Highlights from the Journal of Endodontics: December 2016, January 2017 and February 2017
By: Melissa Marchesan
The Journal of Endodontics is a wealth of research and information about endodontics. In the November 2016 – August 2017 issues of The Paper Point, a member of the RNP Committee will dig into three articles from the most recent JOE to provide their own synopsis.
1. December 2016: Athina M. Mavridou, Esther Hauben, Martine Wevers, Evert Schepers, Lars Bergmans, Paul Lambrechts. “Understanding External Cervical Resorption in Vital Teeth.” p 1737-1751.
The authors of this article deserve to be commended on their efforts putting this material together! This study provides a thorough overview of the initiation, progression, and especially the repair phase of external root resorption by combining clinical and epidemiological findings, in vivo CBCT imaging, ex vivo 3D nanofocus CT imaging, scanning electron microscopic analysis, and histologic analysis. The images are impressive! Don’t forget to check out the Supplemental Online Materials as well.
2. January 2017: Funda Yılmaz, Kıvanç Kamburoğlu, Buğra Şenel. “Endodontic Working Length Measurement Using Cone Beam Computed Tomographic Images Obtained at Different Voxel Sizes and Field of Views, Periapical Radiography, and Apex Locator: A Comparative Ex Vivo Study.” p 152-156.
The authors found no significant differences among CBCT measurements obtained at four different voxel sizes/fields of view. The most accurate measurements were obtained with the electronic apex locator with average 0.098-mm variation from the standard direct measurement, followed by the CBCT and lastly by intra-oral periapical radiograph.
3. February 2017: Jianing He, Robert K. White, Cathy A. White, Jordan L. Schweitzer, Karl F. Woodmansey. “Clinical and Patient-centered Outcomes of Nonsurgical Root Canal Retreatment in First Molars Using Contemporary Techniques.” p. 231-237.
This study determined whether the use of the latest technical advances have an impact on the outcome of nonsurgical retreatment of first molars. Success was measured using clinical and radiographic criteria, a patient-centered criteria and subjective chewing ability. The authors found that retreatment using contemporary techniques significantly improved patients’ quality of life and chewing ability over time, with a success rate of 90.4% after two years.