[A comparative study on apexification using different kinds of materials in dogs]

Area of Science:

• Endodontics
• Regenerative Dentistry
• Comparative Dental Materials

Background:

• Immature teeth present challenges in endodontic treatment due to their thin dentin and open apices.
• Apexification aims to induce root closure in immature teeth, crucial for long-term tooth survival.
• Evaluating biomaterials for their potential to stimulate root development is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of hydroxyapatite (HA), calcium hydroxide (CH), and Vitapex in promoting root formation of immature teeth in dogs.
• To assess the regenerative potential of different endodontic materials in immature root development.

Main Methods:

• Pulpectomy was performed on sixteen immature dog incisor roots.
• Roots were treated with HA, CH, Vitapex, or AH plus (control).
• Root length and apical area changes were measured using cone-beam CT (CBCT); histological analysis with HE and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining evaluated root tip morphology and osteoblastic activity.

Main Results:

• All groups showed increased root length after four weeks; experimental groups exhibited decreased apical areas.
• Histological examination revealed no inflammation. After eight weeks, hydroxyapatite (HA) group showed a complete cementum barrier and intensive ALP activity.
• Calcium hydroxide (CH) and Vitapex groups displayed partial closure with dispersed ALP activity, while the control group showed scattered cementum and negative ALP staining.

Conclusions:

• Root formation can occur post-pulpectomy in immature teeth, likely originating from the periodontal membrane, provided there is no inflammation.
• Hydroxyapatite (HA) demonstrated superior performance, inducing faster root formation and complete apex closure.
• HA is a more effective material for apexification compared to CH and Vitapex.