Roberto da Silva Camillo, MA in Endodontics and Researcher for the Dental School of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
Aiming to find a conservative, alternative and low cost endodontic treatment, the Dental School of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro has developed an study related to the development of a new simplified endodontic technique for deprived communities patients.
The research was carried out in 49 7-to-16 year-old children from the municipal educational network.
Endodontic treatment was applied to 83 teeth, which were located in the upper and lower anterior teeth, from cuspide to cuspide, with or without pulp vitality, with no X-Rays use and with a pre-established odontometrics of 21.0 mm for all teeth, filled in just one consultation.
This odontometric pattern was adopted after it was verified that the arithmetic average of the teeth treated was of 23.3 mm. Thus, we chose for the odontometric of 21.0 mm as a safety measure and also aiming to simplify the operation, as it coincides with Kerr's standard, commercial measure (manufacturer of the files used in the study).
The filling substance used was a mixture of calcium hydroxide in an oily media commercially named Pasta LC (Herpo Dental RJ, Brazil).
Aiming to scientifically prove the results achieved, we took and X-Ray of every tooth at the beginning of the treatment and at every six months, for 24 months.
After a year of radiographic and clinical evaluation, 88.3% of the teeth endodontically treated with the new technique were able to remain successfully in the dental arch, not only those with pulp vitality (86.7%) but also non vital ones (91.6%) - see page 18, picture 1.
Results showed that most of the success was achieved when fillings were kept within the apical end - 94.7% - or with overfilling - 100.0% (picture 2).
Furthermore, calcium hydroxide proved to be excellent, appropriate, due to its swift clinical handling, low operational cost and perfect bio-compatibility with periapical tissues.
The new method showed it is possible to keep dental arches healthy for at least two years. In spite of being a relative short time, the study is nothing more than an alternative to low income patients. Instead of having their teeth removed, they have an opportunity, in this period of time, to find solutions to afford a definite treatment.
Mailing address:
COPIPED/Dentistry School - UFRJ
Caixa Postal 68026, Ilha do Fundão
CEP 21945-970 Rio de Janeiro RJ Brazil