Which material is used as a root-end barrier in teeth with an open apex?

Which material is used as a root-end barrier in teeth with an open apex?

• A. MTA
• B. Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2)
• C. Chlorhexidine
• D. Formocresol

Answer: (B)

In immature teeth with an open apex, you need a calcified stop at the end of the root to permit proper sealing during obturation. Calcium hydroxide placed in the canal gradually stimulates the formation of mineralized tissue at the apex, producing a hard-tissue barrier over time. This apexification process creates the necessary apical seal so the canal can later be filled solidly with gutta-percha. While newer materials like MTA can form a rapid apical plug in a single visit, calcium hydroxide has long been used specifically to induce that apical barrier in teeth that lack a closed apex.

In immature teeth with an open apex, you need a calcified stop at the end of the root to permit proper sealing during obturation. Calcium hydroxide placed in the canal gradually stimulates the formation of mineralized tissue at the apex, producing a hard-tissue barrier over time. This apexification process creates the necessary apical seal so the canal can later be filled solidly with gutta-percha. While newer materials like MTA can form a rapid apical plug in a single visit, calcium hydroxide has long been used specifically to induce that apical barrier in teeth that lack a closed apex.