ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was the radiographic evaluation of endodontically treated teeth presenting periapical radiolucency and unintentional overfilling with gutta-percha or sealer on treatment outcome and persistence of the extruded materials. METHOD AND MATERIALS: After assessment using periapical index (PAI), 202 roots filled with gutta-percha and zinc oxide eugenol sealer (Roth 811, Roth International), exhibiting unintentional overfilling and periapical radiolucency were selected. All cases had at least 1 year follow-up. Type of extruded material, periapical status, and removal/persistence of the extruded material were evaluated by two independent observers. Data were statistically analyzed using logistic and linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Tooth location (P <.001), follow-up period (P <.001), and type of extruded material (P =.004) significantly influenced treatment outcomes. Specifically, posterior roots exhibited better outcomes compared to anterior, and cases with overfilling of sealer showed superior healing potential compared to those with gutta-percha overfilling. Additionally, longer recall periods were associated with improved treatment success. It is also seen that the type of extruded material (P <.001) and follow-up period (P <.001) have significantly affected the presence of extruded material in the follow-up radiograph. The persistence of extruded material was greater when gutta-percha was extruded as well as extruded materials were less detected when the follow-up period was longer. CONCLUSION: Teeth with periapical radiolucency and unintentional overfilling require longer follow-up intervals for effective monitoring of healing. Treatment outcome was associated with the type of extruded materials used in the present study. The persistence of those materials in the periapex did not affect healing.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to examine the influence of instrument taper on the fracture resistance of endodontically treated roots under in vitro experimental conditions. METHODS: In total, 58 maxillary canines complying with the inclusion criteria were sectioned at approximately 13 mm from the apex. The roots were standardized with respect to the buccolingual-mesiodistal diameter and weight before being randomly distributed into 3 experimental groups (n = 14) and 1 control group (n = 16). The roots in group 1 were instrumented with hand files up to file 40/.02 and groups 2 and 3 with Mtwo (VDW, Munich, Germany) rotary files up to files 40/.04 and 40/.06, respectively. After mechanical preparation, the roots were obturated with gutta-percha and sealer. Roots in group 4 acted as uninstrumented controls. A vertical load was applied to each specimen using a universal testing machine until the roots fractured. Data were statistically analyzed by introducing an innovative approach integrating 1-way analysis of variance, confirmatory factor analysis, and regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean fracture load was 357.47 ± 110.54 N for the control group, 338.86 ± 105.23 N for group 1, 297.74 ± 77.31 N for group 2, and 280.10 ± 68.51 N for group 3. However, only the difference between group 3 and the control group was statistically significant (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: After instrumentation using hand files up to file 40/.02 and rotary files up to files 40/.04 and 40/.06, only the last appeared to change the fracture resistance of endodontically treated roots.
