Histologic Findings of a Human Immature Revascularized/Regenerated Tooth with Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis

Pulp revascularization/regeneration in immature permanent teeth with necrotic pulp and/or apical periodontitis is an effective approach for inducing root maturation. Previous histologic studies showed cementoid/osteoid tissue and/or periodontal ligament-like tissue formed within the root canals. This case report describes the histologic findings of a human symptomatic irreversible pulpitis immature permanent tooth with most of the pulp removed after a revascularization/regeneration procedure.

A human immature permanent mandibular premolar (tooth #29) was diagnosed as symptomatic irreversible pulpitis with symptomatic apical periodontitis at the emergency department. Most of the pulp was removed. The tooth was treated with revascularization/regeneration.

At the 12-month recall, the radiographic examination revealed thickening of the root canal wall, narrowing of the root apex, and lengthening of the root. The tooth was extracted at 12 months for orthodontic treatment. The specimens were processed for histologic examination. Histologically, the apical third of the root canal was filled with newly formed dentinlike and pulplike tissue. There was a layer of flattened odontoblastlike cells lining the dentinal wall. In the midportion of the root canal, the newly formed dentinlike tissue gradually changed to cementumlike tissue. In the upper third of the root canal, there was a presence of cementocytelike cells housed in the lacunae of cementumlike tissue around the loose connective tissue.

In the present case, regeneration of the pulplike tissue and the periodontium existed after a revascularization/regeneration procedure in an immature permanent tooth clinically diagnosed as symptomatic irreversible pulpitis.