Objective To assess the influence of final irrigation protocols with chlorhexidine in the coronal leakage of Enterococcus faecalis in filled root canals. Material and Methods Seventy single-root canals from extracted teeth were prepared using ProTaper instruments. The irrigation protocol accomplished an alternating irrigation with 5 mL of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCI) and 17% EDTA between each file. The teeth were randomly divided into four experimental groups (n=15) according to the final irrigation regimen: group 1, without final irrigation; group 2, irrigation with 10 mL 2.0% chlorhexidine (CHX); group 3, with a final application of EC40™; and group 4, irrigation with the combination (1:1) of 0.2% CHX + 0.1% cetrimide (CTR). All the teeth were mounted in a two-chamber apparatus and the coronal access was exposed to E. faecalis. The presence of turbidity in the BHI broth over a period of 180 days was observed. The Friedman test was used for statistical analysis. Results EC40™ varnish showed the least leakage at 180 days, and was statistically similar to 2% CHX. No significant differences were observed between the group without final irrigation and the 2% CHX group or 0.2% CHX + 0.1% CTR. Conclusions In this ex vivo study, EC40™ showed the longest delayed coronal leakage of E. faecalis, although without significant differences from 2% CHX.

Aim: To compare the apical sealing in mesio-buccal canals of extracted molars obturated with low-temperature thermoplasticized gutta-percha or cold lateral condensation techniques using a .06 or a .02 mm/mm tapered gutta-percha master cone. The secondary aim was to evaluate the depth of spreader penetration in root canals using a .06 or a .02 mm/mm tapered gutta-percha master cone. Methodology: Forty-four mesio-buccal curved canals (25-40º) were instrumented with .06 nickel-titanium rotary instruments and randomly distributed into two control groups (n=4) and three experimental groups (n=12) for obturation by the Ultrafil® 3D system or by cold lateral condensation with .06 or .02 tapered master cone. Canal sealer AH-Plus® was used. The depth of spreader penetration was recorded in millimetres. Roots were covered with two layers of nail polish, immersed in India ink for 7 days, transversally sectioned and examined with a stereomicroscope. Student’s t test was used to determine whether there was a difference in spreader penetration between groups. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine whether there was a difference in leakage. Results: There were no differences among the three groups (p=0.396), which showed a very similar mean microleakage (0.42, 0.75 and 0.42). The difference in spreader penetration between the groups filled by cold lateral condensation was significant (p=0.001) Conclusion: The Ultrafil® 3D system and cold lateral condensation techniques with .06 or .02 tapered master cones were equally effective in the apical sealing of curved canals. The spreader penetrated deeper using a .02 mm/mm tapered gutta-percha master cone.

Objetivo: comparar el sellado apical en conductos mesio-vestibulares de molares obturados con gutapercha termoplastificada a baja temperatura o con técnica de condensación lateral usando un cono maestro de gutapercha de conicidad .06 o .02. Como objetivo secundario se evaluó la penetración del espaciador en los conductos cuando se utilizó un cono de conicidad .02 o .06. Metodología: cuarenta y cuatro conductos mesio-vestibulares curvos (25-40º) fueron preparados con instrumentos rotatorios del niquel-titanio de conicidad .06 y distribuidos aleatoriamente en dos grupos control (n=4) y tres grupos experimentales (n=12) para obturarlos con el sistema Ultrafil® 3D o técnica de condensación lateral de gutapercha en frío con conos maestros de conicidad .06 o.02. AH-Plus fue utilizado como cemento sellador. La profundidad de penetración del espaciador fue registrada en milímetros. Las raíces fueron cubiertas con dos capas de barniz de uñas, sumergidas en tinta china durante 7 días, seccionadas transversalmente y examinadas con un estereomicroscopio. Para determinar si existían diferencias en la penetración del espaciador entre grupos se utilizó el test de la T de Student. La prueba de Kruskal-Wallis fue utilizada para determinar si existían diferencias en la penetración del tinte. Resultados: no hubo diferencias en la microfiltración entre los tres grupos de estudio (p= 0.396), que mostraban una media muy similar (0.42. 0.75 y 0.42). La comparación de la profundidad de penetración del espaciador en los grupos obturados mediante condensación lateral fue significativamente superior cuando se usó un cono de conicidad .02 (p= 0.001). Conclusión: el sistema Ultrafil®3D y la técnica de condensación lateral de la gutapercha con conos maestros de conicidad .06 o .02 fueron igualmente eficaces en el sellado apical de conductos curvos. El espaciador penetró en el conducto significativamente más cuando se empleó un cono de conicidad .02.