Single vs Two-session Root Canal Treatment: A Preliminary Randomized Clinical Study using Cone Beam Computed...

Area of Science:

• Endodontics
• Dental Radiology

Background:

• Apical periodontitis (AP) requires effective root canal treatment (RCT).
• Assessing RCT outcomes using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is crucial for evaluating lesion healing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of single-visit versus two-visit RCT for teeth with AP.
• To evaluate lesion volume reduction using CBCT 12 months post-treatment.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-six pairs of teeth with AP were divided into single-session (GSS) and two-session (GTS) groups.
• GTS involved calcium hydroxide intracanal medication for 14 days between sessions.
• CBCT scans measured lesion volume before and 12 months after RCT.

Main Results:

• Both groups showed lesion volume reduction, with GTS (79.25%) slightly higher than GSS (68.35%), but not statistically significant.
• Complete lesion repair was not observed in any tooth after 12 months.
• A significantly greater percentage of teeth in the GTS group (>50% volume reduction) showed improved healing (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Twelve-month follow-up with CBCT is insufficient to confirm complete apical periodontitis lesion regression.
• Calcium hydroxide intracanal medication in two-visit RCT promotes more advanced lesion repair compared to single-visit treatment.
• Calcium hydroxide intracanal dressing is clinically indicated for teeth with apical periodontitis before definitive root canal filling.