Gutta-percha as retrograde filling in endodontic surgery without apicectomy (A clinical and radiographical study with new technique)

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Background: Many materials are being used as retrograde filling materials. This study was to evaluate the effect of
Gutta-percha as retrograde filling in endodontic surgery by using ultrasonic device in comparison to the use of Zinc
free Amalgam.
Patients and Methods: Fifty-seven patients of average age ranging from 18-34 years of old, 32 were males, while 25 were females of different socioeconomic status. All the cases had chronic periapical lesions that were exposed to endodontic surgery with the use of Gutta-percha as retrograde filling by the use of ultrasonic device. Clinical and radiographic evaluation was used as criteria for detection of the state of healing process for 1 year follow-up.
Results: All the cases 57 (100%) showed a complete healing without any recurrence of periapical lesions. The current study shows that 42 (73%) of cases had faster and much better healing process in maxillary anterior region than that of the mandibular anterior region 15 (26.3%). Healing process was significantly and clearly better than in those patients with short duration of the pathological lesions, in comparison to the long duration lesions. The study registered that healing process was significantly better in males than in females. No rejections were detected from the use of Gutta-percha as retrograde filling materials in comparison retrospectively to the use of Zinc free Amalgam.
Conclusion: No allergic reactions or rejections were reported from the use of Gutta-percha as reported from the use of amalgam. There was absence of contraction or microleakage of microorganisms in case of Gutta-percha while this has been reported in the use of amalgam and other materials. No remnant particles have been observed clinically or even radiographically in the use of Gutta-percha while these commonly occur and clearly observed in case of amalgam.
Key words: Endodontic surgery, gutta-percha, ultrasonic technique. (J Bagh Coll Dentistry 2006;18(2) 52-56)