendency towards the 40–80% cut-off, while females shifted in the reverse direction towards the 0–20% cut-off. Conclusion: In clinical scenarios, these anatomical characteristics of the root canals system could be beneficial to locating the MB2 canal. Keywords: cone-beam computed tomography, maxillary molar, morphology, root canal

Background/purpose: Occlusion is an important component of temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Little is known about the association between missing teeth and TMJ changes. The purpose of this study was to determine if a correlation exists between unilateral missing posterior teeth and changes in the inclination of the articular eminence (AE). Materials and methods: A total of 106 joints in 53 patients (20 men and 33 women) with unilateral posterior edentulism were included. In the same patients, the sagittal outline of the AE and glenoid fossa was traced in panoramic radiographs. The sagittal condylar path inclination was constructed by joining the crest of the glenoid fossa and the crest of AE. This was then related to the constructed Frankfurt's horizontal plane to determine the inclination of AE. The results were subjected to the one-way analysis of variance test. A P value of 0.05). The inclination of AE in men was higher than in women on both the missing side and the nonmissing side (P > 0.05). The symmetry equality between the missing and the nonmissing side joint was 1.89%. This value was higher (3%) in the female group than in the male group (0%). Comparing the absolute mean differences, the female group showed a lower difference (9.8°) than the male group (12.11°). Conclusion: A wide range of values of AE inclination was found regardless of other factors such as side of teeth loss and the sex of patients.

Background/purpose: Condensing osteitis (CO) is a common lesion of the jaw bone. This study surveyed the occurrence of mandible CO and its distribution in the mandible in a Taiwanese population. Materials and methods: Panoramic radiographs and clinical information of 1098 patients at the Dental Department of Tri-Service General Hospital (Taipei, Taiwan) were collected. The patient data were analyzed to determine the CO disease status, patient age distribution, sex, CO location in the mandible, and the status of the affected tooth. Results: Seventy-five CO lesions were identified in 63 patients. The prevalence of CO in the mandible was 5.7%. Eight (10.7%) CO cases were associated with teeth that had crowns and/or bridges, 16 (21.3%) CO cases were associated with teeth that had caries or restorations; 22 (29.3%) CO cases were associated with teeth that had received root canal therapy, nine (12%) CO cases were associated with teeth with periodontal diseases, and 20 (26.7%) CO cases were located in the tooth extraction area. The percentage of females and males was 65.3% and 34.7%, respectively. Ten (13.3%) CO cases and 65 (86.7%) CO cases were identified in the premolar and molar area, respectively. The most common site of CO was in the first molar region. Conclusion: In our study population, the CO lesion occurs more commonly in female patients who were in their 60s. The mandibular 1st molar and teeth that had received root canal therapy had the highest association with CO. The CO distribution, as determined from this study, can provide valuable information for future clinical references.