Intratubular Sealer Penetration: Scanning Electron Microscopy Associated with Cathodoluminescence Analysis.

AIM: The aim of the study was to compare the ability of three endodontic sealers, Endofill (END), AH Plus (AHP), and Sealer Plus BC (SPB), to penetrate dentinal tubules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five human teeth, single-rooted and previously instrumented mandibular premolars, were randomly divided into three experimental groups (n = 15): END (n = 15), AHP (n = 15), and SPB (n = 15). After obturation, dental sections were performed horizontally, at 2 and 5 mm from the root apex. The samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy associated with cathodoluminescence. Percentage penetration (PP%) and maximum penetration depth (MPD) of the sealers were evaluated by the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests, for general and paired data, respectively. The Wilcoxon test was applied to analyze the differences between the 5 and 2 mm distances. A 5% significance level was adopted. RESULTS: As for PP%, AHP and SPB were similar (p = 0.127) and presented higher values than END (AHP, p = 0.024 and SPB, p <0.001); with regard to MPD, AHP and SPB did not differ either (p = 0.450), but were higher than END (p <0.001); in both analyses, penetration was greater at 5 mm than at 2 mm (p <0.001). CONCLUSION: SPB showed satisfactory performance in penetrating dentinal tubules, being similar to AHP, and superior to END. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Greater penetration of sealer into the dentinal tubules may increase the chance of successful endodontic treatment.

The luminous transmittance of the quartz-glass fiber posts is superior to glass fiber posts.

Fiber-reinforced prefabricated intraarticular posts have gained popularity due to several favorable characteristics for clinical use compared to metallic intraradicular posts. AIM: To evaluate the light transmission capacity of two types of fiber posts, using two different methods. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The posts were divided into two groups: experimental group - quartz-glass fiber posts (n=10) and control group - glass fiber posts (n=10). The light transmittance of the samples was compared by means of light intensity test by photographs and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer. This test was analyzed by thirds: coronal, middle, and apical. The spectophotometer tested the luminous transmittance along the length of the post. The statistical analysis was conducted with a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: Light transmission was 97% on the coronal third, 68% in the middle third, and 27.66% in the apical third in the posts of the experimental group. In the posts of the control group, the light transmission was 95.33% in the coronal third, 80.66% in the middle third, and 41.33% in the apical third. Light transmission was significantly higher in the middle third of the posts of the experimental group when compared to the control group (p<0.05). The luminous transmittance of the posts of the experimental group was 97.4% with wavelengths of 400 nm, 97% at 450 and 500 nm, and 96.9% at 550 nm. In the posts of the control group, the luminous transmittance was 72.3% with wavelengths of 400 nm, 68.6% at 450 nm; 64.6% at 500 nm and 61.5% at 550 nm. The posts of the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher light transmittance than the control group (p<0.001).

Os pinos intra-articulares pré-fabricados reforçados com fibras têm ganhado popularidade devido a várias características favoráveis ao uso clínico em comparação com os pinos intra-radiculares metálicos). Objetivo: Avaliar a capacidade de transmissão de luz de dois tipos de pinos de fibra, usando dois métodos diferentes. Materiais e Método: Os pinos foram divididos em dois grupos: grupo experimental - pinos de fibra de vidro de quartzo e grupo controle - pinos de fibra de vidro. A transmitância de luz das amostras foi comparada por meio de teste de intensidade de luz por fotografias e espectrofotômetro ultravioleta-visível. Este teste foi analisado por terços: coronal, médio e apical. O espectrofotômetro testou a transmitância luminosa ao longo do comprimento do pino. A análise estatística foi realizada com nível de significância de 0,05. Resultados: A transmissão luminosa foi de 97% no terço coronal, 68% no terço médio e 27,66% no terço apical nos pinos do grupo experimental. Nos pinos do grupo controle, a transmissão de luz foi de 95,33% no terço coronal, 80,66% no terço médio e 41,33% no terço apical. A transmissão luminosa foi significativamente maior no terço médio dos pinos do grupo experimental quando comparado ao grupo controle (p<0,05). A transmitância luminosa dos pinos do grupo experimental foi de 97,4% com comprimento de onda de 400 nm, 97% em 450 e 500 nm e 96,9% em 550 nm. Nos postes do grupo controle, a transmitância luminosa foi de 72,3% com comprimento de onda de 400 nm, 68,6% em 450 nm; 64,6% a 500 nm e 61,5% a 550 nm. Os pinos do grupo experimental demonstraram transmitância de luz significativamente maior do que o grupo controle (p<0,001). Conclusão: a transmitância luminosa dos pinos de fibra de vidro de quartzo é maior do que pinos de fibra de vidro.