Revascularisation versus apexification for treatment of immature teeth based on periapical healing and root development: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Aim Immature necrotic teeth are frequent findings in adolescents that may lead to thin root walls and open apexes. The absence of an apical stop becomes a challenge for endodontic treatment because it is difficult or impossible to seal the immature root canal with conventional endodontic techniques. Revascularisation therapy (RET) may be more suitable for the treatment of immature necrotic teeth. However, clinicians are still more inclined to choose apexification (AP) when considering the predictability of treatment results. Methods The literature was searched via PubMed/MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library, Web of Science data from June, 2001 to September, 2020 and randomised clinical trials were selected that compared RET with AP for the treatment of immature necrotic teeth assessing clinical and radiographic results. Results A total of 556 articles were retrieved, though only five studies were included. There were no differences in the periapical healing rate, overall effective rate/invalid rate, or apical closure rate between RET and AP. The root length was significantly increased in the RET group compared with the AP group quantitatively (pooled difference in means=1.28, 95% CI: [1.08, 1.48], Z=12.69, P<0.00001) and qualitatively (pooled RR=4.12, 95% CI: [2.44, 6.97]), Z=5.28, P<0.00001). The effective rate of root thickness was significantly increased in the RET group compared with the AP group (pooled RR=22.63, 95% CI: [6.08, 84.26]), Z= 4.65, P<0.00001). Conclusions Both RET and AP were effective options regarding the healing of periapical periodontitis or the closure of open apices. Pulp revascularisation is more effective for root elongation and thickening without higher risk of overall invalid treatment.