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(1) Two hundred patients of the University Dental Clinics of Geneva had undergone a radicular pulpotomy for pulps which had been classified as Class III (see Table 1). The patients for whom the treatment had been performed by students were recalled subsequently for clinical and radiographic examination at varying time intervals. The random sampling was concluded after the 100th tooth had been examined. (2) The study revealed only one failure. In four cases, one of which showed a root filling extruded into the periapical tissues, was there a transitory enlargement of the apical periodontal space but without any sign of osteitis. These four cases were classified as doubtful results, and therefore reduced the success rate from 99% when the usual criteria were applied to 95% when strict criteria were enforced. (3) It was apparent that neither the age of the tooth, the level of pulp amputation, nor the reason for the radicular pulpotomy influenced the results. The success of the treatment of those pulps in category III appears to depend on a correct diagnosis based on a positive vitality response and the adherence to a strict aseptic technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the significance of root canal morphology to reduce the failures in root canal fillings. The majority of teeth which fail when root filled still show pulp remnants; even now when the most modern methods are carried out under the best conditions at least one root filled tooth in twenty will prove unsatisfactory and require extraction. The most likely reason for these failures is the retention of pulp remnants in inaccessible parts of the canal or canals, and the ability of tissue fluid to gain access to these remnants via the periodontal ligament.

The article presents information about various instruments used in root canal treatment. No matter what root therapy technique is used, it is generally agreed that the mechanical cleansing and accurate enlargement of the root canal followed by the sealing of the canal contents from the periapical tissues forms the basis of successful root therapy. The importance of sealing the apex of the tooth is, however, a relatively modern concept in the history of root therapy. Instruments of the same number varied greatly in diameter and taper even if produced by the one manufacturer and there was no correlation between instruments produced by different manufacturers.

The article discusses gutta percha techniques for filling canals of young permanent teeth after induction of apical root formation. Gutta percha filling techniques, employing chloroform or heat, have been criticized for the potential gutta perch a shrinkage that may occur subsequent to their use. Whether, in fact, this potential problem is of actual clinical significance is difficult to assess. In any event the difficulties of achieving successful obturation of the apical area of calcium hydroxide-induced root canals with a standard lateral condensation gutta percha technique suggests that either of the two techniques described should be desirable alternatives.

The article presents information on the treatment of dental root canals and the marginal contact between filling material and tooth, studied by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The SEM is a useful tool for studying the efficiency of the instruments used for this treatment. Furthermore the marginal contact between filling material and tooth can be examined by this method. To study the marginal contact between filling material and tooth cross sections from the root apex and the dental neck need to be examined.

Teeth with periapical lesions were observed in two groups. Teeth in the first group were root filled by student dressers. Those in the second group had bacteriological samples taken in a strictly controlled manner immediately prior to the root fillings being placed. Many periapical lesions healed or became smaller, as determined by radio-graphic examination. Success or partial success appeared to be related to good root canal filling rather than to the bacteriological status of the root canal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the nature of sealing properties of some root filling materials. Criteria for biochemical preparation and apical sealing; Complexities in testing the sealing properties of silver points and conventional methods; Production of a fluorescent dye using fluorescein isothiocyanate and gamma globulin.

Focuses on the survey which examines the apical region of human anterior teeth. Conduct of an assessment of teeth; Existence of a single apical foramen in 88 teeth being examined; Observation of the connection of multiple foramina with the root canal; Diameter of the apical foramen; Location of the apical constriction.

Focuses on the many complications involved in the prior diagnosis and selection of cases for root canal treatment. Difficulties involved in root filling teeth; Details on the method of conservative treatment of non-vital teeth with radiolucent periapical areas; Criteria for the success of endodontics.

Discusses the methods used to prepare and fill perforations and apical cavities, and describes the use of amalgam for sealing the apices of teeth destined for re-implantation. Dependence of the type of treatment on the position of the defect; Way to obtain easy access to the periapical area in preparation for the filling; Relation of the success rate of re-implatented teeth to the amount of vital periodontal ligament attached to the roots.

Poses several questions about root canal therapy. Theory of focal sepsis as a reason for not undertaking root canal therapy; Query on how far mechanical instrumentation should be carried out in root canal therapy; Relative importance of microorganism in the root canal and dentine.

The present study describes techniques (or maintaining teeth in vitro in which the cells surrounding the root are viable and able to multiply. Microbial contamination could be controlled by use of antibiotics. The material consisted of 20 extracted human teeth. Immediately after extraction the teeth were put in Eagle's medium and incubated at 37°C. Cells surrounding the root could be kept viable in a liquid medium or fixed in a semi-solid medium containing Eagle's + 1 % agar. Viable cells could be trypsinized from teeth after as long as one year in vitro and grown in glass culture bottles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In connection with therapeutic pulpotomy in primary mandibular molars, samples for bacteriologic examination were taken from the orifice of the distal root canal immediately before application of calcium hydroxide paste. Of samples from 60 teeth examined, half gave growth in broth media. No correlation was found between the results of bacteriologic examinations and the outcome of treatment as judged on histologic grounds. In a further 40 pulpotomized primary mandibular molars the tissue removed from immediately above the orifice of the distal root canal was studied histologically. Of these biopsy specimens from teeth where the pulp had been exposed during excavation of caries, but which had not produced clinical evidence of pulpitis, only 5 appeared free from inflammation. Biopsy specimens from the successfully treated cases showed very moderate inflammatory changes but no certain correlation between the condition of the extirpated tissue and the result of treatment could be demonstrated. The investigation shows that bacteriologic contamination of the wound surface during operation cannot be the dominant cause of failure. It is instead more likely that the outcome of the pulpotomy depends on the extent to which microorganisms in superficial parts of the pulp have damaged the pulpal tissue in the root canals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparative clinical and radiographic studies are presented on the results of apicoectomy alone and combined with retrograde root filling, using Biobond® and guttapercha respectively as filling material. The case series comprised 100 patients. The teeth treated were incisors and canines. The results were assessed from the clinical and radio-graphic findings at the last follow-up examination of the patients. The observation time was 24 months. It was found that there were no significant differences between the three groups of cases, satisfactory healing being achieved in 82 % of the cases in which apicoectomy was performed alone, in 71 % of the cases in which the procedure was combined with retrograde root filling, using guttapercha, and in 81 % of the cases in which Biobond was the filling material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

391 pulpotomies in primary molar teeth using TOVERUD'S paste are investigated. The study shows based on clinical and radiographic signs, an overall success rate of 61% using this pulp dressing. The success rate is higher in the maxillary molars (74%). However, more mandibular molars are treated and at a slightly earlier age than maxillary molars. The success rate seems to decrease when the pulp wound is contaminated with saliva. The tooth retention time for the successful treatments varies from 1 year to 8 years with a mean of 2.8 years. For the unsuccessful pulpotomies the tooth retention time varies from 1 week to 4 years with a mean of 1.5 years. The results obtained using TOVERUD'S paste is compared to the results obtained in other studies using formocresol and calcium hydroxide. The formocresol technique seems to yield a higher degree of success. The studies on the use of calcium hydroxide show variable success rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study that examined the macro-morphologic variation in the development of the root complex of the human teeth. Methodology of the study; Results and discussion on the study.

The mesio-buccal roots from 273 maxillary first molars were sectioned above the trifurcation and below the cemento-enamel junction. Instruments were placed in the canals and radiographs were taken from the proximal direction. The course and incidence of multiple canals within the roots was determined from the position of these instruments. One hundred and nineteen (43.6%) had a single canal, 67 (24. 5%) exhibited a rudimentary canal, 53 (19.4%) revealed a confluent canal configuration and 34 (12.5%) displayed two individual canals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a report of the Twenty Eight Annual Meeting of the American Association of Endodontists, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. d A fascinating historical picture was painted of the early years; the first dental anaesthesia which was cocaine, discovered in 1884 and introduced into dentistry in 1888 in the form of intra-pulpal anaesthesia: the unsuitable instruments used in root canal therapy, for instance barbs being cut into wire with a knife; the fireworks produced by the intracanal medication of the epoch, such as the sodium and potassium combination carried into the canal on a broach and literally exploding on contact with moisture.

An assessment has been made of 66 cases in which endodontic instruments have been accidentally broken in root canals. The teeth have been checked up radiographically for from 6 months to 5 years with an average check-up period of 25 months. Where the bone structure was normal prior to treatment, it remained normal in practically every case fragment which prevented total sterilization and filling of the root canal. In cases where an area of rarefaction was present preoperatively, the area persisted on x-ray check-up in about half the cases. It is hoped that this survey will focus attention on the need for more careful instrumentation, and on prevention of instrument breakage, rather than serve as umbrage for careless handling of root canal instruments during biomechanical instrumentation of the root canal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the rationalization of root canal treatment. Presence of mercuric Behavior of vital pulp in contact with a formaldehyde compound; Advantages of the dinitrogen method.

The article presents a list of paper related to endodontics. Some of the papers included in the list are: "Apical Tooth Root Resorption," by J.R. Herd, "Root Resorption of Traumatic Origin," by R.A. Leeson and C.C. Wilks, "Utilization of the Mandibular Premolars of the Dog for Endodontic Research," by B.C.W. Barker and B.C. Lockett, "Pulp Lability and Repair: Effect of Restorative Procedures," by L. Zach, "Endodontic Therapy Involving a Taurodontic Tooth," by F. Widerman and T. Serene and "Apical Closure of Nonvital Teeth," by J.J. Dylewski.

Presents a case study of polycarboxylate cements root filling use as dental cement in patient with tender upper left central incisor. Estimated molecular weight of the zinc polycarboxylate cement root filling applied in the study; Details on the various dental procedures done to insert the root fillings; Effect of the inserted dental materials on the patient.

Discusses the use of bone wax on facilitating retrograde filling techniques. Effects of competent conservative endodontic treatment; Results on straightforward operation of apicectomy; Complication on the manipulation of amalgam at the site of operation.

Presents a letter to the editor about penetration of the roots of teeth.

Looks into an example of a joint project undertaken by a group of American endodontists to study some factors associated with endodontic flare-ups which occurred during endodontic therapy. Aim to determine the indications and contra-indications for pulp capping; Examination of smears and cultures from affected root canals; Penetration of the apical foramen with an instrument in 53 out of 126 cases;