Vital Root Research Articles

Ein Weg zur Sozialreform in Lateinamerika: Die Rezeption der katholischen Soziallehre Europas in Chile, 1880–1920

Social justice, social problems, social questions, and social teachings have been core issues in a major public policy discourse of recent decades. Vital roots of these issues are found in the social teachings that were formulated by European Catholicism in the nineteenth century and gained official validity through the Rerum Novarum Encyclical of 1891. These teachings defined the complex nature of the social questions and social problems during the Industrial Revolution and suggested remedial strategies.Furthermore, the recent revival in political philosophy has injected an impressive vitality into the discourse of the criteria defining social justice. Utilitarianism has reaffirmed its faith in the criterion of maximum utility for the largest number of people. To social contract theorists, the maximandrum remains equality. Inequality is permissible only as long as it benefits the least advantaged. The prime political virtue for libertarians is freedom. In the composite theory of justice, freedom and equality are complementary criteria rather than substitutes.The social question poses even today a decisive problem for the development of Chile. This problem was recognized and discussed for the first time between 1880 and 1920. The first concrete initiatives by Chilean leaders towards the solution of the social problem also have their roots in the 1880–1920 period. Unfortunately, little noteworthy has been known about the origins of this important reform process in which Chilean Catholics participated decisively.The splendid monograph by Patricio Valdivieso, A Road to Social Reform in Latin America: Reception of European Catholic Social Teachings in Chile, 1880–1920, makes a major contribution to Chilean social historiography by providing—in three massive, well-researched and superbly written chapters—an excellent and novel review, analysis, and evaluation of European Catholic social teachings and their reception and impact in Chile between 1880 and 1920; by presenting a detailed examination of the social situation of the underclasses in the cities and on the land; and by delivering new perceptions about the discussion of the social question during the modernization process.The first chapter exhaustively documents the historical context within which the social question arose and was discussed. The processes of social and economic transformation and the problems created by them, namely pauperism, prevalence of money wages and their link to the cost of food, and protests, display, according to Valdivieso, an extraordinary similarity in Europe and Chile. This created the conditions for the acceptance of European models for the solution of social problems in Chile between 1880 and 1920.The second chapter describes the reception of European social teachings by Chilean Catholicism and the development of a program of social reform. An overview of the creation of Catholic social teachings in Europe in the nineteenth century until the Rerum Novarum Encyclical, is followed by a presentation of the political-confessional context in Chile. Being at a loss when the social problem and tensions became obvious, Chilean Catholicism sought help where similar problems were known to exist and where knowledge had been gained in solving them, namely Europe.Chapter three demonstrates how such social grievances as alcoholism, spread of diseases, high mortality rates, inflation, substandard housing, plural labor markets and low savings were jointly designated as the social problem and question. These social grievances formed, during 1880–1920, the basis for a discussion of a societal crisis. In this context, the Social Catholics contributed both to the formation of reform thinking as well as to the transformation of ideas into concrete forms of social policy.The issues of social justice, the social question, and the social problem remain as relevant today as they were hundred years ago. This monumental study by Val-divieso fills numerous gaps and exposes many unresolved issues. Everyone interested in social justice, inequality, and poverty, both within and outside Chile, will benefit from reading it.

Pulp remains viable following vital amputation of the mesio-buccal root of the maxillary fourth premolar in dogs.

Vital amputation of the mesio-buccal root of the maxillary fourth premolar (P4) was performed bilaterally in 8 dogs. Histopathologic evaluation of the tooth structure revealed normal pulp in the remaining mesio-buccal, mesio-palatal, and distal roots and crown during a mean follow-up period of 3.5 +/- 1.9 months. Amputation site healing was characterized by a reparative dentin bridge produced by odontoid cells. Tunnel defects were observed in 13 of 16 (81%) dentin bridges. It is concluded that the pulp of a tri-rooted, periodontal disease-free tooth remains viable during a 6-month period following vital root amputation. These results point to the intriguing possibility that this may also occur in humans, however, this needs to be directly tested in man.

Vital root canal treatment of a dens in dente

A case of dens invaginatus is presented in which a greatly enlarged mandibular lateral incisor radiographically appeared to have a tooth within a tooth (dens in dente). The dens was treated endodontically without violating the integrity of the pulp.

Time course of dimension and function of the autologous pulmonary root in the aortic position

Although the autologous, fully vital, and compatible pulmonary root theoretically offers the prospect of an ideal aortic valve substitute, this type of replacement is performed in only a few centers. Major concern relates to the fate of root dimension and function in the systemic circulation and is largely unknown. To investigate the fate of the aortic root, we conducted echocardiographic examinations of eight freestanding pulmonary roots used for aortic valve replacement in adults. The studies were performed at discharge from the hospital and up to 21 months (mean 12.5 +/- 6.6 months) after the operation, as well as in 26 matched control subjects. There were no significant differences between the first and second postoperative studies regarding the root diameter (mean 26.6 +/- 2.1 mm and 27.6 +/- 2.6 mm, respectively), which was within control limits, the maximum transvalvular pressure gradient (mean 4.6 +/- 1.2 mm Hg and 6.6 +/- 2.1 mm Hg, respectively), the maximum leaflet separation (mean 22.1 +/- 1.4 mm and 22.1 +/- 1.8 mm, respectively), and the degree of insufficiency. At the first study, grade I aortic regurgitation was found in four patients and grade I-II in one patient. Regurgitation increased slightly in one patient with an abnormal leaflet. In three patients primary grade I regurgitation disappeared. These data suggest that the pulmonary root in the aortic position can withstand systemic circulation without changes in dimension and function for up to 21 months. Furthermore, some evidence is provided to indicate that in certain cases the viable autograft may adapt to systemic pressure, as indicated by the disappearance of primary regurgitation.

Evaluation of the caudoventral portion of the mandible as a donor site for corticocancellous bone for periodontal surgery in dogs

SUMMARY Corticocancellous bone graft was obtained from the caudoventral portion of the mandible of 8 dogs. The recipient site was an alveolar jugal and alveolar defect from vital root amputation of the mesiobuccal root of the maxillary fourth premolar. Anatomic observations of 20 canine cadavers indicated that guidelines for harvesting bone from the caudoventral portion of the mandible of dogs were the mesial aspect of the masseteric fossa, the distal aspect of the roots of the first mandibular molar, and the ventral aspect of the mandibular canal. The mean weight of corticocancellous bone harvested was 0.4 ± 0.1 g. Harvested corticocancellous bone was adequate to fill recipient sites measuring a mean volume of 105.0 ± 28.5 mm3. Histologic evaluation of the recipient site revealed progressive osseous integration of the bone-graft site during a mean follow-up period of 3.5 ± 1.9 months. There was normal bone healing of the donor site without adverse effects on the mandibular molars or neurovascular structures of the mandibular canal. Vital amputation sites receiving silver amalgam had evidence of plasmacytic/lymphocytic inflammation associated with residual silver amalgam in the bone-graft area. The caudoventral portion of the mandible may be used as a donor site for autogenous corticocancellous bone in periodontal surgery of dogs.

Vital root retention: A clinical procedure

Retention of vital roots retards the resorption of residual alveolar ridges under complete dentures. It also eliminates the patient's responsibility of maintaining the periodontal health of overdenture abutments. The procedure involves (1) preparing the teeth to be retained from a periodontal standpoint to reduce the possibility of contamination of the surgical site, (2) removing hopeless teeth, (3) sectioning and contouring the teeth so that the retained roots are contiguous with the crestal bone, (4) preparing and suturing labial and lingual flaps to cover the prepared roots and maintain proper vestibular depth, and (5) placing an immediate denture relined with tissue-conditioning material.

A new root canal sealer based on calcium hydroxide

A new root canal sealer based on calcium hydroxide has been developed and two properties, sealing ability and biocompatibility, have been investigated in this study. Sealing ability was assessed by the extent of dye penetration along root fillings in extracted teeth. The sealing ability was good and similar to that of a control zinc oxide-eugenol sealer. Biocompatibility was assessed by histological examination of the periapical tissues of monkey teeth, either 1 or 6 months, after vital pulpectomy and immediate root filling with gutta-percha and sealer. Zinc oxide-eugenol was used as the control sealer. Normal periapical tissues were observed around all 24 teeth filled with the experimental root canal sealer. The study established that the new root canal sealer had acceptable properties of biocompatibility and sealing ability.

The behaviour of lead and cadmium in the intensive rooting zone of acid spruce forest soils

Hydrogen ion and heavy metal budgets for a mature spruce stand (Soiling) show a correlation between seasonal acidification pulses (nitrification) and heavy metal mobilization (Cd, Pb). Increasing acidity in the humus percolate mobilizes Cd from the humus layer (max. 4 μg.1‐1 ). Pb‐concentrations reach up to 50–60 μg.1‐1 in the bulk lysimeter samples. These Pb‐concentrations were shown to be critical for fin roots of spruce in hydroponic experiments. In the fine roots, Pb accumulates mainly in the cortex of subvital fine roots. Concentrations are in the same range as in the humus layer. Cd accumulates to a significantly higher extent in the vital fine roots, compared to the humus matrix (about 10 to 20 times higher). These specific accumulations of Cd and Pb in the fine root matrix could be observed in a number of spruce stands investigated.

Vital root retention: A 5-year experience

An over 5-year experience with the vital root retention procedure is presented (122 roots). Elements in case selection as well as a surgical modification are noted. Results are favorable.

Intentional vital root transection: A 52-week histopathologic study in Macaca mulatta

Past studies dealing with the vascular supply to surgically mobilized dentoalveolar segments have mentioned occasional encounters with vital root transection and have noted varying degrees of pulpal response to this insult. The purpose of this investigation was to observe the pulpal and periapical responses of monkey dental tissues to intentional vital root transection over a 1-year postoperative period. Four adult Macaca mulatta monkeys were used in this study. All roots were surgically transected within the apical third with a bur. Maxillary and mandibular quadrants for 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 24, and 52 weeks following surgery were obtained after the animals were killed by perfusion of the left ventricle. The tissue blocks were prepared by routine histologic methods. The results demonstrated a disruption of the normal pulpal architecture, with initial pulpal degeneration and subsequent early replacement by the periodontal ligament tissue. A cellular cemental lining of the root canal occurred in all specimens. The periodontal ligament-like tissue continued to deposit cementum, resulting in almost total obliteration of the root canal and pulp chamber and leaving an intact but much reduced blood supply to the pulp chamber containing periodontal tissues.

Autogenous dermal graft coverage of submerged roots in the dog

Dermal grafts were compared with conventional supraperiosteal recipient beds grafted with split-thickness skin for covering submerged vital roots in six dogs. Several potential advantages of this new technique are suggested.

Vital root resection in maxillary molar teeth: A longitudinal study

Root resections were performed on 86 maxillary molars as part of periodontal therapy. The amputation sites were sealed with Dycal and amalgam. The teeth were evaluated for vitality using electric pulp testing and cold (ice) up to 9 yr postoperatively. The greatest loss of vitality occurred within 12 months. The percentage of vital teeth at 6 months was 59% and at 12 months 38%. The number of vital teeth continued to decline until only 13% tested vital at 5 yr. The long-term prognosis for a vital root resection is poor; therefore, endodontic therapy prior to resection is preferable.

The retention of vital submucosal roots under immediate dentures: A surgical procedure

An approach to soft tissue management and surgical crown/root sectioning for submucosal vital root retention has been presented. Attention to detail during soft tissue reflection, tooth sectioning, and the relaxing of attached mucogingival tissues is very important. Adequate healthy soft tissue is necessary for proper suturing over the retained roots. Postoperative complications are reduced by placement of well-fitted prostheses. Clinical evaluation of this technique has proved it to be highly successful.

Reevaluation of Submerged Vital Roots

A total of eight vital roots were submerged and retained under complete dentures in two patients. Within two to three years, each patient experienced problems of pain, re-exposure, and inflammation, resulting in the removal of the roots. Histologic evaluation showed evidence of chronic inflammation of the pulpal tissue. Because of alveolar resorption and perhaps super-eruption of the submerged roots, the likelihood of exposure and abscess is a distinct disadvantage to the procedure. Therefore, some doubt remains as to the long-term success with this technique.

Root Banking to Preserve Alveolar Bone: A Review and Clinical Recommendation

The retainment of vital roots to preserve alveolar bone has been employed clinically with good results. The technique is worthy o f consideration for many individuals who are to have their teeth removed and dentures constructed.

A new approach to vital root resection.

This report deals with ten cases in which periodontal surgery was performed followed by immediate resection of one of the vital buccal roots on maxillary molars. The resultant pulpal opening was treated with calcium hydroxide, zinc oxide and eugenol then sealed with an amalgam alloy. Two additional cases were treated in reverse order by first resecting the vital root followed by immediate periodontal surgery. All cases were evaluated over a 1 to 3 year period. The results indicate that vital root resection at the same time as periodontal surgery compares favorably with cases treated in which periodontal surgery was completed at a prior appointment.

Vital root retention in humans: A final report

A research protocal for submucosal vital root retention in humans has been developed based on laboratory animal studies. Procedures, patient management, and statistical results have been reported in a series of three articles. Changes in techniques have also been reported, along with explanation of a flowchart for tooth root retention and alveolar ridge preservation. Some ideas for future investigations are presented. Vital root retention in humans appears to be a valid means of retaining residual bony ridge tissues to a greater degree than when patients are rendered totally edentulous.

Vital root retention in humans: An interim report

A protocol based upon findings in laboratory animal studies was established for the retention of vital roots for overdenture support in humans. Ten patients with a mean age of 54.5 years and a postsurgical mean time of 11.1 months had 45 vital teeth buried submucosally under complete overdentures. Of the 45 teeth, 37 remained vital, seven were endodontically treated due to acute pulpal response following surgery, and one tooth has been extracted. A mean interproximal bone loss of 1.1 mm had occurred at the time the data were tabulated for this report. This project included a cross section of patient types, tooth selection, and surgical and prosthodontic management that varied slightly from the methods utilized in earlier patient treatment. The inclusion of maxillary teeth, the increased thoroughness of root surface roundings, and the utilization of root canal therapy with subsequent reburying of apulpally involved teeth expanded the scope of this research. A final report on this project will be forthcoming when all patients have been followed for a 24-month period.

The role of vital root resection in periodontics

The role of vital root resection in periodontics

Vital root retention in humans: A preliminary report

With increasing experience in the technique, it has become apparent that more generous contouring of the retained root after amputation is desirable. The effect is to produce a more rounded ridge instead of the “☐y” one that would result from mere horizontal sectioning of the crown structure. The surgical sectioning of vital teeth, followed by adequate mucoperiosteal eversion suturing, has proved to be successful. Periodontal evaluation of each tooth seems to be paramount to success or failure. Accurate impression—making and postsurgical treatment including soft acrylic resin relines and removal of pressure spots appear to be next in importance. Age of the patient, condition of the clinical crowns, and length of surgical procedures did not seem to affect normal healing in the patients involved in the project.