Is SWEEPS better than PUI in reducing intracanal bacteria and inflammation in cases of apical periodontitis?

To evaluate the efficacy of SWEEPS mode of the Er: YAG laser(SL) and passive ultrasonic irrigation(PUI) in the eradication of microorganisms and in the inflammation detection by IL-1ß. Thirty patients with chronic apical periodontitis(AP) were allocated into two groups: Group SL-SWEEPS laser activated irrigation(n = 15) and Group PUI-passive ultrasonic irrigation(n = 15). Bacteriological samples were taken before(S1) and after chemomechanical preparation(S2), and then after final irrigation activation(S3). The levels of total bacteria and Streptococci were measured by means of PCR. Blood samples were collected before and 3rd day after treatment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the levels of IL-1ß. The bacterial reduction showed no differences between groups after chemo-mechanical treatment and after irrigant activation(p = 0.590). Post-treatment IL-1ß levels were lower than pretreatment levels in both groups(p < 0.001). SL or PUI application in addition to chemomechanical preparation has similar effects on total bacterial level and inflammation detected by IL-1ß in patients with AP.

Assessment of the canal anatomy of the premolar teeth in a selected Turkish population: a cone-beam computed tomography study.

BACKGROUND: Teeth may have additional roots and a different number of root canals. Overlooked root canals may cause endodontic failure. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of root canals and the number of roots of premolars in a selected Turkish population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 2,570 teeth from 1,438 patients were evaluated. The cone-beam computed tomography scans of 1,055 maxillary and 1,515 mandibular premolars were examined. RESULTS: Type IV root canal morphology was observed most frequently in maxillary first premolars (77%), and the rates of single and double channel formations were very similar (51% and 49%, respectively). Of the second maxillary premolars, 57.4% had Type I morphology, and 89.9% of the teeth were single-rooted, while 68.6% had a single root canal. The most common formation was Type I (85%) among mandibular first premolars, and a single root was observed in 95.6% of these teeth. In addition, 87% of the mandibular first premolars had a single root canal. The second mandibular premolars mostly had Type I (95.4%) formation, and 99.3% of the teeth were single-rooted, while 96.9% had a single root canal. CONCLUSION: According to our findings, 51% of maxillary first premolars had a single root, 79.4% had two root canals, and 77% had Type IV (77%) formation. Maxillary second premolars mostly had Type I formation. In addition, a single root and single root canal formation were most common. Mandibular first premolars generally had a single root and single root canal formation, but 13% had two root canals, and 6.4% had Type V formation. More than 95% of mandibular second premolars had Type I formation.

Investigation of the effectiveness of sonic, ultrasonic and new laser-assisted irrigation activation methods on smear removal and tubular penetration.

The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of different irrigation activation methods on smear layer removal and tubular penetration. One hundred-five distal roots of mandibular molar teeth in total; 50 for smear removal efficiency (n = 10) analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and 55 roots were used to examine tubular penetration using confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). Five different irrigation activation methods were used in this study; conventional needle irrigation (CNI), sonic irrigation device of EDDY, passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), PIPS and SWEEPS techniques, which are two different laser irrigation activation methods. The obtained data were statistically analyzed and the significance level was determined as p < 0.05. At the apical level, the cleanest canal walls were observed when laser methods PIPS and SWEEPS were used, while in the middle third, there was no difference in smear removal efficiencies between all groups except for the CNI (p > 0.05). Penetration depths and percentages increased from apically to coronally in all groups. The PUI and EDDY generally showed similar penetration depths and percentages to the CNI, except at the coronal root level (p > 0.05). In all groups, when PIPS was used, it showed greater penetration depth and percentage (p < 0.05). PIPS and SWEEPS techniques showed lowest and similar smear scores compared to PUI and EDDY in the apical area where access and effectiveness of the irrigation solution are difficult.

Postoperative pain after SWEEPS, PIPS, sonic and ultrasonic-assisted irrigation activation techniques: a randomized clinical trial.

To investigate the efficacy of a new laser irrigation activation system [shock wave-enhanced emission photo-acoustic streaming (SWEEPS)] in terms of postoperative pain after primary root canal treatment compared with other techniques, namely photon-induced photo-acoustic streaming (PIPS), sonic system with EDDY, passive ultrasonic system (PUI), and manual dynamic activation (MDA). Two hundred patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis in mandibular premolar teeth were enrolled and randomly allocated to five different irrigation activation groups (n = 40) after chemo-mechanical root canal preparation. For irrigation activation, the SWEEPS and PIPS tips were attached to the Er-YAG laser system in the respective groups, while the Irrisafe tip was used in the PUI group and the EDDY tip in the sonic group. In the MDA group, irrigation was agitated with the master gutta-percha cone. At postoperative hours 8, 24, and 48 and on day 7, pain intensity was evaluated using the 10-mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and analgesic intake was recorded. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze the VAS scores, and pain prevalence and analgesic intake were examined with the Pearson's chi-square test at the 5% significance level. The PIPS and SWEEPS groups had the lowest level and prevalence of pain when compared to the remaining groups (P < 0.001). The PUI, sonic and MDA groups did not differ in terms of pain scores at hours 8 and 48 (P > 0.05). On day 7, the highest score and pain prevalence were recorded in the MDA group (P < 0.001). There was no difference between the groups in terms of analgesic intake (P > 0.05). Laser-activated irrigation systems provided lower postoperative pain scores and levels compared to the other activation systems. The MDA group had the highest pain scores and incidence at the end of the seventh day.

Radiographic and Clinical Findings of Single-Visit Root Canal Treatments with Apical Enlargement in Necrotic Teeth: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

This study evaluated the long-term clinical outcomes of single-visit root canal treatments with apical enlargement on patients with necrotic pulp tissue retrospectively. A total of 137 teeth with necrotic pulp tissue which underwent single-visit root canal treatments were included. The root canals were shaped up until the apical constriction, which was determined by an apex locator. The outcomes were evaluated by two independent and calibrated endodontists clinically and radiographically. Teeth were dichotomized into healed (PAI ≤ 2, no signs or symptoms) and nonhealed (PAI > 2, with/without signs or symptoms) groups. Each patients' preoperative PAI and lesion size were recorded to evaluate the preoperative periapical status as well as several other prognostic factors. Statistical analyses were performed (p = 0.05) on ninety teeth. The mean observation time was 60 months. Out of ninety teeth, 87 (96.7%) were healed and 3 (3.3%) were nonhealed. No correlations were found between the prognostic factors and the outcomes (p > 0.05). Cohen's kappa and Gwet's agreement coefficient scores between the preoperative PAI scores and preoperative lesion sizes showed good agreements, with values of 0.834 and 0.898, respectively. Apical enlargement is a viable treatment option for single-visit root canal treatments.

The influence of the irrigant QMix on the push-out bond strength of a bioceramic endodontic sealer.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a commercially available irrigant, the Qmix 2 in 1, on the push out bond strength of Endosequence BC which is a bioceramic based root canal sealer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty extracted maxillary central incisors were prepared with Protaper Next rotary instrument up to X4 (# 40). The specimens were randomly divided into four groups of equal sample size (n=15), according to the final irrigation regimen as follows: Group 1: 2.5% sodium hypochloride (NaOCl) (control), Group 2: 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), Group 3: 2% Chlorhexidine (CHX), Group 4: QMix 2 in 1. After rinsing, teeth were obturated using gutta-percha with Endosequence BC sealer. Slices were obtained from coronal, middle, and an apical section of the root canal. Push-out test was performed to evaluate the bond strength between the root canal dentin and the sealer. Data was statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The push-out bond strength of the root canal sealer was significantly affected by the type of irrigation solution. Highest bond strengths were found in canals irrigated with Qmix solution, and these results were regardless of anatomical section of the root canal (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: Final irrigation of the root canals with QMix had a positive effect on the bond strength of Endosequence BC sealer throughout the root canal.