Assessment of the Penetration of an Endodontic Sealer into Dentinal Tubules with Three Different Compaction Techniques Using Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy.

Adequate root canal sealing is essential for the success of endodontic treatment. There are numerous techniques available; identifying simple and efficient techniques is important to provide good patient care. The purpose of the study was to compare the maximum penetration depth and the percentage of sealant penetration of an endodontic sealer into dentine tubules using cold lateral condensation, continuous wave, and hybrid techniques, and to contrast the effectiveness of two different tapered gutta-percha master cones (0.02 and 0.04). A sample of sixty single root teeth was used. Six experimental groups were formed from the three filling techniques and the two tapered master cones. Images were acquired using a confocal laser scanning microscope. In the apical root third, the penetration percentage was higher in the hybrid compared with the continuous wave technique. The results indicated a higher penetration depth of hybrid compared with cold lateral condensation in the middle and coronal thirds, and in the apical third, a higher penetration was identified in the hybrid group compared with the continuous wave group. No significant differences in penetration were found comparing 0.02 with 0.04 taper gutta-percha groups. The coronal cross-sections presented a higher penetration than the apical third sections. In conclusion, the hybrid technique a had higher maximum sealer penetration than the continuous wave in the apical third, and the coronal third hybrid and continuous wave had a higher penetration than cold lateral condensation.

Hydraulic calcium silicate-based root canal sealers mitigate proinflammatory cytokine synthesis and promote osteogenesis in vitro.

Background/purpose: The mineralized tissue-inductive ability and anti-inflammatory properties of hydraulic calcium silicate-based (HCSB) sealers have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the HCSB sealers Bio-C sealer (BioC), Well-Root ST (WST), and EndoSequence BC sealer (BC), on osteoblastic differentiation/mineralization and proinflammatory cytokine synthesis by macrophages. Materials and methods: Diluted extracts of set sealers or calcium chloride solutions of approximately equivalent Ca2+ concentrations were applied to a mouse osteoblastic cell line (Kusa-A1 cells) and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse macrophage cell line (RAW264.7 cells). Expressions of osteoblastic markers in Kusa-A1 cells and proinflammatory cytokines in RAW264.7 cells were evaluated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Mineralized nodules were detected by Alizarin red S staining. Cell proliferation was assessed by WST-8 assay and cell attachment on set sealers was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Results: The three sealer extracts significantly upregulated osteocalcin and osteopontin mRNA, and promoted significant mineralized nodule formation in Kusa-A1 cells. The three sealer extracts significantly downregulated the mRNA expressions of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and protein levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in RAW264.7 cells. Calcium chloride solutions induced osteoblastic differentiation/mineralization. AH Plus Jet (a control sealer) extract did not. The three HCSB sealers did not interfere with the growth and attachment of Kusa-A1 cells. Conclusion: BioC, WST, and BC were biocompatible, upregulated osteoblastic differentiation/mineralization, and downregulated proinflammatory cytokine expression. Ca2+ released from HCSB sealers might be involved, at least in part, in the induction of osteoblastic differentiation/mineralization.

Tip and taper compatibility of accessory gutta-percha points with rotary and reciprocating instruments.

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the tip and taper compatibility of accessory gutta-percha points (AGPs) with various rotary and reciprocating instruments. Materials and Methods: Using a profile analyzer, tip and taper measurements were taken of 10 AGPs of each of the 14 models available from Odous de Deus and the 4 models available from Dentsply-Maillefer. Diameter measurements were taken at 1-mm intervals, from 3 mm from the tip (D3) to 16 mm. Results: Based on the mean values obtained, 3-dimensional (3D) models of the AGPs were drawn in Autodesk Fusion 360 and superimposed on 3D models of each instrument selected (Mtwo, Reciproc, RaCe, K3, and ProDesign Logic) to determine the compatibility between the instrument and the AGP. Data corresponding to the tips and tapers of the various AGPs, as well as the tip and taper differences between the AGPs and the instruments, were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The tapers of the AGPs were subject to the American National Standards Institute/American Dental Association No. 57 standard. The Odous de Deus extra-long medium and extra-long extra-medium AGPs were shown to be compatible with Mtwo, K3, and ProDesign Logic instruments with taper 0.06 and tip sizes 25 and 30, while the Dentsply fine and fine medium cones were compatible with Mtwo, RaCe, and K3 instruments with conicity of 0.04 and tip sizes 35 and 40. Conclusions: Both the Odous de Deus and Dentsply commercial brands included 2 AGP models with tip (D3) and taper compatibility with Mtwo, RaCe, K3, and/or Prodesign Logic instruments.

Comparison of two obturation techniques on adhesion and proliferation of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts / Comparación de la adhesión y proliferación de fibroblastos periodontales humanos en dos técnicas de obturación endodóntica

The present study aimed to compare the adhesion and proliferation of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (hPDL) in transverse sections of the teeth sealed with two different obturation techniques, BioRoot RCS/hydraulic obturation (HO) and AH-Plus/continuous-wave condensation (CWC). The techniques were tested using an in vitro model to simulate the interaction between periodontal tissues and the materials. The root canals were instrumented and sterilized. A total of 15 samples were obturated with BioRoot RCS/HO and 15 samples with AH-Plus/CWC. Then, roots were sectioned to obtain obturated teeth slices, and hPDL cells were seeded onto the root slices. The results were obtained at intervals of 4 and 24h for cell adhesion; and at 3,7,14, and 21 days for cell proliferation. Empty cell culture plates were use as controls. The cell adhesion was increased at 4 and 24h for both groups, with an increased response observed in the BioRoot RCS/HO group (p<0.05). The difference in cell proliferation was also found between experimental groups. After 14 days of culture, BioRoot RCS/HO group showed an increase response than control and AH-Plus/CWC groups (p<0.05), and after 21 days both groups behaved better than control group, with an increased response observed in the BioRoot RCS/HO group. This study demonstrated that both root canal sealers allow the attach and growth of periodontal ligament fibroblasts, with an increased biological response in the BioRoot RCS/HO group.

El presente estudio se enfocó en comparar la adhesión y proliferación de fibroblastos de ligamento periodontal humano (hPDL) en secciones transversales de raíces previamente obturadas con dos técnicas de obturación diferentes: obturación hidráulica empleando cono único de gutapercha y BioRoot RCS como sellador (HO), y obturación de condensación de onda continua y AH-Plus como sellador (CWC). Los selladores se usaron en un modelo in vitro que simula la interacción entre los tejidos periodontales y los materiales de obturación. Los conductos radiculares fueron instrumentados, esterilizados y obturados. La muestra se compuso de un total de 15 raíces con la técnica BioRoot RCS/HO y 15 raíces con la técnica AH-Plus/CWC. Las células de hPDL fueron sembradas en condiciones estándar de cultivo sobre las raíces seccionadas. Los resultados fueron obtenidos a intervalos de 4 y 24h para adhesión celular, y a los 3,5,7,14 y 21 días de cultivo para proliferación celular. La adhesión celular a las 4 y 24 horas mostró ser diferente para ambas técnicas en comparación con el grupo control, siendo más importante en el grupo BioRoot RCS/HO. La diferencia en la proliferación entre grupos se observó a los 14 días de cultivo, únicamente para el grupo BioRoot RCS/HO; Sin embargo para el día 21 ambas técnicas mostraron mayor proliferación celular que el grupo control, con mejor respuesta para el grupo BioRoot RCS/HO. Este estudio ha demostrado que ambos selladores de conductos permiten la adhesión y crecimiento de fibroblastos de ligamento periodontal, siendo el grupo BioRoot RCS/HO el que mostró mayor biocompatibilidad.

Evaluation of temporary cement to prevent bacterial contamination of the root canal after pulpectomy / Avaliação da capacidade do cemento temporário prevenir a contaminação bacteriana do canal após pulpectomia

ABSTRACT To evaluate the ability of temporary cement (TC) and gutta-percha sticks (GP) to prevent bacterial contamination of the root canal through the coronal seal after pulpectomy. Eighty artificial primary maxillary central incisors were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups: TC (n = 40) and GP (n = 40). Endodontic access, rotary instrumentation, root canal filling, and coronal sealing were performed according to group allocation. The root canal opening was seeded with S. mutans and E. faecalis. Both groups were subdivided into 5 experimental time points (24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours), with 8 specimens per time-point group: 5 in which both root canal filling and coronal sealing were performed (with either TC or GP) and 3 controls (coronal sealing alone, without root canal filling). All specimens were incubated in an anaerobic jar at 37°C, and bacterial contamination was assessed in a spectrophotometer. ANOVA (t-test) was used to compare contamination and the Kruskal-Wallis test to compare filling scores between the experimental groups. A significant difference was observed in sealing in the first 24 hours between GP and controls (p = 0.046). There was no significant difference in the filling pattern between canals sealed with TC versus GP. Specimens sealed with GP showed less contamination than controls in the first 24 hours. At later time points, neither GP nor TC were effective at controlling bacterial contamination; both failed to provide adequate coronal sealing.

RESUMO Avaliar a capacidade do obturador provisório (OP) e da gutapercha em bastão (GP) de prevenir a contaminação bacteriana dos condutos radiculares. Foram selecionados 80 incisivos centrais superiores decíduos artificiais que foram divididos aleatoriamente em 2 grupos: OP (n = 40) e GP (n = 40). Foi realizado acesso endodôntico, instrumentação rotatória, preenchimento do canal radicular e selamento coronário conforme os grupos. Foi feita a semeadura de S.mutans e E. faecalis na entrada do canal radicular. Ambos os grupos foram subdivididos em 5 tempos experimentais (24, 48, 72, 96 e 120 horas), com 8 espécimes por tempo experimental: 5 submetidos a preenchimento do canal radicular e selamento coronário (com OP ou GP) e 3 controles (apenas selamento coronário, sem preenchimento do canal). Todos os espécimes foram incubados em jarras de anaerobiose a 37°C e a contaminação bacteriana foi avaliada em espectrofotômetro. Utilizou-se ANOVA (teste t) para a comparação da contaminação e o teste de Kruskal-Wallis para a comparação dos escores da obturação entre os grupos experimentais. Foi observada diferença significativa no selamento nas primeiras 24 horas entre GP e controles (p = 0,046). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa no padrão de preenchimento entre os canais selados com OP versus GP. Os espécimes selados com GP apresentaram menor contaminação do que os controles nas primeiras 24 horas. Nos demais tempos experimentais, tanto GP quanto OP não foram eficientes no controle da contaminação bacteriana; ambos apresentaram falha no selamento coronário.

Tratamiento no quirúrgico de lesión periapical de gran tamaño: Reporte de caso / Non-surgical Therapeutics of large size periapical injury: Clinical case report

Resumen Se describe un caso clínico sobre una mujer de 21 años de edad la cual sufrió trauma dental a los 6 años que comprometió al incisivo superior izquierdo lo cual con el tiempo generó o se formó una gran lesión periapical en esta región. Radiográficamente se observa la formación incompleta de la raíz, las paredes del conducto radicular delgadas, y una extensa lesión periapical. Se realizó el desbridamiento químico-mecánico con limas K y se ejecutó la desinfección del conducto radicular con clorhexidina al 2%. El conducto se deja medicado con hidróxido de calcio (Vitapex®), el cual se reemplaza periódicamente con dicho material hasta los nueve meses, finalmente se obtura con Biodentine®. Se da seguimiento al caso a través de cuatro años, pasando por blanqueamiento interno, carilla de resina hasta llegar a poste intra radicular con corona completa de porcelana en lo concerniente al aspecto estético. En cuanto a la lesión periapical de gran tamaño, se llega a observar por medio de tomografías, disminución de la lesión al mínimo y genera cicatrización ósea. En relación con la observación clínica hay desaparición de la fístula y ausencia de sintomatología.

Abstract This report describes a clinical case involving a 21-year-old woman, who suffered dental trauma at age 6, compromising left tooth 2.1. On time she developed a large periapical injury in this area. Radiographically, incomplete root formation, thin walls of the root canal, and extensive periapical damage is clearly shown. Chemo- mechanical debridement was performed with K files and disinfection of the root canal using 2% chlorhexidine. The root canal was left medicated with calcium hydroxide (Metapex), which was replaced periodically until 9 months. Finally, the root canal was completely sealed with Biodentine. The case had a follow up for over four years and concerning esthetical aspects, through this period of time an internal whitening, resin veneer, intra radicular post and complete crown were provided. Regarding the considerable periapical injury, tomography shows that it has been drastically reduced and generated bone healing. Clinical observations also show that the fistula and symptomatology disappeared.

Thermafil: A New Clinical Approach Due to New Dimensional Evaluations.

BACKGROUND: There are a lot of techniques to obturate the root canals, but lateral condensation of gutta-percha is the most used one. An important aspect of thermafil is the error margin tolerated by the manufacturer in the production of plastic carriers. In literature, there is no evidence about discrepancy percentage between different carriers. It is demonstrated that the error margin of gutta-percha is 0.5% and is 0.2% for metal files (ISO standards). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the real dimensions of thermafil plastic carriers observed by the stereo microscope measuring the dimensional discrepancy between them. METHODS: For this study, 80 new thermafil (Dentsply Maillefer) have been selected. 40 thermafil 0.25 and 40 thermafil 0.30. Through 60X stereo microscope, the dimensions of the plastic carrier tips have been measured. The dimensions of the plastic carrier were also measured after a heating cycle. ZL GAL 11TUSM (Zetaline stereo evolution) microscope was used to observe the samples. Measurements were made through a dedicated software (Image Focus). All samples were analysed at 60X. RESULTS: A non-parametric paired test (Wilcoxon test) was used to compare baseline and after heating values; p-values ≤ 0.05 were assumed to be statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The samples we measured showed a mean value of the diameters in Thermafil 25 that was 0.27 mm, for Thermafil 30 the mean value was 0.33 mm.We have measured a dimensional variable of 8% in the 25 group while in group 30 the maximum possible variation found was 4%, that's why we propose a new protocol of obturation with thermafil. We can also conclude that a single heating process does not affect clinically the plastic carrier dimensions.

Foreign body of endodontic origin in the maxillary sinus.

Foreign bodies found in the maxillary sinus include tooth roots, burs, dental impression material, root-filling materials, dental implants, and needles. The purpose of this paper was to present an unusual case of a large foreign body of endodontic origin (root-filling material) removed from the maxillary sinus. A 45-year-old generally healthy male patient reported to the Department of Conservative Dentistry with Endodontics of the Medical University of Silesia, because of orbital and buccal pain on the right side of his face and headaches in the preceding 6 months. Those symptoms were associated with the end of endodontic treatment of teeth 14 and 16. Periapical X-rays, including of teeth 14 and 16, showed the presence of root canal filling with extrusion of endodontic obturation material beyond the apices of tooth 14. In the case of tooth 16, a completely filled palatal canal and incompletely filled buccal canals were found. There was also an irregular dimness at the upper edge of the X-ray image. Panoramic radiography and computed tomography demonstrated a foreign body in the right sinus. Sinus exploration was performed via a surgical procedure conducted using topical anesthesia. The root apices of tooth 14 were resected, and foreign substance was removed. The practitioner did not correctly recognize a complication that occurred during endodontic treatment, which resulted in extrusion of endodontic material beyond the root apices of tooth 14. This case emphasizes the potential impact that an involved maxillary sinus may have on endodontic therapy. Detailed diagnostic identification based on the medical interview, physical and histopathological examinations, and diagnostic imaging allowed rapid surgical intervention and prevented local and general complications. It is important to realize that the range of the periapical X-ray projection is not always sufficient.

In vitro evaluation of carrier based obturation technique: a CBCT study.

AIM: The goal of the study was to compare the ability of two different carrier based obturation (CBO) techniques to reach working length and fill in three-dimensions root canal systems, by using CBCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six extracted molars were scanned with CBCT and 40 curved canals were selected (between 30° and 90°) and divided in two similar groups (n=20). All canals were prepared up to size 25 taper .06 using nickel-titanium instrumentation. The canals in the Group SC were obturated using Soft-Core obturators (Kerr, Romulus, Mi, USA), while Group TH canals (n= 20) were obturated using Thermafil Endodontic Obturators (Tulsa Dental Products, Tulsa, OK, USA), strictly following manufacturers' instructions for use. The obturations were analyzed by means of CBCT to measure the distance from the apical limit of obturation to the apical foramen and the presence of voids inside root canals. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in the mean distance of the apical extent of the obturation (t test, p>0.05). Overfilling occurred in only 3 cases (2 in Group TH and 1 in Group SC). The percentages of voids in both groups were very low with no significant difference (Z test, p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The two tested CBO techniques showed similar positive results in terms of performance, even if, after checking with verifiers, in most cases the size of the selected Soft-Core obturator was one size smaller than Thermafil.

Temperature-dependent rheological property changes of thermoplastic gutta-percha root filling materials.

AIM: To compare the penetration resistance (PR) of six thermoplastic gutta-percha (GP) materials against needle penetration at different temperatures. METHODOLOGY: The PR of the following materials based on warm gutta-percha techniques, Beefill GP Cartridge (Beefill), GP Obturator-Hard/Medium/Soft (Dia-H, Dia-M, Dia-S), Obtura (Obtura) and Tactendo Gutta (Tactendo), was measured as a function of temperature change (from 30 °C to 200 °C). The PR was measured using a force gauge, mounted on a motor-driven micrometre stage, which pushed the penetration needle against GP in a glass cylinder at the designated temperatures. Data were analysed using Kruskal-Wallis anova and Duncan's multiple range tests at 5% significance. RESULTS: The mean PR values for all assessed materials ranged from 15.55 MPa to 26.02 MPa at 30 °C, decreased to 0.18-1.61 MPa at 60 °C, and finally reached 0.02-0.12 MPa at 200 °C. The Obtura had the highest PR values at most of the measured temperatures. At 40-60 °C, Obtura had the highest PR value (P < 0.05), and Tactendo had the lowest amongst the tested materials. At 70-200 °C, both the mean PR values and melt flow temperature (MFR) of Obtura, Dia-H and Dia-M were significantly higher than those of other materials (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The PR values were changed by both the heating temperature and the brand or type of GP materials tested. Each material was associated with drastic decreases before reaching 60 °C in different degrees, and Obtura had the highest PR at most of the measured temperatures.

Fiber-post bond strength in canals obturated with a cross-linked gutta-percha core obturator.

The aim of this in-vitro study was to evaluate the bond strength of fiber posts cemented in a root canal filled using various root-canal obturation techniques. A total of 33 monoradicular samples, treated endodontically, were randomly assigned to three groups according to the root-canal obturation technique: group 1, continuous-wave technique; group 2, plastic-obturator-core technique; and group 3, cross-linked gutta-percha obturator-core technique. Fiber posts were luted in each sample and each was sectioned perpendicular to the post axis. The push-out test was performed using a universal machine and the maximum failure load was recorded in MPa mm(-2) . Several samples were randomly chosen for scanning electron microscopy evaluation. The mean debris and dentinal tubule-opening scores were calculated separately in the coronal and apical portions. Bond strength was significantly higher in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3. Debris scores were significantly higher in the apical portion of groups 2 and 3 than in group 1. Within the limitations of this study it can be affirmed that thermoplasticized alpha gutta-percha seemed to worsen the cleaning of post-space walls and hence reduced fiber-post bond strength.