Effect of F-File on removal of the smear layer: a scanning electron microscope study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of F-File with NaOCl on removal of the smear layer. A total of 48 single-rooted teeth were instrumented using crown-down technique with one of the irrigation agents: distilled water, 5.25% NaOCl, RC-Prep, Glyde, MTAD or F-File with NaOCl. The remaining smear layer was scored at cervical, middle and apical thirds of the roots with SEM. In all the canals of experimental groups the coronal sections were cleaner than the middle and apical sections except with distilled water (P<0.001). In the coronal third, intensive smear layer was observed in distilled water, NaOCl and F-File groups and less smear layer in MTAD (P<0.05) and least in RC-Prep and Glyde groups. In the middle third, RC-Prep and Glyde groups had less smear layer than the other groups (P<0.001). In the apical third, there was intensive smear layer in all specimens and statistical analyses showed no significant difference among the groups (P>0.05). The F-file failed to improve the effect of NaOCl in removing smear layer.

Influence of immediate and delayed post space preparation on sealing ability of resilon.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of immediate and delayed post space preparation on the sealing ability of a new root canal filling material. STUDY DESIGN: Seventy-two extracted teeth were prepared and obturated with gutta-percha/AH-Plus and Resilon/Epiphany sealer by the lateral compaction technique. The teeth were divided randomly into 4 groups, and the post space was prepared either immediately after filling or after the obturated teeth had been stored in saline at 37 degrees C for a week. Leakage was determined by a fluid-transport device. RESULTS: The results showed that immediate post space preparation of the Resilon/Epiphany-filled group had a mean leakage value of 0.81 microL/h, whereas the delayed preparation had a mean leakage value of 0.75 microL/h. No difference (P > .05) in microleakage was found between gutta-percha/AH-Plus and Resilon/Epiphany-filled groups after immediate preparation. There was significant difference between gutta-percha/AH-Plus and Resilon/Epiphany groups in the delayed post space preparation (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Epiphany/Resilon obturation achieved better sealing than gutta-percha/AH-Plus at the apical end, especially in delayed post space preparation when mechanical techniques were used.

A case of tularemia presenting as a dental abscess: case report.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this report is to present a tularemia case accompanied by a neck mass that easily may be confounded with dental abscess. SUMMARY: Francisella tularensis is a potential agent of biologic terrorism. Thirty percent of the symptoms seen in tularemia localize in the head and neck region and are sometimes mistaken for complications of a dental abscess. To our knowledge, reports of the differential diagnostic characteristics of tularemia are lacking in the dental literature and, to date, no dental journal articles have focused on the disease. In this present case, a 51-year-old woman arrived at the public health department with high fever and facial swelling. The findings suggested a dental origin and the patient was directed to dentistry. Radiology and a detailed intraoral and extraoral examination failed to reveal a dental problem. Fortunately, the patient was known to come from a tularemia region; with the suspicion of tularemia the patient was referred to the faculty of medicine. Serologic tests showed that the patient had a Francisella tularensis infection.