Endodontic pulp revitalization in traumatized necrotic immature permanent incisors: Early failures and long-term outcomes-A longitudinal cohort study

Abstract

Aim: This prospective cohort study evaluates clinical and radiographical outcomes of endodontic pulp revitalization (PR) of traumatized necrotic incisors.

Methodology: Pulp revitalization was performed in 75 traumatized necrotic immature incisors from 71 patients. The radiographic outcome measures were continued root formation (width and length), root resorption, apex closure, periapical index, and root development stage. The clinical outcome measures were percussion pain, palpation pain, pathological tooth mobility, swelling, sinus tract, ankylosis, crown discolouration, response to pulp sensitivity test, and subjective pain. Treatment outcomes were categorized as a success based on the absence of clinical symptoms and when radiographic evidence was present for apical healing and continued root development. The performed statistical tests were repeated measures anova, pairwise comparisons of interactions (t-test), McNemar's test, and linear regression model.

Results: In 45 of 75 teeth (60%), PR was successful with the resolution of clinical and radiographic signs and continued root development. PR failed due to the absence of bleeding (n = 19) and persistent infection (n = 11). PR showed statistically significant increases in root length (11%), and dentinal wall thickness (30%), root maturation (pre-operative 3.38 [CI 1.88; 4.88]; post-operative 4.04, [CI 2.56; 5.52]) apical closure (71.4%), healing of pre-operative apical periodontitis (100%), and healing of pre-operative inflammatory root resorptions (100%). Three predictive variables for continued root maturation were identified - root development stage at entry (p = .0001, β 0.649), [CI 0.431; 0.867], trauma to the soft tissues (p = .026, β -0.012), [CI -0.0225; -0.015], and pre-operative dentinal wall thickness (p = .009, β -0.001); [CI -0.001; 0.0001].

Conclusions: Our findings indicate that PR provides satisfactory clinical and radiographical outcomes in traumatized necrotic incisors. The failed cases were related to lack of bleeding and persistent infections, indicating that new techniques are needed to improve the predictability of PR.

Keywords: Regenerative endodontics; children; dental trauma; incisors; pulp necrosis.