Dens invaginatus is a growth deformity mainly affecting the superior lateral incisors. It is considered a developmental anomaly and its main characteristic is crown invagination prior to the occurrence of tooth calcification ( Rajendran & Sivapathasundharam, 2009). As it is a developmental anomaly, its pathogenetic mechanism is not yet well understood; however, the deformation is through to be due to excessive pressure during dental arch formation, internal enamel epithelium growth failure, rapid and aggressive proliferation, alteration of the enamel, tooth germ accidental fusion or infection process, or trauma injuries ( Hülsmann, 1997). In the literature, its incidence ranges from 0.04% to 10% ( Hovland & Block, 1977; Rotstein et al., 1987) and the maxillary lateral incisors are considered the most affected ( Marwah et al., 2009).

Dens invaginatus is grouped into three categories according to the degree of invagination. Type I characterizes an enamel invagination well delimited to the tooth crown; type II is a delimited type of enamel that surrounds the root and can interconnect with the pulp; type III is a severe condition in which invagination exceeds the limit of the cementoenamel junction generating a second foramen ( Oehlers, 1957).

The root canal system of dens invaginatus is characterized by morphologic and anatomic complexity, thus, the diagnoses and treatment planning of such cases is considered difficult ( Wayama et al., 2014). Treatment approaches include the sealing of the invagination, surgical or non-surgical endodontic treatment, one-step apexification technique or tooth extraction ( Demartis et al., 2009; Wayama et al., 2014). This case series presents nonsurgical endodontic treatment in two cases of dens invaginatus (type II and III) in maxillary lateral incisors.

A 10-year-old male was indicated to treat the right maxillary lateral incisor. Upon palpation, the patient related positive responses to percussion and palpation in the apical region. Intra-oral examination showed a small change in shape on the crown, without presence of caries or color alteration. Radiographic examination revealed dens invaginatus type III associated with periradicular lesion ( Figure 1A).

The tooth had primary and secondary canals, the secondary canal with incomplete apex and associated radiolucent area. The patient had a good general health, without anterior dental trauma history. Conventional root canal treatment was indicated.

The patient received local anesthesia (Citanest 3% - Dentsply, York, Pennsylvania, USA), absolute isolation took place, and access cavity was carried out, with two root canals being located separately without communication. Both canals presented necrotic pulp.

The canals were negotiated using size 35 K-flexofile (Dentsply-Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite NaOCl (Biodinâmica, Ibiporã, PR, Brasil). The working length was measured by using Root ZX apex locator (J. Morita, Kyoto, Japan). The primary canal was instrumented through step-back technique using manual instrument, size 60 K-file (Dentsply-Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland), and then the cervical third of the root canal was widened using Gates-Glidden drills. The secondary canal (invagination) was prepared with a size 90 K-file with abundant irrigation with 2.5% NaOCl.

The final irrigation of both canals was carried out with 5 mL of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) for 3 minutes activated by ultrasonic stream (Jet Sonic Gnatus Medical and Dental Equipment, Brazil), 5 mL of sterile saline solution to rinse out the EDTA, and sterile paper points used to dry the canals. The intra canal medication used was calcium hydroxide Ca(OH) ₂ paste (Calen, SSWhite, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil) for 14 days, the paste was spatulated over a sterile glass plate with a sterile saline solution in a proportion of 1:1 (powder: saline solution), obtaining a tooth paste-like texture

Then the patient returned for a second visit, and the tooth was asymptomatic. Clinical examination revealed no positive responses for vertical percussion or digital palpation and the soft tissues were healthy; Ca(OH) ₂ was removed. The root canals were obturated by means of thermo-mechanical compactors size 35 (Dentsply-Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and lateral condensation technique was performed using gutta-percha cones (Tanari, Tanariman Industrial Ltda, Amazonas, Brazil) and Sealapex sealer cement (SybronEndo Kerr, Romulus Michigan, USA) ( Figure 1B). The access cavity was restored with a light cured composite resin (Z100 – 3M ESPE, Minnesota, USA).

Clinical and radiographic controls sessions were carried out at 6, 12 and 18 months after treatment ( Figure 1C). During the follow-up period, no signs and symptoms related to the respected tooth were reported by the patient. Bone neoformation was noticed in the periapical area. Figure 2 shows cone beam computed tomography 6-years after root canal treatment.

A 11-year-old female patient was referred for endodontic treatment, indicating sensitivity to palpation in tooth 12 and recurrent sinus tract in the vestibular area of the tooth. Endodontic treatment had been begun 8 months previously by a general practitioner, in which only one canal was located. After several unsuccessful intracanal medication changes, the practitioner referred the patient to treatment with an endodontic specialist.

Radiographic examination showed the presence of dens invaginatus type II associated with periradicular lesion ( Figure 3A). A negative response to pulp sensitivity test occurred in this area.

At the first visit, after intra- and extra-oral clinical examination, the sinus tract was screened and the tooth anesthetized (Citanest 3% - Dentsply, York, Pennsylvania, USA). A rubber dam was applied, the access cavity was modified, and a second canal (invagination) was located. The root canals were negotiated with 15 K-flexofile (Dentsply-Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and irrigated with 2.5% NaOCl.

The working length was measured using Root ZX apex locator. The primary canal was instrumented through step-back technique using manual instrument, a size 50 K-file (Dentsply-Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland), and then the cervical third of the root canal was widened using Gates-Glidden drills. The second canal was prepared to a size 40 K-file using 2.5% NaOCl without use of Gates-Glidden drills.

During the instrumentation, the canals were irrigated with 2.5% NaOCl, finally rinsing with 5 mL of 17% EDTA for 3 minutes activated by ultrasonic stream. The EDTA was rinsed out using 5 mL of sterile saline solution. After drying with paper points, the canals were filled with Ca(OH) ₂ paste.

Fourteen days later, the patient related no signs and symptoms of the treated tooth and the sinus tract had cured. At this second visit, the canals were obturated with gutta-percha cones and AH Plus cement (Dentsply DeTrey GmbH, Germany) ( Figure 3B) using lateral condensation technique and the tooth was sealed with composite resin in the same session. Clinical and radiographic control of the case was performed at 6, 12 and 18 months, showing complete periapical repair ( Figure 3C). The patient underwent orthodontic treatment after the end of root canal treatment. The patient was lost to follow-up and did not come back for cone beam tomography after 6-years of the root treatment.

Successful endodontics treatment requires debridement and disinfection of the entire root canal system; however, complex root canal morphologic variations make the management of dens invaginatus a challenge ( Narayana et al., 2012). Conventional endodontic treatment of dens invaginatus is commonly difficult and complicated, particularly when large periapical lesions are associated ( Lichota et al., 2008). Nevertheless with periradicular lesion dimensions, nonsurgical endodontic treatment must be considered before any surgical treatment ( Pai et al., 2004; Wayama et al., 2014).

Dens invaginatus requires as early as possible diagnosis planning and treatment execution, and generally is found during radiographic investigation ( Er et al., 2007). Patients often look for a professional due to acute pain or sinus tract presence. During endodontic treatment, the mechanical instrumentation of the invaginated canal might presents technical difficulties ( Lichota et al., 2008).

The management of such cases when presented with necrotic pulp can be either be treatment with conventional endodontic treatment, surgical treatment, combined endodontic treatment and periapical surgery, intentional reimplantation, or tooth removal ( Beltes, 1997; Chaniotis et al., 2008; Wayama et al., 2014). The patient’s age and physical condition, and the case complication and variability are factors that can affect the treatment decision ( Beltes, 1997). However, type II or III dens invaginatus cases with periapical lesion, could be managed successfully through conventional endodontic treatment, and considered successful as it results in lesion regression ( Lichota et al., 2008; Pai et al., 2004).

In previous cases ( Alessandro et al., 2018; Gound & Maixner, 2004; Nallapati, 2004; Soares et al., 2017), an upper lateral incisor with type III dens invaginatus associated with periradicular lesion and vital pulp in a separate root canal have been managed non-surgically or surgically. The maintenance of pulp vitality of the main canal is possible once the invagination presents no connection with the root canal system ( de Sousa & Bramante, 1998). When one of the canals is vital but there is contact between the two canals, a pulpotomy ( Kunert et al., 2017) or pulpectomy in the vital canal can be performed. In the literature, intervention in the main canal may not be necessary, especially in cases where the main canal has vital pulp or when there is no anatomical communication with the invaginated canal ( Gonçalves et al., 2002).

Root canals are instrumented with manual files ( Goel et al., 2017; Kumar et al., 2014; Rodekirchen et al., 2006; Soares et al., 2017). In the present cases, the widening of the main canal with hand K-files was possible and safe but required more attention and prolonged sessions. The use of microscopy can help to define the access of the invagination and contribute in following preparations. The invagination can be cleaned and shaped with manual or rotary instruments, even if the use of rotary instrumentation within the lesion of type II dens invaginatus is not endorsed due to the fact that the surface is predominantly enclosed by enamel and has varying shapes, which may increase the possibility of endodontic instrument fracture ( Bishop & Alani, 2008).

In many cases, after the instrumentation with manual files and irrigation with NaOCl, Ca(OH) ₂ paste was primarily selected as an intracanal medication ( Gound & Maixner, 2004; Nallapati, 2004; Rodekirchen et al., 2006; Soares et al., 2017; Zhang & Wei, 2017). Ca(OH) ₂ is the first choice intracanal medication due to its antibacterial action ( Gound & Maixner, 2004) and dissolution of organic tissue capacity ( Hasselgren et al., 1988). Ca(OH) ₂ accompanied with various vehicles can also prevent microbial growth ( Vianna et al., 2005) and detoxifies residual lipopolysaccharide ( Tanomaru et al., 2003). Antibiotic paste when used as an intracanal medication shows an additional effect in serious infections ( Goel et al., 2017). This requires changing the paste at various times, with intervals of one month for each one and at least for 3 months ( Zhang & Wei, 2017).

Case 1 presented here was classified as dens invaginatus type III. This type of invagination allows the entrance of irritations into the periradicular area, and thus results in periapical pathology ( Gonçalves et al., 2002; Jung, 2004).

Recently, pulp revascularization was introduced as a method to treat immature teeth with open apex ( Yang et al., 2013). This treatment shows that apexification and total healing of the periradicular lesion occurred, showing the relevance of conservative treatment; however, surgical management may be performed in cases in which the traditional conservative management is not preferred ( Wayama et al., 2014).

Computed tomographic scanning is indicated for anatomically complex cases and difficult diagnosis making ( Demartis et al., 2009; Wayama et al., 2014). Even more, cone beam computed tomography aids in treatment planning and execution ( Kaneko et al., 2011; Patel, 2010).

Dens invaginatus associated with periapical lesion can be managed with nonsurgical endodontic treatment, which can result in acceptable periradicular curing ( Er et al., 2007). The two cases presented were followed up clinically and radiographically for 18 months, indicating that healing had occurred through the bone neoformation. At 6-year follow-up, cone-beam computed tomography was performed for case 1. Both patients did not report signs, symptoms or problems with the respected teeth at follow-up visits.

All data underlying the results are available as part of the article and no additional source data are required.