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.

Diferencia entre las medidas radiográficas y anatómicas de conductos, posterior a la preparación para la colocación de postes / Difference between radiographic and anatomical measurements of canals, after preparation for the placement of a post

Antecedentes: Las radiografías periapicales presentan distorsiones que podrían conducir a un mayor desgaste de la estructura dental aumentando el riesgo de debilitamiento y de perforación o fractura vertical cuando se realiza la preparación del conducto radicular para la colocación de postes. Objetivo: El objetivo de la presente investigación es determinar la diferencia entre las medidas del espesor radiográfi co y el espesor anatómico mediante un calibrador de la dentina residual, luego de la preparación para poste en conductos ovales de premolares. Material y métodos: 50 premolares fueron tratados endodóncicamente y posteriormente fueron desobturados con fresas Pesso #1 y 2 dejando 4 mm de sellado apical, se realizó la toma radiográfi ca y se comparó con medidas realizadas con un calibrador digital. Las medidas fueron comparadas con una t de Student. Resultados: Las medidas radiográfi cas fueron 24.63% más grandes en comparación con las medidas del calibrador. Las medidas radiográfi cas no fueron signifi cativamente mayores en comparación con las del calibrador digital. Conclusiones: La radiografía periapical presenta una sobrestimación de la medida de la dentina residual, por lo tanto se debe escoger el protocolo más conservador para obtener resultados predecibles y exitosos (AU)

Background: Periapical radiographs have distortions that lead to greater wear of the dental structure, increasing the risk of weakening, perforation or vertical fracture when the root canal is preparation for post placement. Objective: The investigation is to determine the diff erence between the measurements of the radiographic thickness and the anatomical thickness by means of a calibrator of the residual dentine after the preparation for post placement. Material and methods: Root canal treatment was performed in 50 premolars and was unsealed with Pesso #1 and 2 leaving 4 mm of the apical seal, the radiographic was made and compared with measurements made with a digital calibrator. The measurements were compared with a Student t. Results: The radiographic measurements were 24.63% larger than the caliper measurements. The radiographic measurements were signifi cantly higher in comparison with the digital calibrators. Conclusions: The periapical radiography presents an overestimation residual dentin measurement, therefore the most conservative protocol should be chosen to obtain predictable and successful results (AU)

Management of a permanent maxillary first molar with unusual crown and root anatomy: a case report

The aim of this article was to showcase the endodontic management of a maxillary first molar with an unusual crown and root anatomy. Clinical diagnosis of the roots and root canal configuration was confirmed by a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and the detection of the canals was made using a dental operating microscope. CBCT images revealed the presence of 5 roots with Vertucci type I canal configuration in all, except, in the middle root which had 2 canals with type IV configuration. The 6 canal orifices were clinically visualized under the dental operating microscope. Clinicians should familiarize themselves with the latest technologies to get additional information in endodontic practice in order to enhance the outcomes of endodontic therapy.

Application of forensic luminol for blood detection in endodontic files / Aplicação do luminol forense para detecção de sangue em limas endodônticas

Introduction: Blood is a biological material with high potential of infectious transmission in dental environments, including herpes simplex, hepatitis and AIDS. Aim: To investigate the efficacy of luminol in detecting blood in endodontic files before and after the sterilization process. Material and method: Luminol was used to investigate the presence or absence of traces of blood tissue in 50 endodontic files, visible to naked eye or not, after performing endodontic treatment and after the cleaning/sterilization process. The results obtained were tabulated and statistically analyzed by using the Friedman's test at a significance level of 5% (p<0.05). Result: By naked eye, it was found that 31/50 files showed no trace of blood, 8/50 showed a slight presence of blood and 11/50 showed a considerable presence of blood after endodontic treatment. After the use of luminol, however, 16/50 endodontic files showed no trace of blood, 19/50 showed a slight presence of blood and 15/50 showed a considerable presence of blood. After the cleaning and sterilization process, no blood was detected in the files. Conclusion: It was concluded that the luminol solution is effective in detecting blood tissue in endodontic files as well as in validating the cleaning/sterilization process.

Introdução: Sangue é um material biológico com alto potencial de transmissão de infecção em ambientes odontológicos, incluindo herpes simples, hepatites e AIDS. Objetivo: Investigar a eficácia do luminol em detector sangue em limas endodônticas antes e após o processo de esterilização. Material e método: Luminol foi utilizado para investigar a presença ou ausência de vestígios tecido sanguíneo em 50 limas endodônticas, visíveis ou não à olho nu, após a realização do tratamento endodôntico e após o processo de limpeza/esterilização. Os resultados obtidos foram tabulados e analisados estatisticamente utilizando o teste de Friedman com nível de significância de 5% (p<0,05). Resultado: A olho nú, foi observado que 31/50 limas não apresentaram vestígios de sangue, 8/50 apresentaram uma leve presença de sangue e 11/50 apresentaram uma presença considerável de sangue após o tratamento endodôntico. Após a utilização do luminol, entretanto, 16/50 limas endodônticas não apresentaram vestígios de sangue, 19/50 apresentaram uma leve presença de sangue e 15/50 apresentaram uma presença considerável de sangue. Após o processo de limpeza e esterilização não foi detectado sangue nas limas endodônticas. Conclusão: A solução de luminol é efetiva na detecção de tecido sanguíneo em limas endodônticas, validando o processo de limpeza/esterilização.

Comparación en los niveles de ansiedad en pacientes previo a la realización de terapia endodóntica y periodontal / Comparison of anxiety levels in patients prior to performing endodontic and periodontal treatment

La ansiedad que generan los tratamientos odontológicos generalmente perturba el comportamiento de los pacientes constituyéndose en una problemática que dificulta, retarda y muchas veces impide la realización de los procedimientos dentales. Este estudio tiene por objetivo comparar los niveles de ansiedad rasgo (estado emocional de base) y de ansiedad estado (situación emocional transitoria) a 80 pacientes (40 hombres y 40 mujeres) que asistieron a las clínicas de pregrado de la Universidad Mayor. Antes de realizar el tratamiento propiamente dicho de patologías endodónticas y periodontales asintomáticas se aplicó la encuesta inventario STAI a toda la muestra, que fue dividida en 2 grupos. Grupo A: 40 pacientes (20 hombres y 20 mujeres) que iban a ser sometidos a terapias endodónticas. Grupo B: 40 pacientes (20 hombres y 20 mujeres) que iban a ser sometidos a terapias periodontales. Resultados Los pacientes manifestaron diferencias significativas en la ansiedad rasgo (p < 0,2473) y ansiedad estado (p < 0,0329) cuando enfrentaron tratamientos periodontales versus endodónticos. Al comparar en hombres y mujeres la ansiedad rasgo/estado, se encontraron diferencias significativas (p < 0,05). Conclusiones Los pacientes manifiestan mayor ansiedad cuando tienen que enfrentar tratamientos periodontales. Las mujeres enfrentan ambos tratamientos dentales con mayor ansiedad que los hombres.

Anxiety generated by dental treatment usually affects the behaviour of patients, and this is a problem that can impede patients from seeking treatment, or complicate or delay dental procedures. The objective of this study is to compare the state anxiety (normal state of anxiety on the day to day basis) and trait anxiety (arousal of anxiety due to a particular situation) levels in 80 patients (40 women and 40 men) who sought treatment at the undergraduate clinic at the Universidad Mayor. Before being treated for asymptomatic endodontic and periodontal diseases the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire was completed in group A: 40 endodontic patients, and group B: 40 periodontal patients (men and women were evenly distributed between groups). Results Patients showed significant differences in trait anxiety (P = .2473) and state anxiety (P = .0329) before periodontal treatments versus endodontic treatments. Significant differences were found in the Trait/State Anxiety significant differences (P = .05) when comparing men and women. Conclusions (i) Patients feel more anxiety when faced with periodontal treatments than when faced with endodontic treatments, and (ii) women feel more anxiety than men when faced with either dental treatment.

The Use of Dentascan to Diagnose and Treat Mandibular Premolar with Multiple Canals.

Introduction: For successful endodontic therapy it is vital to have thorough knowledge of morphology of the root canal system and its variations besides proficient aseptic intraoperative condition. Mandibular second premolars are usually single rooted tooth with single root canal system. The incidence of the number of roots and the number of canals varies greatly in the literature. Methods and Results: This case report describes an unusual case of mandibular second premolar with two roots and five root canals. This was confirmed by radiographs, dentascan and dental operating microscope (DOM), and was successfully treated using K files system, guttapercha and AH plus sealer in lateral condensation manner. Conclusion: The clinical significance of this case report is that the precise awareness about the aberrant morphologies of the root canal system can only be appreciated when advanced radiographic techniques, magnification and illumination are used to treat such type of cases.

Restoring Esthetics in Traumatic Tooth Fractures with all Ceramic Restorations following Endodontic Therapy: A Series of Cases.

Earlier Metal ceramic crowns were the restorations of choice in the management of traumatic tooth fractures. However, the inherent drawbacks of metal ceramic restorations and the development of newer all ceramic alternatives have resulted in superior esthetic and functional management of these clinical situations. The following case series describes the management of traumatic tooth fractures with Zirconia based all ceramic restorations following endodontic therapy.

Photonic real-time monitoring of bacterial reduction in root canals by genetically engineered bacteria after chemomechanical endodontic therapy

Microbial infection plays an important role in the development of pulp necrosis and formation of periapical lesions. In vitro and in vivo research in this field, traditionally microbiological culture methods using paper point sampling and quantitative culture, faces difficulties in completely removing bacteria from the root canal system and analyzing sequential procedures. This study employed genetically engineered bioluminescent bacteria and a light-sensitive imaging system to allow real-time visualization of the infection. Ten extracted teeth incubated with P. aeruginosa were treated by mechanical instrumentation with K-files (#30 K-file, #35 K-file and #40 K-file) and chemical irrigation with sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide. Irrigation alone reduced the contamination in 18 percent; the first chemomechanical sequence (instrumentation with a #30 K-file + irrigation) provided 41 percent of reduction; the second sequence (#35 K-file + irrigation) achieved 62 percent; and the complete therapy (#30 K-file + #35 K-file + #40 K-file + irrigation) achieved 93 percent of bacterial reduction. These results suggest that the endodontic treatment is dependent on the association of a chemical and mechanical approaches and that root canal enlargement improves bacterial reduction probably because the irrigation has more access to the apical third.

Infecções microbianas são um dos fatores principais no desenvolvimento de necrose pulpar e lesões periapicais. Tradicionalmente, estudos in vivo e in vitro utilizam cultura microbiológica com coletas com cones de papel e quantificação de unidades formadoras de colônia. A maior desvantagem deste método é a dificuldade de se remover as bactérias dos canais radiculares e a impossibilidade de promover a análise seqüencial deste procedimento. Este estudo empregou bactérias geneticamente modificadas para apresentarem bioluminescência e um sistema sensível a baixa luminosidade, permitindo a visualização em tempo-real da área infectada. Dez dentes extraídos foram incubados com P. aeruginosa e tratados endodonticamente com instrumentação mecânica com limas K (#30, #35 e #40) e irrigação com hipoclorito de sódio e peróxido de hidrogênio. A irrigação sozinha reduziu a contaminação inicial em 18 por cento; a primeira seqüência de lima e irrigação (lima #30) obteve 41 por cento de redução; a segunda seqüência (lima #35 e irrigação) obteve 62 por cento; e o tratamento completo (lima #30, lima #35, lima #40 e irrigação) reduziu a contaminação bacteriana inicial em 93 por cento. Os resultados sugerem que o tratamento endodôntico é dependente da associação dos procedimentos químico-mecânicos que promovem o alargamento do canal radicular, otimizando a redução microbiana, possivelmente devido ao maior acesso das substâncias químicas à porção apical do canal radicular.