[Clinical and roentgenologic outcome evaluation after apicoectomy with zirconium oxide ceramic pins--a prospective study of 112 apicoectomy teeth].

We post-examined 112 apicectomies in 93 patients after an average placement period of 4.8 months (3-15.3 months) both clinically and radiologically in a prospective study to evaluate the security of success using zirconoxide ceramic pins. Clinical functioning was examined by means of the clinical mobility test, the periotest method, the sulcusfluidflowrate (periotrontest), measurements of the depths of parodontal pockets at 6 points and the papillary bleeding index in comparison to the contralateral comparative tooth. To assess the osseous regeneration of the resection defect, we carried out planimetric evaluations of standardized X-ray tooth film exposures during surgery as well as at the post-examination. The resected teeth revealed an average loosening of 10.2 in periotest. The sulcusfluidflowrate came to an average of 26.1 (control group: 22.7); the parodontal pockets were an average of 0.2 mm deeper than those of the control teeth. After 4.8 months, 63.54% of the resection defect showed complete osseous regeneration. Considering the clinical and the radiological criteria, the rate of success was 85%. Clinical use of zirconoxide ceramic pins is recommended. The high radiolucency of zirconoxide ceramics permits a safe assessment of the osseous regeneration and therefore a safe assessment of resection success.