Endodontics Flashcards
What are 3 options for Vital Pulp Therapy?
Direct Pulp Capping
Partial Pulpotomy
Full Pulpotomy
What is the max threshold for EPT testing?
80
What could give false positives/negatives for EPT testing
Saliva
Metal conduction on Amalgams
Coronal Calcification
Only one root of multirooted tooth is affected
What are 3 non-toxic capping materials that can be used for indirect pulp capping?
Calcium Hydroxide (Life)
Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA)
Biodentine
Why is MTA a better capping material CaOH?
Less tunnel defects for the calcific bridge
What are the clinical signs of Ludwig’s Angina?
Airway Obstruction
Protrusion of tongue
Spread of exudate within fascial spaces
Oedema, Inflammation of soft tissues below the jaw
An extra-oral sinus tract is known as what?
A fistula
What is the limitation of antibiotics in managing apical abscesses?
Antibiotics can’t access the necrotic pulp
If a patient is allergic to penicillin, what is the first line AB to use to manage a apical abscess?
Clindamycin 300mg every 8 hours for 5 days
What is the name for the condition where there is chronic tooth pain with no obvious aetiology
Atypical Odontalgia
T/F: Endodontic lesions can be aerobic in nature
False: they are either facultative or anaerobic in nature
What are 5 ways bacteria can cause an endodontic lesion?
- Caries including microleakage
- Mechanical Exposure
- Trauma
- Anachoresis: infection via bloodstream bacteremia
- Periodontal Pocket (Endo/Perio lesion)
Where can endodontic bacteria be located in the tooth?
- Root Canal
- Lateral/Accessory Canals: RCT can often miss these channels
- Dentine Tubules: microbes can hide here
- Extra-radicular space (outside on the root)
During a chronic endodontic infection, does the environment become less or more favourable to obligate anaerobes?
More favourable to obligate anaerobes via autogenic means - oxygen is consumed by facultatives and then the drop in redox potential sets the environment for obligate anaerobes.
Endodontic microbial interactions with each other can exist via two mechanisms. What are these?
- Antagonistic - competition for nutrients, production of toxic metabolites and bacteriocins
- Synergistic - proteolytic degradation provides nutrients for other species
What are the two ways to remove endodontic agents
- Mechanical removal - RCT. This alters the redox potential by adding more oxygen into the environment
- Chemical medicaments to sterilise/disinfect the environment
What are chemical medicaments that can sterilise/disinfect an endodontically treated tooth?
- Sodium Hypochlorite (Miltons)
- Calcium Hydroxide
- Ledermix
- EDTA (Chelating agent to metal ions - microbes can’t use)
- CHx
- Peroxides
- Camphorated Monochlorophenol (CMCP)
What can prevent the effectiveness of chemical medicaments for endo treated teeth?
- Operator Technique
2. Inability to access lateral/accessory canals
What are some possible reasons for endodontic failure?
- Inadequate treatment or re-infection of the root canal
- Possibly Resistant Species (eg Enterococcus Faecalis)
- Reinfection from extraradicular lesions (from outside the root)
When can bacteraemia occur during endodontic treatment?
When instruments extend beyond the apical foramen. However the risk of bacteraemia is less than scaling/extractions
What are sources of non-odontogenic pain?
TMD
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Sinus Pain
What are the 2 main components of endodontic diagnosis?
- Pulp + Root Canal condition
2. Periapical Status
What are the 4 issues to consider for endodontic treatment?
- Strategic value of the tooth
- Periodontal Factors
- Patient Factors
- Restorability Options
What are 3 factors that would determine the strategic value of the tooth for endo therapy
- Aesthetics: 5-5 aesthetic zone
- Function: abutment tooth for pros
- Occlusion: masticatory value
What clinical perio factors would impact the ability to endodontically treat a tooth?
- Local/generalised periodontitis
- Endo-perio lesions: very poor prognosis
- Vertical root fractures: extract
- Perforation
What are 4 patient factors that would impact the ability to endodontically treat a tooth?
- Motivation to retain teeth
- Medical History
- Age
- Compliance with current/future treatment
What are 4 restorability factors that would impact the ability to endodontically treat a tooth?
- Consider the whole mouth - is caries / perio disease under control?
- Limited Supra-gingival tooth structure for restoration
- Compromised Teeth: cracked cusps
- Restorative Options (Extraction, Fixed, Removable Pros)
What patient considerations are important in determining difficulty of endodontic treatment?
- Medical History
- Anesthesia Issues
- Patient Disposition
- Ability to Open Mouth
- Gag Reflex
- Emergency Conditions
What diagnostic and treatment considerations are important in determining difficulty of endodontic treatment?
- Diagnostic
- Radiographic Difficulties
- Position in arch
- Tooth Isolation
- Crown Morphology
- Canal + Root Morphology
- Radiographic Appearance of canals
- Root Resorption
What additional considerations are important in determining difficulty of endodontic treatment?
- Trauma History
- Endodontic Treatment History
- Perio-endodontic Condition
What are the layers of the Pulpo-Dentinal Complex?
Dentine Pre-Dentine Odontoblast Layer Cell Free Zone Cell Rich Zone Pulp proper (Central Pulp)
What is the issue with the dental pulp being a low compliance environment?
High risk of pulpal necrosis, due to compressions of blood vessels with increase in pressure (trauma/infection), since the pulp is surrounded with a rigid encasement that has limited room for expansion
When does tertiary dentine form?
In response to low grade chronic trauma
When does primary dentine form?
During development of dentition
When does secondary dentine form?
Deposition over the lifespan of an individual that decreases pulpal size and tooth sensitivity
T/F: Dentinal Fluid as a inward pressure gradient
False
What role does outward flowing pulpal tissue perform?
Outward pressure gradient: Fluid moves out when tubules are exposed. In response to exposure the pressure helps to :
1) Protective/Flushing effect if there are bacteria on surface
2) Antigens are diluted on route to the pulp
What trends in terms of dentinal tubule density and diameter would you expect as you got closer to the pulp
Density: Increases number of tubules closer to the pulp
Diameter: Higher tubule diameter closer to the pulp
What is the physical properties of Interglobular Dentine?
Uneven calcified globules of dentine near to the DEJ that has lower density than globular dentine
What is in the Cell Poor Zone of dental pulp?
Capillaries
Unmyelinated nerve fibres
Presence is indicative of health pulp
What is in the Cell Rich Zone of dental pulp?
Rich in fibroblasts (reparative ability)
Lymphocytes/Macrophages
What is in the Pre-dentine area of dental pulp?
Unmineralised Matrix comprises of
- Collagen(I, II)
- PG, GAG, GP?
- Growth factors
What cells are in the Central Dental Pulp?
Odontoblasts Fibroblasts Lymphocytes Dendritic Cells Macrophages Mast Cells
What is the vasculature in the central pulp influenced by?
- Sympathetic adrenergic vasoconstriction
- Neurogenic Pathways (β-adrenergic vasodilation)
- Sympathetic cholinergic vasoactive system
- Antidromic vasodilation involving sensory fibres
Little evidence of parasympathetic vasodilator mechanism
Where is the cell body of the odontoblast located?
At the border of Pre-Dentine
What occurs to the Odontoblastic Process in responseto trauma or caries?
Retreats towards the pulp
What can Fibroblasts differentiate into in response to injury?
Odontoblastic Precursors
What Lymphocyte is mostly present in healthy dental pulp?
T8 Supressor Cells
T/F: Afferent sensory neurons always conduct pain irregardless of stimulus
True
What effect does Sympathetic stimulation causes to excitability of Aδ fibres?
Vasoconstriction decreases pulpal circulation. This depresses excitability of Aδ fibres
What is the implication of C Fibres resistance to pulp necrosis
Possible for patient to still get tooth sensitivity even after a necrotic pulp
Rapid desiccation can do what odontoblasts?
the outward flow of fluid aspirates (pulls) the process outwards
If traumatic enough, can break the process off, then needs to be repaired by odontoblasts
Low level chronic trauma to the pulp will result in what to the dentinal tubule?
Tubular Sclerosis - fibrotic repair
What are pulp stones?
Dystrophic calcification caused by islands of reparative dentine formed during chronic long term trauma
What will be the main immune response to acute pulpal inflammation?
PMNs
What will be the main immune response to chronic pulpal inflammation?
Monocytes
What cells are involved with a proliferative response to chronic pulpal inflammation
Angioblasts
Fibroblasts
What vascular response occurs to pulpal injury
Hyperaemia (Vasodilation)
Increased Permeability: exudate of plasma proteins, leukocytes
What are 3 Neuropeptides involved with pulpal pain
Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide (CGRP)
Substance P
Neurokinin A
What 3 things do Neuropeptides due in response to pulpal inflammation?
Hyperexcitation
Vasodiation
Vascular Leakage
What nerve fibres are involved with dentinal hypersensitivity?
Hot/Cold Stimuli > Rapid Movement of Fluid in Dentinal Tubules > Activates Aδ fibres
What nerve fibres are involved with reversible pulpitis?
Aδ or C Fibres
What nerve fibres are involved with irreversible pulpitis?
C Fibres
What nerve fibres are involved with Necrotic Pulp
None, although some lingering C Fibre innervation at the early stages of pulpal death
What is the character of pain from A-Delta fibres?
Sharp and Localised
What is the character of pain from A-Delta fibres?
Dull Throbbing, Generalised
What are possible sources of acute physical trauma to the pulp?
No Bur Water Spray
Physical Trauma to Tooth: dessication
Root Planing
Rotary Polishing
What are possible sources of acute chemical trauma to the pulp?
Medicaments on Dentine
What are possible sources of chronic physical trauma to the pulp?
Abrasion
Attrition
What are possible sources of chronic bacterial trauma to the pulp?
Caries
Cracks
Microleakage
What are the 4 principles of Coronal Endodontic Cavity Preparation?
Outline Form
Convenience Form
Removal of Carious Dentine
Cavity Toilet
What is Outline Form for Coronal Endodontic Cavity Preparation?
To project the internal anatomy of the tooth to the outside of the tooth.
What is Convenience Form for Coronal Endodontic Cavity Preparation?
To allow accurate preparation and filling of root canals:
- Unobstructred access to Canal Orifices
- Direct Straight Line Access to apical foramen
- Complete authority over instruments
What factors can alter Outline Form for Coronal Endodontic Cavity Preparation?
- Size/Shape of Pulp Chamber
- Age
- Presence of Restorations
- Primary / Secondary Dentition
- Pathology (Pulp Stones, Dens Invaginatus)
- Secondary/Tertiary Dentine
If on an upper anterior, the cingulum vault is not properly removed, what issues could occur?
- Excessive bending on files resulting in broken files
2. Difficulty controlling file apically
How many bends can files tolerate?
One bend on the apical 1/3rd
What are the 3 aims of removing carious dentine during endodontic treatment?
- Removal of bacteria from pulp chamber
- Removal of unsupported tooth structure
- Provision of a sound seal to prevent re-infection
What is the aim of the cavity toilet in Coronal Endodontic Cavity Preparation?
Removal of caries/debris and necrotic tissue from the pulp chamber before radicular preparation begins (“sterilisation of the chamber”)
How is a cavity toilet prepared?
- Slow Speed Tungsten Carbide
- Hand Instrumentation
- Triplex Air/Water
- Chemical Sterilisation with Miltons (1% % sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and 16.5% sodium chloride (NaCl)
T/F: Access to the pulp for endodontic access on anteriors can be done through worn dentine on the incisal table
False, this method is too destructive.
Access should occur through the middle 1/3rd of the tooth
What angle of initial access should be on maxillary anteriors?
45 degrees
What angle of initial access should be on mandibular anteriors?
90 degrees
How do you locate the second mesial buccal (MB2 ) on a maxillary molar?
Draw a line from the MB root to the MP root and it will be slightly mesial of this line
What are the 3 laws that establish clinical patterns and relationships between the Pulp Chamber to Clinical Crown?
- Law of CEJ: The CEJ is most consistent, repeatable landmark for locating the position of the pulp chamber. Clinically - whilst doing the coronal prep by doing cuff technique so you can continuously visualise the CEJ
- Law of centrality: Floor of pulp chamber is always located in the centre of the tooth at the level of the CEJ
- Law of concentricity: Walls of the pulp chamber are always concentric to the external surface of the tooth at the level of the CEJ
Which teeth don’t follow Relationships of Pulp Chamber Floor to canals?
Maxillary Molars
What are the 4 relationships that exist between the Pulp Chamber Floor to canals?
- Orifices of the canals are equidistant from a line drawn in a M-D direction through the pulp chamber floor
- Orifices of the canals lie on a line perpendicular to a line drawn in a M-D direction across the centre of the floor of the pulp chamber
- Orifices of the root canals are always located at the junction of the walls and the floor
- Orifices of the root canals are located at the terminus of the root development fusion lines
How many canals exist for Lower 1s?
1 Canal 70% of the time
How many canals exist for Lower 2s?
1 Canal 50% of the time
How many canals exist for Lower 3s?
1 Canal 94% of the time
How many canals exist for Lower 4s?
1 Canal 71% of the time
How many canals exist for Lower 5s?
1 Canal 86% of the time
How many canals exist for Lower 6s?
4 Canal 65% of the time
How many canals exist for Lower 7s?
3 Canal 90% of the time
What is the average length of a lower 1?
21.5
What is the average length of a lower 2?
22.5
What is the average length of a lower 3?
25.2
What is the average length of a lower 4?
22.1
What is the average length of a lower 5?
21.4
What is the average length of a lower 6?
21
What is the average length of a lower 7?
21
What is the average length of an upper 1?
23.3
What is the average length of an upper 2?
21.5
What is the average length of an upper 3?
26
What is the average length of an upper 4?
21.8
What is the average length of an upper 5?
21
What is the average length of an upper 6?
20
What is the average length of an upper 7?
20
How many canals exist for Upper 1s?
1 Canal 100% of the time
How many canals exist for Upper 2s?
1 Canal 100% of the time
How many canals exist for Upper 3s?
1 Canal 100% of the time
How many canals exist for Upper 4s?
2 Canals 90% of the time
How many canals exist for Upper 5s?
1 Canals 75% of the time
How many canals exist for Upper 6s?
3 Canals 40% of the time
4 Canals 60% of the time
How many canals exist for Upper 7s?
3 Canals 63% of the time
Which direction do upper 1s curve?
75% Straight
Which direction do upper 2s curve?
53% Distal
Which direction do upper 3s curve?
40% Straight
30% Distal
Which direction do upper 4s curve?
50% Palatal
Which direction do upper 5s curve?
30% Distal
Which direction do lower 1s curve?
60% Straight
25% Distal
Which direction do lower 2s curve?
60% Straight
25% Distal
Which direction do lower 3s curve?
70% Straight
20% Distal
Which direction do lower 4s curve?
50% Straight
Which direction do lower 5s curve?
40% Straight
40% Distal
What burs should be used for endodontic coronal preparation?
- Outline Form:
High Speed Tapered diamond bur
High Speed 169L tungsten carbide bur
Beaver Bur – 1931, 1938 - Convenience Form:
Slow Speed 3/4 shank 3 round tungsten carbide
Where is the apical constriction in relation to the radiographic apex?
Usually 0.5-1.0mm short of the Radiographic Apex
What techniques can be used to unobscure multiple roots in a radiograph?
20 Degree Tube Shift: SLOB Rule
Which radiographic technique would you use for a PA to overcome anatomical difficulties?
Bisecting Angle Technique
What Maxillary Anatomical difficulties could obscure PAs for Endo?
Incisive Foramen Zygomatic Arch Maxillary Tori Flat Palates Gag Reflexes
What Mandibular Anatomical difficulties could obscure PAs for Endo?
Mental Foramen Lingual Depression Lingual Frenum (for pre-molars) Mylohyoid Muscle Mandibular Tori
Where should working length be determined?
At the apical constriction
How do apex locators work?
Connecting a mucous resistive circuit that connects the Endo File to the Apical Foramen and connects to the patient’s lower lip
What are the advantages of apex locators?
- Accurate determination of working length
- Perforations can be detected easily
- Working length can be checked with every file
- Lower radiation dose: fewer films required
- Confidence cleaning and shaping (particularly with rotary endo)
What are the disadvantages of apex locators?
- Some pacemaker patients are contraindicated (pre 2000)
- Accurate measurement cannot always be made:
Calcified canals +
Old root filling obstructs canal - Open Apices
- False Positives / Negatives
What factors could give false positives for apex locators?
Field Too Wet
Vertical Root Fracture
Lateral Canals
What factors could give false negative for apex locators?
Calcified Canals
Old Root Filling
Low Battery in Apex Locator
Where would unusual fractures be?
Incisors + Pre-Molars - can be indicative of physical trauma: fighting and domestic violence
How reliable are apex locators?
75% accuracy at 0.5mm
83% accuracy at 0.75mm
89% accuracy at 1.0mm
What is working length?
The distance between:
1) A Coronal Reference Point to
2) The point where the canal preparation and obturation should terminate
What happens to biocompatibility of an irrigant the more effective it becomes?
More effective irrigants are less biocompatible
T/F: NaOCl dissolves the inorganic component of dentine?
False, it removes organic (vital / necrotic pulp tissue). Chelating agents are used for removing inorganic aspects of dentinal smear layer
In the absence of bacteria, what would happen to a mechanically opened pulp chamber?
Dentine would respond to injury and build a dentinal bridge to close the space
If there are no bacteria is present at the point of obturation, what is the success rate of RCT at 4 years?
94%
Use of files and saline irrigants would do what to bacterial count nubers
Reduction 100-1000x fiold
Is there any difference in clinical efficacy for bacterial removal when comparing NiTi rotary vs stainless steel hand files?
No