Micro-CT evaluation of four final irrigation protocols on hard-tissue debris removal from mesial roots of mandibular molars containing isthmus.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate by means of microcomputed tomography (micro-CT), the efficacy of four final irrigation protocols in the removal of hard-tissue debris (HTD) in mesial roots of mandibular molars containing isthmus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty standardized mesial roots of extracted mandibular molars presenting isthmus were selected. The root canals were prepared and randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 10): EA, EndoActivator (Dentsply Sirona); EC, Easy Clean (Easy Dental Equipment, Belo Horizonte, Brazil); XPF, XP-Endo Finisher (FKG Dentaire, La Chaus-de Fonds, Switzerland); and PUI, passive ultrasonic irrigation using Irrisafe tip (Satelec Acteon, Merignac, France). Each final irrigation protocol was performed in two cycles (60 s), using, respectively, 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 17% EDTA. Micro-CT scans were obtained pre-operatory, post-preparation, and post-irrigation. The percentage of HTD reduction was calculated. Data was analyzed statistically (ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis, significance set at 5%). RESULTS: The percentage of HTD reduction was greatest for the XPF group (77.92%), followed by EA (62.92%), PUI (47.48%), and EC (32.65%). Statistical differences (p < .05) were found between XPF and EC only. A significant difference (p < .05) was found between XPF and EC in all thirds and between PUI and EC in the middle third. CONCLUSIONS: XPF, EA, and PUI were similarly effective in HTD reduction. However, none of the evaluated protocols was able to completely remove all the debris. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Final irrigation protocols aim to clean the canal complexities that are not addressed by the shaping procedures. Micro-CT allowed to assess the removal of hard-tissue debris in the isthmus and canals of mandibular molars.

Accuracy of electronic apical functions of a new integrated motor compared to the visual control of the working length-an ex vivo study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate ex vivo the efficacy of the integrated motor Tri Auto ZX2 in controlling the apical extent of preparation compared to conventional visual control (CVC) of the working length (WL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty standardized mandibular premolars were divided into five groups (n = 16). In the CVC group, instruments were used in continuous rotation (CR) and visual control performed by means of rubber stoppers. For each of the remaining groups, it was assigned a combination of a motion (CR or optimal torque reverse (OTR)), and an apical function (Auto Apical Reverse (AAR) or Optimum Apical Stop (OAS)). Root canals were prepared using the apical functions at 0.5 mark using an alginate model. Difference between the final WL and the actual length post-instrumentation was calculated. Data were analyzed statistically with the significance set at 5% (ANOVA, Tukey HSD). RESULTS: There was no difference in the mean WL among the groups, except between the CR combined to OAS compared to CVC (P > 0.05). Although CVC resulted in two cases beyond the foramen, no significant difference was found among the groups when comparing the distributions of measurements (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: All combinations of motion and apical control functions of Tri Auto ZX2 provided an adequate apical limit ex vivo, similar to the visual control using rubber stoppers. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: TriAuto ZX2 was efficient to control the apical extent of preparation dispensing the need for calibrating the files, regardless of the different settings. This motor might potentially prevent over-instrumentation by continuously monitoring the apical limit.

Tubular dentin sealer penetration after different final irrigation protocols: A confocal laser scanning microscopy study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate tubular dentin sealer penetration, comparing different final irrigation protocols using a conventional needle (CONV), EndoActivator system (EAS), EndoVac system (EVS), and ultrasound (PUI). Initially, fifty-two first maxillary molars with a single canal in the palatal root, without abrupt curvatures, resorptive processes, or previous endodontic treatment were selected for this study. Then, the crowns were sectioned to obtain palatal roots 15 mm in length. The root canals were prepared with the ProTaper Universal System and irrigated with 5% NaOCl. Afterwards, the specimens were divided into four groups (n. 13), according to the final irrigation protocol: CONV, EAS, EVS, and PUI. After filling, slices at 3 mm and 5 mm from the apex were obtained for analysis by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Two-way comparisons between the groups and the levels were performed with Games Howell's test (p < .05). Tubular dentin sealer penetration was higher at 5 mm compared with 3 mm from the apex (p < .05). The EAS group showed a higher percentage of tubular dentin sealer penetration, compared with the CONV group, at both levels. At 3 mm, there was no statistically significant difference among EAS, EVS, and PUI; however, these groups showed better performance, compared with the CONV group. At 5 mm, there was no statistically significant difference between the EAS and EVS groups, but both showed higher sealer penetration than the PUI group (p < .05). The EAS and EVS groups achieved better degrees of tubular dentin sealer penetration, compared with the other groups.

XP Shaper, A Novel Adaptive Core Rotary Instrument: Micro-computed Tomographic Analysis of Its Shaping Abilities.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the shaping abilities of the XP Shaper (FKG, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland) and compare the findings with Vortex Blue (Dentsply Tulsa Dental Specialties, Tulsa, OK) using micro-computed tomographic imaging. METHODS: Twenty matched, extracted, mandibular, central incisors with a single, oval canal were scanned preoperatively at 25-µm resolution and postoperatively after instrumentation with either Vortex Blue in a crown-down manner up to size 30.04 or XP Shaper. The percent of untouched walls, changes in canal volume and surface area, the amount of dentin removed, debris remaining in the canal, and the preparation taper were determined. The total time required for instrumentation using each technique was calculated in seconds. Statistical analysis was used to compare between both groups using repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction for post hoc comparison and independent sample t tests. RESULTS: The XP Shaper significantly increased the canal volume (F = 77.948, P < .001), surface area (F = 5.543, P = .030), and amount of dentin removed (F = 10.044, P = .001) and had significantly less untouched walls (38.6% ± 8.1%) compared with VB (58.8% ± 8.5%). There was less debris at all levels of the canal in the XP Shaper group. Results were almost significant (P = .059). The XP Shaper was also significantly faster in completing the mechanical preparation of the root canal space by almost 1 minute (t = 6.216, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The XP Shaper can expand beyond its core size to adapt to the anatomy of the root canal space. The XP Shaper can prepare and touch more canal walls in oval-shaped canals compared with Vortex Blue. However, the final preparation taper will vary according to the anatomy of the treated tooth.

Accuracy of 2 Endodontic Rotary Motors with Integrated Apex Locator.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vitro the efficacy of both the electronic apex locator (EAL) and auto apical reverse (AAR) functions of the endodontic motor MM Control (Micro-Mega, Besançon Cedex, France) compared with Root ZX II (J Morita, Tokyo, Japan). METHODS: After cervical preflaring, the actual lengths (ALs) of 36 single-rooted teeth were obtained up to the apical foramen. The EAL measurements at the marks "APEX" and "0.5" of both devices were obtained using an alginate model. The teeth were divided randomly into 2 groups (n = 18), and root canal preparation was performed with rotary instruments using the AAR function (0.5 mark) of each motor. The length provided by the AAR was compared with the visual length after preparation (AL2). The differences between the electronic lengths and the respective visual measurements were assigned as negative for lower or positive when higher. The means of the absolute values and the percentages of distribution of the electronic measurements between devices were compared. RESULTS: There was no difference between the devices in terms of the means of the EAL measurements or AAR length (analysis of variance, P > .05). However, the EAL function of MM Control presented a greater percentage of measurements >1.01 mm longer than AL (chi-square, P < .01). The AAR function provided an acceptable apical limit in 83.3% of the cases for Root ZX and 77.8% of the cases for MM Control. CONCLUSIONS: The AAR function of both MM Control and Root ZX II provided an adequate apical limit of preparation in vitro. However, the use of only the EAL function of MM Control resulted in significantly more cases of overextended readings.

Influence of the Calcium Hydroxide Intracanal Dressing on Dentinal Tubule Penetration of Two Root Canal Sealers.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a calcium hydroxide (CH) dressing on the tubular penetration of two endodontic sealers, AH Plus (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and MTA Fillapex (Angelus, Londrina, Brazil). METHODS: Seventy-two mandibular premolars with a single root canal were prepared with ProFile.04 rotary instruments (Dentsply Maillefer) and divided into four groups. In two groups, an intracanal CH dressing was placed for 15 days. The obturations were performed with lateral condensation of gutta-percha in combination with one of the tested sealers. The roots were transversely sectioned at the apical and middle levels. The percentage of sealer penetration in the root canal walls and the percentage of impregnated dentin area in the transverse sections were obtained using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Games-Howell test. RESULTS: The CH dressing reduced the mean value of tubular penetration in the middle third of teeth obturated with AH Plus (P<0.01), whereas no difference was observed at the apical sections for both sealers. CONCLUSION: The CH dressing did not interfere with the apical penetration of both tested sealers, however, decreased the tubular penetration in the middle third of the AH Plus root canal fillings. Overall, MTA Fillapex presented higher tubular penetration than AH Plus obturations.

Avaliação da capacidade de dissolução de tecido pulpar bovino pelo hipoclorito de sódio em diferentes concentrações / Pulp tissue dissolution capacity of sodium hypochlorite in different concentrations

Introdução: O hipoclorito de sódio é a substância química auxiliar do tratamento endodôntico mais utilizada devido à sua ação antimicrobiana e à sua capacidade de dissolver matéria orgânica. Objetivo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar a velocidade de dissolução de fragmentos de tecido pulpar bovino em diferentes concentrações de hipoclorito de sódio. Material e método: Fragmentos de tecido pulpar bovino, com peso determinado, foram imersos em 20 mL de hipoclorito de sódio, em frascos de Becker colocados em uma incubadora/agitadora. Foram testadas as concentrações de 1%, 2,5% e 5%, com pH 11, a 36°C. As amostras foram avaliadas visualmente durante a agitação, com auxílio de lupa, até sua completa dissolução. A velocidade de dissolução de cada fragmento foi determinada em miligramas por minuto e a velocidade média de cada grupo, analisada pelos métodos estatísticos de Kruskal-Wallis e Dunn's Multiple. Resultado: Houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre a concentração de 1%, que apresentou a menor velocidade, e as demais. Conclusão: A velocidade de dissolução do hipoclorito de sódio, nas concentrações testadas, se torna mais rápida com o aumento da concentração.

Introduction: sodium hypochlorite is the most used auxiliary chemical substance in endodontic treatment due to its antimicrobial action and its ability to dissolve organic matter. Objective: the objective of the present study was to compare the dissolution speed of bovine pulp tissue fragments in different concentrations of sodium hypochlorite. Material and method: bovine pulp tissue fragments, with determined weight, were immersed in Becker bottles filled with 20 ml of sodium hypochlorite and placed in an incubator/stirrer. Concentrations of 1%, 2.5% and 5%, with pH of 11, at 36°C. Each sample was evaluated visually during the stirring, with the aid of magnifying glass, until its complete dissolution. The speed of dissolution of each fragment was determined in milligrams per minute and by the average speed of each group was analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's Multiple statistical methods. Result: There were statistically significant differences between the concentration of 1%, with the lowest speed, and others. Conclusion: The dissolution speed of sodium hypochlorite of tested concentrations, becomes faster with the increasing of the concentration.