Evaluation of bone healing using fractal analysis in immature permanent teeth with apical periodontitis treated with three different techniques.

AIM: To evaluate the time-dependent alterations in fractal dimension (FD) of the periapical bone in IPTs treated with calcium hydroxide (CH) apexification, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) apexification, or regenerative endodontic treatment (RET). METHODS: A total of 70 teeth were divided into three groups (CH group: n = 25, MTA group: n = 22, RET group: n = 23) and retrospectively evaluated. In each case, the FD value of the periapical bone was calculated using fractal analysis (FA) on pre-treatment and 1-year post-treatment periapical radiographic images. RESULTS: In all the groups, the FD values were significantly greater at the 1-year follow-up than at baseline (p˂0.001). The FD increase in the MTA group was significantly greater than that in the CH group (p < 0.05). The FD increase in the RET group was similar to that in the MTA group; however, no statistically significant difference was observed between the RET group and the other two groups. (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: It is observed that higher success is achieved in the treatment of IPTs with MTA apexification and RET.