Clinical evaluation of the accuracy of Raypex 5 electronic apex locator on root canal length determination in primary teeth

Radiographic usage for determination of working length is difficult in children, because of hazardous irradiation, superimposition of the permanent tooth germ and primary tooth root, mouth opening limitation, lack of cooperation, and radiographic misinterpretation of primary teeth. The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the accuracy of the Raypex 5 apex locator for root canal length determination in primary teeth. This experimental study used 23 primary second molar teeth that were scheduled for extraction. Following access cavity preparation, the working length was determined with a Raypex5 electronic apex locator. The teeth were extracted and real lengths of root canals were measured with insertion of a K-type file into each canal until it emerged at the apical foramen. This length, minus 0.5 mm, was recorded as the real root canal length. The data were statistically analyzed using a One Sample /-test. The accuracy of the Raypex 5 electronic apex locator in determining working length within 0.5 mm of the real length was 81.2% and 100% within 1mm of the real length. This study concluded that the Raypex 5 apex locator is a useful tool for measuring root canal lengths in primary teeth

Effect of ibuprofen on IL-1 beta, TNF- alpha and PGE2 levels in periapical exudates: a double blinded clinical trial

Bone resorption is one of the main features of inflammatory periapical lesions and is mainly mediated by interleukin-1 beta [IL-1 beta], tumor necrosis factoralpha [TNF- alpha] and prostaglandin-E2 [PGE2]. Recent investigations of these lesions revealed that pharmacological modulation may be possible. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Ibuprofen on IL-1 beta, TNF- alpha and PGE2 levels in periapical exudates and compare the results with a group of placebo control. Thirty patients with non vital teeth and radiographic lesions were divided into two groups of case and control according to their entrance to the study. Periapical exudates were taken from root canals using absorbent paper points and followed by 400 mg Ibuprofen and placebo prescribed one tablet every 6 hour for three days and in the fourth day second samples were taken, then final cleaning, shaping and obturation of the canals were completed. IL-1 beta, TNF- alpha and PGE2 levels were determined by enzymelinked immunosorbent assays [ELISA]. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and student's t-test. The results showed that PGE2 levels were decreased significantly in the case group to 86.92 +/- 72.42 Pg/ml following Ibuprofen treatment comparing with the pre-treatment [164.96 +/- 12.255 Pg/ml] [p=0.02] and placebo group [154.2 +/- 97.13 Pg/ml] [p=0.001]. But there were no significant differences in IL-1 beta and TNF- alpha level between the two groups and in each group before and after treatment. The data indicate that Ibuprofen, as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug [NSAID], can be used to block PGE2 release, enhance healing of inflammatory periapical lesions and possibly to inhibit bone resorption

comparative study of apical microleakage using the conventional lateral condensation and mechanical lateral condensation techniques

This study compared apical dye penetration using lateral condensation technique [LC] and LC technique with a reciprocal handpiece [mechanical lateral condensation or MLC] as a new method. Forty-eight human extracted straight canine teeth were used. After crown amputation, the teeth were randomly divided into four experimental groups of 10 teeth each and two negative and positive control groups of 4 teeth each. The groups were as follows: IA, 10 obturations completed by operator A using the LC technique; Group IB, 10 obturations completed by operator B using the LC technique; Group IIA, 10 obturations completed by operator A using the MLC technique; and Group IIB, 10 obturations completed by operator B using the MLC technique. All roots were placed in 2% methylene blue dye and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 3 minutes. Following centrifugation, the roots were cut along their long axis and evaluated under a stereomicroscope to measure the depth of dye penetration. A t-test showed that the teeth which were filled by the MLC technique had less dye penetration in comparison with LC technique [P<0.05]. This in vitro study illustrates that canals obturated with the MLC technique had superior apical seal than canals filled with the LC technique