Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) supplementation promotes histological and ultrastructural changes in rats' alveolar bone.

The açai juice contains high concentrations of phenolic compounds, including cyanidin-3-glucoside and others flavonoids. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of açai supplementation on healthy mandibular alveolar bone in male albino rats of the Wistar strain. 24 rats were divided into 3 groups, in which one group received a daily dose of saline solution and the other two groups were treated with daily doses of clarified açai juice for 14 or 28 days. After the experiment, hemimandibles were collected and analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), histological assessments, and micro-CT. Results showed changes in the integrity of the alveolar bone as seen in SEM, increased osteocyte density and higher collagen matrix area in the açai group compared to the control group as seen in histological analysis, and increased bone volume, trabecular thickness and number, and cortical bone as seen in micro-CT analysis. The space between bone trabeculae showed no difference among the groups. These results suggest that açai supplementation may have a structural change effect on alveolar bone, but further research is needed to confirm these findings in humans and to determine the exact mechanisms behind these effects.

Influence of Apical Diameter on Filling Material Extrusion during Retreatment - A Micro-CT and CBCT evaluation.

AIM: To investigate whether foraminal widening performed at primary treatment has an effect on the amount of apically extruded obturator material during retreatment and to evaluate the sensitivity of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in detecting extruded obturator material. METHODS: Forty palatal roots of maxillary molars were selected based on micro-CT and divided into two groups (n=20): with foraminal widening (WE) and without foraminal widening (NE). To standardize the apical foramen, all specimens were instrumented to the foramen using the Protaper Next system, up to instrument X3. The WE group was instrumented to the foramen up to instrument X5, and the NE group was instrumented 1 mm lower. The canals were obturated 1 mm below the apical foramen with gutta-percha and AH Plus and stored for 7 days at 37 °C and 95% humidity. Roots were fixed in microtubes filled with 1.5% agar gel. The obturation material was removed with Reciproc R50. Scans of the teeth and agar were performed using micro-CT and CBCT. Comparison between groups and between methods was performed using Mann-Withney test (p ≤0.05). RESULTS: No statistical difference was found when comparing the extruded material between groups using micro-CT (p = 0.589) or CBCT (p = 0.953). CBCT measured a greater volume of extruded material than micro- CT (p = 0.0004). CONCLUSION: Foraminal widening had no effect on the extrusion of filling material during retreatment. The CBCT favored the evaluation of apically extruded filling material.

Influence of Apical Diameter on Filling Material Extrusion during Retreatment - A Micro-CT and CBCT evaluation

Abstract Aim: To investigate whether foraminal widening performed at primary treatment has an effect on the amount of apically extruded obturator material during retreatment and to evaluate the sensitivity of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in detecting extruded obturator material. Methods: Forty palatal roots of maxillary molars were selected based on micro-CT and divided into two groups (n=20): with foraminal widening (WE) and without foraminal widening (NE). To standardize the apical foramen, all specimens were instrumented to the foramen using the Protaper Next system, up to instrument X3. The WE group was instrumented to the foramen up to instrument X5, and the NE group was instrumented 1 mm lower. The canals were obturated 1 mm below the apical foramen with gutta-percha and AH Plus and stored for 7 days at 37 °C and 95% humidity. Roots were fixed in microtubes filled with 1.5% agar gel. The obturation material was removed with Reciproc R50. Scans of the teeth and agar were performed using micro-CT and CBCT. Comparison between groups and between methods was performed using Mann-Withney test (p ≤0.05). Results: No statistical difference was found when comparing the extruded material between groups using micro-CT (p = 0.589) or CBCT (p = 0.953). CBCT measured a greater volume of extruded material than micro- CT (p = 0.0004). Conclusion: Foraminal widening had no effect on the extrusion of filling material during retreatment. The CBCT favored the evaluation of apically extruded filling material.

Resumo Objetivo: Investigar se o alargamento do foramen realizado durante o tratamento primário tem um efeito na quantidade de material obturador apicalmente extruído durante oretratamento e verificar a sensibilidade da tomografia computorizada de feixe cônico (TCFC) na detecção de material obturador extruído. Métodos: Quarenta raízes palatinas de molares superiores foram selecionadas de acordo com a microtomografia computorizada, e foram divididas em dois grupos (n=20): com alargamento do foraminal (CA) e sem alargamento do foraminal (SA). Para padronizar o forame apical, todas as amostras foram instrumentadas com o sistema ProTaper Next até ao instrumento X3 até o forame. O grupo CA foi instrumentado até ao instrumento X5 até o forame, e o grupo SA foi instrumentado 1 mm aquém. Os canais foram obturados 1 mm abaixo do forame apical com gutta-percha e AH Plus e armazenados durante 7 dias a 37 °C e 95% de umidade. As raízes foram fixadas em microtubos preenchidos com gel de ágar a 1,5%. O material obturador foi removido com Reciproc R50. Os escaneamentos dos dentes e do ágar foram realizados com micro-CT e CBCT. A comparação entre grupos e entre métodos foi realizada utilizando o teste Mann-Withney (p ≤0.05). Resultados: Não foi encontrada diferença estatística ao comparar o material extruído entre grupos utilizando o Micro-CT (p = 0,589) ou TCFC (p = 0,953). Foi medido um volume maior de material extruído com a TCFC do que com a Micro- CT (p = 0,0004). Conclusão: O alargamento foraminal não teve qualquer efeito na extrusão do material obturador durante o retratamento. A TCFC favoreceu a avaliação do material de obturador apicalmente extruído.

Influence of conservative endodontic access cavities on instrumentation of oval-shaped straight root canals.

AIM: To evaluate the influence of the design of endodontic access cavities on the percentage of unprepared areas of canal walls and flexural fatigue of instruments activated by reciprocating movement in oval-shaped straight root canals of extracted teeth. METHODOLOGY: Forty-two mandibular incisors with oval canals were scanned by a microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) device for homogeneous selection and distribution of the samples. Then, the teeth were divided into two groups (n = 21) according to the design of access cavity being tested: ultraconservative endodontic access cavity (UltraAC) and traditional access cavity. The canals were accessed with the aid of a surgical microscope, instrumented with the WaveOne Gold Medium system and irrigated with 2.5% NaOCl and 17% EDTA. The unprepared areas of the canal wall were analysed by overlaying images before and after instrumentation and expressed as percentages. micro-CT data were analysed using t-test, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests. The endodontic instruments used during instrumentation were subjected to static flexural fatigue testing using an artificial stainless steel canal with a 60° angle of curvature and a radius of 5 mm, located 5 mm from the tip of the instrument. The instruments were activated until fracture occurred, and the time in seconds for the fracture was recorded using a digital timer. The number of cycles to fracture was calculated and analysed statistically. For flexural fatigue data, an anova test complemented by a Tukey range test was used. The significance level of 5% was used for all analyses. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups related to unprepared areas by the instrument during canal preparation (p > .05). The difference in flexural fatigue resistance between the groups was not significant. CONCLUSION: The use of UltraAC did not interfere with the canal instrumentation of extracted mandibular incisors with straight and oval canals. There was no difference in the flexural fatigue resistance of the instruments in relation to access cavity design.

Impact of irrigation protocols with some chelators and mechanical agitation on intratubular decontamination.

This study evaluated main canal and intratubular decontamination using different irrigation solutions followed by adjunctive agitation steps for infected root canals. Sixty-eight lower incisors were contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis and allocated to groups according to canal treatment (n = 10): G1, NaOCl followed by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); G2, a mixture of NaOCl with hydroxyethylidene bisphosphonate (HEBP); and G3, NaOCl followed by EDTA-T (EDTA with sodium lauryl ether sulfate). All three groups of teeth were agitated with passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) using saline solution, whereby G4, G5, and G6 were prepared as above, and agitation was performed using an XP-Endo Finisher instrument. Microbiological samples were collected from the root canals with paper points at three times: before and after chemomechanical preparation and after agitation. The colony-forming units (CFU)/mL count was determined, and bacterial intratubular viability was analyzed via confocal laser scanning microscopy using Live/Dead staining. Statistical analysis was performed using a Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn tests. A Friedman test was applied for colony-counting data (α = 0.05). CFU/mL counting indicated equally effective decontamination in the experimental groups (p > 0.05). According to microscopy images, the use of irrigation solutions followed by agitation with the XP-Endo Finisher yielded better results. Moreover, NaOCl+EDTA-T followed by XP-Endo Finisher resulted in significantly lower viability than in the PUI-activated groups (p < 0.05). The cervical and medium thirds of the specimens presented similar results. Overall, NaOCl+EDTA-T exhibited the best intratubular antibacterial activity, mainly for canals that were subsequently agitated using XP-Endo Finisher.

Molhabilidade de um cimento endodôntico à base de resina epóxi na dentina tratada com diferentes protocolos de quelação / Wettability of an epoxy resin-based root canal sealer on dentin treated with different chelating protocols

Objetivo: Avaliar a molhabilidade do cimento AH Plus em contato com a dentina radicular após diferentes protocolos quelantes envolvendo ácido etidrônico (HEBP) e o EDTA. Métodos: Cinquenta e seis fatias de dentina radicular foram utilizadas e irrigadas com 5.25% de hipoclorito de sódio (NaOCl) ou com uma mistura de 5.25%NaOCl/18%HEBP para simular a irrigação durante o preparo químico-mecânico. As amostras irrigadas com NaOCl foram divididas em 5 grupos, de acordo com o agente quelante: G1- água destilada (AD); G2-17%EDTA; G3-17%EDTA+2.5%NaOCl; G4-18%HEBP; e G5-18%HEBP+2.5%NaOCl. As amostras irrigadas com a mistura de NaOCl/HEBP foram dividias em 2 grupos: G6-AD; G7-NaOCl/HEBP+2.5%- NaOCl. Todos os protocolos receberam irrigação de AD entre as substâncias irrigadoras e como lavagem final. O goniômetro Rame-Hart foi utilizado para mesurar o ângulo de contato entre a superfície da dentina radicular e o cimento. O teste estatístico Kruskal-Wallis e Dunn foram aplicados (p<0.05). Resultados: Os grupos onde a smear layer foi removida apresentaram menor ângulo de contato (p<0.05), com exceção do G7. O G6 apresentou o menor ângulo de contato do AH Plus, entretanto, a irrigação final com NaOCl (G7) aumentou significativamente o ângulo de contato. G2 e G4 apresentaram comportamento similar e a irrigação final com NaOCL (G3 e G4) não modificou a molhabilidade da dentina. Conclusão: O tratamento da dentina radicular com a mistura NaOCl/HEBP, quando usada como irrigante, conferiu boa molhabilidade desta superfície ao cimento AH Plus(AU).

Evaluate the wettability of AH Plus in contact with root dentin after different chelating protocols involving etidronic acid (HEBP) and EDTA. Material and Methods: Fifty six human polished root dentin slices were used. They were irrigated with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) or a mixture of 5.25%NaOCl/18%HEBP to simulate irrigation during chemomechanical preparation. The specimens irrigated with NaOCl were divided into 5 groups regarding chelating agents: G1-destiled water (DW); G2- 17%EDTA; G3-17%EDTA+2.5%NaOCl; G4-18%HEBP; and G5-18%HEBP+2.5%NaOCl. The specimens irrigated with the mixture NaOCl/HEBP were divided into 2 groups: G6-DW; G7-NaOCl/HEBP+2.5%NaOCl. All protocols received irrigation with DW between irrigants and as final rinse. Rame-Hart goniometer was used to measure the contact angle between the dentin surfaces and the sealer. Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests were applied (p<0.05). Results: Groups in which the smear layer was removed showed a lower contact angle (p<0.05), except for G7. The G6 showed the lowest contact angle of AH Plus, but the NaOCl final irrigation (G7) increased the angle. G2 and G4 have similar behaviour and final irrigation with NaOCl (G3 and G5) did not change wettability when these chelators were used. Conclusions: The mixture NaOCl/HEBP showed good effect on the wettability of sealer on to the root canal dentine, when used as main irrigant (AU).

Effects of curcumin-mediated antimicrobial photodynamic therapy associated to different chelators against Enterococcus faecalis biofilms.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate curcumin-mediated antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) action combined or not with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and hydroxyethylidene bisphosphonate (HEBP) on Enterococcus faecalis biofilms. METHODS: Enterococcus faecalis biofilms were grown on dentin bovine discs in brain heart infusion (BHI) medium with 1% glucose, in aerobic conditions at 37°C for 7 days. Then, they were randomly distributed to one of experimental conditions, as follows: control, 75 J.cm-2 LED, 600 µmol.L-1 curcumin, 17% EDTA, 18% HEBP, 600 µmol.L-1 curcumin plus 75 J.cm-2 LED, 600 µmol.L-1 curcumin plus 17% EDTA, 600 µmol.L-1 curcumin plus 18% HEBP, 600 µmol.L-1 curcumin plus 17% EDTA and 75 J.cm-2 LED or 600 µmol.L-1 curcumin plus 18% HEBP and 75 J.cm-2 LED. The viability of microorganisms and the vitality of biofilms were determined by colony forming unit counts and confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM), respectively. Statistical analysis was conducted by Kruskal Wallis and Dunn's post-hoc tests (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The results showed that all combinations of aPDT with chelators significantly reduced the viability of microbial cells and the vitality of biofilms in comparison to control, even when considering deeper layers of biofilms. CONCLUSION: The combination of curcumin with EDTA and HEBP similarly improved the effect of aPDT on E. faecalis biofilms.

Influência do acesso minimamente invasivo na fratura de dentes tratados endodonticamente - uma revisão de literatura / Influence of minimally invasive access on fracture of endodonti-cally treated teeth- a literature review

O acesso à cavidade pulpar é a etapa do tratamento endodôntico que tem como objetivo expor a embocadura dos canais radiculares. Por muito tempo, o formato ideal da cavidade era aquele que proporcionasse a criação de uma trajetória reta ao canal, com a remoção completa do teto da câmara pulpar. Porém, nas últimas décadas, foi investigado um desgaste excessivo de dentina que possibilita a redução da resistência do dente. Então, propuseram novo formato de cavidade de acesso, que permite a preservação máxima possível das estruturas de suporte, objetivando aumentar a resistência de dentes tratados endodonticamente. Apesar das vantagens, supostamente atribuídas aos acessos minimamente invasivos, esse formato tem sido questionado por dificultar a visibilidade da entrada dos canais, localização, e possibilidade de deixar áreas intocadas nas paredes dos canais. Diante disso, este trabalho realizou um levantamento bibliográfico a fim de verificar se há consistência científica quanto à interferência do acesso coronário na resistência dentária. Concluiu-se que o acesso minimamente invasivo não apresentou diferença quanto ao aumento da resistência à fratura de dentes tratados endodonticamente quando comparado ao acesso tradicional, entretanto, o tema ainda é relevante e os benefícios dessa técnica devem ser investigados clinicamente a longo prazo.

Access to the pulp cavity is the stage of endodontic treatment that aims to expose the mouth of the root canals. For a long time, creating a straight path to the canal, with the complete removal of the pulp chamber roof, was the ideal cavity format. However, in recent decades, excessive dentin wear, which makes it possible to reduce tooth strength, has been investi-gated. So, a new access cavity format, which allows the maximum possible preservation of the support structures, was proposed to increase the resistance of endodontically treated teeth. Despite the advantages supposedly attributed to minimally invasive accesses, this format has been questioned for hindering the visibility of the entrance to the channels, the location, and the possibility of leaving untouched areas on the walls of the channels. Therefore, this work carried out a bibliographical survey to verify the scientific consistency regarding the interference of coronary access in dental resistance. The minimally inva-sive access showed no difference regarding increased fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth compared to the traditional access. However, the topic is still relevant, and its benefits, in the long term, should be clinically investigated.

Impact of irrigation protocols with some chelators and mechanical agitation on intratubular decontamination

Abstract: This study evaluated main canal and intratubular decontamination using different irrigation solutions followed by adjunctive agitation steps for infected root canals. Sixty-eight lower incisors were contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis and allocated to groups according to canal treatment (n = 10): G1, NaOCl followed by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); G2, a mixture of NaOCl with hydroxyethylidene bisphosphonate (HEBP); and G3, NaOCl followed by EDTA-T (EDTA with sodium lauryl ether sulfate). All three groups of teeth were agitated with passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) using saline solution, whereby G4, G5, and G6 were prepared as above, and agitation was performed using an XP-Endo Finisher instrument. Microbiological samples were collected from the root canals with paper points at three times: before and after chemomechanical preparation and after agitation. The colony-forming units (CFU)/mL count was determined, and bacterial intratubular viability was analyzed via confocal laser scanning microscopy using Live/Dead staining. Statistical analysis was performed using a Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn tests. A Friedman test was applied for colony-counting data (α = 0.05). CFU/mL counting indicated equally effective decontamination in the experimental groups (p > 0.05). According to microscopy images, the use of irrigation solutions followed by agitation with the XP-Endo Finisher yielded better results. Moreover, NaOCl+EDTA-T followed by XP-Endo Finisher resulted in significantly lower viability than in the PUI-activated groups (p < 0.05). The cervical and medium thirds of the specimens presented similar results. Overall, NaOCl+EDTA-T exhibited the best intratubular antibacterial activity, mainly for canals that were subsequently agitated using XP-Endo Finisher.

Effects of Different NaOCl Concentrations Followed by 17% EDTA on Dentin Permeability.

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the permeability of root dentin after immersion in sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) at different concentrations for 30 minutes and a final wash with 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) for 3 minutes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty 1 × 5 mm dentin fragments from the middle third of the root were prepared from 10 bovine teeth and divided into four groups; three of these groups were immersed in 1%, 2.5%, or 5.25% NaOCl for 30 minutes, while group IV was immersed in the saline solution. All dentin fragments were subjected to a final wash with 17% EDTA for 3 minutes. The fluid transport study model was used to measure the fluid conductance induced by hydrostatic pressure. The measurements were repeated twice to confirm the values, and in the case of a discrepancy, the procedure was performed again. RESULTS: The control group (saline solution) presented lower hydraulic conductance mean values with (0.25 ± 0.12). The 5.25% NaOCl followed by 17% EDTA produced the highest mean conductance value (1.18 ± 0.18) followed by 2.5% NaOCl and 17% EDTA with (0.81 ± 0.09) and (0.48 ± 0.02), respectively. The results of the hydraulic conductance evaluation of dentin were different for each NaOCl concentration. After data analyses, there were significant differences from analysis of variance (ANOVA) between all the groups (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The NaOCl solution concentration affects dentin permeability.

Influence of File Motion on Shaping, Apical Debris Extrusion and Dentinal Defects: A Critical Review.

Advances in endodontics have enabled the evolution of file manufacturing processes, improving performance beyond that of conventional files. In the present study, systems manufactured using state of the art methods and possessing special properties related to NiTi alloys (i.e., CM-Wire, M-Wire and R-Phase) were selected. The aim of this review was to provide a detailed analysis of the literature about the relationship between recently introduced NiTi files with different movement kinematics and shaping ability, apical extrusion of debris and dentin defects in root canal preparations. From March 2016 to January 2017, electronic searches were conducted in the PubMed and SCOPUS databases for articles published since January 2010. In vitro studies performed on extracted human teeth and published in English were considered for this review. Based on the inclusion criteria, 71 papers were selected for the analysis of full-text copies. Specific analysis was performed on 45 articles describing the effects of reciprocating, continuous and adaptive movements on the WaveOne Gold, Reciproc, HyFlex CM and Twisted File Adaptive systems. A wide range of testing conditions and methodologies have been used to compare the systems. Due the controversies among the results, the characteristics of the files used, such as their design and alloys, appear to be inconsistent to determine the best approach.