Reestablishing blood flow and allowing the continuation of root development are some of the objectives of pulp revascularization. This procedure is currently indicated for teeth with incomplete root formation as an alternative to the traditional treatment of apecification, which consists of inserting calcium hydroxide paste into the root canal for a determined time period in order to induce the formation of a calcified barrier. Although it is considered as the most classically employed therapy, the permanence of the paste for long time periods may lead to the weakening of the root due to hygroscopic properties, as well as proteolytic activities of calcium hydroxide. Therefore, there has been a permanent search for alternatives which allow the full development of immature teeth. Revascularization has emerged as such an alternative, and a range of treatment protocols can be found in the scientific literature. The aim of this paper is to accomplish a literature review concerning this issue.

No abstract

ResumoObjetivo: O presente estudo procurou acessar o efeito da limpeza do forame apical no reparo de lesões periapicais detectadas radiograficamente. Materiais e métodos: A amostra constituiu-se de 980 dentes selecionados de 25 de fevereiro de 1997 a 15 de março de 2005 que foram submetidos a tratamento endodôntico e exibiram lesões periapicais radiograficamente visíveis. A amostra foi então dividida em dois grupos: Grupo I, 402 tratamentos de canal em que a limpeza do forame apical não foi realizada, e Grupo II, composto pelos 578 dentes restantes onde o procedimento foi realizado. Após um ano, os dentes foram clinica e radiograficamente avaliados. Resultados: No Grupo I, 360 canais (89,55%) não tiveram evidência de lesões periapicais, versus 521 (90,13%) no Grupo II. Presença parcial dessas lesões foi observada em 23 canais (5,72%) no Grupo I versus 27 (4,67%) no Grupo II. O teste qui-quadrado de Pearson não demonstrou significância estatística entre os Grupos I e II (p=0,732). Conclusões: Estes achados sugerem que a limpeza do forame apical não é um determinante para o reparo de lesão periapical. AbstractAim: The present study sought to assess the effect of apical foramen cleaning in the repair of periapical lesions detected by radiography. Methods: The sample comprised 980 teeth collected from 25 February 1997 to 15 March 2005, which had been subjected to endodontic treatment and exhibited radiographically visible periapical lesions. The sample was then divided into two groups: Group I, 402 root canal treatments in which cleaning of the apical foramen had not been performed, and Group II, composed of the remaining 578 root canal treatments where the procedure had been performed. After one year, the teeth were clinically and radiographically evaluated. Results: In Group I, 360 canals (89.55%) had no evidence of periapical lesions, versus 521 (90.13%) in Group II. Partial presence of these lesions was observed in 23 canals (5.72%) in Group I versus 27 (4.67%) in Group II. No changes in images were observed in 19 (4.72%) canals in Group I and 30 in Group II. Pearson's chi-square test showed no statistically significant difference between the Groups I and II (p = 0.732). Conclusions: These findings suggest that foramen cleaning is not a determinant of periapical lesion repair.

Antral pseudocysts of the maxillary sinus are the second most common lesions in the maxillary sinus region. The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency of antral pseudocysts of the maxillary sinus diagnosed with panoramic radiographs, cone beam computed tomography and a clinical questionnaire. This was a cross-sectional study in- volving patients of a private radiology institute. A total of 185 panoramic radiographs with images suggestive of antral pseudocysts were selected out of 6,000. The patients were invited to attend the service and 28 were selected for this study. Panoramic radio- graphs were obtained and, when the image was suggestive of antral pseudocysts, the patient was invited to undergo cone beam computed tomography and to answer a clinical questionnaire. The control group consisted of 30 patients without antral pseudocysts on panoramic radiographs who had undergone cone beam computed tomography and who had filled out the clinical questionnaire. Pearson’s chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were used to determine differences in the frequency of the variables among study groups, adopting a p value of 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval. The relationship between cone beam computed tomography and the diagnosis of antral pseudocysts, and with the data collected with the clinical questionnaire was established. A statistically significant difference was found regarding atrophy of the turbinates and obstruction of the meatal ostium. In addition, patients with antral pseudocysts had significantly more histories of allergy, allergy persistence, and use of topical nasal medication compared to the control group, as well as nasal obstruction, thick nasal discharge, a runny nose and postnasal drip. The use of topical nasal medication and the presence of atrophy of the turbinates and obstruction of the meatal ostium suggest a relationship with the occurrence and persistence of antral pseudocysts.

Introduction:The aim of this report is to present a clinical case of oral lichenoid lesions associated with amalgam restorations with the presence of desquamative gingivitis for a nine months follow up period.Case Report:The histopathologic characteristics and direct immunofluorescence were compatible with Oral Lichenoid Lesion (LLO). Diagnosis was based on a synthesis of all available information, including medical history, clinical examination, histopathology and the results of specific tests, such as the patch test, which confirmed allergy to thimerosal, an organic compound of mercury.Discussion:The replacement of amalgam restorations has brought improvements to the instrument, as evidenced by the disappearance of desquamative gingivitis, aspect erythematosus and erosive lesions. The fading does not complete the same, however, indicates the need to continue has been under continuous observation, the patient, having in view the possibility of the existence of an underlying lichen planus.