Clinical efficacy of endodontic protocols on reducing cultivable bacteria and endotoxin in infected root canal in patients submitted to head and neck radiotherapy: a randomised clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Assess the efficacy of biomechanical preparation using a reciprocating system followed by final irrigation protocols, then intracanal medication, on reducing endotoxins and cultivable bacteria of infected teeth in irradiated patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two infected single-rooted canals in patients submitted to head and neck radiotherapy were prepared by reciprocating motion and 2.5% NaOCl. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of 11 patients before the final irrigation protocol: apical positive pressure (APP) or passive ultrasonic activation (PUA). Both groups were treated in two sessions, using Ca(OH)2 as intracanal medication for 14 days. Root canal content sampling was performed after canal access (S1), after biomechanical preparation plus the irrigation protocol (S2), and after intracanal medication (S3). Chromogenic limulus amoebocyte lysate assay measured endotoxin levels (EU/mL), and bacterial load was determined by culture techniques (CFU/mL). RESULTS: Treatment protocols reduced bacterial counts after S2 in both groups (p = 0.01). S3 differed from S1 (p = 0.01), but not from S2 (p = 0.4). Endotoxin levels were reduced in both groups after S2 (P = 0.03) and were lower in S3 than in S2, with significant differences in the APP group (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Biomechanical preparation using a reciprocating system and 2.5% NaOCl in irradiated teeth, followed by the irrigation protocol (APP or PUA), demonstrated efficacy in reducing endodontic contaminants. Ca(OH)2 as intracanal medication should be performed in irradiated patients with infected root canals. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This clinical study demonstrated that endodontic treatment in irradiated patients is efficacious at reducing bacterial load and endotoxin levels.

Current Applications of Dynamic Navigation System in Endodontics: A Scoping Review.

This scoping review (SCR) was conducted to map the existing literature on dynamic navigation system (DNS), to examine the extent, range, and nature of research activity. Additionally, this SCR disseminates research findings, determines the value of conducting a full systematic review with meta-analysis, and identifies gaps in the existing literature and future directions. This SCR followed Arksey and O'Malley's five stages framework. The electronic search was performed in PubMed (Medline), Scopus (Elsevier), and Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics) databases using a search strategy. Five themes emerged during the descriptive analysis that captured the DNS application in endodontics. The DNS has been explored for creating access cavities (8/18, 44.44%), locating calcified canals (4/18, 22.2%), microsurgery (3/18, 16.6%), post removal (2/18, 11.1%), and intraosseous anesthesia (1/18, 5.5%). Out of the 18 studies included, 12 are in vitro (66.6%), five are in vivo (case report) (27.7%), and one is ex vivo (5.5%). The DNS demonstrated accuracy and efficiency in performing minimally invasive access cavities, locating calcified canals, and performing endodontic microsurgery, and it helped target the site for intraosseous anesthesia.

Effectiveness of 1-Visit and 2-Visit Endodontic Retreatment of Teeth with Persistent/Secondary Endodontic Infection: A Randomized Clinical Trial with 18 Months of Follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: This randomized clinical trial aimed to compare the effectiveness of endodontic retreatment of teeth with posttreatment apical periodontitis (PTAP) performed in 1 visit versus 2 visits on the reduction of cultivable bacteria (colony-forming units [CFUs]), lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), lipoteichoic acid (LTA), and the periapical lesion volume (mm3) after 18 months of follow-up. METHODS: Forty patients diagnosed with PTAP were selected and randomly divided into the following 2 groups: 1-visit retreatment and 2-visit retreatment with the placement of calcium hydroxide medication for 14 days. Cone-beam computed tomographic scans were performed at 2 stages: preoperatively and after 18 months of follow-up. Samples were collected before and after root canal procedures. A chromogenic limulus amebocyte lysate assay test was used to quantify endotoxins (EU/mL). LTA levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (pg/mL). Culture techniques were used to determine cultivable bacteria by counting the CFU (CFU/mL). The volume of the periapical lesions at the onset of the trial and at the 18-month posttreatment follow-up was obtained by the ITK-SNAP program (Cognitica, Philadelphia, PA). RESULTS: All samples showed baseline values greater than those collected after the retreatment protocol for all investigated parameters. A higher bacterial load and lower LTA level were found in the 2-visit group after the retreatment protocol (P < .05), with no statistical differences between the groups regarding endotoxin levels and periapical lesion volume (mm³) at the 18-month follow-up analyzed by cone-beam computed tomographic imaging (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Endodontic retreatment in 1 or 2 visits exhibited equally favorable periapical healing at 18 months, with no statistically significant differences between groups.

Perfil inflamatório e microbiológico de pacientes com infecção endodôntica primária e periodontite apical: estudo observacional / Inflammatory and microbiological profile of patients with primary endodontic infection and apical periodontitis: observational study

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o perfil microbiológico e identificar padrões de agregação bacteriana, avaliar a associação desses padrões com os níveis de mediadores inflamatórios, MMPs e sinais e sintomas clínicos e ainda correlacionar os mediadores inflamatórios entre si e com os sinais e sintomas clínicos em dentes com infecção endodôntica primária e periodontite apical (PA). Para isso, 40 dentes uniradiculares, de pacientes com infecção endodôntica primária e PA, foram submetidos à avaliação clínica, com registro de sinais e sintomas, e tomográfica através do cálculo de volumetria das lesões periapicais com o software ITK Snap. Em seguida os dentes foram submetidos ao tratamento endodôntico. Logo após a abertura coronária, amostras foram coletadas de cada canal radicular utilizando cones de papel (S1) e submetidas ao método Checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization para investigação de espécies bacterianas presentes. Foi realizado o preparo biomecânico (PBM) e em seguida o fluído intersticial da PA foi coletado (SF1) para a quantificação dos mediadores inflamatórios (IL1-ß, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, MMPs -2 e -9) através do ensaio multiplex e a quantificação de RvD2 através de ensaio imunoenzimático ELISA. Para a análise de correlação o teste de correlação de Spearman foi utilizado. A análise fatorial foi usada para identificar padrões de agregação bacteriana e regressão linear foi realizada para associar os escores fatoriais, mediadores e características clínicas dos pacientes (P=0,05). Correlação positiva foi encontrada entre MMP-2, -9, IL-10, IL-1ß, IL-6 e TNF-α, e entre RvD2, MMP-9, IL-10, IL-1ß, IL-6 e TNF-α (P<0,05), e correlação negativa foi encontrada entre IL-1ß e sensibilidade a percussão (P<0,05). A análise microbiológica revelou presença de DNA bacteriano em 100% das amostras analisadas com presença de pelo menos 2 das 40 espécies bacterianas investigadas (média = 24,62) por canal. As espécies mais frequentemente detectadas foram P. gingivalis, E. nodatum, F. nucleatum spp. vicentii, S. mitis, L. bucallis e A. actinomycetemcomitans. Das 6 espécies mais detectadas, 4 delas eram gram negativas, destacando o predomínio de gram-negativos das infecções endodônticas primárias com PA. A análise fatorial determinou 2 padrões de associação bacteriana e os resultados de regressão para o fator 1 revelaram uma associação com aumento de dor a percussão (coeficiente (coef) ß=0,788) e redução de dor a palpação (coefß=-0,753) e exsudato (coefß=- 0,479). Níveis mais altos de exsudato e menores de dor a palpação foram associados a bactérias do fator 2 (coefß=0,460 e -0,546, respectivamente). Concluímos que os mediadores inflamatórios formam uma rede inter-relacionada e que as periodontites apicais assintomáticas e sintomáticas tem uma etiologia bacteriana heterogênea e com combinações de espécies diferentes (AU)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbiological profile and identify patterns of bacterial aggregation, evaluate the association of these patterns with the levels of inflammatory mediators, MMPs and clinical signs and symptoms, and also correlate the inflammatory mediators with each other and with the clinical signs and symptoms in teeth with primary endodontic infection and apical periodontitis (AP). For this, 40 single-rooted teeth, from patients with primary endodontic infection and PA, were submitted to clinical evaluation, with registration of signs and symptoms, and tomography through the calculation of volumetry of periapical lesions with the ITK Snap software. Then the teeth were submitted to endodontic treatment. Immediately after the coronal opening, samples were collected from each root canal using paper cones (S1) and submitted to the Checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization method to investigate bacterial species present. Biomechanical preparation (BMP) was performed and then the AP interstitial fluid was collected (SF1) for the quantification of inflammatory mediators (IL1-ß, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, MMPs -2 and -9) by the multiplex assay and the quantification of RvD2 by enzyme immunoassay ELISA. For correlation analysis, Spearman's correlation test was used. Factor analysis was used to identify bacterial aggregation patterns and linear regression was performed to associate factor scores, mediators and patients' clinical characteristics (P=0.05). Positive correlation was found between MMP-2, -9, IL-10, IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α, and between RvD2, MMP-9, IL-10, IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF- α (P<0.05), and a negative correlation was found between IL-1ß and sensitivity to percussion (P<0.05). The microbiological analysis revealed the presence of bacterial DNA in 100% of the samples analyzed with the presence of at least 2 of the 40 bacterial species investigated (mean = 24.62) per root canal. The most frequently detected species were P. gingivalis, E. nodatum, F. nucleatum spp. vicentii, S. mitis, L. buccallis and A. actinomycetemcomitans. Of the 6 most detected species, 4 of them were gram negative, highlighting the predominance of gram-negative primary endodontic infections with AP. Factor analysis determined 2 patterns of bacterial association and regression results for factor 1 revealed an association with increased pain on percussion (coefficient (coef) ß=0.788) and reduced pain on palpation (coefß=-0.753) and exudate (coefß=-0.479). Higher levels of exudate and lower levels of pain on palpation were associated with factor 2 bacteria (coefß=0.460 and -0.546, respectively). We conclude that inflammatory mediators form an interrelated network and that asymptomatic and symptomatic apical periodontitis has a heterogeneous bacterial etiology and combinations of different species (AU)

Pictograph system for diagnosis making and data management in endodontics / Sistema de pictograma para elaboração de diagnóstico e gerenciamento de dados em endodontia

Objective: this questionnaire aimed to evaluate the approval of a new pictograph system for endodontic diagnosis by undergraduate and graduate students/endodontist instead of a conventional method. Methods: after a presentation to a total of 224 participants explaining the pictograph system, the participants (166 undergraduate students and 58 graduate students/endodontist) received a standardized questionnaire with three questions. The data were analyzed using the mult prop macro basing on Tukey's test for multiple comparison with (P ≤ 0.05). The first question was to define the education level of the participants; the second question about which diagnosis method is preferred; and the third question about the intention of using one of the methods in the future. The questionnaire was realized in May 2019. The response rate was 97.7%. Results: the first question showed that 74.10% and 25.90% were under graduate and graduate students/endodontist respectively. After statistical analysis there was no significant difference between the groups in the second and the third questions. In the second question (71.08% and 62.06%) of undergraduate and graduate student/endodontists respectively preferred the pictograph method over the conventional method. In the third question (60.24% and 51.72%) of undergraduate and graduate student/endodontists respectively showed interest in using the pictograph method in their professional career. Conclusion: the pictograph method in endodontic diagnosis is accepted by the majority of undergraduate and graduate students/endodontists. Training and experience affect the diagnosis making. (AU)

Objetivo: este questionário teve como objetivo avaliara aprovação de um novo sistema de imagem para diagnóstico endodôntico por estudantes de graduação e pós-graduação/endodontista, em vez de um método convencional. Métodos: após uma apresentação a um total de 224 participantes explicando o sistema de pictograma, os participantes (166 estudantes de graduação e 58 de pós graduação/endodontista) receberam um questionário padronizado com três perguntas. Os dados foram analisados usando a macro multi propósito baseada no teste de Tukey para comparação múltipla com (P ≤ 0,05). A primeira pergunta foi definir o nível de escolaridade dos participantes; a segunda pergunta sobre qual método de diagnóstico é preferido; e a terceira pergunta sobre a intenção de usar um dos métodos no futuro. O questionário foi realizado em maio de 2019. A taxa de resposta foi de 97,7%. Resultados: a primeira pergunta mostrou que 74,10% e 25,90% eram estudantes de graduação e pós-graduação / endodontista, respectivamente. Após análise estatística, não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos na segunda e na terceira questões. Na segunda questão (71,08% e 62,06%) dos estudantes de graduação e pós-graduação / endodontistas, respectivamente, preferiram o método de pictograma ao método convencional. Na terceira questão (60,24% e 51,72%) dos estudantes de graduação e pós-graduação /endodontistas, respectivamente, demonstraram interesse em utilizar o método de pictograma em sua carreira profissional. Conclusão: o método do pictograma no diagnóstico endodôntico é aceito pela maioria dos estudantes de graduação e pós-graduação / endodontistas. Treinamento e experiência afetam a elaboração do diagnóstico (AU)

Avaliação clínica do efeito de diferentes medicações intracanais nos níveis de resolvinas e lipoxinas periapicais: novas perspectivas endodônticas / Clinical evaluation of the effect of different intracanal medications on levels of periapical resolvins and lipoxins: new endodontic perspectives

RESUMO O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito da terapia endodôntica utilizando NaOCl 2,5% e medicações intracanais a base de hidróxido de cálcio e de da Nacetil cisteína (NAC) na desinfecção dos canais radiculares, na redução de endotoxinas e na estimulação de liberação dos mediadores lipídicos Resolvina E1, D2 (RvE1, RvD2) e Lipxina A4 (LxA4). Foram selecionados quarenta dentes unirradiculares, com infecção endodôntica primária e periodontite apical. Os dentes foram aleatoriamente divididos em 3 grupos de acordo com a medicação intracanal a ser utilizada: G1: soro fisiológico + Ca(OH)2 (n=14),G2: N-Acetil Cisteína (n=13), G3: clorexidina (CLX) + Ca(OH)2 (n=14). Amostras bacterianas e de endotoxinas foram coletadas do canal radicular, após abertura coronária, após preparo dos canais com limas reciprocantes (Reciproc) selecionadas de acordo com o diâmetro do canal radicular e a solução irrigante (NaOCl 2,5%) e após medicação intracanal. A análise da atividade antimicrobiana foi através da contagem de unidades formadoras de colônias (UFC/mL) de microrganismos remanescentes no canal radicular e quantificação de endotoxinas (EU/mL) através do teste Limulus Amebocyte Lysate ­ LAL. Após o preparo biomecânico (PBM) os dentes foram preenchidos com as medicações intracanais de acordo com os grupos por quatorze dias. O fluído intersticial foi coletado após preparo dos canais e após 14 dias de medicação e a quantificação dos mediadores lipídicos (RvE1, RvD2, LxA4) foi realizada através do teste imunoenzimático (ELISA). Os valores obtidos foram tabulados, analisados pelo software GraphPad Prism 6.01 e submetidos aos testes de normalidade de Kolmogorov-Smirnov e Lilliefors e em seguida aos testes Kruskal-Wallis e Dunn e Anova one-way e Tukey (P <0.05). Para carga microbiana, o PBM reduziu em média 96% dos microrganismos aeróbios e 92,5% dos anaeróbios em todos os grupos (p<0,05). A utilização de medicação intracanal à base de Ca(OH)2 manteve os níveis atingidos com o PBM (p>0,05), porém no grupo NAC houve aumento de bactérias. Os níveis de endotoxinas diminuíram após o preparo dos canais e o uso das medicações reduziu o nível de endotoxinas porém sem diferença estatística em relação à redução alcançada com o preparo biomecânico. Quanto aos mediadores lipídicos, somente no grupo NAC foi observado aumento de Rv D2. Concluiu-se que o PBM reduziu significantemente o número de bactérias e a quantidade de endotoxinas do canal, e as medicações à base de Ca(OH)2 foram eficientes na eliminação de microrganismos do canal, entretanto NAC não foi eficaz para a redução da carga microbiana; As três medicações avaliadas foram capazes de atuar no LPS bacteriano. Somente a NAC foi capaz de influenciar positivamente esse resultado com o aumento de RvD2 pós 14 dias da medicação. Os mediadores lipídicos têm grande potencial para uso nos diversos tipos de tratamento endodôntico(AU)

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of endodontic therapy using 2.5% NaOCl and intracane medications based on calcium hydroxide and Nacetyl cysteine (NAC) on root canal disinfection, reduction of endotoxins and stimulation of release of the lipid mediators Resolvin E1, D2 (RvE1, RvD2) and Lipoxin A4 (LxA4). Forty uniradicular teeth were selected, with primary endodontic infection and apical periodontitis. The teeth were randomly divided into 3 groups according to the intracanal medication to be used: G1: saline + Ca (OH) 2 (n = 14), G2: N-Acetyl Cysteine (n = 13), G3: chlorhexidine CLX) + Ca (OH) 2 (n = 14). Bacterial and endotoxin samples were collected from the root canal after coronary opening after preparation of the channels with reciprocal files (Reciproc) selected according to the root canal diameter and the irrigating solution (NaOCl 2.5%) and after intracanal medication. The analysis of the antimicrobial activity was by count of colony forming units (CFU / mL) of microorganisms remaining in the root canal and quantification of endotoxins (EU / mL) using the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate - LAL test. After biomechanical preparation (PBM) the teeth were filled with intracanal medications according to the groups for fourteen days. The interstitial fluid was collected after preparation of the channels and after 14 days of medication and quantification of the lipid mediators (RvE1, RvD2, LxA4) was performed through the enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The values obtained were tabulated, analyzed by GraphPad Prism 6.01 software and submitted to Kolmogorov Smirnov and Lilliefors normality tests, followed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn and Anova one-way and Tukey tests (P <0.05). For microbial load, PBM reduced on average 96% of aerobic microorganisms and 92.5% of anaerobes in all groups (p <0.05). The use of intracanal medication based on Ca (OH) 2 maintained levels reached with PBM (p> 0.05), but in the NAC group there was an increase of bacteria. The endotoxin levels decreased after the preparation of the canals and the use of the medications reduced the endotoxin level, but without statistical difference in relation to the reduction achieved with the biomechanical preparation. As for the lipid mediators, only in the NAC group an increase of D2 Rv was observed. It was concluded that PBM significantly reduced the number of bacteria and the amount of endotoxins in the canal, and Ca (OH) 2-based medications were efficient in the elimination of microorganisms from the canal, however NAC was not effective for reducing the load microbial; The three medications evaluated were able to act on bacterial LPS. Only the NAC was able to positively influence this result with the increase of RvD2 after 14 days of the medication. Lipid mediators have great potential for use in various types of endodontic treatment(AU)