Influence of chelating solutions on tubular dentin sealer penetration: A systematic review with network meta-analysis.

This systematic review assessed the influence of conventional final irrigation with chelating solutions (CS) on tubular dentin sealer penetration (TDSP). The literature search was conducted in eight electronic databases using MeSH, DeCS, EMTREE and free terms. The study protocol followed the PRISMA guidelines and was registered on the PROSPERO database (CRD42020203080). Twelve studies were included, and a qualitative synthesis and network meta-analysis of the data were performed. The risk of bias of the studies was assessed using an adaptation of the JBI Critical Appraisal tool. QMix was the solution with the highest probability of having the highest percentage of TDSP in the apical (34.1%), middle (86.5%) and coronal (97.7%) thirds. Eleven studies presented a moderate risk of bias, whereas one study presented a high risk of bias. In conclusion, CS improves sealer penetration into the dentinal tubules with QMix demonstrating superior results.

Accuracy of the dental pulp sensibility test using cold spray for the diagnosis of pulp diseases: an observational clinical study

The dental pulp sensibility test is one of the main auxiliary resources for the diagnosis of pulp pathologies, and its accuracy is still debatable. This cross-sectional observational study evaluated the accuracy of the pulp sensibility test (PST) using cold spray (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane) for the diagnosis of pulp diseases and determined the effect of individual and clinical variables on the reliability of this test. The paper was designed following the STROBE statement. Sixty patients with indications for primary endodontic treatment were selected and examined from August 2017 to July 2018. Data collection was performed through interviews, clinical/radiographic examinations and the PST. The results of the cold test, along with data on sex, age, the tooth type regarding the root number, and the presence of restorations and caries, as well as the recent consumption of analgesics, were recorded. The presence of bleeding within the pulp chamber was used as the gold standard to compare with the clinical diagnosis and to identify the true-positive, false-positive, true-negative, and false-negative responses. The accuracy of PST achieved in subgroups of individual and clinical variables was compared using the chi-square test with a significance level of 5% (p < 0.05). The PST with the use of cold spray showed a sensitivity of 0.88, a specificity of 1.00, a positive predictive value of 1.00, a negative predictive value of 0.86, and an accuracy of 0.93. The accuracy of the cold spray was not affected by individual or clinical variables. The PST with the use of cold spray is an accurate and reliable method for determining the diagnosis of pulp diseases, especially in cases of pulp vitality or irreversible pulpitis.

Influence of glide path kinematics during endodontic treatment on the occurrence and intensity of intraoperative and postoperative pain: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Preliminary canal enlargement (glide path preparation) may play a significant role in the development of pain. The aim of this systematic review of randomized clinical trials was to assess the influence of glide path kinematics during endodontic treatment on the occurrence and intensity of intraoperative and postoperative pain. METHODS: A search was performed in June 2019 in six electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, LILACS, SciELO, Embase and Web of Science) and two grey literature databases (OpenGrey and OpenThesis). The bibliographic references of the eligible articles were also hand-searched. The included clinical studies assessed the occurrence and intensity of intraoperative and/or postoperative pain after root canal preparation without glide path preparation (WGP) or with glide path preparation using manual (M-GP), continuous rotary (CR-GP), or reciprocating (R-GP) instruments. The primary outcome was the occurrence and intensity of intraoperative and postoperative pain, while analgesic consumption was the secondary outcome. The full texts of the eligible studies were analyzed by two reviewers who performed calibration exercises to verify the risk of bias and quality of the individual studies using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tool. RESULTS: From 1283 identified articles, only six studies were included in the qualitative analysis of the results, with a total sample of 884 patients/teeth. Three studies presented a high risk of bias, while three studies presented a moderate risk. Two studies reported that CR-GP causes lower pain levels than M-GP and WGP, and three studies showed no differences between CR-GP and R-GP. Regarding analgesic consumption, two studies found no differences among glide path kinematics, and one study reported lower consumption for CR-GP than for M-GP. Because of the limited number of studies and methodological differences, no statistical analyses were performed for the glide path kinematics comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: Compelling evidence indicating a significantly different occurrence and intensity of pain among glide path kinematics is lacking. The systematic review protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database [CRD42020139989].