A comparison of the physicochemical properties of AH Plus Jet with samples taken from the beginning, middle and final portions of the automix syringe system

Aim To evaluate physicochemical properties and semi-quantitative elemental analysis of AH Plus Jet with samples from the beginning, middle and final portions of the automix syringe system. Methodology Three experimental groups based on the source of the material used (beginning, middle and final portion) were established for each of the evaluated properties. Setting time, flow and radiopacity were evaluate following ANSI/ADA n. 57 specification. Set specimens was used in the semi-quantitative elemental analysis in an energy-dispersive X ray spectroscopy and scanning-electron microscopy (EDS/SEM). Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey test (P<0.05). Results Flow, setting time, solubility and EDS/SEM tests showed no significant differences among the three portions of the automix syringe (P>0.05). Radiopacity test showed significant differences in the beginning of the syringe comparing to the middle and final portions (P<0.05). EDS/SEM analysis identified the presence of C, O, Al, Ca, Zr and W. The element Al, however, was found only in the final portion of the syringe. Conclusions The results of AH Plus Jet suggested an adequate ratio of the components, without segregation between organic and inorganic components, since the results of setting time, flow, solubility and EDS/SEM analysis presented similar values regardless of the portion of the syringe from where the sealer was taken.

Probióticos em endodontia: uma revisão de literatura / Probiotics in endodontics: a literature review

Introdução: Os probióticos são micro-organismos vivos que geram benefícios à saúde do hospedeiro. Seus mecanismos de ação consistem, principalmente, em efeitos anti-inflamatórios e antimicrobianos que os tornam importantes no processo de saúde-doença. Na endodontia, a permanência de infecção no interior do sistema de canais radiculares é a principal causa do insucesso do tratamento endodôntico. A partir do sucesso obtido por outras especialidades odontológicas, a utilização de probióticos como nova abordagem no tratamento endodôntico vem sendo alvo de pesquisas com a expectativa de ajudar a combater as infecções endodônticas e manter o equilíbrio da microbiota oral. Objetivo: O objetivo desta revisão de literatura foi apresentar os principais resultados disponíveis até o presente momento na literatura científica acerca do uso dos probióticos na endodontia. Fonte dos dados: As bases de dados utilizadas foram Pubmed, Web of Science e Embase e a pesquisa foi realizada até junho de 2021. Síntese dos dados: Foi encontrado um total de oito artigos sobre o tema, avaliando diversos aspectos relacionados ao tratamento endodôntico, como o uso de probióticos contra patógenos endodônticos, como irrigantes, como medicação intracanal e no tratamento da periodontite apical. Conclusão: Embora grande parte dos artigos tenham apresentado resultados positivos acerca do uso dos probióticos, os mesmos apresentam baixo nível de evidência, isso porque foram utilizados modelos in vitro e em animais. Portanto, para embasar a introdução dos probióticos em Endodontia, existe a necessidade da realização de pesquisas clínicas.

Introduction: Probiotics are live microorganisms that produce health benefits for the host. Their mechanisms of action consist mainly of antimicrobial effects and make them important in the health-disease process. In endodontics, the permanence of infection within the root canal system is the main cause of endodontic treatment failure. Based on the success obtained by other dental specialties, the use of probiotics as a new approach in endodontic treatment has been the subject of research with the prevention of oral microbiota. Purpose: The purpose of this review of literature was to present the main results available so far in the scientific literature on the use of probiotics in endodontics. Data source: The databases used were Pubmed, Web of Science and Embase and the search was carried out until June 2021. Data synthesis: A A total of eight articles on the subject, evaluating various aspects of endodontic treatment, such as the use of probiotics against endodontic pathogens, as irrigants, as intracanal treatment and in the treatment of apical periodontitis. Conclusion: Although many of the foods presented positive results close to the same use presented in the low level of articles, this is because animal models were used. Therefore, to support the introduction of probiotics in Endodontics, there is a need for clinical research.

Acessos endodônticos: o que todo endodontista deve saber / Endodontic accesses: what every endodontist should know

Introdução: Os acessos endodônticos minimamente invasivos (AEMI) surgiram com o intuito de, por meio da preservação de estrutura dentária, manter a resistência à fratura de dentes tratados endodonticamente. A partir do primeiro estudo, em 2010, vários trabalhos foram desenvolvidos buscando entender qual a influência dos AEMI na resistência à fratura de dentes tratados endodonticamente. No entanto, interferências coronárias causadas pelos AEMI poderiam prejudicar a realização dos procedimentos subsequentes à cavidade de acesso, como a localização, instrumentação, limpeza, descontaminação e obturação dos canais radiculares. Objetivo: Com base nessa premissa, a presente revisão teve como objetivo responder algumas perguntas para que o clínico entenda quais são as principais modalidades de AEMI, os impactos da sua abordagem no tratamento endodôntico e o verdadeiro papel do tratamento endodôntico na perda dos elementos dentários. Resultados: Considerando os dados disponíveis até o presente momento, faltam evidências robustas para apoiar a alegação de que os AEMIs preservem a resistência à fratura dos elementos tratados endodonticamente melhor do que nos dentes acessados de maneira tradicional. Além disso, cavidades de acesso minimamente invasivas podem interferir em outras etapas do tratamento endodôntico, podendo torná-lo imprevisível. Conclusão: Dessa forma, pode-se concluir que há uma falta de evidências que apoiem a utilização de cavidades de acesso minimamente invasivas na prática clínica de rotina e/ou no processo de formação de alunos de graduação e pós-graduação (AU).

Introduction: Minimally invasive access cavities emerged aiming to maintain the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth through the preservation of dental structure. Starting with the first study in 2010, several others were developed to evaluate the influence of minimally invasive access cavities in the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth. However, the coronal interference caused by those access cavities could impair the subsequent procedures of root canal treatment, such as the location, instrumentation, cleaning, disinfection and filling of the root canals. Objective: Based on this premise, the aim of the present review was to answer some questions so that the clinician knows the main modalities of minimally invasive access cavities, the impacts of this approach and the real role of endodontic treatment in the tooth loss. Results: Considering the available data, there is a lack of robust evidence in literature to support the claim that the minimally invasive access cavities preserve the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth better than the traditional one. In addition, these access cavities can interfere in other stages of endodontic treatment, making it unpredictable. Conclusion: Thus, it can be concluded that there is a lack of evidence to support the use of minimally invasive access cavities in routine clinical practice and/or in the process of training undergraduate and graduate students (AU).

Effect of passive ultrasonic irrigation on hard tissue debris removal: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract: Accumulated hard tissue debris (AHTD) in root canal irregularities may negatively impact adequate root canal disinfection. In light of this, the efficacy of passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) to reduce AHTD has been largely studied in in vitro studies, which have adopted different analytic methods of varying accuracy to determine the extent of AHTD more correctly. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare how well PUI and non-activated irrigation (NAI) systems perform in reducing AHTD during final irrigation protocols, based exclusively on studies whose analyses used microCT scanning. A systematic search of the studies published up to April 2020 was performed using MeSH terms and free terms, in the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, BVS (Lilacs and BBO) and Embase. The inclusion criteria consisted of laboratory studies that evaluated the amount of AHTD, and compared PUI with NAI protocols using microCT analysis. The risk of bias in the selected studies was assessed critically by two reviewers. A meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan software program (P<0.05), and included studies providing the standardized mean difference (SMD), using a fixed effect model, and adopting a confidence interval of 95%. In all, 3495 studies were identified, three of which met the inclusion criteria. All three were considered as having a low risk of bias. The meta-analysis comparing the ability of PUI and NAI protocols to remove hard tissue debris showed a higher percentage of AHTD reduction (P<0.01) for PUI, with a confidence interval of 1.41 [0.79, 2.02]. The heterogeneity among the studies was 82% (I2). Considering the limitations of the present study, this systematic review and meta-analysis showed that PUI was more effective than NAI in removing hard tissue debris, based exclusively on studies that used microCT scanning to provide a more precise analysis of the two techniques used. The findings presented in the present study reinforce the concept that PUI can increase residue removal and improve the cleanliness of the root canal in endodontic treatments.