Effect of Unintentionally Extruded Calcium Hydroxide Paste Including Barium Sulfate as a Radiopaquing Agent in Treatment of Teeth with Periapical Lesions: Report of a Case

Calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] has been widely used as short- or long-term intracanal antibacterial dressing material after endodontic treatment. In general when used in endodontics, Ca(OH)2 paste is composed of the powder, a vehicle, and a radiopacifier. To provide radiopacity, barium sulfate (BaSO4) powder is usually added to the paste. In this case report, BaSO4:Ca(OH)2 powders (ratio 1:8) and distilled water were mixed and applied as dressing material after root canals of mandibular left canine and premolar teeth with periapical lesions. However, the prepared paste was unintentionally extruded into the periapical lesion during application. The patient was seen 12 and 36 months later, at which point periapical healing was evaluated. At this time, it was observed that the periapical lesion had disappeared, but white radiopaque spots were seen at the place where calcium hydroxide remnants had originally been present. The presented case report reveals that when Ca(OH)2 paste that included BaSO4 was applied as an intracanal dressing and extruded through the periapical lesion associated with pulpless teeth, it had no detrimental effect. However, healing might take longer when Ca(OH)2 paste including BaSO4 is used, so deliberate overextension is not advocated.