Advanced internal resorption affecting the crown of teeth may result in the appearance of a 'pink tooth', which, when located in the root canal, can perforate the external root surface. Therapeutically, this condition represents a clinical challenge and normally requires a combined endodontic and surgical focus. Presented herein are cases of double 'pink tooth' which appeared at different times after orthodontic treatment. In the most severe case, upon radiographic examination and computed tomography, the maxillary right central incisor presented an internal resorption, extending from the pulp chamber to the root middle third. After pulp removal, the debridement of the defect was performed using a 2.5% sodium hypochlorite solution, a #80 Kerr file, and an ultrasonic tip ST-17, aided by a surgical microscope. During the cleaning process, various sites of periodontal communication were identified. Upon controlling the hemorrhaging, the root canal was completely filled with White mineral trioxide aggregate. Within the 3-month follow-up treatment, a pink spot appeared on the maxillary left central incisor, which received conventional root canal therapy. Clinically and radiographically, over 18 months of follow up, both cases responded favorably to the proposed treatments. Therefore, it is important to monitor the patient due to the fact that pulp and periodontal sequelae can develop at varied moments after orthodontic treatment. Furthermore, with the current technology and biomaterials, it is possible to resolve cases with extensive internal perforating resorption through endodontic treatment.
This work evaluated the bone-forming potential of the platelet-derived growth factor isoform BB (PDGF-BB), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and mixed PDGF-BB/IGF-I delivered in liposomes compared with phosphate buffered saline (PBS), in the healing process of rat tooth sockets. One hundred and twelve Wistar rats were randomized into 7 groups of 16 animals each and were evaluated at 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after extraction of the maxillary second molars. The left sockets were treated with PBS (P), empty liposome (L), IGF-I in PBS (IP), IGF-I in liposome (IL), PDGF-BB in PBS (PDP), PDGF-BB in liposome (PDL) and both growth factors (GFs) together within liposomes (PDIL). The right sockets were filled with blood clot (BC). Histological and histomorphometric analyses were used to evaluate the formation of new bone and blood vessels. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the expression of osteocalcin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) during bone repair. Data were tested statistically using a Tukey's test according to a Dunn's analysis and Mann-Whitney U test followed by Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis. Results were considered significant when p<0.05. A significantly higher percentage of bone trabeculae and a higher number of blood vessels were observed in the IL, PDL and PDIL groups (p<0.05). However, these GF-liposome groups had statistically similar results. Immunohistochemical assays first detected osteocalcin and VEGF expression at 3 days followed by a peak at 7 days. Lower immunoreactivity levels were observed in the BC, L, P, IP and PDP groups compared with the IL, PDL and PDIL groups (p<0.05). The results suggest that GFs carried by liposomes, either in isolated or mixed forms, enhanced the healing process in rat tooth sockets. The differential expression of the osteogenic markers VEGF and osteocalcin in the early phases of bone healing support these findings.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.