Abstract

Apical periodontitis in an immature maxillary lateral incisor (#10) with arrested root development and a natural closure of the open apex in 22-year-old male was endodontically treated in a manner that conserved the existing hard tissue barrier (HTB). A dens invaginatus Oehlers II was also present. The patient reported no symptoms, but did recall an incident of dental trauma as a child. A 3D image showed the nature of the HTB closing the open foramen as well as the anatomy of the immature root with the dens invaginatus. Porosities were seen in the HTB and that is consistent with the histological “Swiss Cheese” appearance known to occur in apexification. Endodontic treatment was performed in a single-visit. Access to the root canal system (RCS) included penetration through the dens invaginatus. The canal was not mechanically cleaned, but only irrigated with sodium hypochlorite, ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA), chlorhexidine using the EndoVac® system. The barrier was maintained and covered with a 5mm layer of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). A sterile damp sponge was placed on the MTA. On the following visit the MTA has set, and an EndoSequence fiber post was placed in the canal and EndoSequence dual-cure core build-up material was used to close the access and restore the tooth.

A clinical and radiographic follow-up, 30 months after the initial treatment revealed resolution of the radiolucency and apical trabecular bone deposition and the patient was asymptomatic