LONG-TERM EVALUATION OF RETROGRADE ROOT FILLING WITH DENTIN-BONDED RESIN COMPOSITE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term stability o f apical retrograde root fillings using a dentin-bonded resin composit e, Radiographs were used to establish the degree of healing around the apically filled roots, Patients examined were those who had previousl y showed complete healing 1 yr after surgery. Thirty-three of the firs t 34 consecutively placed resin composite apical fillings performed si nce the introduction of this method in 1984 were examined, Six of thes e fillings were examined 8 yr after surgery, and 27 of these fillings were examined 9 yr after surgery, Only one patient showed recurrence o f periapical inflammation 8 yr after operation, probably caused by a r oot fracture. It was concluded that the bond established between denti n and the resin composite was stable during the observation period, an d that the filling material had not been harmful to the surrounding ti ssues. If complete bone healing has been observed, it could be expecte d to remain stable, unless new factors, such as root fracture, occurre d.