Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this work was to evaluate the microscopic characteristics through polarized light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and the mineral content of circumpulpal dentin of irradiated (IT) and non-irradiated teeth (NIT), with deep caries that reached the root canal. Material and MethodsA total of 25 IT were analyzed macroscopically, and radiographed. 5 NIT were used as controls. Two 100-μm-thick sections, per specimen, were evaluated in a polarized light microscopy and a scanning electron microscope. Demographics and clinical data were collected. ResultsThe results did not demonstrate distinct morphology of the IT compared with NIT. Mineral content values by weight percentage of Ca and P were also similar, corresponding to 66.65% and 33.21% in the IT and 66.60% and 33.29% in the NIT. The Ca/P ratio did not show statistical differences between groups being respectively 2.74 and 2.72, in the IT and NIT (p> 0.05). ConclusionsRadiotherapy does not change morphology and mineral content of circumpulpal dentin in IT. Key words:Root canal, radiation-related caries, polarization microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, radiotherapy, oral neoplasms, dentin.
Highlights
Radiation-related caries (RRC) is a challenging problem as it can lead to rapid coronary destruction and tooth loss in a short period of time [1]
The management of RRC is challenging, since even when the teeth are amenable to restoration; there is a possibility of secondary caries development or detachment of the restorative material [4]
The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the morphology of deep RRC affecting circumpulpal dentin, and the mineral content of irradiated teeth (IT) and non-irradiated teeth (NIT) to contribute to the better understanding of caries development in patients who underwent head and neck radiotherapy (HNRT)
Summary
Radiation-related caries (RRC) is a challenging problem as it can lead to rapid coronary destruction and tooth loss in a short period of time [1]. Case series, have been published in the English-language literature about endodontic treatment in irradiated teeth, evaluating microhardness and flexural strength of dentin and apical seal [6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13] It has been observed clinically, difficulties in removing softened dentin tissue in the canal of irradiated teeth. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the morphology of deep RRC affecting circumpulpal dentin, (i.e, the layer of dentin around the outer pulpal wall) and the mineral content of irradiated teeth (IT) and non-irradiated teeth (NIT) to contribute to the better understanding of caries development in patients who underwent head and neck radiotherapy (HNRT). Conclusions: Radiotherapy does not change morphology and mineral content of circumpulpal dentin in IT
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