Regenerative endodontic procedures may help detect root canal calcification

A recent retrospective study by Xijun Jiang and team, reveals that teeth treated with regenerative endodontic procedures (REP) had a relatively high probability of root canal calcification detection over a long time. The study says occurrence of calcification is related to the use of calcium hydroxide paste but does not affect the long-term prognosis of teeth.

The study findings is published in International Journal of Pediatric Dentistry.

Regenerative endodontic treatment is a procedure designed to replace damaged pulp tissue with viable tissue which restores the normal function of the pulp-dentin structure. After regenerative endodontic treatment, continued root development and hard tissue deposition on the dentinal wall can occur under ideal circumstances

Researchers aimed to evaluate the characteristics of root canal calcification after regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs) during long-term follow-up.

Jiang's team collected Data of children who underwent REPs and were followed up for more than 3 years in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China, from January 2013 to January 2019. All the patients were treated by the protocol of REPs based on the AAE (American Association of Endodontists) protocol.

The key findings of the study are:

•A total of 91 teeth of 54 boys and 37 girls (average age 10.4 ± 1.9 years) with follow-up duration > 3 years were included.

•The follow-up duration ranged from 36-92 months (average, 53.2 ± 13.4 months). The prevalence, contributing factors, and long-term prognoses of root canal calcification after REPs were discussed.

•The incidence of root canal calcification was 78% (71/91).

•The use of calcium hydroxide paste was significantly correlated with the occurrence of root canal calcification (p < 0.05).

• Some teeth showed aggravation of calcification with time, however, not all teeth showed calcification after longer follow-up duration.

Xijun Jiang and team concluded that "Teeth treated with REPs had a relatively high probability of root canal calcification detection during the long-term follow-up. The occurrence of calcification is related to the use of calcium hydroxide paste but does not affect the long-term prognosis of teeth."

Reference: Xijun Jiang, Yunfei Dai, He Liu; "Evaluation of the characteristics of root canal calcification after regenerative endodontic procedures: A retrospective cohort study over 3 years" DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.13039.