Iatrogenic perforations negatively impact the outcome of endodontic treatments. Studies on prognostic factors showed that perforations in the coronal third of the root with periodontal pocket formation have an unfavorable prognosis. A 36-year-old female was referred for endodontic evaluation of tooth #13 with a history of an iatrogenic perforation, happened 3 years ago. There was a sinus tract associated with perforation, 10 mm probing on the mesial and mesio-palatal, bleeding on probing, radiolucent lesion adjacent to the perforation and complete resorption of the interdental bone between teeth #13 and #12. After the treatment options were discussed, she chose to save the tooth. The tooth was accessed under rubber dam isolation, the perforation site was cleaned and disinfected using 0.5% sodium hypochlorite and sealed with calcium-enriched mixture cement. Eighteen months after treatment the tooth was functional and asymptomatic. The probing depths were normal without bleeding on probing. Radiographically, the interdental crestal bone formed between teeth #13 and #12. Despite all negative prognostic factors in this case (i.e., perforations in the coronal third, pocket formation, and radiolucent lesion), healing was unexpectedly achieved via non-surgical repair of the perforation. Further research on biological aspects of healing in the periodontium following iatrogenic perforations are recommended.

Advancements in bio-ceramic technology has revolutionised endodontic material science by enhancing the treatment outcome for patients. This class of dental materials conciliates excellent biocompatibility with high osseoconductivity that render them ideal for endodontic care. Few recently introduced bio-ceramic materials have shown considerable clinical success over their early generations in terms of good handling characteristics. Calcium enriched mixture (CEM) cement, Endosequence sealer, and root repair materials, Biodentine and BioAggregate are the new classes of bio-ceramic materials. The aim of this literature review is to present investigations regarding properties and applications of CEM cement in endodontics. A review of the existing literature was performed by using electronic and hand searching methods for CEM cement from January 2006 to December 2013. CEM cement has a different chemical composition from that of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) but has similar clinical applications. It combines the biocompatibility of MTA with more efficient characteristics, such as significantly shorter setting time, good handling characteristics, no staining of tooth and effective seal against bacterial leakage.

This article presents the successful surgical management of a failed mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) orthograde obturation of a tooth with a history of impact trauma and perforated internal root resorption. A symptomatic maxillary lateral incisor with a history of perforation due to internal root resorption and nonsurgical repair using MTA was referred. Unintentional overfill of the defect with MTA had occurred 4 yr before the initial visit. The excess MTA had since disappeared, and a radiolucent lesion adjacent to the perforation site was evident radiographically. Surgical endodontic retreatment was performed using calcium enriched mixture (CEM) cement as a repair material. Histological examination of the lesion revealed granulation tissue with chronic inflammation, and small fragments of MTA encapsulated within fibroconnective tissue. At the one and two year follow up exams, all signs and symptoms of disease had resolved and the tooth was functional. Complete radiographic healing of the lesion was observed two years after the initial visit. This case report illustrates how the selection of an appropriate approach to treatment of a perforation can affect the long term prognosis of a tooth. In addition, extrusion of MTA into a periradicular lesion should be avoided.