R6 Interventions for treating traumatised non‐vital immature permanent incisors

Abstract

In traumatised non‐vital immature permanent incisors, clinicians are challenged by thin root dentine walls and a wide‐open apex. Apexification involves using a temporary paste to stimulate the formation of calcified tissue at the apex; while apical plug techniques involve packing of a material into the apical 2–4 mm of an immature canal to act as a barrier against which gutta‐percha is condensed. The risk of root fracture during apexification in immature roots is a concern. This complication has lead researchers to explore ways of root strengthening in addition to inducing a barrier.Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of methods for inducing an apical barrier or root strengthening and immediate & long‐term side effects of these interventions.Design: Cochrane Systematic Review of randomised controlled trials.Methods: Electronic and manual search using controlled vocabulary and free text terms with no language restrictions. The methodological quality of each study is assessed using the criteria described in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.Primary results: Multi‐database electronic search via OVID revealed 117 total hits.Conclusions: Primary analysis of reports yielded 10 studies initially fulfilled inclusion criteria, five retrospective studies, 18 in vitro studies, six animal studies, 53 case reports & review articles and 25 not applicable reports.