Conservative Dentistry Journal
Vol. 16 No. 1 (2026): January-June

Apexification of maxillary anterior teeth with a history of trauma

Nirawati Pribadi (Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia.)
Linawati (Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia.)
Wulan Tri Maulinda (Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia.)
Galih Sampoerno (Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia.)
Widya Saraswati (Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia.)
Radixtio Auzan Fepiosandi (Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia.)
Febriastuti Cahyani (Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia.)



Article Info

Publish Date
26 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background: Traumatic dental injury in immature permanent teeth may lead to pulpal necrosis and disrupted root development, resulting in open apices and thin root walls. These conditions complicate conventional endodontic treatment and require management strategies that support healing and long-term tooth preservation. Purpose: To present the clinical management of a maxillary central incisor with pulp necrosis and open apex due to trauma. Case: A 20-year-old female presented with a defective restoration on tooth #11 and a history of dental trauma sustained 11 years previously. Clinical and radiographic examinations revealed a non-vital immature permanent tooth with a wide root canal, open apex, and diffuse periapical radiolucency. Tooth #11 was diagnosed with pulp necrosis and asymptomatic apical periodontitis. Case Management: Rubber dam isolation, access cavity preparation and working length determination were performed. Cleaning and shaping were carried out using circumferential hand filing with copious irrigation. The canal was medicated with calcium hydroxide and temporarily sealed. At the second visit, the medicament was removed and a 3 mm bioceramic apical plug was placed and radiographically verified. At the third visit, obturation was completed using thermoplasticized gutta-percha and bioceramic sealer. A fiber post and core build-up were subsequently placed, followed by restoration with a lithium disilicate crown. Conclusion: Apexification is considered a reliable treatment approach for immature teeth with necrotic pulp associated with long-standing trauma. The use of bioceramic materials promotes healing and enables safe and predictable restoration of the affected tooth.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

CDJ

Publisher

Subject

Dentistry

Description

Journal of conservative dentistry accepts original manuscripts in the field of Endodontic other related subjects articles, including research, case reports and literature reviews. The spread of fields include: Endodontic research; Preventive, curative and rehabilitative related to endodontic field; ...