Acute Apical Abscess

This randomized clinical trial compares the antibacterial effects of calcium hydroxide and a calcium silicate-based intracanal medicament in teeth with acute apical abscesses. Microbiological samples are collected before root canal preparation, after chemomechanical preparation, and after intracanal medication. Bacterial levels are measured using Real-Time PCR. The main objective is to determine which intracanal medicament provides a greater reduction in the total bacterial load after a 7- to 10-day medication period.

The Virus in Endodontics (VE) phase I pilot study for preoperative pain will be analyzed and adjusted for the Phase II clinical trial. The Phase II clinical trial on preoperative pain, postoperative pain, and clinical healing will involve 250 patients. Patients will be recruited from the same pool of participants as the Phase II clinical trial. Preoperative cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans will be taken as well as three and six month postoperative CBCT scans. The secondary outcomes form the Phase II randomized clinical trial will be clinical success and visible radiographic healing determined by CBCT images.