Funda FUNDAOĞLU KÜÇÜKEKENCİ
Middle Black Sea Journal of Health Science - 2026;12(2):221-232
Objective: To investigate the influence of different access cavity designs on triple antibiotic paste (TAP) -induced discoloration and the efficacy of intracoronal bleaching following regenerative endodontic treatment (RET). Methods: Thirty-six extracted maxillary incisors were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 18) according to access cavity design: traditional (TAC) and conservative (CAC). Following canal preparation, TAP was applied for three weeks to simulate RET disinfection. Color measurements were obtained using a spectrophotometer at baseline (T1), after TAP removal and MTA placement (T2), after the first bleaching session (T3), and after the second bleaching session (T4). Color differences (DeltaE) were calculated using the CIELAB system. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni correction test (alpha=0.05). Results: Both time and access cavity design and their interaction had significant effects on DeltaE (p < 0.001). The TAC group exhibited significantly greater DeltaE values than the CAC group at multiple time intervals (p<0.05). TAP application resulted in clinically perceptible discoloration in both groups (DeltaE>2.7), with greater magnitude in TAC specimens. Intracoronal bleaching significantly reduced discoloration in both groups (p<0.05); however, the progression of color change during bleaching differed according to access cavity design. Conclusion: Access cavity design significantly influences both the degree of TAP-induced discoloration and bleaching outcomes following RET. Conservative access cavity preparation may contribute to improved color stability and enhanced esthetic outcomes.
