Success rate of Calcium Hydroxide vs Mineral Trioxide Aggregate as Apexification Agents: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Trauma and deep caries may require endodontic treatment in young, immature permanent teeth which have open apices that complicate instrumentation. Hence, apexification with materials like calcium hydroxide or Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is required to obtain an apical seal.
Aim: This study aims to compare the two materials i.e., Calcium hydroxide and MTA, used for apexification in young, immature permanent teeth with the help of a systematic review of studies in literature.
Source of literature: PUBMED, Medline, Cochrane and Scopus databases were searched for terms “calcium hydroxide” and “Mineral trioxide aggregate” and “Apexification”.
Results: The radiographic and clinical evaluations of apical closure did not have statistically significant differences but there was a significant variance in the time taken for apexification for both the groups. MTA showed significantly faster formation of apical barrier as compared to Calcium hydroxide.
Conclusion: Although MTA gives comparable clinical and radiographic evidence of apical closure, it seems to be faster in formation of the apical barrier as compared to Calcium hydroxide in immature necrotic permanent teeth.