Clinical evidence and literature to compare two different therapeutic protocols in tooth avulsion. Thymosin alpha 1 provides short-term and long-term benefits in the reimplantation of avulsed teeth: a double-blind randomized control pilot study. Endodontic complications after plastic restorations in general practice.
This is to assess the priority in tooth avulsion: replantation as quickly as possible and deferred endodontic treatment, or replantation and elimination of every irritating stimulus for the periodontal ligament. The objective is to establish a univocal protocol by analysing and comparing the various components of these therapeutic procedures.
                Study design: 20 patients were selected and divided into 2 groups: in group A we focused our attention on the rapidity of replantation, in group B we focused on the elimination of the necrotic pulp and every possible irritating stimulus that might lead to root resorption of inflammatory nature.
                Clinically, dental mobility seems to be greater in the first group. However after 15 days teeth have a comparable mobility and after one month they all show a mobility degree 1. Radiographically a greater incidence of resorption can be observed in group A compared to group B as in the first one a higher number of replanted teeth undergo resorption. Such lesions have the tendency to remain constant or even increase.
                The results of this study seem to take only one direction: extraoral endodontic therapy. This study investigates the short-term and long-term effects of thymosin alpha 1 (Talpha1) on reimplantation of avulsed teeth.
                Seventy-three patients with avulsed teeth were double-blind randomly assigned to a control group and group that used Talpha1. The teeth were reimplanted after treatment with Talpha1 or saline. Patients were monitored for both short-term and long-term parameters.
                The thymosin group demonstrated a lower interferon, tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 levels (P < .05) and higher white blood cell levels than the control group (P < .05). The thymosin group demonstrated greater periodontal healing (P < .05), less ankylosis (P < .05), less tooth movement, and greater lifetime of the replanted teeth.
                The use of Talpha1 has both short-term and long-term beneficial effects during reimplantation of avulsed teeth. To test the hypothesis that dentine and pulp protection by conditioning-and-sealing is no less effective than using a conventional calcium hydroxide lining.
                A cohort of healthy adults requiring a new or replacement restoration in a posterior tooth was recruited in six general practices. All procedures received local Ethics Committee approval. Exclusion criteria included signs and symptoms of pulp necrosis or inflammation, and patients unable to commit to a long-term trial. Cavity preparations were randomized to receive a calcium hydroxide lining or conditioning-and-sealing with a smear-removing bonding system. Choice of bulk restorative material (composite resin or amalgam) was at the discretion of the dentist. The key outcome measure was evidence of pulpal breakdown identified at unscheduled (emergency) or scheduled recall examinations. Postoperative sensitivity was recorded on 100 mm VAS at 24 h, 4 days and 7 days. Pulp status was assessed at 6, 12, 24 and 36 month recall, and at any emergency recall appointment. The relationship between pre-treatment and treatment variables and pulp breakdown was assessed by logistic regression (P = 0.05).
                A total of 602 teeth were recruited, with comparable numbers of cavities lined (288, 47.8%) or conditioned and sealed (314, 52.2%). The majority (492, 81.7%) were replacement restorations, and amalgam was the most common bulk restorative material (377, 62.6%). A total of 390 (64.8%) restored teeth were reviewed at 6 months, 307 (51%) at 12 months, 363 (60.3%) at 24 months, and 279 (46.3%) at 36 months post-restoration. Sixteen cases of pulp breakdown were identified within 36 months of restoration placement, 11 presenting as emergencies and five detected at routine recall examination. Logistic regression showed that preoperative pain, cavity treatment by lining or conditioning-and-sealing and the use of rubber dam isolation had no association with pulp breakdown. Pulp breakdown was associated with deep or pulpally exposed cavities (P < 0.001, odds ratio 7.8) and with composite rather than amalgam restorations (P = 0.001, odds ratio 2.13). Re-coding to identify teeth with pulp exposures revealed that pulpal exposure was the key determinant of adverse pulp outcomes (P < 0.0001, odds ratio 28.4) and that composite resin restorations were again more likely to be associated with pulp breakdown than amalgam (P = 0.017, odds ratio 3.92).
                Considered within the context of routine primary dental care: Dentists can be confident that pulps will be equally well protected from post-restorative breakdown up to 36 months by calcium hydroxide lining and conditioning-and-sealing with adhesive resins. Residual dentine thickness appears to be a key determinant of pulp responses after restorative dental treatment. In deep and pulpally exposed cavities in posterior teeth, composites were associated with more pulpal breakdown than amalgams.
The available evidence suggests that extra-oral endodontics is not detrimental for teeth replanted after more than 60 minutes dry time. Studies with moderate/high risk of bias indicate that soaking in thymosin alpha 1 and gentamycin sulphate followed by hyperbaric oxygen may be advantageous however, they have not previously been reported as interventions for avulsed teeth and need further validation. More evidence with low risk of bias is required and, with the low incidence of avulsed teeth, collaborative multicentre trials are indicated.