[Application of tricalcium phosphate in one visit root canal treatment]

This paper reports the successful use of tricalcium phosphate (TCP) as periapical barrier material in animal experiments and clinics. The results of animal experiments showed that TCP had good biocompatibility with periapical tissues. At 6 weeks there were osteoids deposited on the surface of TCP. At 12 weeks osteogenesis occurred around the TCP particles and combined each other closely. At 24 weeks around the periapex there were bone deposits and a tendency of apical closure. On the basis of experiments TCP was used to treat 17 chronic periapicitis in 15 patients. All cases were young permanent teeth with immature roots. It is suggested that TCP can be applied directly in chronic periapicitis with open apices of young permanent teeth. From 6 to 12 months after filling with TCP the X-rays showed that radiolucencies reduced or eliminated, bone trabecula formed and periapical lamina dura reestablished.