Influence of Ultrasonic Activation on the Physicochemical Properties of Calcium Silicate-Based Cements.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of ultrasonic activation on the physicochemical properties of setting time (ST), flow (FL), dimensional change (DC), and solubility (SL) of the cements: MTA, MTA Repair HP, and Biodentine®. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two experimental groups were formed according to the cement activation protocol: without ultrasonic activation and with ultrasonic activation. Cements were manipulated according to the manufacturers' instructions. Ultrasonic activation group was performed with an E1 insert at power 3 (24-32 kHz) for 30 s directly in the center of the cement mass. The molds for analysis of the physicochemical properties were filled out and evaluated according to specification No. 57 from ANSI/ADA. The results were analyzed using the ANOVA test (two-way), complemented by Tukey's test (α = 0.05). The distilled water used during the solubility test was submitted to spectrometry to verify the release of calcium ions. The morphologies of the external surface and the cross-section of the samples were analyzed by means of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). RESULTS: For the ST, ultrasonic activation reduced the values of MTA, MTA Repair HP, and Biodentine (P < 0.05). For the FL, ultrasonic activation did not alter the flow of MTA (P > 0.05); however, it increased the flow MTA Repair HP and Biodentine (P < 0.05). For the DC, the percentage values of dimensional change were higher when there was ultrasonic activation in all repair cements (P < 0.05). For SL, there was a reduction in the percentage of the values in MTA and MTA Repair HP (P < 0.05); however, there was no change in the values of Biodentine (P > 0.05). Ultrasonic activation favored the release of calcium ions from all cements. The SEM analysis showed, in general, that the ultrasonic activation reduced and altered the particle shape of the cement. CONCLUSIONS: The ultrasonic activation interfered in the ST, DC, FL, ultrastructural morphology, and calcium release of the repair cements. However, it did not affect the solubility of Biodentine®.

Influence of Root Canal Filling Techniques on Sealer Penetration and Bond Strength to Dentin

Abstract The influence of root canal filling techniques on the penetration of AH Plus into dentinal tubules was evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and the impact on the bond strength of the filling material on the root dentin was evaluated using the push-out test. Roots of the maxillary central incisors (n=40) were prepared with ProTaper Universal and assigned to four groups: lateral condensation, vertical compaction, modified Tagger hybrid and single cone. After root canal filling with gutta-percha and AH Plus, along with the addition of 0.01% fluorescein, the roots were cut into 2-mm slices. CLSM was performed on the first slice of each root third, followed by the push-out test. The second slice was analyzed under SEM. ANOVA demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the root canal filling techniques and the root thirds (p<0.05). For percent penetration, Tukey's test showed that the vertical compaction (91.77±13.51), lateral condensation (89.18±10.91) and modified Tagger hybrid (87.53±15.42) presented the highest values, which significantly differed (p<0.05) from those of the single cone (78.19±22.46). For bond strength (MPa), lateral condensation (3.42±0.54) and vertical compaction (3.47±0.53) had the highest values (p<0.05), while the modified Tagger hybrid (2.19±0.41) and single cone (0.54±0.21) had the lowest. In conclusion, the lateral condensation, vertical compaction and Modified Tagger's hybrid techniques resulted in greater penetration and bond strength to the intra-radicular dentin.

Resumo Avaliou-se a influência da técnica obturadora na penetração do cimento AH Plus nos túbulos dentinários, por meio de microscopia confocal de varredura a laser (MCVL), e o impacto na resistência de união do material obturador à dentina, por meio do teste de push out. Raízes de incisivos centrais superiores (n=40) foram preparadas com ProTaper Universal e distribuídas em 4 grupos: Condensação lateral, Compactação vertical, Híbrida de Tagger Modificada e Cone único. Após obturação com guta percha e AH Plus acrescido de fluoresceína 0,01%, as raízes foram seccionadas em slices de 2,0 mm. O primeiro slice de cada terço foi submetido à MCVL e, posteriormente, ao teste de push out. O segundo slice foi analisado em MEV. ANOVA demonstrou diferença estatisticamente significante para as técnicas obturadoras e terços radiculares (p<0,05). Para o percentual de penetração, Tukey evidenciou que compactação vertical (91,77±13,51), Condensação lateral (89,18±10,91) e Híbrida de Tagger Modificada (87,53±15,42) apresentaram os maiores valores, estatisticamente diferentes (p<0,05) da Cone único (78,19±22,46). Na resistência de união (MPa), Condensação lateral (3,42±0,54) e Compactação vertical (3,47±0,53) obtiveram os maiores valores, diferentes (p<0,05) da Híbrida de Tagger Modificada (2,19±0,41) e da Cone único (0,54±0,21), que teve os menores valores. Concluiu-se que as técnicas obturadoras Condensação lateral, Compactação vertical e Híbrida de Tagger Modificada propiciaram maior penetração e resistência de união à dentina intrarradicular.

Influence of Root Canal Filling Techniques on Sealer Penetration and Bond Strength to Dentin.

The influence of root canal filling techniques on the penetration of AH Plus into dentinal tubules was evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and the impact on the bond strength of the filling material on the root dentin was evaluated using the push-out test. Roots of the maxillary central incisors (n=40) were prepared with ProTaper Universal and assigned to four groups: lateral condensation, vertical compaction, modified Tagger hybrid and single cone. After root canal filling with gutta-percha and AH Plus, along with the addition of 0.01% fluorescein, the roots were cut into 2-mm slices. CLSM was performed on the first slice of each root third, followed by the push-out test. The second slice was analyzed under SEM. ANOVA demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the root canal filling techniques and the root thirds (p<0.05). For percent penetration, Tukey's test showed that the vertical compaction (91.77±13.51), lateral condensation (89.18±10.91) and modified Tagger hybrid (87.53±15.42) presented the highest values, which significantly differed (p<0.05) from those of the single cone (78.19±22.46). For bond strength (MPa), lateral condensation (3.42±0.54) and vertical compaction (3.47±0.53) had the highest values (p<0.05), while the modified Tagger hybrid (2.19±0.41) and single cone (0.54±0.21) had the lowest. In conclusion, the lateral condensation, vertical compaction and Modified Tagger's hybrid techniques resulted in greater penetration and bond strength to the intra-radicular dentin.

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Enhance Physicochemical Characteristics of Grossman Sealer.

INTRODUCTION: Metallic antibacterial nanoparticles have been shown to provide distinct antibacterial advantage and antibiofilm efficacy when applied in infected root canals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of incorporating zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-Np) on the physicochemical properties of Grossman sealer. METHODS: Grossman sealer was prepared according to its original formula. Additionally, 4 experimental sealers were prepared by replacing the zinc oxide component of the powder with ZnO-Np (average size of 20 nm) in different amounts (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%). Characterization of the setting time, flow, solubility, dimensional changes, and radiopacity were performed according to American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/American Dental Association (ADA) Specification 57. Scanning electron microscopic and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analyses were conducted to assess the ultrastructural and chemical characteristics of experimental sealers subjected to the solubility test. Statistical analyses were performed with analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey-Kramer tests with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in the setting time was observed among groups (P < .05), but only 25% ZnO-Np sealer complied with ANSI/ADA requirements. There was a significant difference in the flow characteristics between the control and 25% and 75% ZnO-Np experimental sealers (P < .05), but all sealers conformed to ANSI/ADA standardization; 25% ZnO-Np sealer showed significantly less solubility (1.81% ± 0.31%) and dimensional change (-0.34% ± 0.12%) than other sealers (P < .05). All sealers showed ultrastructural changes with increasing solubility. CONCLUSIONS: ZnO-Np decreased the setting time and dimensional changes characteristic of Grossman sealer; 25% ZnO-Np improved the physicochemical properties of Grossman sealer in accordance with ANSI/ADA requirements.

Quantitative assessment of root canal roughness with calcium-based hypochlorite irrigants by 3D CLSM.

Chemical solutions play important roles in endodontic treatment and promote ultrastructural changes in dentin surface. The aim of this study was to quantify root canal roughness at different concentrations of calcium hypochlorite (Ca(OCl)2) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Fifty-two human mandibular premolars were sectioned and randomly organized into thirteen groups (n=8): saline (control); 1%, 2.5% and 5% NaOCl; 1%, 2.5% and 5% Ca(OCl)2; the hypochlorite groups were further divided into with or without EDTA. The chlorine concentrations of the different solutions were measured by iodine titration (%). The superficial roughness (Sa) was quantified by CLSM. Ca(OCl)2 presented substantial decrease in chlorine concentration that differed from the package indication, but without compromising the dentin ultrastructure changes. There were no significant differences in dentin roughness between Ca(OCl)2 or NaOCl at all studied concentrations. The combination with EDTA provided similar roughness values among the solutions (p>0.05). The 5% Ca(OCl)2 and NaOCl solutions significantly increased dentin roughness and did not differ from the EDTA association (p>0.05). Ca(OCl)2 promoted similar dentin roughness as the NaOCl at the same concentrations and combined with EDTA. It may be concluded that Ca(OCl)2 modified the root canal dentin roughness similarly to NaOCl, at the same concentrations and EDTA combinations used in this study. Ca(OCl)2 and NaOCl, both at 5%, significantly altered dentin roughness, overcoming EDTA association, thus Ca(OCl)2 concentrations ranging from 1% to 2.5% may be suitable solutions for root canal irrigation protocols.