The Preventive Effect of A Magnetic Nanoparticle-Modified Root Canal Sealer on Persistent Apical Periodontitis.

Persistent apical periodontitis is a critical challenge for endodontists. Developing root canal filling materials with continuous antibacterial effects and tightly sealed root canals are essential strategies to avoid the failure of root canal therapy and prevent persistent apical periodontitis. We modified the EndoREZ root canal sealer with the antibacterial material dimethylaminododecyl methacrylate (DMADDM) and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The mechanical properties of the modified root canal sealer were tested. The biocompatibility of this sealer was verified in vitro and in vivo. Multispecies biofilms were constructed to assess the antibacterial effects of the modified root canal sealer. We applied magnetic fields and examined the extent of root canal sealer penetration in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that EndoREZ sealer containing 2.5% DMADDM and 1% MNP had biological safety and apical sealing ability. In addition, the modified sealer could increase the sealer penetration range and exert significant antibacterial effects on multispecies biofilms under an external magnetic field. According to the in vivo study, the apices of the root canals with the sealer containing 2.5% DMADDM and 1% MNP showed no significant resorption and exhibited only a slight increase in the periodontal ligament space, with a good inhibitory effect on persistent apical periodontitis.

The effect of endodontics and crown restoration techniques on the prognosis of treatment non-vital teeth.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: It is generally accepted that the prognosis of endodontic treatment positively correlates with the technical quality of root filling. This seems logical in the sense that the root filling is intended to create a bacterial tight seal on the root canal, so oral bacteria cannot reach the periapical tissues and cause disease. The materials that are available to seal the root canal system are not flawed, and a number of studies using different methods have suggested that even seeming adequate root fillers may not be effective over time. The aim of the study was to evaluate the possible relationship between the quality of restorative crown of the tooth, obturation of the root canal and the periapical status of the teeth that were subjected to endodontic treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: A series of X-ray images of randomly selected outpatient cards from patients in the dental department of the Dnipropetrovsk State Medical Academy clinic were investigated. A total of 1001 teeth that were subjected to endodontic treatment, restored by permanent restoration, were evaluated independently by two experts. According to the predetermined set of radiological criteria, the quality of filling the root canals of the tooth was assessed as good (GE), or poor (PE). In turn, the quality of thetooth crown restoration was also evaluated and recognized as good (GR) or poor (PR). Subsequently, the roots of the teeth and surrounding tissues were investigated, and according to existing or present abnormalities, the outcome of treatment was determined to be either successful or unsuccessful. RESULTS: Results: The successful outcome of endodontic treatment among all the teeth tested was found at 66.4& (n = 1001). The positive result of treatment of teeth with root posts reached 72.7& (n = 527), the success of treatment of teeth without pins was 64.6& (n = 472). The effectiveness of dental treatment, where the technically satisfactory endodontics was found to be the highest. Thus, in combination with technically satisfactory restorations, the success rate reached 82& (GE + GR), and when the restoration was technically unsatisfactory, positive results of treatment were observed in 72& of cases (GE + PR). At the same time, in those groups where endodontics was considered technically unsatisfactory, the positive result of treatment was observed significantly less often, in combination with unsatisfactory restoration, only 55& (PE + GR). If restorations were satisfactory, then somewhat more often, in 57& of the examined teeth (PE + PR). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Thus, according to the results of the X-ray assessment of non-vital teeth, it became clear that in order to achieve a positive result, technically qualitative endodontics is more important, with the same characteristic of restoration of the crown of the tooth.

Treatment outcomes of single-visit versus multiple-visit non-surgical endodontic therapy: a randomised clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Clincians have been providing single-visit and multiple-visit endodontic treatments for their patients. This study aims to compare the success rate, prevalence of postoperative pain and chairside time of single-visit and multiple-visit endodontic treatments. METHOD: Patients who required primary endodontic treatment in a university dental clinic were randomly allocated to two general dentists for single-visit or multiple-visit treatments using the same materials and procedures. Ni-Ti rotary files were used to prepare the root canals, which were subsequently obturated with a core-carrier technique. The chairside time was recorded. The treated teeth were followed up every 6 months on clinically signs and symptoms including pain, tenderness to percussion, sinus tract, mobility and abscess. Periapical radiographs were taken to assess periapical pathology. Successful treatments were neither clinical signs/symptoms noted nor radiographic periapical pathology found postoperatively. RESULTS: A total of 220 teeth from patients aged 46.4 ± 14.1 were followed up for at least 18 months. The mean (±SD) follow-up period was 29.4 ± 9.3 months. The success rates of single-visit and multiple-visit treatments were 88.9 and 87.4 %, respectively (p = 0.729, effect size odds ratio = 1.156). Maxillary teeth had odds ratios of 3.16 (95 % CI: 1.33 to 7.46; p = 0.009) and absence of preoperative apical periodontitis had odds ratios of 4.35 (95 % CI: 1.43 to 13.24; p = 0.010) were identified from logistic regression as having a higher success rate. The average chairside times of single-visit and multiple-visit treatments were 62.0 and 92.9 min, respectively (mean difference = -30.9, 95 % CI: -39.4 to -22.4, p < 0.001, effect size odds ratio = -0.996). Single-visit and multiple-visit treatment had no significant difference in the prevalence of postoperative pain within 7 days (21 and 12 %, p = 0.055, effect size odds ratio = 2.061) and after at least 18 months (0.9 and 1.0 %, p > 0.999, effect size odds ratio = 0.879). CONCLUSIONS: The success rate and prevalence of postoperative pain of single-visit or multiple-visit treatment had no significant difference. The chairside time for single-visit treatment was shorter than multiple-visit treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials (WHO) ChiCTR-IOR-15006117 registered on 20 March 2015.

RNA interference-mediated silencing of Atp6i prevents both periapical bone erosion and inflammation in the mouse model of endodontic disease.

Dental caries is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases in the United States, affecting approximately 80% of children and the majority of adults. Dental caries may lead to endodontic disease, where the bacterial infection progresses to the root canal system of the tooth, leading to periapical inflammation, bone erosion, severe pain, and tooth loss. Periapical inflammation may also exacerbate inflammation in other parts of the body. Although conventional clinical therapies for this disease are successful in approximately 80% of cases, there is still an urgent need for increased efficacy of treatment. In this study, we applied a novel gene-therapeutic approach using recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated Atp6i RNA interference (RNAi) knockdown of Atp6i/TIRC7 gene expression to simultaneously target periapical bone resorption and periapical inflammation. We found that Atp6i inhibition impaired osteoclast function in vitro and in vivo and decreased the number of T cells in the periapical lesion. Notably, AAV-mediated Atp6i/TIRC7 knockdown gene therapy reduced bacterial infection-stimulated bone resorption by 80% in the mouse model of endodontic disease. Importantly, Atp6i(+/-) mice with haploinsufficiency of Atp6i exhibited protection similar to that in mice with bacterial infection-stimulated bone erosion and periapical inflammation, which confirms the potential therapeutic effect of AAV-small hairpin RNA (shRNA)-Atp6i/TIRC7. Our results demonstrate that AAV-mediated Atp6i/TIRC7 knockdown in periapical tissues can inhibit endodontic disease development, bone resorption, and inflammation, indicating for the first time that this potential gene therapy may significantly improve the health of those who suffer from endodontic disease.

[Microbial decontamination of the root canals of devitalized teeth]. / Mikrobiálna dekontaminácia korenových kanálikov devitálnych zubov.

The primary goal of endodontic therapy is the reduction or elimination of microorganisms and their by-products from the root canal system. Although a number of instrumentation and irrigation techniques exist, debris is often left behind in the root canal system and proper canal cleaning, shaping, and irrigation are needed to reduce significantly or sometimes even eliminate microorganisms from the canals. Residual microbes in the root canal system are the primary cause of post-treatment apical periodontitis that may persist in both poorly and properly treated cases. Apical periodontitis is a sequel to endodontic infection and manifests itself as the host defense response to microbial challenge emanating from the root canal system to the periapical tissue. It results in local inflammation, resorption of hard tissues, destruction of other periapical tissues, and eventual formation of various histopathological categories of apical periodontitis, commonly referred to as periapical lesions. When the root canal treatment is carried out properly, healing of the periapical lesion usually follows, with bone regeneration. In certain cases, post-treatment apical periodontitis still persists, the condition being commonly referred to as endodontic failure. It is widely acknowledged that such post-treatment apical periodontitis occurs when root canal treatment has not adequately controlled and eliminated the infection. However, complete elimination of microorganisms is not always achieved in clinical practice due to the anatomical complexities of root canals and consequent limitations in access by instruments and irrigants. The use of antimicrobial medication has been advocated to disinfect the root canal system. The recovery of Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis is common after failed root canal treatment. Therefore, when testing different antimicrobial agents for efficacy in endodontic treatment, 100% inhibition of the growth of the two microorganisms is required. The purpose of this article is to assess the antimicrobial action of intracanal medicaments and relevance of the root canal irrigation in endodontic therapy of devitalized teeth.

Oral inflammatory process and general health. Part 2: How does the periapical inflammatory process compromise general health?

At present, the focal infection theory still has very controversial aspects. In spite of the great number of studies, there is no evidence that focal infections or even antigenic mimicry are responsible for anything other than sporadic abscesses/infections and possibly rare autoimmune disorders. linflammation of endodontic origin (i.e., apical periodontitis--AP) has not received the same attention as inflammation originating from the periodontium. Endodontics is a microbiological problem, since the bacterial infection is the "prime mover" of pulp (before) and periapical (later) disease. The aims of endodontic treatment have to be considered from a microbiological viewpoint. Considering these problems in this second part of their study, the Authors, after close examination of the virulence of microorganisms and of the host defense, analyze the endodontic infection and microbiological species. They emphasize the possibility of a relationship between periapical inflammatory lesions and bacterial endocarditis in preventing metafocal disease. Bacterial endocarditis deserves special mention because despite involving specialists of two scientific fields, its prophylaxis is almost always assigned to medical practice, and especially, to dentistry. Given the dangers of the disease, antibiotic prophylaxis is both absolutely necessary and can be very effective, and it should be used especially in clinical situations with high risk individuals. However, the ability of antibiotic therapy to prevent or reduce the frequency, magnitude or duration of bacteremia associated with a dental procedure is controversial. Studies should also be undertaken to determine to compare the efficacy of endodontic treatment with alternative therapy such as implants, prosthetic replacements or no treatment other than extraction. To date, these studies have not been carried out, and there is no evidence to support the theory that modern endodontic therapy is not safe and effective.

In vitro antibacterial action of Tetraclean, MTAD and five experimental irrigation solutions.

AIM: To investigate the antibacterial effect of Tetraclean, MTAD and five experimental irrigants using both direct exposure test with planktonic cultures and mixed-species in vitro biofilm model. METHODOLOGY: Tetraclean, MTAD and five experimental solutions that were modifications of existing formulae including MTAD + 0.01% cetrimide (CTR), MTAD + 0.1% CTR, MTAC-1 (Tween 80 replaced by 0.01% CTR in MTAD), MTAC-2 (Tween 80 replaced by 0.1% CTR) and MTAD-D (MTAD without the Tween 80 and no CTR added) were used as disinfectants in the experiments. In the direct exposure test, a suspension of Enterococcus faecalis was mixed with each of the solutions. After 0.5, 1, 3 and 10 min, an inactivator was added and the number of surviving bacteria was calculated. A mixed-species biofilm from subgingival plaque bacteria was grown in brain heart infusion broth in anaerobic conditions on synthetic hydroxyapatite discs. Two-week-old biofilms were exposed to the solutions for 0.5, 1 and 3 min. The samples were observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy after bacterial viability staining. The scans were quantitatively analysed, and the volume of killed cells of all cells was calculated for each medicament. RESULTS: Tetraclean and MTAC-2 (0.1% CTR) killed planktonic E. faecalis in <30 s. Complete killing of bacteria required 1 min by MTAC-1, 3 min by MTAD + 0.1% CTR and 10 min by MTAD, MTAD-D and MTAD + 0.01% CTR. In the biofilm test, there were significant differences in microbial killing between the different solutions and times of exposure (P < 0.005). MTAC-2 showed the best performance, killing 71% of the biofilm bacteria in 3 min, followed by MTAC-1 and Tetraclean. MTAD and the three MTAD modifications demonstrated the lowest antibacterial activity. CONCLUSION: Tetraclean was more effective than MTAD against E. faecalis in planktonic culture and in mixed-species in vitro biofilm. CTR improved the antimicrobial properties of the solutions, whereas Tween 80 seemed to have a neutral or negative impact on their antimicrobial effectiveness.

On the local applications of antibiotics and antibiotic-based agents in endodontics and dental traumatology.

Antibiotics are a valuable adjunctive to the armamentarium available to health professionals for the management of bacterial infections. During endodontic treatment and when managing trauma to the teeth, antibiotics may be applied systemically (orally and/or parenterally) or locally (i.e. intra-dentally via irrigants and medicaments). Due to the potential risk of adverse effects following systemic application, and the ineffectiveness of systemic antibiotics in necrotic pulpless teeth and the periradicular tissues, the local application of antibiotics may be a more effective mode for delivery in endodontics. The aim of this article was to review the history, rationale and applications of antibiotic-containing irrigants and medicaments in endodontics and dental traumatology. The search was performed from 1981 to 2008 and was limited to English-language papers. The keywords searched on Medline were 'Antibiotics AND endodontics', 'Antibiotics AND root canal irrigation', 'Antibiotics AND intra-canal medicament', 'Antibiotics AND Dental trauma' and 'Antibiotics AND root resorption'. The reference section of each article was manually searched to find other suitable sources of information. It seems that local routes of antibiotic administration are a more effective mode than systemic applications. Various antibiotics have been tested in numerous studies and each has some advantages. Tetracyclines are a group of bacteriostatic antibiotics with antibacterial substantivity for up to 12 weeks. They are typically used in conjunction with corticosteroids and these combinations have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-resorptive properties, all of which help to reduce the periapical inflammatory reaction including clastic-cell mediated resorption. Tetracyclines have also been used as part of irrigating solutions but the substantivity is only for 4 weeks. Clindamycin and a combination of three antibiotics (metronidazole, ciprofloxacin and minocycline) have also been reported to be effective at reducing bacterial numbers in the root canal systems of infected teeth.

Interaction of biologic therapy with apical periodontitis and periodontitis: a systematic review.

Biologic medications (BMs) are increasingly used for the management of systemic chronic inflammatory diseases. These diseases are often associated with a higher prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) and periodontitis (P). The purpose of this systematic review was to ascertain the interactions between AP and/or P and BMs. The review was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42017054756). Electronic searches were performed on Pubmed Medline, Scopus and The Web of Science from their inception through to 20 March 2018. The references of the articles selected were checked. The keywords were chosen based on a pilot search, which aimed to find the most frequently prescribed BMs. The included studies were appraised qualitatively using appropriate tools. Thirty-five articles met the inclusion criteria, comprising 16 non-randomized clinical studies, 12 in vivo animal studies and 7 case reports. Quality of information was assessed as high in 18 articles, moderate in 16 articles and low in 1 article. BMs in patients suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases seems to inhibit the progression of AP and P, and to enhance the healing response to periodontal and endodontic treatment. A healthier condition of the periodontal tissues seems to be associated with a better response of the patient to BMs therapy.

Lactobacillus plantarum Lipoteichoic Acid Inhibits Oral Multispecies Biofilm.

INTRODUCTION: Apical periodontitis is an inflammatory disease in the periradicular region of teeth that results from infection by multispecies bacterial biofilm residing in the root canal system. In this study, we investigated whether Lactobacillus plantarum lipoteichoic acid (Lp.LTA) could inhibit multispecies oral pathogenic bacterial biofilm formation. METHODS: Highly pure and structurally intact Lp.LTA was purified from L. plantarum. Actinomyces naeslundii, Lactobacillus salivarius, Streptococcus mutans, and Enterococcus faecalis were co-cultured to form oral multispecies biofilm in the presence or absence of Lp.LTA on culture plates or human dentin slices. Preformed biofilm was treated with or without Lp.LTA, followed by additional treatment with intracanal medicaments such as calcium hydroxide or chlorhexidine digluconate. Confocal microscopy and crystal violet assay were performed to determine biofilm formation. Biofilm on human dentin slices was visualized with a scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: Biofilm formation of multispecies bacteria on the culture dishes was dose-dependently reduced by Lp.LTA compared with the nontreatment control group. Lp.LTA also inhibited multispecies biofilm formation on the dentin slices in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, Lp.LTA was shown to reduce preformed multispecies biofilm compared with the nontreatment group. Moreover, Lp.LTA potentiated the effectiveness of the intracanal medicaments in the removal of preformed multispecies biofilm. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that Lp.LTA is a potential anti-biofilm agent for treatment or prevention of oral infectious disease, including apical periodontitis, which is mainly caused by multispecies bacterial biofilm.

A novel antibacterial resin-based root canal sealer modified by Dimethylaminododecyl Methacrylate.

Persistent apical periodontitis, mainly caused by microorganisms infections, represents a critical challenge for endodontists. Dimethylaminododecyl methacrylate (DMADDM) is a well-studied and potent antibacterial agent used in various studies described in the literature. The aim of this study is to develop a novel antibacterial root canal sealer by incorporating DMADDM into EndoREZ and investigate the properties of the resulting material. Different mass fractions (0, 1.25%, 2.5%, and 5%) of DMADDM were incorporated into EndoREZ and the cytotoxicity, apical sealing ability and solubility of the resulting material were evaluated. Furthermore, a direct contact test, determination of colony-forming units, a crystal violet assay, scanning electronic microscopy and live/dead bacteria staining were performed to evaluate the antibacterial effect of the sealer to multispecies bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus gordonii, Actinomyces naeslundii, and Lactobacillus acidophilus), in planktonic cells or biofilms. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were carried out to assess the composition of the multispecies biofilms. No difference on the cytotoxicity, apical sealing ability and solubility between sealers containing DMADDM (1.25%, 2.5%) and EndoREZ (0%) could be determined. However, when the mass fraction of DMADDM increased to 5%, significantly different properties were found compared to the 0% (p < 0.05) group. Moreover, incorporating DMADDM into the sealer could greatly improve the antibacterial properties of EndoREZ. In addition, the composition ratio of E. faecalis could be decreased in multispecies microecology in sealers containing DMADDM. Therefore, a EndoREZ sealer material containing DMADDM could be considered useful in clinical applications for preventing and treating persistent apical periodontitis.

Resolvin D2 Induces Resolution of Periapical Inflammation and Promotes Healing of Periapical Lesions in Rat Periapical Periodontitis.

Periapical periodontitis results from pulpal infection leading to pulpal necrosis and resorption of periapical bone. The current treatment is root canal therapy, which attempts to eliminate infection and necrotic tissue. But, in some cases periapical inflammation doesn't resolve even after treatment. Resolvins belongs to a large family of specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators that actively resolves inflammation signaling via specific receptors. Resolvin D2 (RvD2), a metabolite of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), was tested as an intracanal medicament in rats in vivo. Mechanism was evaluated in rat primary dental pulp cells (DPCs) in vitro. The results demonstrate that RvD2 reduces inflammatory cell infiltrate, periapical lesion size, and fosters pulp like tissue regeneration and healing of periapical lesion. RvD2 enhanced expression of its receptor, GPR18, dentin matrix acidic phosphoprotein 1 (DMP1) and mineralization in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, RvD2 induces phosphorylation of Stat3 transcription factor in dental pulp cells. We conclude that intracanal treatment with RvD2 resolves inflammation and promoting calcification around root apex and healing of periapical bone lesions. The data suggest that RvD2 induces active resolution of inflammation with pulp-like tissue regeneration after root canal infection and thus maybe suitable for treating periapical lesions.

Canal Transportation and Centering Ability of WaveOne Gold in Combination with and without Different Glide Path Techniques.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare centering ability and transportation values of the Primary WaveOne Gold (PWOG; Dentsply Sirona, Ballaigues, Switzerland) instrument with or without different glide path techniques. Centering ability and transportation were also compared between the 3 different glide path preparation groups. METHODS: The mesiobuccal canals of 60 extracted human mandibular molars (curvature angles between 25° and 35° and radii ≤10 mm) were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups with 15 canals each. Canals were negotiated to patency with a #8 K-file. Canal preparations were performed by a single operator using precurved #10, 15, and 20 stainless steel manual K-files (group KF); a #10 stainless steel manual K-file followed by PathFiles #1-3 (Dentsply Sirona) (group PF); a #10 stainless steel manual K-file followed by the WaveOne Gold Glider (Dentsply Sirona) (group WOGG); and no further glide path preparation (group NG). Micro-computed tomographic imaging was used to scan teeth before and after glide path preparation. The final canal preparation was performed with PWOG; after which, all 60 specimens were scanned again using micro-computed tomographic imaging. Canal transportation and centering ratio values were determined over levels 3 mm, 5 mm, and 7 mm from the root apex after glide path preparation and again after final preparation with PWOG. One-way analysis of variance was used to statistically compare groups. The significance level was set at P < .05. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference in the mean centering ratios was found after glide path preparation when the KF, PF, and WOGG groups were compared (P > .05). The mean combined transportation values after glide path preparation were statistically significantly higher in the KF group compared with the PF and WOGG groups (P > .05). There was no statistically significant difference in the mean combined centering ratios or transportation values of the NG and 3 glide path groups in combination with PWOG over the 3 levels (P > .05). CONCLUSION: KF group showed the highest mean transportation values during glide path preparation. However, the PWOG instrument's performance regarding centering ability and transportation was not influenced by the different glide path/no glide path preparation groups.

Activation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 attenuates periapical inflammation and bone loss.

Hypoxia (low oxygen level) is an important feature during infections and affects the host defence mechanisms. The host has evolved specific responses to address hypoxia, which are strongly dependent on the activation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1). Hypoxia interferes degradation of HIF-1 alpha subunit (HIF-1α), leading to stabilisation of HIF-1α, heterodimerization with HIF-1 beta subunit (HIF-1ß) and subsequent activation of HIF-1 pathway. Apical periodontitis (periapical lesion) is a consequence of endodontic infection and ultimately results in destruction of tooth-supporting tissue, including alveolar bone. Thus far, the role of HIF-1 in periapical lesions has not been systematically examined. In the present study, we determined the role of HIF-1 in a well-characterised mouse periapical lesion model using two HIF-1α-activating strategies, dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG) and adenovirus-induced constitutively active HIF-1α (CA-HIF1A). Both DMOG and CA-HIF1A attenuated periapical inflammation and tissue destruction. The attenuation in vivo was associated with downregulation of nuclear factor-κappa B (NF-κB) and osteoclastic gene expressions. These two agents also suppressed NF-κB activation and subsequent production of proinflammatory cytokines by macrophages. Furthermore, activation of HIF-1α by DMOG specifically suppressed lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophage differentiation into M1 cells, increasing the ratio of M2 macrophages against M1 cells. Taken together, our data indicated that activation of HIF-1 plays a protective role in the development of apical periodontitis via downregulation of NF-κB, proinflammatory cytokines, M1 macrophages and osteoclastogenesis.

Clinical update on root canal disinfection.

Endodontic disease is mediated by bacteria. Treatment goals should be directed to reducing the critical concentration of microbial irritants to the lowest level possible. Thorough canal instrumentation, with either stainless steel hand files or Ni-Ti rotary files, removes the bulk of tissue and microbial contamination, but adjunctive chemical agents are needed to optimize debridement. Current concepts support the following approaches: lubricating and chelating agents during cleaning and shaping; copious irrigation during all phases of instrumentation with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite, constantly refreshed; deep penetration of a side port, narrow gauge irrigating needle, constantly moving in and out of the canal space during each irrigation; removal of residual smear layer at completion of instrumentation prior to obturation.

[Theory and practice of minimally invasive endodontics].

The primary goal of modern endodontic therapy is to achieve the long-term retention of a functional tooth by preventing or treating pulpitis or apical periodontitis is. The long-term retention of endodontically treated tooth is correlated with the remaining amount of tooth tissue and the quality of the restoration after root canal filling. In recent years, there has been rapid progress and development in the basic research of endodontic biology, instrument and applied materials, making treatment procedures safer, more accurate, and more efficient. Thus, minimally invasive endodontics(MIE)has received increasing attention at present. MIE aims to preserve the maximum of tooth structure during root canal therapy, and the concept covers the whole process of diagnosis and treatment of teeth. This review article focuses on describing the minimally invasive concepts and operating essentials in endodontics, from diagnosis and treatment planning to the access opening, pulp cavity finishing, root canal cleaning and shaping, 3-dimensional root canal filling and restoration after root canal treatment.

Contemporary Cleaning and Shaping of the Root Canal System.

Prevention or treatment of apical periodontitis is aimed at disinfecting the root canal system so that the periradicular tissues are not vulnerable to attack from microbiota within the tooth. This is achieved by a process of cleaning and shaping the root canal space. The fundamental principles underlying this process have not changed in decades. In contrast, the armamentarium available to the clinician continues to evolve rapidly. The use of specially designed nickel titanium (NiTi) files to create a glidepath allows the clinician to manage tight curved canals more predictably in situations which would otherwise have proved too difficult using conventional techniques. Other files, designed to shape the canal, have been developed using metallurgic principles which permit NiTi files to be more flexible and resistant to cyclic fatigue. These newer systems also require fewer instruments to prepare a canal and some, which have adopted a reciprocating (rotational) motion, may only require one file. Progress is also being made in enhancing efficacy of irrigant activity using negative apical pressure systems, sonic and ultrasonic agitation techniques. These contemporary techniques used to clean and shape the root canal system should result in improved confidence and predictability when managing endodontic disease.

Periapical inflammation after coronal microbial inoculation of dog roots filled with gutta-percha or resilon.

A dog model was used to assess and compare in vivo the efficacy of gutta-percha and AH26 sealer versus Resilon with Epiphany primer and sealer [Resilon "Monoblock" System (RMS)] filled roots in preventing apical periodontitis subsequent to coronal inoculation with oral microorganisms. There were 56 vital roots in the premolars of seven adult beagle dogs aseptically instrumented, filled, and temporized. The roots were randomly divided into four experimental groups (Coronal Leakage Model) and one negative control group and filled as follows: group 1-lateral condensation of gutta-percha and AH26 sealer (n=12); group 2-vertical condensation of gutta-percha and AH26 sealer (n=12); group 3-lateral condensation of RMS (n=12); group 4-vertical condensation of RMS (n=10); negative control (n=10)-gutta-percha and AH26 sealer or RMS root fillings using lateral or vertical condensation techniques as in groups 1 to 4. Positive control-57 additional premolar roots were instrumented, infected and not filled (beginning of the Entombment Model experiment). The premolars in groups 1 to 4 were accessed again, inoculated with dental plaque scaled from the dog's teeth, and temporized. This fresh innoculum of microorganisms was repeated on two more occasions at monthly intervals. The teeth in the negative control group were not accessed again and remained undisturbed. On the 14-wk postcoronal inoculation, dogs were euthanized, and jaw blocks prepared for histologic evaluation under a light microcope. Mild inflammation was observed in 82% (18 of 22) of roots filled with gutta-percha and AH26 sealer that was stastistically more than roots filled with RMS (19% or 4 of 21) and roots in the negative control (22% or 2 of 9) (McNemar paired analysis, p < 0.05). The Resilon "Monoblock" System was associated with less apical periodontitis, which may be because of its superior resistance to coronal microleakage.