Main

Main C, Mirzayan N et al. J Endodon 2004; 30: 80–83

Repair of root perforation often leaves inflammation present in the tissues. MTA appears to be compatible with the surrounding tissues and also allows some regeneration to take place in osteoblast models. It also appears to promote cementum regeneration. This study identified 16 patients who had root perforations treated with MTA at a Californian university. For each patient, 3 radiographs were evaluated blind by 3 examiners: before and immediately after treatment of the perforation, and at least 1 yr later.

The perforations were categorised as lateral (n = 5), strip (5), furcal (3) and apical (3). No tooth had pockets >3 mm. Prior to repair, 7 patients had radiolucent lesions. At follow-up (mean 25 months; range 12-45), all these had repaired, and no new radiolucencies had developed. The authors comment that MTA is an excellent material and recommend further studies to establish the prognosis for such repairs.