USE OF CALCIUM HYDROXIDE FOR APICAL BARRIER FORMATION AND HEALING IN NONVITAL IMMATURE PERMANENT TEETH - A REVIEW

Objective To review the use of calcium hydroxide for induction of apic al barrier formation and healing in immature permanent teeth. Introduc tion Pulp necrosis is a frequent complication of dental trauma in imma ture permanent teeth. Endodontic treatment of these teeth is often com plicated. The walls of the root canals are frequently divergent and th e apices immature, making debridement and obturation difficult. The ai m of treatment is induction of apical healing which may be defined as apical closure through formation of mineralised tissue and repair of t he periapical tissues. Calcium hydroxide is the material of choice for apical barrier formation and healing. Results The use of calcium hydr oxide for apical barrier formation is successful in 74-100% of cases i rrespective of the proprietary brand used. The average: length of time for apical barrier formation is approximately 5 to 20 months. Control of infection and adequate cleaning of the root canal are very importa nt for apical healing. Conclusions While the success rate of apical ba rrier formation using calcium hydroxide is high, long-term follow-up o f these teeth is necessary. Problems such as failure to control infect ion, recurrence of infection and cervical root fracture may occur. The latter is more frequent in immature luxated teeth with the least root development.