A new approach to vital root resection.

This report deals with ten cases in which periodontal surgery was performed followed by immediate resection of one of the vital buccal roots on maxillary molars. The resultant pulpal opening was treated with calcium hydroxide, zinc oxide and eugenol then sealed with an amalgam alloy. Two additional cases were treated in reverse order by first resecting the vital root followed by immediate periodontal surgery. All cases were evaluated over a 1 to 3 year period. The results indicate that vital root resection at the same time as periodontal surgery compares favorably with cases treated in which periodontal surgery was completed at a prior appointment.