Susceptibilities of Enterococcus faecalis biofilms to some antimicrobial medications.

Enterococcus faecalis has been suggested to be an important etiological agent in endodontic failures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of chlorhexidine- or antibiotics-based medications in eliminating E. faecalis biofilms. One-day and three-day biofilms of E. faecalis were induced on cellulose nitrate membrane filters. Each biofilm-containing membrane was thoroughly covered with 1 ml of the test medications and incubated for 1 day at 37 degrees C. Treated biofilms were then aseptically transferred to vials containing a neutralizing agent in saline solution and vortexed. Suspensions were 10-fold diluted, seeded onto Mitis salivarius agar plates, and the colony-forming units counted after 48 h of incubation. There were significant differences between the formulations tested. The association of clindamycin with metronidazole significantly reduced the number of cells in 1-day biofilms. However of all medications tested, only 2% chlorhexidine-containing medications were able to thoroughly eliminate most of both 1-day and 3-day E. faecalis biofilms.

Calcium hydroxide in endodontic retreatment after two nonsurgical and two surgical failures: report of a case.

AIM: To describe the role of calcium hydroxide in infection control during complex endodontic retreatment. SUMMARY: A case is presented in which two conventional endodontic treatments and two surgical interventions failed to bring periapical healing. Despite this history, a further conventional treatment augmented by long-term disinfection with calcium hydroxide finally delivered a successful outcome. KEY LEARNING POINTS: Periapical healing follows proper intracanal infection control. Despite repeated surgical and nonsurgical intervention, careful retreatment can often bring healing. Calcium hydroxide has long-acting antimicrobial and soft-tissue dissolving activity. It is a helpful adjunct in endodontic retreatment.

Root canal treatment in an unusual maxillary first molar: a case report.

AIM: The aim of this clinical article is to describe the unusual anatomy that was detected in a maxillary first molar during routine endodontic treatment. SUMMARY: Success in root canal treatment is achieved after thorough cleaning and shaping followed by the complete obturation of the root canal system. Such treatment may be performed in root canal systems that do not comply with the normal anatomical features described in standard textbooks. The present case describes root canal treatment in a maxillary first molar with two roots and a type IV canal configuration in the buccal root. KEY LEARNING POINTS Careful examination of radiographs and the internal anatomy of teeth is essential. Root canal treatment is likely to fail if the entire system is not debrided and filled. Anatomic variations can occur in any tooth.

Four second molars with single roots and single canals in the same patient.

CASE REPORT: Studies on canal configuration have demonstrated a substantial variation in the number of roots and root canals in different teeth. Maxillary and mandibular molars may have three and two roots, respectively, and generally present with three of four root canals. This case describes the presence of one single root and one root canal in all second molars of the same patient.

Calcium hydroxide pastes: classification and clinical indications.

REVIEW ARTICLE: Calcium hydroxide has been used in endodontology for many years. The aim of this paper is to review the various formulations of calcium hydroxide that have been described, with specific reference to the vehicle used to carry the compound. The requirements for a vehicle are described, and ex vivo and in vivo studies reviewed. Vehicles can be classified into aqueous, viscous and oily, the clinical properties of calcium hydroxide changing depending on the vehicle. The review also describes the use of various active components that have been added to calcium hydroxide, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents. This review will help clinicians to make informed judgements about which formulations of calcium hydroxide should be used for specific endodontic procedures.

Apex formation during orthodontic treatment in an adult patient: report of a case.

This clinical report describes an apexification procedure on a maxillary left central incisor in a 34-year-old male who was also receiving active orthodontic treatment. The pulp of the tooth had become necrotic following a traumatic injury when the patient was 8 years of age. Despite the tooth undergoing active orthodontic repositioning with fixed appliances, root-end closure occurred uneventfully and within 3 years.

Acute apical periodontitis: incidence of post-operative pain using two different root canal dressings.

A clinical study using non-vital maxillary central incisors exhibiting acute apical periodontitis was carried out to evaluate the incidence of post-operative pain after biomechanical preparation and dressing with a calcium-hydroxide paste or a corticosteroid-antibiotic solution. Sixty teeth from 48 patients were prepared and dressed on the first visit and re-evaluated clinically 7 days later. No difference was observed in the incidence of post-operative pain between the two groups.

Periapical radiographic techniques during endodontic diagnosis and treatment.

The objective of this article is to describe various radiographic projections which can be used during endodontic therapy. Changes to the angulation of the X-ray beam in relation to the teeth and film can help diagnosis and treatment by producing images which provide additional information not always visible on radiographs taken with standard angulations. For example, changes in angulation can be useful to determine the number and curvature of roots and canals, to identify superimposed roots and to distinguish between anatomical landmarks and apical pathology. Although use of such techniques increases the diagnostic yield of films, it must be appreciated that such views lead to images that are less distinct because of inherent image distortion. Nevertheless, use of the various techniques during endodontics can provide substantial benefit for clinicians in their daily practice.

Single visit root canal treatment: incidence of postoperative pain using three different instrumentation techniques.

A clinical study was carried out on nonvital maxillary central incisors to evaluate the incidence of postoperative pain following single-visit root canal treatment using three different instrumentation techniques. Ninety teeth from 78 patients whose ages ranged from 14 to 63 years were selected and divided into three groups. Each group (30 teeth) was prepared by a different coronal-to-apical technique using different instrument movement depending upon the technique employed: modified double-flared, crown-downpressureless and balanced force techniques. No difference was observed in the incidence of postoperative pain among the groups.

A clinical evaluation of one and two-appointment root canal therapy using calcium hydroxide.

A clinical study using vital maxillary central incisors was performed to evaluate the incidence of postoperative pain after root canal treatment in one- or two-appointments using a calcium hydroxide-containing root canal sealer. No differences were observed between the two groups.

Calcium hydroxide paste in the maxillary sinus: a case report.

A case is reported in which a perforation of the sinus floor of the maxillary sinus occurred with extrusion of a calcium hydroxide paste during routine root canal treatment of a maxillary premolar. All clinical manifestations are described as well as the results of a follow-up evaluation.

Periradicular healing and apical closure of a non-vital tooth in the presence of bacterial contamination.

This case report addresses the periradicular tissue response and root-end closure of a maxillary central incisor in the presence of bacterial contamination. The implications for the control of bacteria through the use of calcium hydroxide and/or systemic antibiotic coverage are considered in the light of scientific evidence and clinical treatment.

Human pulpectomy: incidence of postoperative pain using two different intracanal dressings.

A clinical study using vital maxillary central incisors was performed to evaluate the incidence of postoperative pain after pulpectomy and dressing with a corticosteroid-antibiotic preparation or a calcium-hydroxide paste. Sixty teeth from 45 patients were prepared and dressed on the first visit and re-evaluated 7 days later. No difference was observed in the incidence of postoperative pain between the two groups.

One-appointment root canal treatment: incidence of postoperative pain using a modified double-flared technique.

A clinical study of maxillary central incisors was conducted in order to evaluate the incidence of postoperative pain following one-appointment root canal treatment using a modification of the double-flared technique to prepare the root canal system. Sixty teeth with necrotic pulps, from 52 patients whose ages ranged from 10 to 53 years, were included. Half of the teeth were prepared by the double-flared technique, while the other half were prepared by a modification of this technique. No difference was observed in the incidence of postoperative pain between the two groups.

Perspectives on periradicular healing using Sealapex: a case report.

The use of the calcium hydroxide-containing root canal sealer, Sealapex, has been questioned regarding its predisposition to solubility and subsequent effect on the root canal seal and periradicular healing. This case report demonstrates, radiographically, dissolution of excess sealer in the periradicular tissues with subsequent osseous repair which was similar to healing in periradicular tissues where there was no extruded sealer.

A comparison of one versus two appointment endodontic therapy in teeth with non-vital pulps.

A clinical study using upper central incisors was carried out to evaluate the incidence of postoperative pain after root canal preparation by the double-flared technique. Sixty teeth with necrotic pulps from 48 patients whose ages ranged from 12 to 65 years were prepared and filled in either one or two appointments. No difference was observed in the incidence of postoperative pain between the two groups.