Effect of reciprocating instrumentation on chlorhexidine substantivity on human dentin: chemical analysis followed by confocal laser microscopy

The present research analyzed the reciprocating instrumentation associated to chlorhexidine (CHX) substantivity as its correlation with E. faecalis viability in ex vivo root canals. Eighty extracted single-rooted human teeth were used, being 40 to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and 40 to confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). In both, teeth were decoronated and the cervical third was prepared. In the CLSM analysis, the root canals were inoculated with E. faecalis for 14 days. Samples were divided into 4 groups (n=10) according to instrumentation technique: no instrumentation and irrigation with distilled water (control); manual instrumentation (K-File); rotary instrumentation (ProTaper Next); and reciprocating instrumentation (Reciproc R25). Two percent chlorhexidine was applied as irrigating substance in experimental groups. Longitudinal grooves resulted in 2 halves root and 20 proof bodies in each group. Samples were divided by chance in two groups (n=10) and the outcomes were evaluated after two days and one week. The retained chlorhexidine and live cells after instrumentation techniques in each evaluation time was measured by HPLC and CLSM, respectively. Specific analysis was applied for experimental tests (p≤0.05). Both rotary as well as reciprocating techniques significantly reduced the amount of chlorhexidine on dentin in all observation periods (p<0.05). After evaluation times, all experimental groups presented lower live cells compared to control, but without statistically difference. Intragroup comparisons in times of evaluation showed no differences in instrumentation techniques, in chlorhexidine retention and number of live cells (p>0.05). Reciprocating instrumentation does not interfere on chlorhexidine substantivity.

Effect of chemical and natural irrigant solutions on microhardness of root dentin­ an in vitro study

Aim: Modifications in the mechanical properties of dentin may reduce the fracture resistance of tooth, especially after endodontic treatment. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effect of the irrigation with different root canal irrigants on the microhardness of root dentin. Methods: The coronal portion of 60 single-rooted bovine incisors was sectioned and the pulpal tissue removed using endodontic K-files. The roots were cut transversely to obtain 2 fragments, which were embedded in acrylic resin and randomly distributed into six groups (n=20) according to the irrigation protocol: distilled water (DW) (control); 2% chlorhexidine solution (CHX); 6% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl); 6% calcium hypochlorite (Ca[OCl]2); QMix; and 6.5% grape seed extract solution (GSE). The solutions were kept in contact with the root dentin specimens for 30 min. After that, irrigation with 5 mL of DW was performed. The Vickers microhardness was determined by performing three indentations in all specimens, using 300-g load and 20-second dwell time. The first indentation was made 1.000 µm from the root canal entrance, and two other indentations were made at a distance of 200 µm from each other. The microhardness value for each specimen was obtained as the average of the results for the three indentations. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA with 5% significance level. Results: All the tested irrigant solutions maintained the same microhardness level of the root dentin when compared to the control group, with no statistically significant differences between them (p<0.05) Conclusion: The tested irrigant solutions did not present ability to modify the microhardness of root dentin