Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a radipacidade de diferentes pontas de guta-percha (Endo Points®, Dentsply®, Tanari®, Meta®, Roeko® e Odous®) em amostras de 1 mm de espessura, conforme estabelecido pela especificação #57 da ANSI/ADA e pela ISO 6876/2001, em comparação com amostras de menor espessura. Doze amostras de cada material, quatro para cada espessura (0,3, 0,6 e 1 mm; 8 mm de diâmetro), foram confeccionadas por meio de laminação e compressão entre duas lâminas de vidro polidas, até a espessura desejada. Radiografias digitais foram obtidas juntamente com uma escala de alumínio graduada, com espessuras variando de 1 a 10 mm. O aparelho de raios X foi ajustado para 70 kVp, 10 mA, 0,4s de tempo de exposição, com distância focal de 36 cm. Um observador calibrado quantificou a média dos valores de pixel no programa Adobe Photoshop®. Os dados foram analisados utilizando os testes ANOVA e Tukey, com nível de significância de 5%. Nas espessuras de 0,6 e 1 mm, todos os materiais testados apresentaram radiopacidade maior do que 3 mm de alumínio (valor de referência). Na espessura de 0,3 mm, Odous e Tanari apresentaram radiopacidade significativamente menor que a referência, e as outras marcas mostraram radiopacidade semelhante à referência. Conclui-se que os materiais apresentaram diferentes radiopacidades e todos mostraram valores acima do mínimo recomendado pela especificação #57 da ANSI/ADA, sendo Odous e Tanari menos radiopacos do que o valor de referência nas amostras mais finas (0.3 mm).

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiopacity of different gutta-percha points (Endo Points®, Dentsply®, Tanari®, Meta®, Roeko® and Odous®) in samples of 1 mm thick as established by ANSI/ADA Specification #57 and ISO 6876/2001, in comparison with thinner samples. Twelve test specimens for each material, four for each thickness (0.3, 0.6, and 1 mm and diameter of 8 mm), were laminated and compressed between two polished glass plates until the desirable thickness. Digital radiographs were obtained along with a graduated aluminum stepwedge varying from 1 to 10 mm in thickness. The X-ray unit was set at 70 kVp, 10 mA and 0.4 s exposure time, at a focal distance of 36 cm. One calibrated observer quantified the average values of pixels with Adobe Photoshop® software. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey tests, at 5% significance level. At 0.6 and 1 mm thickness, all the tested materials showed radiopacity higher than 3 mm of aluminum (reference value). At 0.3 mm thickness, Odous and Tanari presented significantly less radiopacity than the reference, and the other materials showed similar radiopacity to the reference. The study concluded that the materials demonstrated different radiopacities and all had values above the minimum recommended by ANSI/ADA specification #57, being Odous and Tanari less radiopaque than the reference value in thinner samples (0.3mm).

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar se a irrigação final com o solvente Endosolv R® e ultrassom promovia maior limpeza nas paredes do canal radicular durante o retratamento endodôntico. Um total de 56 dentes pré-molares extraídos foram instrumentados manualmente utilizandose a técnica escalonada e obturados com guta-percha e cimento AH Plus. Após nove meses, os canais foram retratados através da remoção da guta-percha e do cimento com Protaper Universal Retratamento e preparo rotatório com Sistema Protaper Universal até o instrumento F5. Após essa etapa, a amostra foi aleatoriamente dividida em quatro grupos (n=14) e os dentes submetidos à irrigação ultrassônica passiva (PUI) associada ao solvente Endosolv R ou à água destilada. Nos grupos controle, os irrigantes permaneceram sem agitação. Em seguida as raízes foram clivadas e examinadas sob microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) para que a quantidade de material obturador remanescente nas paredes do canal fosse avaliada por dois examinadores treinados de forma cega. Os dados foram analisados através dos testes de Kruskal-Wallis e de Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc (α=0.05). Todos os grupos apresentaram resíduos de materiais obturadores nos três terços do canal radicular após o retratamento. Não houve diferenças significativas entre os grupos ou entre os terços dos canais em cada um dos grupos (p>0,05). Concluiu-se que PUI com Endosolv R não foi efetiva para a remoção de remanescentes de material obturador das paredes do canal radicular.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a final rinse with Endosolv R® solvent and ultrasound resulted in cleaner root canal walls during endodontic retreatment. A total of 56 extracted premolar teeth were manually instrumented using a step-back flare technique and filled with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer. After 9 months, the canals were retreated by removing the gutta-percha and sealer with ProTaper Universal Retreatment and rotary preparation with ProTaper Universal System up to an F5 file. As a final step, the teeth were randomly divided in 4 groups (n=14) and were subjected to passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) with either Endosolv R or distilled water. In the control groups, the irrigants were left undisturbed. Roots were cleaved and examined under scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the amount of filling remnants on the canal walls was assessed by two calibrated examiners in a blinded fashion. Data were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc test (α=0.05). All groups presented filling debris in the three root canal thirds after retreatment. There were no significant differences between the groups or among the root canal thirds within each group (p>0.05). PUI with Endosolv R was not effective in the removal of filling debris from root canal walls.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos de diferentes soluções irrigadoras na resistência adesiva do Real Seal à dentina radicular. Trinta dentes monorradiculares foram divididos em 3 grupos: Grupo 1 - os dentes foram irrigados com 3 mL de NaOCl 2,5% após cada troca de instrumento, irrigados com EDTA 17% por 3 min e lavagem final com NaOCl 2,5%. Nos Grupos 2 e 3, o NaOCl foi substituído por digluconato de clorexidina 2% (CHX) e solução salina 0,9%, respectivamente. Cada raiz foi seccionada transversalmente nos terços apical, médio e cervical para obter fatias de 2 mm de espessura. Cada slice foi obturado com Real Seal e Resilon. Teste de push-out foi usado para analisar a resistência adesiva e os padrões de falha foram classificados como adesiva, coesiva e mista de acordo com MEV. O teste de push-out não revelou diferença estatisticamente significante entre os irrigantes (p<0,05). Porém, os grupos exibiram diferentes valores de resistência adesiva de acordo com o terço radicular (p>0,05). Maior resistência adesiva foi observada na região apical quando comparado com o terço cervical, enquanto que o terço médio apresentou valores intermediarios. Quinze espécimes foram analisados através de MEV (5 por grupo). Onze espécimes exibiram falhas adesivas (5 no grupo da solução salina, 4 no grupo NaOCl e 2 na CHX); duas falhas coesivas foram observadas no grupo CHX e uma falha mista foi observada no grupo da CHX e uma no NaOCl. Os irrigantes testados não influenciaram a resistência adesiva do Resilon e do Real Seal à dentina radicular. O terço apical apresentou maior resistência adesiva e falhas adesivas foram predominantes para todos os grupos

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different irrigants on sealer-dentin bond strength when using Real Seal. Thirty single-rooted teeth were divided into 3 groups. In one group, the teeth were irrigated with 3 mL of 2.5% NaOCl after each file change, flushed with 17% EDTA for 3 min and finally rinsed with 3 mL of 2.5% NaOCl. In the other two groups, rinse with NaOCl was replaced with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) and 0.9% saline, respectively. Each root was sectioned transversally into apical, middle and coronal thirds to obtain 2-mm-thick slices. Each slice was filled with Real Seal and Resilon. Push-out test was used to analyze bond strength and failure modes were classified as adhesive, cohesive or mixed, according to SEM observations. The push-out test did not reveal any statistically significant difference (p>0.05) between the irrigants. However, the groups exhibited significantly different (p<0.05) bond strengths in terms of the root canal third. Higher bond strength was observed at the apical third when compared with coronal third, while middle third presented intermediary values. Fifteen specimens were analyzed by SEM (5 per group). Eleven specimens exhibited adhesive failures (5 in saline, 4 in NaOCl and 2 in CHX group); 2 cohesive failures were observed in the CHX group, and 1 mixed failure each was observed in the CHX and NaOCl groups. The tested irrigants did not influence the bond strength of Resilon and Real Seal to dentin. The apical third exhibited higher mean bond strengths and adhesive failures were predominant.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the influence of three epoxy resin-based sealers with distinct radiopacities on the observers' ability to detect root canal filling voids during radiographic analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The root canals of 48 extracted maxillary canines were prepared and divided into three groups. Each group was laterally condensed with one sealer (AH Plus®, Acroseal® or a non-radiopaque sealer), and a longitudinal void was simulated in half of the specimens from each group (n=8). Buccolingual radiographs were obtained and randomly interpreted for voids by a radiologist and an endodontist in a blinded fashion. Teeth were cut and inspected under a microscope to confirm the position of void. Differences in sensitivity and specificity between groups and examiners were compared using the Fisher's Exact and McNemar tests, respectively (α=0.05). RESULTS: Significantly lower sensitivity levels (p<0.05) were observed in the coronal portion of fillings performed with both radiopaque sealers. Specificity values for Acroseal® were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the coronal and apical portions of fillings. CONCLUSIONS: The type of root canal sealer can affect the observers' ability to detect root canal filling voids during radiographic analysis of upper single-rooted teeth.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a radiopacidade produzida por sete cimentos comercialmente disponíveis (AH Plus, Epiphany, Sealapex, Acroseal, Sealer 26, Endomethasone and Endofill) e um em estágio experimental (MBP). METODOLOGIA: Depois de homogeneizados os materiais, o teste de radiopacidade foi executado conforme a especificação nº 57 da ANSI/ADA. Radiografou-se os espécimes junto a uma escala de Alumínio e as imagens resultantes foram digitalizadas. As densidades radiográficas expressas em milímetros de Alumínio (mm Al) foram comparadas por meio da análise de variância e teste de Tukey (α=0.05). RESULTADOS: Os cimentos AH Plus (10 mm Al) e Epiphany (9 mm Al) apresentaram as maiores radiopacidades seguidos pelo Sealapex (8 mm Al), Endofill (7 mm Al), Endométhasone (7 mm Al), MBP (7 mm Al) e Sealer 26 (6 mm Al). Acroseal (5 mm Al) mostrou a menor radiopacidade entre os cimentos testados (P<0.05). CONCLUSÃO: Concluiu-se que as diferentes radiopacidades dos cimentos testados estão acima do nível mínimo recomendado pela especificação nº 57 da ANSI/ADA.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiopacity produced by seven commercially available (AH Plus, Epiphany, Sealapex, Acroseal, Sealer 26, Endomethasone and Endofill) and one experimental (MBP) root canal sealers. METHODS: Sealer radiopacity testing was performed according to ANSI/ADA Specification No. 57. Specimens were radiographed with an aluminum stepwedge, and the resulting images were digitalized. Radiographic densities expressed in Aluminum mm (mm Al) were compared using an ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). RESULTS: AH Plus (10 mm Al) and Epiphany (9.0 mm Al) were the most radiopaque root canal sealers, followed by Sealapex (8 mm Al), Endofill (7 mm Al), Endomethasone (7 mm Al), MBP (7 mm Al) and Sealer 26 (6 mm Al). Acroseal (5 mm Al) showed the smallest radiopacity among the tested sealers (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The radiopacities of the tested sealers were above the minimum level recommended by ANSI/ADA Specification No. 57.

O propósito deste estudo ex vivo foi investigar se dois cimentos obturadores de fórmulas diferentes influenciariam a percepção radiográfica de obturações de canais radiculares. Os canais radiculares de 48 caninos superiores extraídos foram preparados e divididos em 3 grupos. Em cada grupo os canais foram preenchidos através da condensação lateral da guta-percha e de um dos cimentos testados (Endométhasone, Sealer 26 e cimento não-radiopaco), e um defeito de ponta a ponta foi simulado em metade dos espécimes de cada grupo (n=8). As imagens radiográficas vestíbulo-linguais obtidas foram aleatoriamente interpretadas quanto à existência de defeitos por um radiologista e um endodontista. As diferenças em sensibilidade e especificidade entre os grupos e examinadores foram comparadas respectivamente usando-se os testes Exato de Fisher e McNemar ajustados ao nível de significância de 5%. Ambos os cimentos radiopacos ocasionaram uma redução significativa da sensibilidade na parte cervical das obturações. O uso do Endométhasone aumentou os valores de especificidade para as porções cervical e apical das obturações dos canais radiculares. Concluiu-se que os cimentos testados influenciaram de maneira distinta a percepção radiográfica de obturações endodônticas executadas com condensação lateral.

The aim of this ex vivo was to investigate if two radiopaque root canal sealers with different formulations would influence the radiographic perception of root canal fillings. The root canals of 48 extracted maxillary canines were prepared and randomly assigned to 3 groups of 16 specimens each. In each group, the root canals were filled by lateral condensation of gutta-percha and one of the tested sealers: Endométhasone, Sealer 26, or a non-radiopaque sealer. A through-and-through void was simulated in half of the specimens from each group (n=8). The buccolingual radiographic images obtained were randomly interpreted for voids existence by a radiologist and an endodontist. The differences in sensitivity and specificity between groups and examiners were compared using, respectively, Fisher's Exact and McNemar tests at 5% significance level. Both radiopaque sealers caused a significant decrease in sensitivity at the coronal part of fillings. The use of Endométhasone increased specificity values for both coronal and apical portions of the root canal fillings. In conclusion, the tested sealers influenced the radiographic perceptions of laterally condensed root canal fillings in a different way.

This study investigated the solubility of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Portland cement since its mixture until 672 hours, by means of two complimentary methods. Metal ring molds filled with the cements were covered with distilled water and, at each experimental time (3, 24, 72, 168, 336 and 672 hours), were weighed as soon as the plates in which the samples have been placed. Empty rings served as the control group (n=8). Mean weight gain and loss was determined and analyzed statistically by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test for all pairwise comparisons. Only Portland cement showed less than 3% weight loss through 24 hours. Detached MTA residues were heavier than those of Portland cement over the 3 to 168 hours. The weight of MTA rings increased more than that of Portland rings within 672 hours (p=0.05). The findings of the present study indicate that, in an aqueous environment MTA is more soluble than Portland cement and exceeds the maximum weight loss considered acceptable by ISO 6876 standard (2001).