[Retrograde root canal filling using resin and a dentin bonding agent: analysis of failures]

With Gluma, an aqueous solution of 5% glutaraldehyde and 35% HE-MA, resin may be chemically bonded to a root surface. In the article failures of apical retrograde root fillings with Gluma and resin (retroplast) were studied, clinically and radiographically, as well as by microscopy of ground sections of extracted teeth or by scanning electron microscopy of loosened retroplast fillings. Out of 52 failures, 23 were not related to retroplast (18 had root fracture). Of the remaining 29 cases, 26 were reoperated. More than half of the failures had loose retroplast fillings. The loosening could be caused by: exceeded working time for the resin or moisture, blood or saliva present on the root before filling, debris on the root surface, possibly because of corrosion, or the presence of phenol in the root canal. In five cases of failure there were denuded root canals. Four cases (of 800) with rapidly developing osteitis might have been due to contamination of bone and soft tissue by EDTA, non-polymerized resin, alcohol or glutaraldehyde.