LEAVING THE PULP CHAMBER OPEN FOR DRAINAGE HAS NO EFFECT ON THE COMPLICATIONS OF ROOT-CANAL THERAPY

In this retrospective study the effects of different kinds of emergenc y treatments on flare-ups and other complications were examined, A tot al of 197 teeth received emergency treatment after diagnosis at the be ginning of the root canal therapy; in 103 the pulp chamber was left op en for drainage of pus, 35 were treated with dexamethasone sodium phos phate, and 59 with various other medicaments, followed by routine root canal treatment. In all, 404 teeth received root canal treatment with out emergency treatment, If symptoms occurred during treatment, flare- up was said to be present, If a periapical radiolucency was found, lon g-term calcium hydroxide treatment was used: no sign of periapical hea ling radiographically after 6 months was described as a complication, The percentage of teeth with no complications varied from 72.2% (dexam ethasone) to 78.9% (other modification) and the results showed no diff erences between the groups in the teeth with no complications, flare-u ps or other complications, The number of bacteria detected with Gram's staining was higher in the teeth which were left open, In conclusion, leaving the pulp chamber open for drainage had no effect on the incid ence of flare-ups or other complications.