Persistent apical periodontitis associated with a calcifying odontogenic cyst.

AIM: To report a case of calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) that was suggestive of apical periodontitis adjacent to the roots of the maxillary incisor teeth. SUMMARY: Tooth 21 presented with clinical and radiographic signs of secondary infection, a post within the root canal and substantial internal tooth destruction; it was scheduled for endodontic surgery. Teeth 12 and 22 were root filled following the placement of a calcium hydroxide intracanal dressing for 21 days. Three attempts at root canal disinfection in tooth 11 were unsuccessful, and a persistent purulent drainage precluded completion of root canal treatment. Surgical enucleation of the periapical lesion was undertaken and the tissues submitted for histopathological examination. A diagnosis of COC was established based on the microscopic analysis. COC is an unusual benign lesion that represents 2% of all odontogenic lesions. Depending on the stage of development, it can mimic a large lesion associated with apical periodontitis and should therefore be considered in the differential diagnosis. In the case of COC, the definitive diagnosis can only be made with histopathological analysis. KEY LEARNING POINTS: Persistent apical periodontitis may be of nonendodontic origin. * Histological examination is essential to establish the cause of persistent apical periodontitis. * Calcifying odontogenic cyst can mimic apical periodontitis.

Antimicrobial and chemical study of MTA, Portland cement, calcium hydroxide paste, Sealapex and Dycal.

The objective of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial action of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), Portland cement, calcium hydroxide paste (CHP), Sealapex and Dycal. The chemical elements of MTA and two Portland cements were also analyzed. Four standard bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633), one wild fungus, Candida albicans (ICB/USP-562), and one mixture of these were used. Thirty Petri plates with 20 ml of BHI agar were inoculated with 0.1 ml of the experimental suspensions. Three cavities, each one measuring 4 mm in depth and 4 mm in diameter, were made in each agar plate using a copper coil and then completely filled with the product to be tested. The plates were pre-incubated for 1 h at environmental temperature followed by incubation at 37 degrees C for 48 h. The diameters of the zones of microbial inhibition were then measured. Samples from diffusion and inhibition halos were extracted from each plate and immersed in 7 ml BHI broth and incubated at 37 degrees C for 48 h. Analyses of chemical elements present in MTA and in two samples of Portland cement were performed with a fluorescence spectrometer Rx. The results showed that the antimicrobial activity of CHP was superior to those of MTA, Portland cement, Sealapex and Dycal, for all microorganisms tested, presenting inhibition zones of 6-9.5 mm and diffusion zones of 10-18 mm. MTA, Portland cement, and Sealapex presented only diffusion zones and among these, Sealapex produced the largest zone. Dycal did not show inhibition or diffusion zones. Portland cements contain the same chemical elements as MTA except that MTA also contains bismuth.

Effect of vehicle on antimicrobial properties of calcium hydroxide pastes.

The current discussion about the importance of intracanal dressings and the effect of vehicles on calcium hydroxide pastes is justified by controversy concerning the achievement of complete disinfection after preparation of infected root canals and the real antimicrobial effect of these vehicles. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of vehicles in the antimicrobial effect of calcium hydroxide pastes. Well-conducted research about the characteristics of calcium hydroxide, such as antimicrobial potential, physico-chemical aspects and histocompatibility, gives credibility to the choice of this medication in several clinical situations. Different vehicles have been added to calcium hydroxide in an attempt to enhance its properties. Scientific reasoning indicates the use of hydrosoluble vehicles (distilled water, saline) associated with calcium hydroxide because of their chemical characteristics of dissociation, diffusibility and filling capability which are decisive for the biological behavior, i.e., antimicrobial qualities and induction of tissue repair.

Antimicrobial efficacy of ozonated water, gaseous ozone, sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine in infected human root canals.

AIM: To determine the antimicrobial efficacy of ozonated water, gaseous ozone, sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine in human root canals infected by Enterococcus faecalis. METHODOLOGY: Thirty human maxillary anterior teeth were prepared and inoculated with E. faecalis for 60 days. Eppendorf tubes were connected to the coronal portion of the teeth. Urethane hoses were attached to the tubes and to the entrance of a peristaltic pump. The exit of the apparatus corresponded to the apical portion of the root canals. The test irrigating solutions were ozonated water, gaseous ozone, 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2% chlorhexidine that circulated at a constant flow of 50 mL min(-1) for 20 min. Samples from the root canals were collected and immersed in 7 mL Letheen Broth (LB), followed by incubation at 37 degrees C for 48 h. Bacterial growth was analysed by turbidity of the culture medium and subculture on a specific nutrient broth. A 0.1 mL inoculum obtained from LB was transferred to 7 mL of brain heart infusion and incubated at 37 degrees C for 48 h. Bacterial growth was checked by turbidity of the culture medium carried out in triplicate. RESULTS: No solution used as an irrigant over a 20-min contact time demonstrated an antimicrobial effect against E. faecalis. CONCLUSION: The irrigation of infected human root canals with ozonated water, 2.5% NaOCl, 2% chlorhexidine and the application of gaseous ozone for 20 min was not sufficient to inactivate E. faecalis.