Resinifying therapy in endodontics. A clinical and radiological evaluation

Twenty one posterior teeth were selected at random from patients visiting outpatient Department of Punjab Govt. Dental College and Hospital, Amritsar. Out of twenty one treated teeth, seventeen had definite radiolucent area at periapex, three were non vital with no periapical radiolucent area and one tooth was vital with pulp exposure. All the teeth were treated with resinifying therapy. The treated teeth were examined after 3 months, 6 months and 9 months as regards pain on percussion, swelling and/or sinus formation. The teeth were radiographed on each follow up and the decrease/increase in radiolucency at the periapex were noted. Clinically all the treated teeth responded normal except for one which showed sinus formation after three months period of observation. This tooth was, however, retreated. Radiologically, the success rate after 9 months of observations was 84.1%. However, mean decrease in radiolucency was 2.1 mm after 3 months, 4.0 after 6 months and 5.8 after 9 months. Resinifying therapy is strongly advocated for posterior teeth with large periapical areas and also for vital teeth with pulp exposure where root canal therapy can be completed in single visit. Furthermore, the mechanism, indications and contraindication of this therapy are also discussed.