Abstract This in vitro study evaluated the cutting ability of reciprocating files and the deformations caused by their multiple use. Five Reciproc® R25 files were divided into five groups for 10 simulated root canal preparations each. The resin blocks were weighed and photographed (12.5X and 20X) before and after preparation. The canals were prepared according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Enlargement of the root canals was evaluated by comparison of pre- and post-preparation images using a computer software. The preoperative and postoperative weight differences determined the cutting ability of repeatedly used instruments. The data were analyzed using Lilliefors and Friedman statistical tests. The cutting ability and enlargement of the canals gradually decreased after each use, with significant differences observed at the 8th and 9th repetitions, respectively. There was no evidence of file deformation. The cutting ability and enlargement of the simulated canals gradually decreased when a reciprocating file was used up to 10 times.

The objective of this study was to describe a new method for the quantitative analysis of a microleakage of endodontic filling materials. Forty extracted single-rooted teeth were randomly divided into three experimental groups. After root canal shaping, the experimental groups were filled using the lateral condensation technique with the Epiphany system (G1), with gutta-percha + Sealapex (G2), and with gutta-percha + AH Plus (G3). Each root was mounted on a modified leakage testing device, and caffeine solution was used as a tracer (2000 ng mL-1, pH 6.0), applied in the coronal direction towards the tooth apex, creating a hydrostatic pressure of 2.55 kPa. Presence of caffeine in the receiving solution was measured after 10, 30, and 60 days, using high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). None of the groups presented microleakage at 10 days. At 30 days, G2 and G3 showed similar infiltration patterns (means: 16.0 and 13.9 ng mL-1, respectively), whereas G1 showed significantly higher values (mean: 105.2 ng mL-1). At 60 days, leakage values were 182.6 ng mL-1for G1, 139.0 ng mL-1 for G2, and 53.5 ng mL-1 for G3. AH Plus showed the best sealing ability and HPLC-MS/MS showed high sensitivity and specificity for tracer quantification.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the penetration of a resin/polyester polymer-based material (Resilon Real Seal; SybronEndo Corp., Orange, USA) into simulated lateral canals, and the quality of obturations by different techniques. A total of 30 standardized simulated canals were divided into three groups according to the technique of obturation used: MS (McSpadden), SB (SystemB/Obtura II), and LC (Lateral Condensation). To analyze the penetration of the filling material, the simulated canals were digitalized and the images were analyzed using the Leica QWIN Pro v2.3 software. The data of the middle and apical thirds were separately submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the Tukey’s test for the comparison of the techniques. Results showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) between groups (LC < SB) in the middle third, and a significant difference (p < 0.05) between groups (LC < SB and MS < SB) in the apical third. To analyze the quality of the obturations, the canals were radiographed and evaluated by three examiners. The Kappa test on interexaminer agreement and the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test indicated no significant difference between filling techniques. It was concluded that Resilon achieves greater levels of penetration when associated with thermoplastic obturation techniques.

Este estudo verificou a influência da patência apical, técnica de desobturação e limpeza foraminal na quantidade de material sólido extruído, durante retratamento endodôntico. Quarenta incisivos inferiores foram divididos aleatoriamente em quatro grupos - GIM (n=10), GIIM (n=10), GIPT (n=10) e GIIPT (n=10) - nomeados de acordo com a realização (I) ou não (II) de patência apical durante o preparo de canais e a técnica de desobturação - manual (M) ou sistema ProTaper (PT). Após a desobturação, realizou-se a limpeza foraminal em cada espécime de todos os grupos com instrumentos #15, #20 e #25, gerando 12 subgrupos: GIM15, GIM20, GIM25, GIIM15, GIIM20, GIIM25, GIPT15, GIPT20, GIPT25, GIIPT15, GIIPT20 e GIIPT25. O material sólido extruído foi coletado pelo sistema de filtração Millipore®, com filtros de 0,45 µm de poro e 25 mm de diâmetro. Os filtros foram pesados antes e após a coleta, em balança analítica de precisão (10–5g), e as diferenças foram calculadas. Os valores médios encontrados (em mg) foram: GIM (0,95±0,94), GIIM (0,47±0,62), GIPT (0,30±0,31) e GIIPT (0,32±0,44), sem diferença estatística entre quaisquer dos grupos ou subgrupos (p>0,05). O sistema Protaper proporcionou a menor quantidade de material sólido extruído, independente da presença ou não de patência apical seguidos da técnica manual sem e com patência apical. Quantidades adicionais foram coletadas durante a limpeza foraminal, independente do instrumento utilizado, da presença ou não da patência apical ou da técnica de desobturação.

This study evaluated the influence of apical patency, root filling removal technique and cleaning of the apical foramen, concerning the amount of debris extruded during root canal retreatment. Forty mandibular incisors were randomly assigned to 4 groups - GIM (n=10), GIIM (n=10), GIPT (n=10) and GIIPT (n=10), which were named according to leaving (I) or not (II) apical patency during canal preparation and filling removal technique (manual - M or ProTaper system - PT). After filling material removal, each specimen of each group had the apical foramen cleaned by sizes 15, 20 and 25 instruments, generating 12 subgroups: GIM15, GIM20, GIM25, GIIM15, GIIM20, GIIM25, GIPT15, GIPT20, GIPT25, GIIPT15, GIIPT20 and GIIPT25. Extruded filling debris was collected by a Milipore filtration system, an HV-durapore, 0.45 µm pore filter with a 25 mm diameter. The filters were weighed before and after the collection on an analytical scale (10–5 g), and the difference was calculated. The mean weight of extruded filling debris was analyzed statistically by Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman ANOVA tests (α=0.05). The mean values found in the groups (in mg) were: GIM (0.95±0.94), GIIM (0.47±0.62), GIPT (0.30±0.31) and GIIPT (0.32±0.44). There was no statistically significant difference among any of the groups or subgroups (p>0.05). ProTaper provided the smallest amount of extruded filling material, regardless of presence or absence of apical patency, followed by manual technique, without and with apical patency. Additional amounts of debris were collected during cleaning of the apical foramen, regardless of the instrument, presence/absence of patency or root filling removal technique.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar a presença de desvio apical por meio da plataforma radiográfica, avaliar a ação dos instrumentos, centralização do preparo e ampliação por meio de imagens digitais do canal e calcular a porcentagem de superfícies regulares e presença de debris por meio da análise histológica. Dez raízes mésiovestibulares de molares superiores extraídos foram incluídos em blocos de resina e seccionados no terço médio e apical. O preparo do canal foi feito empregando o sistema RaCe, a 250 rpm e torque de 1 Ncm. Cada sistema rotatório foi usado 5 vezes no sentido coroa-ápice na seguinte sequência: 40/0.10, 35/0.08, 25/0.06, 25/0.04, 25/0.02 (comprimento de trabalho - CT), 30/0/02 (CT) e 35/0/02 (CT). Cada amostra foi avaliada por 3 métodos de estudo: plataforma radiográfica, imagem digital e análise histológica. A plataforma radiográfica mostrou ausência de transporte apical. Em relação à ação dos instrumentos sobre as paredes dentinárias, centralização do preparo, ampliação, porcentagem de superfícies regulares e presença de debris, o teste estatístico de Wilcoxon não mostrou diferença significativa entre os terços apical e médio. O sistema RaCe se mostrou adequado para o preparo de canais radiculares curvos em relação à manutenção do trajeto original do canal, ação sobre as paredes dentinárias, ampliação e remoção de debris da luz do canal radicular.

In this study, curved maxillary molar root canals were instrumented with RaCe rotary system to evaluate: 1. the occurrence of canal transportation using a radiographic platform; 2. the action of the instruments on the dentin walls, centering ability and canal enlargement by analysis of digital images; and the percentage of regular dentin surfaces and debris within the canal by histological analysis. Ten mesiobuccal roots of extracted human maxillary molars were embedded in acrylic resin and sectioned at the middle and apical thirds. Root canal shaping was performed using the RaCe rotary system at 250 rpm and 1 Ncm torque. Each instrument set was used five times according to a crown-down technique in the following sequence: 40/0.10, 35/0.08, 25/0.06, 25/0.04, 25/0.02 (working length - WL), 30/0.02 (WL) and 35/0.02 (WL). Each instrument was inserted until resistance was felt and then pulled back, followed by brushing movements towards all canal walls. Each specimen was assessed by three study methods: radiographic platform, digitized image assessment and histological analysis. The radiographic platform showed lack of apical transportation. No statistically significant difference (Wilcoxon test, p>0.05) was found between the middle and apical thirds regarding instrument action on dentin walls, centering ability, area of root canal enlargement, percentage of regular dentin surfaces and debris within the root canal. It may be concluded that RaCe system is a suitable method for the preparation of curved root canals, regarding the maintenance of root canal original path, action on dentin walls, canal enlargement and removal of debris from the root canal lumen.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of filling in main and lateral root canals performed with the McSpadden technique, regarding the time spent on the procedure and the type of gutta-percha employed. Fifty simulated root canals, made with six lateral canals placed two apiece in the cervical, middle and apical thirds of the root, were divided into 5 groups. Group A: McSpadden technique with conventional gutta-percha, performed with sufficient time for canal filling; Group B: McSpadden technique with conventional gutta-percha, performed in twice the mean time used in Group A; Group C: McSpadden technique with TP gutta-percha, performed with sufficient time for canal filling; Group D: McSpadden technique with TP gutta-percha, performed in twice the mean time used in Group C; Group E: lateral condensation technique. Images of the filled root canals were taken using a stereomicroscope and analyzed using the Leica QWIN Pro software for filling material flow, gutta-percha filling extension and sealer flow. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey test (p < 0.05). The best values of penetration in lateral canals in the middle third occurred in the groups where TP gutta-percha was used. However, in the apical third, group B showed the best values. Although a longer time of compactor use allows greater penetration of the filling material into the lateral canals, the presence of voids resulted in bad quality radiographic images, suggesting porosity. The best quality of filling material was observed in Group A (McSpadden technique with conventional Gutta-Percha, performed with sufficient time for root canal filling).

The purpose of this work was to develop a model system to study antimicrobial strategies in endodontic biofilms. Enterococcus faecalis suspension was colonized in 10 human root canals. Five milliliters of Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) were mixed with 5 mL of the bacterial inoculums (E. faecalis) and inoculated with sufficient volume to fill the root canal during 60 days. This procedure was repeated every 72 h, always using 24-h pure culture prepared and adjusted to No. 1 MacFarland turbidity standard. Biofilm formation was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). E. faecalis consistently adhered to collagen structure, colonized dentin surface, progressed towards the dentinal tubules and formed a biofilm. The proposed biofilm model seems to be viable for studies on antimicrobial strategies, and allows for a satisfactory colonization time of selected bacterial species with virulence and adherence properties.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss critically the antibacterial efficacy of intracanal medicaments on bacterial biofilm. Longitudinal studies were evaluated by a systematic review of English-language articles retrieved from electronic biomedical journal databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL) and handsearching records, using different matches of keywords for root canal biofilm, between 1966 and August 1st, 2007. The selected articles were identified from titles, abstracts and full-text articles by two independent reviewers, considering the tabulated inclusion and exclusion criteria. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. The search retrieved 91 related articles, of which 8.8% referred to in vivo studies demonstrating the lack of efficacy of endodontic therapy on bacterial biofilm. Intracanal medicaments were found to have a limited action against bacterial biofilm.

Do ponto de vista cosmético, dentes brancos são essenciais para a integração do individuo na sociedade. O clareamento dental é uma das alternativas terapêuticas para alcançar este objetivo. Ao analisarmos as técnicas propostas para o clareamento dental, podemos observar que o calor está freqüentemente envolvido, quer por aplicação direta ou como resultado de um processo químico. O presente estudo analisou as possíveis injúrias ao esmalte dental quando o calor é empregado nos processos de clareamento. Um método colorimétrico foi empregado e os resultados evidenciaram não haver diferença na estrutura do esmalte dental quando o calor é aplicado. Em apenas um caso, um tufo não comunicante tornou-se comunicante após a aplicação de calor.

From a cosmetic point-of-view, white teeth are important for integration of an individual into society. Thus, dental bleaching may be used to reach this objective. When analyzing several proposed techniques, it was observed that heat is frequently involved either in direct application or as a result of a chemical reaction. Taking into account the importance of preserving dental structures, the present study analyzed possible injuries to enamel when heat is used in the bleaching procedure. A colorimetric method was used and the results showed that there was no difference when heat was used. In only one case did the non-communicating tufts become communicating.