Evaluation of surface roughness after root resection: An optical profilometer study.

Area of Science:

• Endodontics
• Dental Materials Science
• Surgical Technology

Background:

• Apical resection is a surgical procedure to treat persistent periapical lesions.
• The surface characteristics of the resected root end can influence healing and tissue regeneration.
• Evaluating surface roughness after different resection techniques is crucial for optimizing surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the apical surface roughness produced by six distinct apical resection methods.
• To assess the time required for each resection technique.
• To determine the efficacy of an optical profilometer in evaluating root surface topography after surgery.

Main Methods:

• Sixty human premolar teeth underwent root canal preparation and obturation.
• Teeth were divided into six groups, each subjected to a different apical resection method: steel bur, tungsten carbide bur, Lindeman bur, diamond bur, laser, or ultrasonic piezo surgery with a diamond tip.
• Root ends were resected 3 mm from the apex at a 90° angle. Surface roughness was measured using an optical profilometer, and resection time was recorded.

Main Results:

• The laser (25.54 ± 9.01 μm) and Lindeman bur (17.35 ± 6.03 μm) methods produced the roughest apical surfaces.
• Piezosurgery and laser surgery required the longest mean resection times (57 ± 14.39 s and 50.9 ± 16.86 s, respectively).
• Ultrasonic surgical piezo with a diamond tip yielded the smoothest surface (5.50 ± 1.73 μm) despite a longer cutting time.

Conclusions:

• The choice of apical resection method significantly impacts root surface roughness.
• Ultrasonic surgical piezo with a diamond tip offers superior surface smoothness compared to other tested methods.
• Optical profilometry is a valuable, objective tool for quantifying surface topography after apical surgery.