Permalink : http://hdl.handle.net/2115/67350

KEYWORDS : dental trauma;replanted tooth;external root resorption;calcium hydroxide;smear layer

External root resorption is an important challenge in the preservation of traumatized teeth. External root resorption is observed in cases of replanted teeth from dental trauma. Root canal dressing containing calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) is one recommended clinical approach for external root resorption treatment. However, complete control of external resorption may not be possible due to certain factors, such as the smear layer, which is formed by reaming and filing during root canal treatments. The smear layer plugs dentinal tubules and inhibits the effects of Ca(OH)2 as a root canal dressing material. Our study showed that root canal irrigation with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) with an ultrasonic device is the most effective method to remove the smear layer. Additionally, we observed an alkaline environment at the outer root surface due to ion diffusion from Ca(OH)2 following this treatment. As a result, the combined use of EDTA and NaOCl with an ultrasonic device for root canal irrigation led to good control of external root resorption.