Assessment of Regaining Pulp Sensibility in Mature Necrotic Teeth Using a Modified Revascularization Technique with Platelet-rich Fibrin: A Clinical Study.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possibility of regaining pulp sensibility in mature necrotic teeth using modified regenerative endodontic procedures by inducing bleeding in root canals and using platelet-rich fibrin (PRF).

METHODS

Fifteen patients with necrotic pulp with symptomatic or asymptomatic apical periodontitis were included. At the first visit, the tooth was anesthetized, and an access cavity was performed. Mechanical preparation of root canals was performed using the standardized technique reaching apical canal preparation to K-file size #60-80. Double antibiotic paste was injected into the canal, and the cavity was temporarily sealed using glass ionomer cement. Three weeks from the first visit, regenerative endodontic procedures were performed by inducing bleeding, and a freshly prepared PRF membrane was placed in the canal. White mineral trioxide aggregate was placed directly over the PRF matrix, and the tooth was restored with a glass ionomer cement base and resin composite restoration. The electric pulp test was used to record if the teeth included in the study regained sensibility or not every 3 to 12 months follow-up. Readings at different times were compared as categoric qualitative data using the chi-square test and compared as means and standard deviations using the analysis of variance test.

RESULTS

Readings of tooth sensibility revealed a highly significant difference (P < .0001) between baseline and the 12-month follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of sensibility is indicative of the formation of vital pulplike tissue. Reestablishing real pulp tissue after regenerative endodontic treatment is debatable and still needs high level of evidence with large-scale investigations.