ABSTRACT Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) has been indicated for apexification because it has desirable properties such as excellent biocompatibility, low solubility and dimensional stability. This procedure consists of inducing root apex formation in teeth with incomplete root formation. This article reports a case of trauma in a young dental element, with necrotic pulp and incomplete root formation. For its treatment, apexification with white MTA was performed, which showed excellent results in inducing the continuity of root formation with mineralized tissue in the apical portion. Therefore, MTA is a viable option for apexification, bringing as its main advantage, faster treatment and immediate coronary rehabilitation of the dental element.

RESUMO O agregado trióxido mineral (do inglês, mineral trioxide agregatte - MTA) por possuir propriedades desejáveis como ótima biocompatibilidade, baixa solubilidade e estabilidade dimensional pode ser utilizado para apicificação. Este procedimento consiste na indução da formação do ápice radicular em dentes com rizogênese incompleta. Esse artigo relata um caso de trauma em um elemento dental jovem, com polpa necrosada e rizogênese incompleta. Para seu tratamento, realizou-se a apicificação com MTA branco, que demonstrou excelente resultado ao induzir a continuidade de formação da raiz com tecido mineralizado na porção apical. Portanto, o MTA é uma opção viável para a apicificação, trazendo como principal vantagem, um rápido tratamento e a possibilidade de restauração coronária imediata do dente.

Abstract: This study aimed to describe the morphometric relationship of root canal orifices on the pulp floor in the presence/absence of mesiobuccal second canal (MB2) in the maxillary first molars and other aspects of its internal anatomy. Sixty-two maxillary first molars were scanned by micro-CT. The presence of the MB2 canal was verified. The distance between the center points of the MB1, MB2, distobuccal (DB), and palatal (P) canal orifices on the pulp floor were measured (MB1-MB2, MB1-DB, MB2-DB, MB1-P, and DB-P). The MB1-P to DB-P ratio was calculated. The distances between the anatomic apex and the MB1 and MB2 apical foramina were measured. The length of the band-shaped isthmus was also measured. Student's t-test was applied to verify the association between the presence of an MB2 canal, the interorifice distances, and the ratio of the MB1-P to DB-P distance (α = 5%). The MB2 canal was present in 43 roots (69.35%). Statistics showed significant differences when MB2 was present for the largest MB1-P distance (p < 0.05) and higher values for the MB1-P to DB-P ratio (p < 0.05). A band-shaped isthmus was detected in 25.8% of MB roots. The mean distance from the apical foramen to the isthmus floor ranged from 1.74 for MB1 canals to 1.42 for MB2 canals. Canal orifice distances on the pulp floor may predict the presence of MB2 canals. There was a high incidence of isthmus, accessory canals, and apical delta in the critical apical zone in MB roots of maxillary first molars.

RESUMO Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a incidência do tratamento endodôntico e a qualidade das obturações de canais radiculares numa população de estudantes de odontologia brasileiros. O estudo foi semelhante a estudos prévios realizados há 10, 20, 30 e 40 anos. Métodos: Um total de 407 estudantes de odontologia foi avaliado por meio de questionários para identificação de tratamentos endodônticos, sendo cada tratamento radiografado para a análise da presença de radioluscência periapical e a qualidade da obturação endodôntica. Resultados: Foram encontrados 40 canais radiculares obturados, sendo 32 (80%) com adequada obturação, sete (17,5%) com subobturação e um (2,5%) sobreobturado. Conclusão: Este estudo mostrou uma baixa prevalência de tratamento endodôntico em estudantes de odontologia, e os tratamentos avaliados apresentaram alta qualidade, com poucos casos sugerindo lesões periapicais.

ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of endodontic treatment and the quality of root canal fillings in Brazilian undergraduate dental students. The study was similar those conducted 10, 20, 30, and 40 years earlier. Methods: A total of 407 undergraduate dental students were evaluated by using questionnaires to identify endodontic treatments, with each treatment being radiographed for the analysis of the presence of a periapical radiolucency and the quality of the root canal filling. Results: Forty root canal fillings were found: 32 (80%) completely filled, seven (17.5%) incompletely filled, and one (2.5%) overfilled. Conclusion: This study showed a low prevalence of endodontic treatment in dentistry students, and the evaluated root canals that were filled were high quality, with few cases suggesting periapical lesions.