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.

Effect of a Mandibular Advancement Device on the Upper Airway in a Patient With Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

The authors present a case of a 33-year-old male patient with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome who was treated with a mandibular advancement device with excellent results. The aim of this study is to underline the importance of new instruments that allow evaluating the upper airway with greater precision, such as cone beam tomography. Given the diagnosis and treatment, the upper airway was assessed using cone beam tomography; an increase in UA volume of 22% was observed (initial volume 22,962 mm), along with a 28% increase in area (initial area 971 mm). The evaluation of the UA using teleradiography also showed an increase in the points evaluated, with the midpoint of the soft palate presenting the greatest increase.

Effect of passive ultrasonic activation on microorganisms in primary root canal infection: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: This clinical study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of passive ultrasonic activation (PUA) in eliminating microorganisms in primary endodontic infection (PEI) after instrumentation of root canals using microbiological culture and checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization. METHODOLOGY: Twenty root canals with PEI and apical periodontitis were selected. The root canals were instrumented and then randomly divided into 2 groups, according to the irrigation method: PUA and conventional needle irrigation (CNI). Microbiological samples were collected before instrumentation (S1), after instrumentation (S2) and after irrigation with 17% EDTA (S3). The samples were subjected to anaerobic culture technique and checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization analysis. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found between CNI (23.56%) and PUA (98.37%) regarding the median percentage values for culturable bacteria reduction (p<0.05). In the initial samples, the most frequently detected species was S. constellatus (50%), and after root canal treatment was E. faecalis (50%). CONCLUSION: Both treatments significantly decreased the number of bacterial species compared with the initial sample. However, no statistical difference in the total microbial load between PUA and CNI groups was detected. The number of cultivable anaerobic bacteria reduced significantly using PUA, and the bacterial composition and number of bacterial species after using either CNI or PUA was similar.

Effect of passive ultrasonic activation on microorganisms in primary root canal infection: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract Objective: This clinical study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of passive ultrasonic activation (PUA) in eliminating microorganisms in primary endodontic infection (PEI) after instrumentation of root canals using microbiological culture and checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization. Methodology: Twenty root canals with PEI and apical periodontitis were selected. The root canals were instrumented and then randomly divided into 2 groups, according to the irrigation method: PUA and conventional needle irrigation (CNI). Microbiological samples were collected before instrumentation (S1), after instrumentation (S2) and after irrigation with 17% EDTA (S3). The samples were subjected to anaerobic culture technique and checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization analysis. Results: A statistically significant difference was found between CNI (23.56%) and PUA (98.37%) regarding the median percentage values for culturable bacteria reduction (p<0.05). In the initial samples, the most frequently detected species was S. constellatus (50%), and after root canal treatment was E. faecalis (50%). Conclusion: Both treatments significantly decreased the number of bacterial species compared with the initial sample. However, no statistical difference in the total microbial load between PUA and CNI groups was detected. The number of cultivable anaerobic bacteria reduced significantly using PUA, and the bacterial composition and number of bacterial species after using either CNI or PUA was similar.

Efeito do ultrassom na eliminação de micro-oganismos e endotoxinas em dentes com infecção endodôntica primária / Ultrasound effect in eliminating microorganisms and endotoxins in teeth with primary endodontic infection

Os objetivos do presente estudo foram: a) Verificar a carga microbiana e quantificar endotoxinas presentes nos canais radiculares de dentes com infecção endodôntica primária; b) Comparar a efetividade antibacteriana e sobre endotoxinas do preparo biomecânico com dois métodos de irrigação final: com ou sem irrigação ultrassônica passiva; c) Correlacionar sinais e sintomas com a microbiota presente e complexos bacterianos; d) Relacionar níveis de endotoxinas e carga microbiana com sinais e sintomas clinicos. Foram selecionados para o estudo 20 dentes uniradiculares, que apresentavam infecção endodôntica primária e lesão periapical, sendo estes submetidos a TCFC. Os canais foram preparados com sistema reciprocante e irrigação com NaOCl 2.5%, seguido de dois protocolos de irrigação final: com e sem uso de ultrassom. Todos os canais foram preenchidos com MIC com hidróxido de cálcio + soro fisiológico e após 14 dias foram obturados com cones de guta-percha e cimento AH Plus. Foram realizadas coletas do conteúdo do canal, logo após a abertura coronária (1ª Coleta); após PBM (2ª Coleta) e após limpeza final dos canais com NaOCl seguido de EDTA por 5 min (grupo sem PUI); ou irrigação com NaOCl + PUI e EDTA + PUI (3ª Coleta) (grupo com PUI) . Foram avaliados sinais/sintomas clínicos previo ao tratamento.O conteúdo das coletas foi analisado a partir de sondas de DNA pelo método de hibridização DNA-DNA checkerboard e foi realizado teste de avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana por cultura microbiológica. Alem disso foi realizado quantificação de endotoxinas pelo Lisado de Amebócitos de Limulus (LAL). E a volumetria dos canais foi feita através da TCFC utilizando o software Nemotec®. Os resultados foram submetidos a análise estatístico pelos testes Mann Whitney e teste ANOVA a dois fatores de medidas repetidas (5%). Valor de p < 0.05 foi considerado estatisticamente significante. Houve associação entre dor à percussão e complexos laranja principal e laranja periférico. Fístula foi associada ao complexo laranja principal e laranja periférico. Foi observada redução de bactérias após o tratamento endodôntico. Ao utilizar o método de hibridização DNA-DNA checkerboard, as bactérias mais prevalentes foram S. constellatus, E faecalis, F. nucleatum, P. gingivalis, P. melaninogenica e S. intermedius na primeira coleta. Os métodos de irrigação diminuíram número de espécies bacterianas comparado à coleta inicial. A irrigação ultrassônica passiva apresentou diferença estatística significativa sobre bactérias anaeróbias. PUI não apresento diferença significativa sobre bactérias aeróbias nem endotoxinas comparado com irrigação convencional. Concluiu-se que todos os canais apresentaram micro-organismos sendo que anaeróbios estiveram presentes em grande quantidade. Após preparo biomecânico do canal radicular e irrigação com PUI, houve redução significante da carga de micro-organismos anaeróbios. Os micro-organismos mais resistentes ao preparo biomecânico com e sem PUI foram S. constellatus , E. faecalis, S. intermedius e L.bucalis. Houve associação positiva entre sinais e sintomas clínicos com complexo laranja e com micro-organismos. Os níveis de endotoxinas diminuíram após o preparo biomecânico não foram inferenciados por PUI a irrigação convencional. (AU)

The objective of this study were: a) to check the microbial load and to quantify endotoxin present in the root canals of teeth with primary endodontic infection; b) to compare the effectiveness of bacteria and endotoxin reduction of the biomechanical preparation with final irrigation methods: with or without passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI); c) to correlate signs and symptoms with the present microbiota and bacterial complexes; d) to relate endotoxin and microbial load levels with signs and symptoms before biomechanical preparation. Twenty single-root teeth were selected for the study, presenting primary endodontic infections and periapical lesion, which underwent CBCT. The canals were prepared with reciprocating system and irrigation with 2.5% NaOCl, followed by two final irrigation protocols: with and without ultrasound. All canals were filled with MIC with calcium hydroxide + saline and after 14 days were filled with gutta percha and AH Plus. Samples from the content of canal were harvested, after coronal opening (1st Sample); after PBM (2nd Sample) and after final cleaning of the canals with NaOCl followed by EDTA for 5 min (group without PUI); or irrigation with NaOCl + PUI and EDTA + PUI (3rd Sample) (group with PUI). The contents of the samples were analyzed from DNA probes by the DNA-DNA checkerboard hybridization method and a test was performed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity by microbiological culture. In addition, quantification of endotoxins by Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) was performed. The canal volumetry was assessed through the CBCT using Nemotec® software. The results were submitted to statistical analysis by Mann Whitney and repeated measures two-way ANOVA (5%). Value of p <0.05 was considered statistically significant. There was an association between pain at percussion and main orange and peripheral orange complexes. Fistula was associated with the main orange and peripheral orange complex. A reduction of bacteria was observed after endodontic treatment. When using the DNA-DNA checkerboard hybridization method, the most prevalent bacterias were S. constellatus, E faecalis, F. nucleatum, P. gingivalis, P. melaninogenica and S. intermedius in the first collection. Irrigation methods decreased number of bacterial species compared to initial collection. The passive ultrasonic irrigation presents statistically significant difference on anaerobic bacteria. PUI did not present significant difference on aerobic bacteria or endotoxins compared to conventional irrigation. In conclusion, all canals had microorganisms, and anaerobes were present in large quantities. The most frequent microorganisms were S. constellatus, E. faecalis, F. nucleatum SP, P. gingivalis e S. intermedius. After biomechanical preparation of root canal and irrigation with PUI, there was a significant reduction of the anaerobic microorganism load. The microorganisms most resistant to biomechanical preparation with and without PUI were S. constellatus , E. faecalis, S. intermedius e L. bucalis. There was a positive association between clinical signs and symtoms with orange complex and with microorganisms. Endotoxi levels decreased after biomechanical preparation, while not influenced by PUI in comparison to conventional irrigation(AU)