Effect of aquatine endodontic cleanser on smear layer removal in the root canals of ex vivo human teeth

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to measure and compare the root canal cleanliness and smear layer removal effectiveness of Aquatine Endodontic Cleanser (Aquatine EC) when used as an endodontic irrigating solution in comparison with 6 percent sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-five human teeth were randomly allocated to five treatment groups; the pulp chamber was accessed, cleaned, and shaped by using ProTaper and ProFile rotary instrumentation to an ISO size #40. The teeth were then processed for scanning electron microscopy, and the root canal cleanliness and removal of smear layer were examined. RESULTS: The most effective removal of smear layer occurred with Aquatine EC and NaOCl, both with a rinse of EDTA. CONCLUSIONS: Aquatine EC appears to be the first hypochlorous acid approved by the FDA to be a possible alternative to the use of NaOCl as an intracanal irrigant. Further research is needed to identify safer and more effective alternatives to the use of NaOCl irrigation in endodontics.

Systemic evaluation of various haemostatic agents following local application prior to direct pulp capping / Avaliação sistêmica de vários agentes hemostáticos aplicados imediatamente no local, antecedendo o capeamento da polpa dentária direta

Limited physiological information is available regarding the role of hemostatic agents to control the success of direct pulp capping treatment in order to help save vital pulps from pulpotomy, pulpectomy or extraction. The aim of this study was to test whether placement of various hemostatic agents would alter short-term pulp healing following direct pulp capping. Class V cavity preparationswith pulp exposures were prepared in 31-nonhuman primate teeth, pulp hemorrhage was controlled by placement of epinephrine, Consepsis®, sodium hypochlorite or combinations of these agents. Each exposure was then direct capped with composite resin and then observed immediately or after 13, and 28-days. Histologicalexamination of pulp healing was conducted according to ISO standards for pulp inflammation, soft tissue organization, reactionary and reparative dentin bridge formation. Physiological measurement of heart rate and blood pressure were continuously recorded during thethree operative procedures. Local pulp treatment with the various hemostatic agents did not alter systemic blood pressure or heart rate during local pulp application. All hemostatic treatments provided acceptable biocompatibility. Minor differences in pulp healing wereobserved, but there were no statistically significant differences between treatments (Peõ0.05). We conclude that hemostatic treatment had little effect on systemic pulp physiology or healing