Apical surgery with calcium hydroxide capping of the exposed dentine: a case report

Among a variety of biomaterials that have been reported to be ideal for dental repair, calcium hydroxide has been shown to have excellent long-term biocompatibility in the pulp and periapical areas. Here we report an alternative method employing calcium hydroxide for periapical surgery in a patient who developed internal apical resorption after traumatic injury, which negatively affected the quality of the cleaning, shaping and filling of the root canal. Obturation of the root canal as far as the middle third was followed by apicoectomy and ultrasonic retropreparation, and then retrograde root filling with resin cement sealer (Sealer 26) and zinc oxide powder. Calcium hydroxide paste was applied over the exposed dentinal surface, forming a barrier over the root apex. Radiographic follow-up after 24 months showed absence of apical resorption and complete periapical bone repair associated with a continuous apical lamina dura.