Endodontic treatment of teeth with apical periodontitis using calcium hydroxide: a long-term study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate clinically and radiographically the long-term results of endodontic therapy. A total of 172 mature teeth with periapical radiolucencies with and without symptoms were treated endodontically using calcium hydroxide paste as the intracanal medicament and a calcium hydroxide containing root canal sealer. In 58 teeth, the dressing was accidentally or intentionally extruded into the lesions. All cases were followed up for a period of 2-5 years. The teeth in which the dressing was extruded did not show a different healing pattern from the ones treated conventionally. The complete healing rate for all cases was 80.8% while incomplete healing had taken place in 7.6% of the cases.