Investigation of the thermal and physicochemical behavior of two types of gutta-percha cones for back-filling the root canal.

Background: Gutta-percha (Gp) is an inert thermoplastic polymer used as a filling to replace the dental pulp space, which has been reformulated to improve its three-dimensional sealing properties. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the physical, chemical and thermal properties of two types of gutta-percha filling. As well as measuring the temperature distribution along the cone at the time of cutting through an in-situ test. Material and Methods: Two commercially available brands of gutta-percha point were investigated: Conform Fit TM Gutta-Percha for ProTaper Gold® (PTG) (Dentsply Sirona), and Hygenic Gutta-Percha (Coltene whaledent). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were selected for the thermal characterization of materials, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) for the chemical analysis of Gp cones. Regarding temperature distribution, it was evaluated using a thermographic camera (FLIR ONE® PRO by MicroUSB P/N 435-0011-01) at 0 to 20 s after the cutting process (n=11/group). Results: Both materials have three fusion endotherms associated with the three crystalline phases of Gp, with similar temperatures but enthalpies that differ by 60%, the fusion enthalpy being higher for Conform Fit. In the chemical characterization, elements such as Zn, C, O, Ba, S and Si were found in both materials but in different proportions. Regarding the content of fillers, the Conform Fit presented around 30% of Gp polymer and 25% for the Hygenic. The morphological characterization shows a microtexturized coating in the form of bars on a micrometric scale for the Conform Fit, which could favor a better three-dimensional seal. In addition to that, in heat transfer studies they showed greater temperature control. Conclusions: The characterization of the materials allowed us to see the variation in terms of their composition and configuration to the Gp cones of two commercial brands. These variations directly modify the thermal behavior of the material. Key words:Gutta-percha, Conform Fit, Infrared thermography, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Infrared Spectroscopy.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene polymorphisms as exacerbating factors of apical periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: Two polymorphisms in the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) gene have been associated with inflammatory diseases (-794 CATT5-8 and -173G>C); however, so far there are no reports of studies related to oral health. OBJECTIVES: To genotype the -794 CATT5-8 and -173G>C MIF polymorphisms in Mexican patients with apical periodontitis as a genetic risk of exacerbation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 120 patients with apical periodontitis: 60 with a diagnosis of acute apical periodontitis (Group A) and 60 without previous episodes of exacerbation (Group B). Allelic discrimination was performed from peripheral blood DNA; the repeat polymorphism -794 CATT5-8 was genotyped with sequencing, while the -173G>C polymorphism was determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using TaqMan probes. The associations between MIF polymorphisms, haplotypes and the risk of exacerbated apical periodontitis were assessed. RESULTS: The allele CATT7 was associated with the risk of a stage of acute inflammation (OR = 4.13; 95% CI = 1.82-9.63; p =< 0.001). Regarding the -173G >C polymorphism, a process of inflammation exacerbation was only associated with the CC genotype (OR = 4.1; 95% CI = 1.02-20.84; p = 0.045). The analysis of the haplotype showed that the combination CATT7/C increases the risk of exacerbation of apical periodontitis (OR = 3.57; 95% CI = 1.038-13.300; p = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: The polymorphisms -794 CATT5-8 and -173G>C MIF seem to significantly influence the development of a state of exacerbated inflammation in patients with apical periodontitis.

Bacterial Percolation and Sealer Tubular Penetration in a Polymer-based Obturation System Compared with Warm Vertical Condensation Technique: An in Vitro Study.

Introduction: This study compared bacterial percolation and sealer penetration of a novel obturation technique with the ones of warm vertical condensation technique. Methods and Materials: A bacterial percolation test was carried out with 80 single rooted human teeth divided into 5 groups; A (n=20): warm vertical condensation and AH-Plus, B (n=20): CPoint with AH-Plus, C (n= 20): CPoint with EndoSequence BC, +ve Control (n=10): teeth with no canal obturation, -ve Control (n=10): teeth with no access cavity. The samples were inoculated with a multispecies bacterial incoulum. Bacterial percolation was evaluated by turbidity. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was used to observe the presence of gaps and voids. Further 48 extracted human mandibular single-canal premolars were used to determine the sealer penetration. Slices of the samples were observed by CLSM to evaluate tubules penetration of the sealer. Kaplan Meyer survival, ANOVA one way and Tuckey HSD test and a Wilcoxon signed-rank test were utilised. Results: A Kaplan-Meier test showed no significant difference overall (P>0.05) between groups A, B and C. At 43 days, the group B showed a significantly inferior ability to prevent bacterial passage (P<0.05). The group C showed a deeper sealer penetration than group A and B with statistically significant differences (P<0.05) for the total penetration (ANOVA one way and Tukey HSD). A Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed statistically significant differences for the penetration in the middle-and apical third of the 3 groups. Conclusion: Based on this in vitro study, the single polymer-cone obturation technique with a resin based- and bioceramic based-sealer behaved similarly to the warm vertical obturation technique in preventing bacterial passage. The bioceramic sealer showed the deepest penetration but did not fully prevent bacterial leakage.

Evaluación de la microfiltración apical de BiodentineTM como material de obturación apical mediante el transporte de fluidos computarizado / Evaluation of the apical microleakage of BiodentineTM when used as an apical sealing material, using computerized fluid dynamics

Objetivo: evaluar la capacidad de BiodentineTM para resistir la microfiltración cuando es usado como material de retroobturación medianteun sistema de transporte de fluidos computarizado. Metodología: En este estudio se utilizaron 60 raíces de dientes unirradiculares, se instrumentaron y obturaron con el sistema de cono único estandarizadodel sistema ProTaper (Dentsply, Maillefer, Suiza) con ultrasonido,utilizando el sellador de conductos radiculares Silco (Silva-Collyan SLP,México). Se hizo la preparación de la cavidad retrógrada con ultrasonidoutilizando la punta E31D del sistema Retro Kit (NSK Company, Japón),con un diámetro de 2 mm. Se llevó a cabo la retroobturación con cada uno de los cementos a evaluar; grupo 1: bturados con Biodentine™ (Septodont, Francia), grupo 2: obturados con MTA Gris (Angelus™, Londrina PR, Brasil), grupo 3: control. Se utilizó un software creado específi camente para evaluar microfi ltración; éste, por medio de sensores infrarrojos, detecta la variación de voltaje de una burbuja de aire dentro de un capilar. El programa expresa el tiempo que tarda la burbuja en pasar por el segundo sensor (mm/min), los cuales se convierten a μL/min, para después expresarlos en unidades de fi ltración, realizándosemediciones en un solo lapso. Resultados: La evaluación en este estudio de la microfi ltración apical de Biodentine™ y MTA Gris Angelus™, arrojó resultados favorables para ambos; se comprobó que no existe diferencia signifi cativa en cuanto a la microfiltración entre ellos; sin embargo, ambos materiales mostraron diferentes características en cuanto a su manipulación, tiempo de fraguado y porosidad. No se presentódiferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los grupos (p = 0.256) U Mann-Whitney y Kruskal Wallis. Conclusión: El Biodentine™ y TA Gris AngelusTM presentan un comportamiento óptimo para la obturación retrógrada. Se requiere realizar otros estudios en cuanto a la interfase con la estructura dentinaria.

Objective: To evaluate, using computational fl uid dynamics, the ability of BiodentineTM to resist microleakage when used as a retro-sealing material. Methodology: In this study, 60 single-rooted teeth were used, which were biomechanically prepared and fi lled using the standardized ProTaper single-cone technique (Dentsply, Maillefer, Switzerland) and ultrasound, using Silco root-canal sealer (Silva-Collyan, SLP, Mexico). The retrograde cavity was prepared using ultrasound and a Retro Kit (NSK Company, Japan) E31D 2 mm-diameter tip. Retrograde fi lling was performed using each of the sealers to be evaluated, as follows: group 1: sealed with BiodentineTM (Septodont, France); group 2: sealed with Grey MTA (AngelusTM, Londrina PR, Brazil); group 3: control. A specially designed software was used, which measures microleakage by using infrared sensors to detect changes in voltage in an air bubble within a capillary tube. The software expresses the time it takes (mm/min) for the bubble to pass through the second sensor, then converts these measurements into μL/min to express the rate of leakage. All of the measurements are taken considering a single interval. Results: The results of the evaluation of the apical microleakage of BiodentineTM and MTA Grey AngelusTM obtained in this study were, in both cases, favorable, proving that there is no signifi cant difference between the two in this respect. However, the characteristics of each in terms of their handling, setting time, and porosity differed. No statistically signifi cant difference between the Mann-Whitney U group and the Kruskal-Wallis group was found (p = 0.256). Conclusion: The performance of Bio-dentineTM and Gray MTA AngelusTM is ideal for retrograde fi lling pur-poses. Further studies are needed, including SEM analysis, in order to determine the quality of the seal, with respect to the interface formed with the dentin structure.