Root canal curvature influences uncontrolled removal of dentin and cleaning efficacy after ultrasonic activation

Abstract This study evaluated the correlation between root canal curvature and the effects of ultrasonic irrigation in the following parameters: volume of uncontrolled dentin removal (UDRVol), maximum depth of dentin defects, removal of accumulated hard tissue debris (AHTD), and canal transportation in prepared curved root canals. Twenty-four human permanent mandibular molars were divided into two groups according to root canal curvature: moderate curvature (MC: mean 25°); and severe curvature (SC: mean 48°). The specimens were scanned using an X-ray microcomputed scanner (Skyscan 1172) before and after cleaning and shaping and after the final irrigation protocol with ultrasonic irrigation. There was a moderate correlation between the degree of root canal curvature and the volume of remaining AHTD (p<0.05) and between the degree of root canal curvature and maximum depth of defects due to uncontrolled removal of dentin (p<0.05). The teeth in the SC group had a greater maximum depth of defects on the dentin wall in the apical third than the teeth in the MC group (p <0.05). Both groups had a significant reduction of AHTD in all canal thirds, but the amount of remaining AHTD in the middle and apical thirds and the whole canal was significantly greater in the SC than in the MC group (p <0.05). Canal transportation was not influenced by the canal curvature in all thirds (p >0.05). This study concluded that root canal curvature affects significantly the uncontrolled removal of dentin and remaining AHTD volume after the final irrigation protocol with ultrasonic irrigation.

Resumo Este estudo avaliou a correlação entre a curvatura do canal radicular e os efeitos da irrigação ultrassônica nos seguintes parâmetros: volume de remoção não controlada de dentina (UDRVol), profundidade máxima do desgaste de dentina, remoção de debris de tecido duro acumulado (AHTD) e transporte em canais radiculares curvos. Vinte e quatro molares inferiores humanos permanentes foram divididos em dois grupos de acordo com a curvatura do canal radicular: curvatura moderada (MC: média de 25°); e curvatura acentuada (SC: média de 48°). Os espécimes foram digitalizados usando um scanner microcomputador de raios X (Skyscan 1172) antes e depois da limpeza e modelagem e após a irrigação ultrassônica. Houve uma correlação moderada entre o grau de curvatura do canal radicular e o volume de AHTD remanescente (p<0,05) e entre o grau de curvatura do canal radicular e a profundidade máxima de defeitos devido à remoção descontrolada de dentina (p<0,05). Os dentes do grupo SC apresentaram maior profundidade máxima de defeitos na parede dentinária no terço apical do que os dentes do grupo MC (p<0,05). Ambos os grupos tiveram uma redução significativa de AHTD em todos os terços do canal, mas a quantidade de AHTD remanescente nos terços médio e apical e em todo o canal foi significativamente maior no grupo SC do que no grupo MC (p <0,05). O transporte do canal não foi influenciado pela curvatura do canal em todos os terços (p > 0,05). Este estudo concluiu que a curvatura do canal radicular afeta significativamente a remoção descontrolada de dentina e o volume remanescente de AHTD após a irrigação ultrassônica.

Fluorotic Enamel Susceptibility to Dental Erosion and Fluoride Treatment

Abstract The purpose of this in vitro study was to test the hypothesis that fluoride treatment can prevent dental erosion on fluorotic enamel of different severities. It followed a 3×2 factorial design, considering a) fluorosis severity: sound (TF0, Thylstrup-Fejerskov Index), mild (TF1-2), moderate (TF3-4); and b) fluoride treatment: 0 (negative control) and 1150ppmF. Human molars with the three fluorosis severities (n=16, each) were selected and randomly assigned to the two fluoride treatments (n=8). Enamel blocks (4×4mm) were prepared from each tooth and subjected to a dental erosion cycling model, for 10 days. The daily cycling protocol consisted of erosive challenges (1% citric acid, pH 2.4), interspersed by periods of immersion in artificial saliva, and three 2-minute treatments with either 0 or 1150ppm F. The enamel volume loss (mm3) was calculated by subtracting values obtained by microtomography before and after cycling. Two-Way ANOVA showed no significant interaction between fluorosis severity and fluoride treatment (p=0.691), and no significant effect for either fluorosis severity (TF0 mean±standard-deviation: 13.5(10-2±0.42(10-2, TF1-2: 1.50(10-2±0.52(10-2, TF3-4: 1.24(10-2±0.52(10-2, p=0.416) or treatment (0ppmF: 1.49(10-2±0.53(10-2; 1150ppmF: 1.21(10-2±0.42(10-2; p=0.093), when evaluated independently. Considering the limitations of this in vitro study, the presence and severity of fluorosis in enamel do not appear to affect its susceptibility to dental erosion. Fluoride treatment was not effective in preventing the development of dental erosion in both sound and fluorotic enamel substrates under our experimental conditions.

Resumo Este estudo in vitro foi testou a hipótese de que o tratamento com flúor pode prevenir a erosão dentária no esmalte fluorótico de diferentes severidades. O objetivo deste estudo foi: investigar o efeito protetor dos fluoretos contra a erosão e abrasão simuladas no esmalte fluorótico. Seguiu um desenho fatorial 3×2, considerando a) severidade da fluorose em 3 níveis: hígido (TF0, Índice Thylstrup-Fejerskov), suave (TF1-2), moderada (TF3-4); b) tratamento com flúor: 0 (controle negativo) e 1150ppmF. Molares humanos com as três severidades de fluorose (n=16, cada) foram selecionados e distribuídos aleatoriamente para os dois tratamentos com flúor (n=8). Blocos de esmalte (4×4mm) foram preparados a partir de cada dente e submetidos a um modelo de ciclo de erosão dentária, por 10 dias. O protocolo de ciclagem diária consistiu em seis desafios erosivos de 5 minutos (1% de ácido cítrico, pH 2,4), intercalados por seis períodos de imersão em saliva artificial e três tratamentos de 2 minutos com 0 ou 1150ppmF. O volume do esmalte perdido foi calculado subtraindo o perfil superficial 3D obtido por microtomografia antes e depois da ciclagem. A ANOVA de dois fatores não mostrou interação significativa entre a severidade da fluorose e o tratamento com flúor (p = 0,691) e nenhum efeito significativo para a severidade da fluorose (TF0 média+/desvio padrão: 13,5(10-2±0,42(10-2, TF1-2: 1,50(10-2±0,52(10-2, TF3-4: 1,24(10-2±0,52(10-2, p=0,416) ou tratamento (0: 1,49(10-2±0,53(10-2; 1150ppmF: 1,21(10-2±0,42(10-2, p=0,093), quando avaliados independentemente. Considerando as limitações deste estudo in vitro, a presença e severidade da fluorose no esmalte não parece afetar sua suscetibilidade à erosão dentária. O tratamento com flúor não foi eficaz na prevenção do desenvolvimento da erosão dentária em esmalte hígido e fluorótico, sob as condições experimentais utilizadas.

In vitro Effect of Erosive Challenge on Surface Microhardness of Orthodontic Composites

Objective: To evaluate in vitro the effect of erosive challenge and continuous immersion in cola drink on surface microhardness of orthodontic composites. Material and Methods: Forty samples of three composites (Transbond XT, Quick Cure and Ortho Cem) were prepared (4 x 2 mm) and distributed into 4 groups (n=10): erosive challenge, artificial saliva immersion (control 1), continuous cola immersion and artificial saliva immersion (control 2). Erosive challenge was performed 4 times per day (5 min) in cola drink for 2 h in artificial saliva for 7 days. Samples of continuous cola immersion group were soaked in cola drink for 5 weeks and the beverage was renewed every two days. Control samples were immersed in artificial saliva for 7 days (control 1) and 5 weeks (control 2). Vickers microhardness (VHN) measurements were performed before and after erosive challenge and continuous immersion. Data were evaluated by paired Student's T-test, ANOVA one-way and Tukey tests (α = 0.05). Results: After 7 days of erosive challenge, there was no statistical difference between VHN values before and after erosive challenge and artificial saliva immersion. However, after 5 weeks of cola drink and artificial saliva immersion, significant reduction in VHN values was observed for all composites when compared to baseline values, and specimens immersed in cola drink showed lower VHN compared to those immersed in saliva, regardless of composite composition. Conclusion: After 7 days of erosive challenge, there was no alteration in superficial VHN of orthodontic composites. However, after 5 weeks of immersion in cola drink, significant reduction of VHN values was observed for all composites.