Evaluation of ex vivo restoration of carious equine maxillary cheek teeth infundibulae following debridement with dental drills and Hedstrom files.

The research aimed to study the efficacy of using dental drills and Hedstrom files in debriding or removing the debris and decayed tissues from the infundibulae of equine maxillary cheek teeth and evaluate their restorative methods.

Methodology

• The study was performed ex vivo (outside the body) on vertically mounted horse maxillary cheek teeth that had caries (tooth decay) in 30 infundibulae (deep, funnel-shaped depressions in the teeth that are prone to food lodgment and subsequent decay).
• The tooth-decay was debrided using high and low speed contra-angle dental drills and Hedstrom files, a tool commonly used in dentistry for cleaning and shaping the root canal.
• The technique’s effectiveness was evaluated by assessing the depth to which the decay was debrided as shown by computed tomographic (CT) imaging, a medical imaging procedure that combines multiple X-ray projections to create cross-sectional images.

Results

• The technique was found effective in debriding 27 out of the 30 infundibulae, reaching a mean depth of 19mm (ranging between 9.4 and 34.3mm).
• The debrided infundibulae were then treated with sodium hypochlorite, a cleaning solution, EDTA, a chemical that can chelate and sequester certain metal ions, and a bonding agent, which is an adhesive that enhances the mechanical bond of restorative materials to the tooth.
• The infundibulae were then filled in layers with endodontic restoration materials, which are substances used to replace the lost structures and restore the function and form of the tooth.
• Further assessment was carried out using CT imaging and direct examination of sectioned teeth, showing 6 out of 30 infundibulae, including three that were incompletely debrided, had defects between the restoration and the wall/apex of the infundibulum.
• Twenty-one of the remaining twenty-four infundibulae contained air bubbles, which were largely within the restorations.

Conclusion

• The research concluded that dental drills and Hedstrom files are effective for debriding carious infundibulae.
• However, improved techniques and materials are required for more effective filling of the infundibulae with restorative material, as indicated by the presence of defects and air bubbles in the restored infundibulae.