XP Endo Finisher-R and PUI as supplementary methods to remove root filling materials from curved canals

Abstract: This study assessed the ability of XP-endo Finisher R (FKG, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland) to remove filling remnants from curved mesiobuccal canals of maxillary molars, using the passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) technique as a comparison. Twenty-four curved main mesiobuccal canals (MB1) of maxillary molars were instrumented with Wave One (#25/07) and filled with gutta-percha points and AH Plus Sealer. Samples were then re-treated with a standardized protocol with Wave One (#35/06) as the master apical file. Micro-CT scans measured baseline volume of remaining filling material (in mm3). Samples were divided into two groups (n = 12) according to the supplementary cleaning approach: (PUI) or XP-endo Finisher R. Statistics compared baseline and final volume of filling material (within-group); and the percentage of filling material reduction (between-group). Mean baseline volumes, final volumes, and percentages of reduction (%) of filling material for XP-endo Finisher R and PUI were respectively: 0.060 mm3, 0.042 mm3, and 31.28%; and 0.064 mm3, 0.054 mm3, and 16.57%. Both tested protocols reduced the amount of filling material (p < 0.05). XP-endo Finisher R had higher percentage of reduction as compared to PUI (p < 0.05). XP-endo Finisher R and PUI used as supplementary cleaning protocols during re-treatment improved the removal of root filling material in curved canals; but XP-endo Finisher R was approximately twice more efficient. The complete filling material removal during re-treatment procedures is still a challenge. Supplementary cleaning protocols may help to remove the remaining material after the complete mechanical preparation of curved canals. XP-endo Finisher R was approximately twice more efficient than PUI.

Apically extruded debris in filling removal of curved canals using 3 NiTi systems and hand files

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the amount of apically extruded debris during filling removal with WaveOne Gold (WOG), ProTaper Universal Retreatment (PTR), D-RaCe Retreatment (DRR) or hand files (HF), to compare the working time during filling removal, and to describe failures of NiTi instruments. Forty mesiobuccal roots of maxillary first molars were prepared with WOG Primary, obturated and divided into 4 groups (n=10), according to the instruments used: WOG, PTR, DRR or HF. Distilled water was used as irrigant and the extruded debris were collected in Eppendorf tubes and dried. The amount of extruded debris was determined by subtracting the final from the initial weight. The time of filling removal for each canal was recorded and the instruments used were analyzed pre and post-operatively by SEM. Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's test analyzed extruded debris data and ANOVA, followed by Tukey's test, compared the working time data (a=0.05). Instrument deformation and fracture were described. WOG produced significantly less debris compared with HF and DRR (p<0.05), and similar to PTR (p>0.05). HF, PTR and DRR showed no significant difference (p>0.05). Working time in HF group was significantly higher than others (p<0.05). SEM analyses showed, from the 18 instruments evaluated, 3 fractures and 10 deformations. All instruments tested caused debris extrusion. WOG was associated with less extrusion than DRR and HF. Filling removal with HF was slower than with the other instruments. All NiTi systems presented fracture and deformation.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a extrusão apical de debris durante a desobturação com WaveOne Gold (WOG), ProTaper Universal Retratamento (PTR), D-RaCe (DRR) ou limas manuais (HF), comparar o tempo de trabalho durante a desobturação, e descrever as falhas dos instrumentos de NiTi. Quarenta canais de raízes mésio-vestibulares de primeiros molars superiores foram preparados com WOG Primary, obturados e divididos em 4 grupos (n = 10), de acordo com os instrumentos a serem utilizados: WOG, PTR, DRR ou HF. Água destilada foi utilizada como irrigante, e os debris extruídos foram coletados em tubos Eppendorf e secos. A quantidade de debris extruídos foi determinada subtraindo-se o peso inicial do peso final. O tempo de cada desobturação foi anotado e os instrumentos utilizados foram analisados no pré e pós-operatório em MEV. Os testes Kruskal-Wallis e Dunn foram utilizados para analisar os dados da extrusão de debris, e os testes ANOVA e Tukey para comparar os dados do tempo de trabalho (a=0.05). As deformações e fraturas dos instrumentos foram descritas. O grupo WOG produziu significativamente menos debris quando comparado aos grupos HF e DRR (p<0.05), e foi similar ao grupo PTR (p>0.05). Os grupos HF, PTR e DRR não apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significante (p>0.05). O tempo de trabalho no grupo HF foi significativamente maior do que nos outros grupos (p<0.05). A análise em MEV mostrou que, dos 18 instrumentos avaliados, 3 fraturaram e em 10 foi observado deformação. Todos os sistemas testados causaram extrusão apical de debris. WOG foi associado com menor extrusão do que DRR e HF. A desobturação com HF foi mais lenta do que com os demais instrumentos. Todos os sistemas de NITI apresentaram fratura e deformação.

Radiopacity Evaluation of Gutta-Percha Points in Thinner Samples than the ANSI/ADA Recommendation

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).

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).

Morphology of Mesiobuccal Root Canals of Maxillary First Molars: a comparison of CBCT scanning and Cross-sectioning

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the mesiobuccal root of maxillary first molars, according to the root canal configuration, prevalence and location of isthmuses at 3 and 6 mm from the apex, comparing cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) analysis and cross sectioning of roots by thirds. Images of the mesiobuccal root of 100 maxillary first molars were acquired by CBCT and then roots were cross-sectioned into two parts, starting at 3 mm from the apex. Data were recorded and analyzed according to Weine's classification for root canal configuration, and Hsu and Kim's classification for isthmuses. In the analysis of CBCT images, 8 root canals were classified as type I, 57 as type II, 35 as type III. In the cross-sectioning technique, 19 root canals were classified as type I, 60 as type II, 20 as type III and 1 as type IV. The classification of isthmuses was predominantly type I in both CBCT and cross-sectioning evaluations for sections at 3 mm from the apex, while for sections at 6 mm from the apex, the classification of isthmuses was predominantly types V and II in CBCT and cross-sectioning evaluations, respectively. The cross-sectioning technique showed better results in detection of the internal morphology of root canals than CBCT scanning.

Resumo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a raiz mésio-vestibular de primeiros molares superiores, de acordo com a configuração do canal radicular e com a prevalência e localização de istmos a 3 e a 6 mm do ápice, comparando a análise realizada em tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico (TCFC) com a técnica de seccionamento transversal por terços. Foram obtidas imagens tomográficas das raízes mésio-vestibulares de 100 primeiros molares superiores, e em seguida, as raízes foram seccionadas em dois segmentos, iniciando nos 3 mm a partir do ápice. Os dados foram analisados de acordo com a classificação de Weine para configuração de canais radiculares, e de acordo com a classificação de Hsu e Kim para avaliação dos istmos. Na análise das imagens das TCFCs, 8 canais radiculares foram classificados como tipo I, 57 como tipo II, e 35 como tipo III. Na técnica de seccionamento transversal, 19 canais radiculares foram classificados como tipo I, 60 como tipo II, 20 como tipo III, e 1 como tipo IV. Na avaliação dos istmos, houve predominância do tipo I tanto na TCFC quanto na técnica de seccionamento transversal a 3 mm do ápice. Entretanto, a 6 mm do ápice, a classificação dos istmos foi predominantemente tipo V e II, na avaliação em TCFC e na técnica de seccionamento transversal, respectivamente. A técnica de seccionamento transversal demonstrou melhores resultados na detecção da morfologia interna dos canais radiculares avaliados do que a TCFC.