Evaluation of calcium hydroxide mixed with propolis by ultrasonic activation as root canal dressing in delayed tooth replantation.

Background: In cases of tooth avulsion, in which the neurovascular bundle responsible for nourishing the dental pulp is break, endodontic treatment is necessary before proceeding with tooth replantation. In this process, various substances have been tested in combination with calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2 in an attempt to improve its effectiveness. This study aimed to examine the effects of using a mixture of Ca(OH)2 and 10% propolis, with subsequent application of ultrasonic treatment, on the delayed replantation of teeth in rats. Material and Methods: Twenty-four rats underwent a surgical procedure to extract the upper right incisor, leaving it on a surface to dry for one hour. The pulp and periodontal ligament were removed and the teeth were submerged in a 2% sodium fluoride acidulated phosphate solution. The canals were dehydrated using paper cones and the teeth were divided into four groups, according to the type of intracanal dressing: Ca(OH)2 group, Ca(OH)2 group with ultrasonic agitation, Ca(OH)2 and propolis group, Ca(OH)2 and propolis group with ultrasonic agitation. The root canals were irrigated with saline solution and the teeth were reimplanted. Sixty days after reimplantation, the animals were euthanized. Results: With regard to the presence of acute and chronic inflammatory infiltrate in the periodontal ligament, there was no statistically significant difference among some of the groups. Root resorption was identified in all groups, and there was no significant difference between them. Conclusions: It is concluded that the application of intracanal dressing containing Ca(OH)2 associated with 10% propolis, followed by ultrasonic agitation, did not prove to be more effective than the use of Ca(OH)2 alone in the repair process in the delayed replantation of rat teeth. Key words:Tooth replantation, Calcium hydroxide, Propolis, Ultrasound, Intracanal dressing.

Effects of different alcohol concentrations on the development of apical periodontitis in rats.

AIM: To investigate the effect of different alcohol concentrations on the development of apical periodontitis (AP) in rats. METHODS: Forty Wistar rats were arranged into five groups: (C) - control rats receiving sterile water as the only liquid; (G5) - animals receiving an alcohol solution at 5%, (G10) - alcohol solution at 10%, (G15) - alcohol solution at 15%, and (G20) - alcohol solution at 20%. The alcoholic solution or water was given to the groups as the sole source of hydration throughout the 30 days of the experiment. AP was induced in the mandibular molars on the first day. In the end, the animals were euthanized for histopathological and IL-1b, RANKL, OPG, and TRAP analyses. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used for nonparametric data, and ANOVA followed by the Tukey test were performed for parametric data, p < 0.05. RESULTS: G15 and G20 had a greater chronic inflammatory infiltrate (Score 3) and AP size bigger (1.59 ±â€¯0.41 and 1.83 ±â€¯0.38, respectively) than the C, G5 and G10 (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the IL-1b analyses. The G15 and G20 showed the highest immunolabeling pattern for RANKL and the lowest for OPG. The G20 had greater TRAP cells per mm (4.70 ±â€¯0.99) compared to the C, G5, and G10 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, G15 presented 3.92 ±â€¯0.64 TRAP cells/mm, higher than C (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: G5 and G10 did not exert a protective or aggravating effect on the AP development. However, G15 and G20 had a significant effect on the AP severity, exacerbating the inflammation and osteoclast markers.

Chronic alcohol consumption changes blood marker profile and bone density in rats with apical periodontitis.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate apical periodontitis (AP) development in rats under a chronic alcohol diet by calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase blood levels in addition to histological and radiographic analyses. METHODS: Thirty-two rats were arranged into four groups: (a) group 1: without apical periodontitis and on a regular diet; (b) group 2: AP and on a regular diet; (c) group 3: alcoholic diet without apical periodontitis; and (d) group 4: alcoholic diet and apical periodontitis. Alcoholic solution at 20% was given throughout the 8-week experiment. AP was induced in the first molars at the end of the 7th week. At the end, the animals were anesthetized for blood collection, followed by euthanasia, and jaws were removed for digital radiography and histological processing. The level of significance was 5%. RESULTS: Calcium levels remained constant in all groups (P > 0.05). Group 4 showed a higher phosphorous level than group 2 (P < 0.05). The alkaline phosphatase activity was higher in group 3 compared with group 1 (P < 0.05). Three animals in group 4 exhibited a severe inflammatory reaction, whereas the animals in group 2 did not demonstrate any reaction (P < 0.05). The lowest value of radiographic density was given by group 4 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic alcohol consumption increased serum phosphorus and decreased bone density in the periapical region, favoring AP development.