It is an endodontic treatment performed in those cases in which the development and growth of the tooth has stopped, usually due to trauma in ages between 6 and 18 years. Inside the root there is an organic tissue that is responsible for forming the dentin, the root structure, which in case of alteration or death would slow down the growth of this. Depending on the age of the patient and the tooth in particular, the best possible technique should be sought to maintain it and prevent its loss.
In what cases is it applied and why?
Whenever we find that there is a lesion of the pulp due to caries or trauma, it is necessary to assess whether it is still alive, or whether necrosis of the tissue has occurred. If it is still alive, the appropriate techniques should be used to maintain it, since in this way the root will continue to grow. If the tissue has lost its vitality and the pulp has necrosed, we have to evaluate the possibility of applying pulp regeneration techniques, although they are not possible in all cases, it is a treatment that is becoming more and more widespread. Otherwise, apicoforming with biomaterials should be performed.
What does the treatment consist of?
The most conventional treatment consists of completely cleaning the contents of the pulp canal in one or more sessions. To do this, a plug is created in the tip of the root, which is not yet fully formed, with biomaterials that do not stain the root or the crown of the tooth. The objective is to create a hermetic seal so that there can be no bacterial contamination.
The problem with conventional apicoforming is the remaining weakness of the root, as this technique does not make it grow, unlike successful pulp regeneration which is able to create a more physiological root.