Intracanal dressing paste composed by calcium hydroxide, chlorhexidine and zinc oxide for the treatment of immature and mature traumatized teeth

Adriana de Jesus Soares^I, Juliana Yuri Nagata^I; Brenda Paula Figueiredo de Almeida Gomes^I; Alexandre Augusto Zaia^I; Francisco José de Souza-Filho^I

^I Universidade Estadual de Campinas - UNICAMP, Piracicaba Dental School, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Area of Endodontics, Piracicaba, SP, Brasil

Correspondence

Aim: To evaluate clinical and radiographic aspects before and after endodontic treatment with an intracanal dressing paste composed of calcium hydroxide, chlorhexidine and zinc oxide in traumatized teeth followed-up for 1 year. Methods: Patients (n=105) treated at the Dental Trauma Service of Piracicaba School of Dentistry, Brazil were enrolled in the study. Two groups of teeth were formed: immature (G1) (n=28) and completely developed teeth (G2) (n=174). All teeth were endodontically treated and received an intracanal dressing with a paste composed by calcium hydroxide, 2% chlorhexidine gel and zinc oxide at a 2:1:2 rate. Clinical and radiographic aspects were evaluated initially, monthly and after 1-year. Results: Most of the immature teeth suffered extrusive luxation (39.3%), whereas intrusive luxation (40.8%) was more common in completely developed teeth. There was a significant reduction in pain on percussion and mobility (p=0.0001) for immature teeth. Mature teeth showed reduction of spontaneous pain, fistula, mobility and pain on percussion (p<0.0001). Radiographic examination showed decrease in all evaluated parameters for both groups, in addition to stabilization of root resorption. Conclusions: This new intracanal dressing paste for traumatized teeth showed promising results in both immature and completely developed teeth, and may prevent posttraumatic complications.

Keywords: calcium hydroxide; dental trauma; treatment.

Introduction

Dental trauma may cause damage to the pulp and periodontal tissues¹. Depending on the intensity and type of injury, damage may be reversible or present an unfavorable prognosis for these tissues². Among the dental trauma complications, the most common are pulp necrosis and microbial infection, which may accelerate the root resorption process^2-3. In order to minimize these complications, endodontic treatment should be performed at an appropriate time to reduce infective and irritant agents.

In dental trauma situations, endodontic treatment involves the use of intracanal dressing between sessions as a complementary factor to eliminate and reduce microorganisms, prevent or stabilize root resorption, induce dentin formation and periapical tissue repair⁴. Another factor that may influence endodontic therapy is the stage of root development of the traumatized tooth. Immature teeth present a wide open apex that may favor revascularization and repair of the vascular bundle after trauma. In these teeth the frequency of pulp necrosis is lower (13.6%) than in teeth completely closed roots (63.1%)³.

Despite the more favorable prognosis for immature teeth, the need for endodontic therapy may be a challenge to conventional endodontic treatment. In these situations, some types of treatment have been proposed, including apexification with periodic changes of intracanal dressing, apexification with an apical plug, and more recently pulp revascularization^5-6. Apexification is the classic treatment and involves periodic changes of intracanal dressing during a period of 6 to 24 months until a calcified mineralized barrier is formed, allowing apical sealing of the tooth⁷. More recently, pulp revascularization has demonstrated promising results, with root end development in immature teeth with indication for endodontic therapy^8-10. Nevertheless, there are situations in which pulp revascularization may not be the first choice, considering the need for rehabilitation with intracanal retainers, root resorption and possibility of complications of this little known therapy. Contrasting with the uncertainty about this new treatment, apexification is a well-known and successful procedure with long-term followup studies¹¹. Although it is a well-known procedure, apexification also presents some disadvantages, due to the lack of patient cooperation for intracanal dressing changes, long-term weakening of the root considering the hygroscopic and proteolytic properties of calcium hydroxide, increase of fracture risk and pulp space contamination¹².

Considering the disadvantage of intracanal dressing changes in traumatized teeth, an intracanal dressing paste composed by calcium hydroxide, chlorhexidine and zinc oxide, which does not require periodic changes, has been proposed^13-14. This paste may be used regardless of the level of root development, and its qualities include low cost, ease-to-use, high radiopacity, no need for periodic replacement and capacity of inducing mineralization^13-15. In addition, it has been reported that avulsed teeth with unfavorable prognosis may be treated with this paste for long-term periods without dissolution, resulting in periapical lesion repair¹⁶.

Material and methods

Sample

One hundred and five patients presenting 202 traumatized teeth were divided in two groups. The first group (G1) comprised patients with immature teeth (n=28), and the second one (G2) comprised those having teeth with completely developed roots (n=174) (Table 1). All these patients were treated at the Dental Trauma Service of Piracicaba School of Dentistry – UNICAMP, Endodontics Area.

The research was approved by institutional Ethics Committee and the identities of the patients and their legal representatives were kept confidential. Patients received explanations and were informed that both pictures and periapical radiographs would be used for scientific purposes only. The sample was selected by the clinical charts of patients who were attended in regional hospitals and health centers of the neighboring cities, and from the files of the Oral Diagnosis Department, Oral and Maxillofacial Area of Piracicaba School of Dentistry, UNICAMP. After the emergency visit, patients were referred to the local Dental Trauma Service of Piracicaba School of Dentistry, UNICAMP, Endodontics area, and treated by 3 trained endodontic specialists.

Information was collected about age, gender, number of traumatized teeth, trauma date, etiology of trauma and first attendance date. All patients diagnosed with pulp necrosis, periodontal tissue involvement and radiographic signs suggesting root resorption were included in the research. Teeth with inflammatory exudate or severe alveolar bone ridge destruction were excluded from the study. Pulp sensitivity was evaluated by the thermal test, using a mixture of butane at -50ºC (Endo-Frost, Roeko, Langenau, Germany), in association with radiographic findings. In teeth with immature root development (Group 1), the pulp sensitivity test was confirmed by the cavity test.

Endodontic Treatment in Groups 1 and 2

In both immature (G1) and completely developed teeth (G2) cavity access was performed in a similar manner, using #1014 diamond burs (K.G. Sorensen, Barueri, SP, Brazil) in a high-speed hand piece with copious sterile saline irrigation. Outline shape was completed with #3082 blunt-end cylindrical diamond burs (K.G. Sorensen). Afterwards, the teeth were isolated with a rubber dam and stabilized with Super Bonder adhesive (Loctite Brasil Ltda., Itapevi, SP, Brazil).

Chemomechanical preparation in immature teeth was modified due to the thickness of dentin walls and open apex. Decontamination in the cervical and middle thirds was performed with Gates-glidden burs #5, 4, 3 and 2 (Dentsply/ Maillefer, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil). Length determination was performed by radiographic analyses using a K-file (Dentsply/ Maillefer) inserted up to the apical constriction. Next, the apical third was instrumented with K-files (Dentsply/ Maillefer,), #50 to 80, inserted up to the apical limit. In some cases, it was necessary to use Hedstroem files (Dentsply/ Maillefer), #50 to 60, to the same length, for removing pulp debris. All root canals were filled with 2% chlorhexidine gel during the entire mechanical preparation procedure and were irrigated with sterile saline solution at each file change. At the conclusion of chemomechanical preparation, 17% EDTA solution was used for 3 min, and a final irrigation by sterile saline solution after this. After aspiration, the root canals were dried with fitted paper points (Konne Indústria e Comércio de Materiais Odontológicos Ltda., Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil).

Teeth with closed apex (G2) were subjected to the same decontamination protocol, with the difference that root canal length determination was performed using an electronic apex locator (Novapex; Forum Technologies, Rishon-le-Zion, Israel), and instrumentation with smaller diameter files.

Manipulation and insertion of intracanal dressing

The intracanal dressing paste was prepared using calcium hydroxide (Biodinâmica™, Ibiporã, PR, Brazil), 2% chlorhexidine gel (Farmácia de Manipulação Ltda., Itapetininga, SP, Brazil) and zinc oxide (S.S. White Artigos Dentários Ltda., Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil), ata2:1:2 rate. This paste was manipulated to a firm consistency similar to Coltosol (Vigodent S/A Indústria e Comércio, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil), and was inserted in increments, using mediumand fine-medium-sized vertical condensors (Konne) (Figure 1) in the entire extent of the root canal up to the apical constriction. A control radiograph was performed to verify the apical limit of the intracanal dressing paste. After this, the teeth were sealed with Coltosol (Vigodent S/A Indústria e Comércio), restored with composite resin (Filtek Z350, 3M Dental Products, Saint Paul, MN, USA), and then radiographed (Figures 2 and 3). The patients were followedup for at least one year. Definitive root canal filling with sealer and gutta-percha was performed only in cases where it was observed dissolution of the paste and need for an esthetic restoration with intracanal posts.

Clinical and radiographic evaluation

Evaluations were made before and after insertion of the intracanal paste. The clinical examination showed presence or absence of spontaneous pain, abscess, fistula, mobility and sensitivity to percussion. The radiographic examination revealed presence or absence of cortical alveolar bone, periodontal ligament thickness, root resorptions (inflammatory and replacement types) and periapical radiolucency. For radiographic analyses, rapid speed periapical films (Kodak, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil) and radiographic exposure of 55 kVp and 15 mA for 0.7 s were used. An intraoral film holder (Indusbello Indústria de Instrumentos Odontológicos Ltda., Londrina, PR, Brazil) was used to standardize and improve the quality of radiographs. The radiographs of Groups 1and 2were evaluated using a light box (Lumatron; Encor Indústria Fotográfica Ltda, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil), coupled to a lens providing 4 times enlargement.

Statistical analysis

The results were evaluated in the BioEstat 5.0 program at a level of significance level of 5%. The McNemar test was used to analyze clinical and radiographic parameters before and after insertion of the intracanal paste.

Results

Groups 1 and 2 were affected by subluxation, extrusive luxation, lateral luxation, intrusive luxation and avulsion. Most of the immature teeth suffered extrusive luxation (39.3%), whereas in completely developed teeth, intrusive luxation (40.8%) was more common (Table 2).

In the clinical evaluation it was observed that in both immature and completely developed teeth there was complete reduction of spontaneous pain, fistula and abscess after the use of the studied intracanal dressing paste (Table 3). This decrease was significant for pain on percussion (p=0.001) and mobility (p=0.0001) in immature teeth. For the completely developed teeth, this decrease was statistically significant for spontaneous pain (p=0.0001), fistula (p=0.002), mobility (p<0.0001) and pain on percussion (p<0.0001).

The radiographic evaluation before and after use of the intracanal dressing paste in immature and completely developed teeth is shown in Table 4.

Discussion

Dental trauma, depending on its severity, may lead to complications in the pulp and periodontal tissues. Literature reports have shown that intrusive luxation and tooth avulsion are most frequently related to pulp necrosis and root resorptions (76.2%), requiring endodontic treatment³. In the present study this relationship was also observed for completely developed teeth, since most of the sample presented intrusive luxation (40.8%).

Root development must be considered for the treatment to be adopted, since immature teeth present thin dentin walls and open apices, which could make it difficult to achieve appropriate apical sealing and may weaken the root structure. Literature reports have shown promising treatments for these conditions with pulp revascularization and apexification¹⁷. Revascularization has been studied as an alternative treatment in some cases of incomplete root formation, because it stimulates the thickening and apical closure of immature teeth^18-19. However, revascularization may present potential clinical and biological complications, such as crown discoloration²⁰, development of resistant bacterial strains and allergic reaction to the intracanal medication²¹. Moreover, the mechanism of pulp revascularization, the type of tissue that develops on the root canal walls and the clinical outcome of a long follow-up period are still unclear. Considering these aspects, a more predictable treatment (apexification) was the treatment of choice in the present study. Apexification usually involves refreshing the calcium hydroxide paste every three months, requiring multiple visits with heavy demands on patients and operators, inevitable clinical costs, and the increased risk of tooth fracture, since the use of calcium hydroxide requires many dressing changes until a calcified barrier isformed^12,22.

This study demonstrated an alternative to periodic changes of intracanal medication in apexification, using a paste composed by calcium hydroxide, chlorhexidine and zinc oxide. This dressing reduced clinical and radiographic pathological signs, in addition to promoting apical closure even without periodic changes. In previous reports on immature teeth, this medicament was also successfully used in apexification^13-15. Concurring with the present study, a recent clinical research showed that most of the immature teeth (74%) needed only a single application of calcium hydroxide for complete apexification and replacements were required only for teeth presenting displacement and/or sinus tracts²³.

Endodontic treatment in traumatized teeth with completely developed roots follows the same protocol as for teeth with pulp necrosis due to dental caries. Some authors suggested the need for calcium hydroxide as intracanal medication to prevent complications such as root resorptions²⁴. The present study also treated these completely formed teeth with intracanal dressing composed by calcium hydroxide, chlorhexidine and zinc oxide. No dissolution of the dressing was observed, which may have acted as a physical barrier preventing contamination of the root canal and periapical region. In addition, it produced a reduction of the clinical and radiographic symptoms and prevented root resorption.

The intracanal dressing paste used in the present study may be used both for immature and completely developed teeth after dental trauma. Technically, it is easy to manipulate, simple to insert with condensers and presents radiopacity, allowing observation of complete filling of the root canal. In addition, it acts as a temporary material and may be more effective than a paste dressing for long periods of follow-up. Considering severe trauma such as tooth avulsion and intrusive luxation that may require long-term follow-up due to high probability of progressive root resorptions, this intracanal dressing paste may be an alternative to gutta-percha obturation. Endodontic filling with gutta-percha and sealer does not dissolve, differently from what occurs with this intracanal dressing paste, since it may dissolve at the same time as it comes into contact with the periapical tissues. This paste also demonstrated antimicrobial properties, and maintained alkaline pH for one week²⁵. It is likely that after some weeks, only zinc oxide was present, since Ca(OH)2 should have undergone complete dissolution¹⁴. The presence of zinc oxide may have worked as an inert sealing material, preventing contamination, and allowing apical repair and barrier formation in cases of open apices. The absence of a good sealing and the presence of radiographic and clinical symptoms may indicate the need to replace the medication. Further studies should be conducted on the composition, mechanism of action and long term follow-up of cases treated with this intracanal dressing.

More important than the intracanal dressing, is the cleaning of root canal system. Several studies demonstrated that reduction of microorganisms within the root canal allows periapical repair and formation of a calcified tissue barrier in open apex teeth^11,17. In this study, 2% chlorhexidine gel was used as auxiliary chemical substance. It was demonstrated that 2% chlorhexidine gel has excellent antimicrobial activity and is more biocompatible than sodium hypochlorite²⁵.

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Correspondence:
Adriana de Jesus Soares
Área de Endodontia, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba, UNICAMP
Avenida Limeira 901, CEP: 13414-903
Bairro Areão, Piracicaba, SP, Brasil
E-mail: ajsoares.endo@uol.com.br

Received for publication: January 12, 2014
Accepted: March 10, 2014