Abstract

Introduction: Recent reviews lament the lack of evidence on the efficacy of regenerative procedures to induce further root maturation despite claims of a paradigm shift in the way infected, necrotic immature teeth with arrested root development can be endodontically treated. The majority of reports are either case series or successful case reports where nonstandardized images may make interpretation uncertain.

Methods: This prospective clinical study reports on preliminary outcomes of regenerative endodontic procedures carried out on 16 teeth, 3 mandibular premolars and 13 traumatized central incisors, after 18-month reviews. Qualitative analysis of resolution of periapical radiolucencies and apical closure was undertaken. Quantitative analysis compared preoperative and recall radiographs by using a geometrical imaging program that calculated percentage changes in root length and dentin wall thickness.

Results: Qualitative assessment showed 90.3% resolution of the periapical radiolucency. Apical closure was assessed as incomplete in 47.2% and complete apical closure in 19.4% of cases. Quantitative assessment showed change in root length varying from -2.7% to 25.3% and change for root dentin thickness of -1.9% to 72.6%.

Conclusions: Patterns of continued root maturogenesis were variable at 18-month review. Reviews at 36 months showed continued root maturogenesis for 2 cases. Quantitative analysis can control for changes in angulation but may introduce other measurement errors. However, not all anterior teeth were suitable for TurboReg assessment because overlapping of the cementoenamel junctions and/or further eruption of teeth often precluded stable landmark positioning. Discoloration of the crown was a common consequence, with unaesthetic results in 10 of the 16 cases.

Keywords: Regenerative endodontics; TurboReg; revascularization; traumatized teeth; tri-antibiotic paste.