POSSIBILITIES TO ASSESS THE BONE PERIAPICAL REMINERALISATION USING RADIODENSITOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS

Abstract

Aim of the study This study aimed to explore the possibility that digitized conventional periapical radiographs to be used for an accurate assessment and measurement of the results of the endodontic treatment for patients with chronic apical periodontitis (CAP). Material and methods The study included 20 patients (12 males, 8 females) with ages between 18-38 years, presenting severe CAP with non-surgical endodontic treatment recommendation. For each patient, conventional intraalveolar periapical radiographs were taken initially (before and after treatment completion) and at interval of 24 months. The endodontic therapy used intracanalar medications (calcium hydroxide paste for 14 days) and endodontic sealer (Endoflas, Sanlor) with high antibacterial and remineralisation properties. The group of digitized radiographs was submitted to the radiodensitometric measurement. Results The results regarding the success rate of CAP healing were as follows: 1 case had no periapical healing (5%), 11 cases presented (55%) partial bone periapical healing and 8 cases (40%) presented complete periapical healing with total absence of periapical radiotransparence. The degree of bone remineralisation for the cases with partial bone healing varied between 52% and 80%, with a mean value of 66%. Conclusions The radiodensitometric measurements of periapical and CAP area provides a tool of quantitative assessment of the healing of CAP after completion of endodontic treatment.

Keywords

• chronic apical periodontitis
• digitized conventional periapical radiograph
• radiodensitometric assessment