Does radiotherapy treatment alter the pulp condition in patients with head and neck cancer? A systematic review

Abstract The main purpose of this study was to answer the question: "Can radiotherapy cause changes in the dental pulp condition of patients treated with irradiation in the head and neck region?" Clinical observational studies in adults with head and neck cancer undergoing treatment with ionizing radiation, longitudinal or cross-sectional follow-up to measure oxygen saturation (SpO2), and/or pulp sensitivity test to cold stimulation, were considered eligible. A systematic literature search was performed in six different databases, including the gray literature, and in article references. Two independent evaluators selected the studies, extracted the data, recorded the data on electronic spreadsheets, and then evaluated the methodological quality using the Checklist for Quasi-Experimental Studies tool devised by JBI. The data were assessed qualitatively using the Synthesis Without Metanalysis (SWiM) guidelines. After removing the duplicate articles, carefully analyzing the titles and abstracts, and reading the papers in full, seven studies were included. Four of the studies evaluated applied the cold sensitivity test, two associated pulse oximetry and cold sensitivity, and only one used just pulse oximetry. Evaluation using the cold sensitivity test and pulse oximetry in the initial periods before radiotherapy showed a decrease in the sensitive response and in SpO2 levels during a maximum period of 1 year. However, analyses thereafter indicated a normal response in both tests from 5 to 6 years after the end of radiotherapy treatment. Radiotherapy causes changes in pulp behavior patterns in the short term; however, recovery and return to average values occurs after long periods.

Avaliação por TCFC do Transporte do Canal Radicular após o Uso de Diferentes Sistemas Rotatórios de NiTi / CBCT Assessment of the Root Canal Transportation After the Use of Different NiTi Rotary Systems

Objetivo: o objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a ocorrência de transporte do canal radicular após o preparo com instrumentos de níquel-titânio (NiTi) de rotação contínua, por meio do exame de tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico (TCFC). Material e método: Canais mesiovestibulares e mesiolinguais de vinte molares inferiores humanos foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos experimentais (n=10), de acordo com o sistema rotatório de NiTi: Grupo 1 ­ BioRace; e Grupo 2 - ProTaper Next. Imagens de TCFC foram obtidas antes do preparo do canal radicular (TCFC 1) e após o uso dos instrumentos BR2 (#25/.04) e X2 (#25/.06) (TCFC 2) e BR5 (#40/.04) e X4 (#40/.06) (TCFC 3). Dois examinadores avaliaram todas as imagens determinando a ocorrência ou não de transporte do canal radicular. Foram estabelecidos 3 níveis para a mensuração nas imagens: 1-2 mm aquém do vértice radicular (terço apical); 3-4 mm aquém do vértice radicular (terço médio); 4- 2 mm abaixo da furca (terço cervical). Os dados foram analisados utilizando o teste de Kruskal-Wallis com pós-teste de Dunn para comparações múltiplas. O nível de significância foi de 5%. Resultados: Os canais radiculares preparados com o sistema BioRace não apresentaram transporte (P<0,05). Foi observado transporte apenas no terço apical do canal mesiovestibular após o uso do instrumento ProTaper Next X4 (#40/.06) (P<0,05). Conclusão: O sistema BioRace permitiu a ampliação dos canais mesiovestibular e mesiolingual de molares inferiores até o diâmetro cirúrgico 40 sem resultar em transporte do canal.

Aim: This study evaluated root canal transportation after root canal instrumentation with two nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary systems, by using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging. Material and Methods: Mesiobuccal and mesiolingual root canals of twenty human mandibular molars were randomly divided into two experimental groups (n = 10), according to the NiTi rotary system: Group 1 ­ BioRace; and Group 2 ­ ProTaper Next. CBCT scans were obtained before the root canal instrumentation (CBCT 1) and after the use of BR2 (#25/.04) and X2 (#25/.06) instruments (CBCT 2) and after the use of BR5 (#40/.04) and X4 (#40/.06) instruments (CBCT 3). Two examiners evaluated the occurrence or not of transportation. Measurements were made at 3 different points: 1-2 mm from the apex (apical third); 3-4 mm from the apex (middle third); 4- 2 mm below furcation (cervical third). The Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests were used for statistical analysis. The level of significance was set at 5%. Results: Root canals instrumented with BioRace instruments showed no transportation (P<0.05). Transportation was observed only in the apical third of the mesiobuccal root canal after the use of ProTaper Next X4 instrument (#40/.06) (P<0.05). Conclusions: The BioRace system allowed the widening of mesiobuccal and mesiolingual root canals of mandibular molars up to apical diameter 40 without resulting in root canal transportation.