Reference values for the production of the aqueous fraction of the tear film measured by the standardized endodontic absorbent paper point test in different exotic and laboratory animal species.

The aqueous fraction of the tear film and the horizontal palpebral fissure length (HPFL) were measured in exotic and laboratory animals, specifically saffron finches (Sicalis flaveola), chestnut-bellied seed-finches (Sporophila angolensis), red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), rats (Rattus norvegicus) and mice (Mus musculus). These species possess small eyes making it difficult to perform the typical Schirmer tear test. Measurement of the aqueous fraction of the tear was performed using the standardized endodontic absorbent paper point tear test (PPTT), accomplished with manual restraint by a single operator. The following results were obtained: saffron finches (n = 42)-HPFL (4.46 ± 0.09 mm) and PPTT (5.10 ± 0.26 mm); chestnut-bellied seed-finches (n = 38)-HPFL (4.77 ± 0.05 mm) and PPTT (4.11 ± 0.34 mm); red-eared sliders (n = 56)-HPFL (8.59 ± 0.08 mm) and PPTT (8.79 ± 0.38 mm); rats (n = 60)-HPFL (6.45 ± 0.09 mm) and PTT (6.18 ± 2.06 mm); and mice (n = 22)-HPFL (3.59 ± 0.27 mm) and PPTT (4.39 ± 1.45 mm).

Contamination of absorbent paper points in clinical practice: a critical approach.

This study sought to evaluate the contamination level of absorbent paper points used routinely in dental clinical practice. For this study, 60 absorbent paper points were collected and separated into 3 groups: 20 paper points from sealed commercial packages (Group 1), 20 paper points from open commercial packages in use for 30 days (Group 2), and 20 paper points from a sealed commercial package that were manipulated by the operator (Group 3). Evaluation criteria was the presence or absence of turbidity in the brain heart infusion (BHI) broth used as the culture medium. The results (Kruskal-Wallis test; significance level = 5%) demonstrated bacterial growth in most of the samples for all groups, with a statistically significant difference in Group 3 compared to Groups 1 and 2. It was concluded that inadequate manipulation of paper points by the operator caused these materials to become contaminated; in addition, the bacterial growth in absorbent paper points that are still in their commercial packages indicates the importance of sterilization before the paper points are used in clinical practice.

Oral Candida colonization in patients with chronic periodontitis. Is there any relationship?

BACKGROUND: Candida can be implicated in the pathology of chronic periodontitis. AIMS: To analyze the oral Candida carriage in patients suffering from chronic periodontitis (CP) and its correlation with the severity of this condition. METHODS: Microbiological samples were taken from 155 patients using the oral rinse (OR) technique and by using paper points in the periodontal pockets (GPP). These patients were divided into 3 groups: 89 patients without CP (control), 47 with moderate CP, and 19 with severe CP. Samples were cultured in a Candida chromogenic agar for Candida. Species were identified by microbiological and molecular methods. RESULTS: Candida was isolated in the OR of 45 (50.6%), 21 (44.7%), and 11 (57.9%) patients, respectively, and in the GPP of 32 (36%), 14 (29.2%), and 10 (42.6%) patients from the control, moderate CP and severe CP groups, respectively. Candida was isolated more frequently and in a greater burden in OR than in GPP (p<0.01). Candida albicans was the most prevalent species. GPP of patients with CP had poor fungal biodiversity (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Colonization by Candida was present in the samples of patients without CP, and with both moderate and severe CP. Nonetheless, patients with severe CP had a higher rate of Candida colonization, especially by C. albicans.

Effect of 95% Ethanol as a Final Irrigant before Root Canal Obturation in Primary Teeth: An in vitro Study.

BACKGROUND: Successful obturation in the primary teeth demands complete dryness of the root canal system. AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of 95% ethanol as the final irrigant before root canal obturation in primary teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 extracted primary mandibular canines were biomechanically prepared and pre-obturated volume of each tooth was assessed using spiral computed tomography (CT). The specimens were divided into two groups (n = 10): group 1, Metapex group; group 2, zinc oxide eugenol group. Each group was further divided randomly into two subgroups (n = 5): subgroup 1, canals were dried with 95% ethanol; subgroup 2, canals were blot dried with paper points with the last one appearing dry. All canals were obturated and the postobturated volume of each tooth was measured. The percentage of obturated volume (POV) was calculated using the formula: (postobturated volume/preobturated volume) × 100. The POV between the groups was statistically analyzed using Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon Signed rank test appropriately. RESULTS: Root canals that were dried with ethanol showed better obturation than using paper points alone and the difference was statistically significant in both group 1 (p < 0.001) and group 2 (p < 0.002). CONCLUSION: Drying of the root canal system with 95% ethanol can result in better obturation in the primary teeth. How to cite this article: Thiruvenkadam G, Asokan S, John B, Geetha Priya PR. Effect of 95% Ethanol as a Final Irrigant before Root Canal Obturation in Primary Teeth: An in vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(1):21-24.

Comparison of efficacy of pulverization and sterile paper point techniques for sampling root canals.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of the pulverization and sterile paper point techniques for sampling root canals using 5.25% NaOCl/17% EDTA and 1.3% NaOCl/MTAD (Dentsply, Tulsa, OK) as irrigation regimens. METHODS: Single-canal extracted human teeth were decoronated and infected with Enterococcus faecalis. Roots were randomly assigned to 2 irrigation regimens: group A with 5.25% NaOCl/17% EDTA (n = 30) and group B with 1.3% NaOCl/MTAD (n = 30). After chemomechanical debridement, bacterial samplings were taken using sterile paper points and pulverized powder of the apical 5 mm root ends. RESULTS: The sterile paper point technique did not show growth in any samples. The pulverization technique showed growth in 24 of the 60 samples. The Fisher exact test showed significant differences between sampling techniques (P < .001). The sterile paper point technique showed no difference between irrigation regimens. However, 17 of the 30 roots in group A and 7 of the 30 roots in group B resulted in growth as detected by pulverization technique. Data showed a significant difference between irrigation regimens (P = .03) in pulverization technique. CONCLUSIONS: The pulverization technique was more efficacious in detecting viable bacteria. Furthermore, this technique showed that 1.3% NaOCl/MTAD regimen was more effective in disinfecting root canals.

Microbiological analysis of absorbent paper points employed by undergraduate students from a dental school in south of Brazil

Aim: The aim of this study was identify contamination on absorbent paper points used by students of Dental Clinic III of the Faculty of Dentistry of Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in the semester 2015/1, in order to warn students and professionals of the area on the importance to sterilize these materials. Material and Methods: In a clinical environment, 180 absorbent paper points we collected (80 of them from the first series and 80 from the second one), from 40 students. After the collection, each one was singly immersed in a microtube containing 1.5 ml of the BHI (Brain Heart Infusion) culture. Positive control was composed by one paper point contaminated by saliva, and negative control was composed by a closed microtube, only with BHI. The microtubes were incubated at 37ºC in bacteriological incubator during 14 days. The microtubes that presented turbidity were considered positive, and those which did not present turbidity were considered negative. Results: The results were analyzed by the Fisher Exact Test, which demonstrated that paper points from the second series presented higher agreement contamination between the paper points collected from each box, when compared to the analyzed boxes from the first series (p=0.03). All the samples observed presented growth of Bacillus spp in the microorganism identification. Conclusions: It is possible conclude that absorbing paper points, when exposed to clinical environment suffer contamination, and the autoclave sterilization is necessary before the use, regardless the commercial brand, in order to ensure the aseptic chain maintenance.

Capacidade de absorção e toxicidade de cones de papel após esterilização / Absorption capacity and toxicity of paper points after sterilization

Objetivo: Avaliar a influência do processo de esterilização sobre cones de papel em relação à sua capacidade de absorção e, conseqüentemente,de secagem dos condutos radiculares, além da possível liberação de algum produto antimicrobiano ou citotóxico. Métodos: Os cones utilizados foram de três marcas encontradas no mercado brasileiro: Dentsply (Dentsply Indústria e Comércio Ltda., Petrópolis,Brasil), Endopoints (Endopoints Indústria e Comércio Ltda., Paraíba do Sul, Brasil) e Tanari (Tanari Industrial Ltda., São Paulo, Brasil). Para avaliação da capacidade de absorção, os cones foram submetidos a quatro ciclos de esterilização e foi realizada a técnica de Holland modificada. A capacidade antimicrobiana/citotóxica foi verificada por meio do depósito dos cones esterilizados em placas de Petri contendo Ágar Miller-Hintom e Ágar Sangue, semeados com S.aureus e E. coli. Resultados: Os cones Dentsply (Dentsply Indústria e Comércio Ltda., Petrópolis, Brasil) e Tanari (Tanari Industrial Ltda., São Paulo, Brasil) apresentaram maior absorção após o primeiro ciclo de esterilização, seguido de queda no segundo e terceiro ciclo e novo aumento no quarto ciclo. Para os cones Endopoints (Endopoints Indústria e Comércio Ltda., Paraíba do Sul, Brasil), os valores foram inversos, com pequena queda de absorção após o primeiro ciclo, aumento no segundo e terceiro e nova queda no quarto ciclo. Nenhum dos cones apresentou atividade antimicrobiana após o processo de esterilização. Conclusão: O processo de esterilização por calor úmido não altera as propriedades de absorção e não há liberação de subprodutos dos cones de papel testados.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of the sterilization process on paper cones as regards their absorption capacity, and consequently, root canal drying, in addition to the possible release of any antimicrobial or cytotoxic product. Methods: The cones used were of three of the brands found on the Brazilian market Dentsply (Dentsply Indústria e Comércio Ltda., Petrópolis, Brazil), Endopoints (Endopoints Indústria e Comércio Ltda., Paraíba do Sul, Brazil) and Tanari (Tanari Industrial Ltda., São Paulo, Brazil). To evaluate the absorption capacity, the cones were submitted to four sterilization cycles, and the modified Holland technique was performed. The antimicrobial/cytotoxic capacity was verified by means of depositing the sterilized cones in Petri dishes containing Miller-Hinton Agar and Blood Agar, seeded with S.aureus and E. coli. Results: The Dentsply (Dentsply Indústria e Comércio Ltda., Petrópolis, Brazil) and Tanari (Tanari Industrial Ltda., São Paulo, Brazil) cones presented greater absorption after the first sterilization cycle, followed by a drop in the second and third cycles, and a new increase in the fourth cycle. For the Endopoints (Endopoints Indústria e Comércio Ltda., Paraíba do Sul, Brazil) cones, the values were inverted, with a small drop in absorption after the first cycle, increase in the second and third cycles, and a new drop in the fourth cycle. None of the cones presented antimicrobial activity after the sterilization process. Conclusion: The sterilization process by damp heat does not alter the properties of absorption and there is no release of by-products from the tested paper cones.