PMC3916509_01
(a) In case 1, discoloration of tooth #12 was observed at 2 weeks after the injury; (b) The result of an ultrasound Doppler test at 6 weeks after the injury. It shows a typical pulsated image, which represents normal vital pulp; (c) At 10 weeks after the injury, the tooth had returned to a normal shade.
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F1
There was no discomfort during the 2 weeks after the injury, but there was no response to the thermal test or EPT, and a reddish discoloration was observed (Figure 1a). We decided to use the ultrasound Doppler unit to evaluate the vitality of the pulp, and the result was shown in Figure 1b. Tooth #12 produced a typical pulsated image, which represents normal vital pulp (Figure 1b). At 10 weeks after the injury, the tooth had returned to a normal shade and regained its normal responses to the cold test and EPT (Figure 1c).
PMC3916509_02
(a) In case 2, tooth #21 was splinted at a local clinic after a subluxation injury that had occurred 2 weeks before the patient visited our clinic. It showed a negative response to the thermal test and EPT, and a positive response to the percussion test; (b) Tooth #21 showed pinkish discoloration; (c) In the ultrasound Doppler test, tooth #21 showed a normal pulsated response like that of the other teeth; (d) At 10 weeks after the injury, the shade of tooth #21 had returned to normal.
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F2
In the periapical radiographic view, the root and periapical area were normal (Figure 2a). Tooth #21 showed negative responses to the thermal test and EPT, a positive response to the percussion test, and pinkish discoloration (Figure 2b). In the ultrasound Doppler test, tooth #21 produced a normal pulsated response like those of the other teeth, and we were also able to hear the beat of the pulsation from the speaker (Figure 2c). At 10 weeks after the injury, the shade of tooth #21 returned to normal (Figure 2d).
PMC3916509_03
(a) In case 3, tooth #11 showed yellowish brown discoloration; (b) The coronal pulp space was obliterated, whereas the pulp space was present in the root area. There was no radiolucency in the periapical area, but the root apex was slightly shortened; (c) In the ultrasound Doppler test, tooth #11 showed an image typical of a vital tooth; (d) The patient was satisfied with the shade of tooth #11 after vital bleaching treatment.
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F3
She thought her teeth were generally yellowish, and she was especially unsatisfied with the shade of tooth #11, which showed yellowish brown discoloration (Figure 3a). There was no radiolucency in the periapical region, but the root apex was slightly shortened (Figure 3b). In the ultrasound Doppler test, tooth #11 showed an image and sound typical of a vital tooth (Figure 3c). After approximately 2 months of bleaching, she was satisfied with the shade of tooth #11 and did not want any further treatment (Figure 3d).