Symptomatic Teeth Research Articles

PR 2 Post-operative pain after root canal treatment in symptomatic nonvital teeth

PR 2 Post-operative pain after root canal treatment in symptomatic nonvital teeth

Effect of intracanal use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents on posttreatment endodontic pain

The ability of intracanal use of two nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents — diclofenac and ketoprofen — with and without hyaluronidase to control posttreatment pain was compared with that of a placebo control in a double-blind study of 760 subjects. The study was carried out on originally asymptomatic and symptomatic teeth that required endodontic therapy. Endodontic treatment was completed in three visits during which medications were placed into the canal either at the end of the first visit (postextirpation) or the second visit (postinstrumentation). Patients subjectively rated their pain on a scale of 1 to 4 as none, mild, moderate, and severe. The ratings were done preoperatively and at 2, 4, 8, and 12 hours postoperatively on the first day as well as on the second and third days. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that both diclofenac and ketoprofen significantly reduced the mean pain score in originally asymptomatic and symptomatic cases and were significantly superior to the placebo until the end of the study. Postendodontic pain occurred with less frequency when the teeth were treated with diclofenac, but diclofenac-treated and ketoprofen-treated cases were not significantly different at controlling postendodontic pain. An increase in the number of patients who reported complete absence of pain was recorded when hyaluronidase was added to the study medications. However, the difference between the medications and medications-hyaluronidase was not of statistical significance.

Root agenesis in developing canines as a complication of intranasal antrostomy

A case is reported in which the roots of both maxillary canines failed to develop, a defect that could be traced to antral surgery when the patient was 8 years of age. The differential diagnosis of such a finding is proffered. The maxillary antrum is described, and aspects of the surgical procedure, the nasal antrostomy, used in this patient are discussed. A brief outline of current thought on the mechanisms of eruption of teeth is appropriate, and treatment of the symptomatic tooth is mentioned.

Correlations between endotoxin and clinical symptoms or radiolucent areas in infected root canals

Samples were collected from the root canals of 30 teeth of patients with apical periodontitis and assayed for endotoxin content. The detection rates of endotoxin and endotoxin content were higher in symptomatic teeth, teeth with radiolucent areas, and teeth with exudation than in those without them.

Replication of human occlusal tooth attrition surfaces for scanning electron microscopic study

Silicone negative replicas of dentine islands exposed by occlusal attrition were examined on extracted human teeth using the scanning electron microscope. Because the details of the dentinal tubules were reproducible on the silicone impression, the replication technique was applied in vivo to occlusal attrition to demonstrate patent dentinal tubules in cases with symptomatic exposed dentine islands. using this replication technique, it should be possible to monitor the effect of the therapeutic management of symptomatic tooth attrition on dentinal tubule closure.

A prospective randomized double-blind trial on efficacy of dexamethasone for endodontic interappointment pain in teeth with asymptomatic inflamed pulps

To determine whether a relatively large dose of oral dexamethasone given for a short period of time would be effective in reducing endodontic interappointment pain, the current double-blind, placebo-controlled study was undertaken. After the visit for instrumentation, 40 patients with asymptomatic teeth having vital-inflamed pulps were randomly given either dexamethasone (3 tablets of 4 mg each) or a dextrose placebo identical in appearance (same dosage schedule). The outcome showed that the oral administration of dexamethasone resulted in a statistically significant reduction in endodontic interappointment pain at all three time periods evaluated, that is, at 8 hours, and 24 and 48 hours (p < 0.01). It appears from the results of this study that this dosage schedule of oral dexamethasone is sufficient to significantly reduce endodontic interappointment pain for teeth with asymptomatic vital-inflamed pulps. Further studies are needed for teeth with other endodontic pulpal-periapical conditions and for symptomatic teeth.

Dental care for patients receiving chemotherapy

Common oral complications of chemotherapy include mucositis, infections secondary to profound bone marrow aplasia, and gingival bleeding. Mucositis and infections were treated with appropriate antibiotic therapy; a symptomatic tooth was extracted before chemotherapy was begun. Transfusions were performed to obtain adequate platelet levels. A regimen of ticarcillin disodium and gentamicin sulfate is recommended for antibiotic prophylaxis for selected dental procedures.

A radioimmunoassay determination of the concentrations of prostaglandins E 2 and F 2α in painful and asymptomatic human dental pulps

The purpose of this study was to determine the concentrations of prostaglandin E 2 and prostaglandin F 2α in painful and asymptomatic human dental pulps. Pulps were obtained from three groups of teeth: uninflamed pulps, asymptomatic teeth with caries and/or large restorations, and symptomatic teeth with the clinical diagnosis of irreversible pulpitis. Pulps were dissected from the teeth and stored in liquid nitrogen. They were homogenized in 40% ethanol and a lipid solvent extraction was performed. Prostaglandin levels were measured using radioimmunoassay. The pulps which were likely to demonstrate inflammation had significantly higher mean concentrations of prostaglandin E 2 than did the uninflamed pulps (p 2 and prostaglandin F 2α than the asymptomatic pulps (p

Collagenolytic and elastinolytic activities from diseased human dental pulps

Human dental pulps were analysed for collagenolytic and elastinolytic activities using radiolabeled collagen and elastin as substrates. Significant levels of both enzyme activities were found in samples classified as suppurative pulpitis and necrotic symptomatic teeth with periapical radiolucencies. Normal pulps showed no evidence of either enzymatic activity.

Endotoxin content in endodontically involved teeth

Fluid was aspirated from the root canals of 40 endodontically involved teeth. This fluid was assayed for endotoxin with the limulus lysate test. Pulpless teeth contained greater concentrations of endotoxin than those with vital pulps. Symptomatic teeth also contained more endotoxin than asymptomatic teeth.