The 3-Dimensional Printed Guide in Endodontic Microsurgery

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Guided Endodontic Microsurgery in Critical Anatomical Structures (A Randomized Clinical Trial)

In recent years, there was a great interest in employing the surgical guide in dentistry due to the development occurred in the 3D printing which became available widely. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is necessary and crucial in planning for endodontic surgery, but the procedure still depends on how the surgeon reflect the 3D images on the anatomical structures accurately, which may leave room for error. This study is to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes using guided endodontic microsurgery versus conventional endodontic microsurgery in critical anatomical structures.

Endodontic microsurgery in critical anatomical structures is considered as a serious challenge for the endodontist. Major advances have been made to the techniques used in endodontic surgery to make the procedure easier to perform, safer and more predictable. Several case reports that used surgical guide in endodontic microsurgery found that the procedure was more accurate in control of depth, diameter and angle of osteotomy. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes using guided endodontic microsurgery versus conventional endodontic microsurgery in critical anatomical structures. Patients will be selected that they are indicated for endodontic surgery. Upper and lower teeth will be selected close to critical anatomy such as; maxillary sinus, nasal fossa, mental foramen and mandibular canal. medical and dental history will be obtained from all selected patients. Patients will be randomly distributed to either guided micro-surgery group or conventional micro-surgery group. All steps of the surgical procedure will be performed under microscopic magnification. Bioceramic putty will be used as a root-end filling material. Post-surgical instructions will be given to patients. The time of the surgery will be recorded from the first incision to the last suturing. Success and failure will be assessed using radiographic and clinical evaluation at 6 and 12 months.

Apicoectomy, Guided Endodontic Surgery, Micro-Surgery, Surgical Guide, 3-Dimensional Printed, Critical Structures

The position of the oral mucosa at the flap site will be assessed after surgery to evaluate wound healing using the wound healing index (WHI) by Huang et al 2005 as the following criteria: Score 1 = uneventful healing with no gingival edema, erythema, suppuration, patient discomfort, or flap dehiscence. Score 2 = uneventful healing with slight gingival edema, erythema, patient discomfort, or flap dehiscence, but no suppuration. Score 3 = poor wound healing with significant gingival edema, erythema, patient discomfort, flap dehiscence, or any suppuration.

The patient's symptoms will be evaluated and the examination will be done on percussion, palpation and probing. Clinical Success will be defined as absence of pain, swelling or sensitivity on percussion. Clinical failure is the persistence of any of the above-mentioned symptoms.

Early follow-up will be done and the initial radiographic Success or failure will be assessed. The size of periapical lesions/radiographic transparency will be measured in millimeters by periapical radiographs and CBCT images

Radiographic Success will be defined as either complete or incomplete healing (formation of scar tissue). Radiographic Failure will involve either uncertain healing (small or constant lesion size) or unsatisfactory healing (increased lesion size). The size of periapical lesions/radiographic transparency will be measured in millimeters by periapical radiographs and CBCT images

Pain assessment will be performed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) which is a subjective measure instrument for acute and chronic pain. Scores are recorded by making a handwritten mark on a 10-cm line that represents a continuum between 0 (no pain) and 10 (worst pain).

Inclusion Criteria: Patients in good general health. Patients with age ranging between 18-50 years. Posterior/anterior teeth close to critical anatomical structures that indicated for endodontic surgery. Patients' acceptance to participate in the trail. Exclusion Criteria: Patients with allergy to materials or medications used in the trial. Patients with Serious systemic disease incompatible with surgery. Pregnant female patients. Teeth with periapical pathosis associated with vertical root fracture. Non-restorable teeth. Teeth with periodontal probe more than 5 mm.

Buniag AG, Pratt AM, Ray JJ. Targeted Endodontic Microsurgery: A Retrospective Outcomes Assessment of 24 Cases. J Endod. 2021 May;47(5):762-769. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2021.01.007. Epub 2021 Feb 4.

Lio F, Mampieri G, Mazzetti V, Leggeri A, Arcuri L. Guided endodontic microsurgery in apicoectomy: a review. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2021 May-Jun;35(3 Suppl. 1):47-55. doi: 10.23812/21-3supp1-7.

Popowicz W, Palatynska-Ulatowska A, Kohli MR. Targeted Endodontic Microsurgery: Computed Tomography-based Guided Stent Approach with Platelet-rich Fibrin Graft: A Report of 2 Cases. J Endod. 2019 Dec;45(12):1535-1542. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2019.08.012. Epub 2019 Oct 9.

Monaghan L, Jadun S, Darcey J. Endodontic microsurgery. Part one: diagnosis, patient selection and prognoses. Br Dent J. 2019 Jun;226(12):940-948. doi: 10.1038/s41415-019-0415-3.

Antal M, Nagy E, Braunitzer G, Frater M, Piffko J. Accuracy and clinical safety of guided root end resection with a trephine: a case series. Head Face Med. 2019 Dec 21;15(1):30. doi: 10.1186/s13005-019-0214-8.

Giacomino CM, Ray JJ, Wealleans JA. Targeted Endodontic Microsurgery: A Novel Approach to Anatomically Challenging Scenarios Using 3-dimensional-printed Guides and Trephine Burs-A Report of 3 Cases. J Endod. 2018 Apr;44(4):671-677. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2017.12.019. Epub 2018 Feb 14.

Strbac GD, Schnappauf A, Giannis K, Moritz A, Ulm C. Guided Modern Endodontic Surgery: A Novel Approach for Guided Osteotomy and Root Resection. J Endod. 2017 Mar;43(3):496-501. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2016.11.001. Epub 2017 Jan 28.