Modern endodontic therapy for an incompletely developed tooth.

Barry G Bishop, Gordon W Woollard

Journal: General dentistry 2002;50(3):252-6; quiz 257-8

PMID: 12116513

Abstract

An important goal of modern dentistry is to preserve a functional, esthetic, and pain-free dentition. If irreversible pulp pathology occurs in an immature permanent tooth from traumatic or carious exposure, normal apical maturation may be interrupted. Conventional endodontic obturation techniques, if necessary, will be difficult and may not be adequate in such a tooth. The endodontic techniques of apexogenesis and apexification have been successful in achieving adequate root development and apical construction. These conventional techniques and materials are reviewed along with a promising material called mineral trioxide aggregate.

Address: U.S. Army Dental Activity, Fort Benning, Georgia, USA.

MeSH Terms: Aluminum Compounds, Calcium Compounds, Calcium Hydroxide, Dental Pulp Capping, Dental Pulp Exposure, Dentin, Secondary, Drug Combinations, Humans, Methylmethacrylates, Oxides, Pulpotomy, Root Canal Filling Materials, Root Canal Therapy, Silicates, Tooth Apex, Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement