The connection between brain abscess and odontogenic infections: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The study performed a systematic review to understand better the pathogenesis, microbiology, and predisposing factors related to the association between cerebral abscess and odontogenic infections. DESIGN: The review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines and registered on PROSPERO. The search was carried out in PubMed electronic database for articles published until March 2020. Eligibility criteria were: case reports, case series, and retrospective studies. After the selection, independent evaluations of the studies' methodological quality were performed using two Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklists. RESULTS: A total of 648 articles were obtained, and later 81 articles were selected and had data extracted. The number of individual cases was 135. Cerebral abscesses were similarly distributed by both right and left sides. However, 26 (19.3%) affected both sides simultaneously. In 42 cases (31.1%), the brain-affected side coincided with the odontogenic infection side. Cerebral and odontogenic sites shared the same microorganism in 23 cases (17%). Although in most cases, only brain samples were microbiologically analyzed (88, 65%). Upper molars were the most associated teeth (n = 53, 23.7%). The majority of patients recovered their health without sequels after medical-dental intervention 96 (71.1%). However, 9 (6.6%) individuals died. CONCLUSIONS: The association between brain abscess and odontogenic infection was confirmed by numerous articles reporting oral bacteria in samples collected directly from brain abscesses. Upper molars were the teeth most often associated with brain abscesses.

Uso do sistema xp-endo para limpeza do sistema de canais radiculares em dente com reabsorção radicular interna e necrose pulpar: relato de caso / Use of XP-Endo system to clean the root canal system of a tooth with internal resorption and pulp necrosis: case report

Objetivo: este estudo reporta um caso clínico de reabsorção radicular interna em um dente com necrose pulpar que foi submetido ao tratamento endodôntico no qual, na fase de preparo químico-mecânico, foi utilizada uma técnica suplementar de irrigação com o instrumento XP-Endo Finisher. Métodos: após radiografia para diagnóstico e realização dos testes semiotécnicos, fez-se a instrumentação com sistema Protaper Universal, ativação da substância irrigadora utilizada (digluconato de clorexidina a 2%), com o sistema XP-Endo Finisher, remoção da smear layer, com EDTA a 17% ativada com o mesmo sistema, inserção de medicação intracanal Calen, com paramonoclorofenol, e selamento provisório da coroa dentária, com coltosol. Na segunda sessão, realizou-se a obturação utilizando a técnica de Schilder associada à técnica híbrida de Tagger. Conclusão: o sistema XP-Endo Finisher se mostrou eficaz como técnica suplementar de irrigação, capaz de favorecer a limpeza do sistema de canais radiculares (AU)..

Objective: This study presented a case of internal root resorption in a tooth with pulp necrosis that was submitted to endodontic treatment. In this treatment, an additional irrigation technique with a XP-Endo Finisher instrument was used during the chemical-mechanical preparation. Methods: After radiographic diagnostics and semi-technique tests, instrumentation was performed with Protaper universal system, activation of irrigation solutions, 2% chlorhexidine digluconate with the XP-Endo Finisher file, removal of the smear layer with EDTA 17% activated with the same system, intracanal medication Calen with paramonochlorophenol, temporary sealing of the tooth crown with Coltosol. In the second session, an obturation procedure was performed using the Schilder technique associated with the Tagger hybrid technique. Conclusions: The XP-Endo Finisher system was effective as supplementary irrigation technique and it facilitated the cleaning of the root canal system (AU).

O uso do Endoguide no tratamento de canais calcificados: relatos de casos clínicos / The use of Endoguide for treatment of calcified root canals: clinical case reports

Introdução: o tratamento endodôntico em dentes com canais calcificados é extremamente desafiador. Durante o procedimento de localização do canal residual, uma quantidade excessiva de dentina pode ser removida, o que pode implicar em maior risco de fratura do elemento dentário. Somado a isso, a calcificação pulpar é o motivo mais comum de perfuração radicular durante o tratamento endodôntico. Métodos: tendo em vista a importância do desenvolvimento de técnicas seguras e precisas para o tratamento endodôntico de canais parcial ou totalmente calcificados, serão apresentados dois relatos de casos clínicos conduzidos segundo uma estratégia terapêutica recentemente descrita na literatura endodôntica. Resultados: o Endoguide tornou mais segura e eficaz a realização do tratamento endodôntico nos dois casos relatados. Conclusão: o guia endodôntico auxiliou na localização do canal radicular calcificado e ajudou a evitar iatrogenias durante sua localização (AU).

Introduction: Endodontic treatment in teeth with calcified root canals is extremely challenging. During the procedure of locating the root canal, an excessive amount of residual dentin can be removed, which may lead to a greater risk of tooth fracture. In addition, pulp calcification is the most common reason for root perforation during endodontic treatment. Methods: Considering the importance of developing safe and efficient techniques for endodontic treatment of partially or completely calcified root canals, these two clinical cases were conducted in accordance with the therapeutic strategy recently described in the endodontic literature. Results: Endoguide made endodontic treatment safer and more effective in the two reported cases Conclusion: The endodontic guide used in the present cases have helped to locate the calcified root canal and to prevent iatrogenies during location (AU).

Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine expression in post-treatment apical periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the expression of pro-inflammatory (IL-1ß, IL-6, IFN-γ and TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4 and TGF-ß) cytokines in apical periodontitis lesions. Correlations between these cytokines and clinical and cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) data were also assessed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Apical periodontitis lesions' data were obtained from 27 patients subjected to periradicular surgery. Specimens were processed for histopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis. Sections were evaluated according to the amount of positive staining for each antibody. Expression levels of the target mediators were compared with clinical and CBCT data. RESULTS: Twenty lesions were diagnosed as granuloma and 7 as cyst. In granulomas, IL-4 expression was significantly higher than IL-6 (p=0.001) and TNF-α (p=0.001). There was a significant relationship between high levels of TNF-α and lesions <5 mm (p=0.017). In cysts, IL-6 expression was significant lower than IL-4 (p=0.001) and IFN-γ (p=0.004). There was a significant relationship between high levels of TGF-ß and endodontic treatment performed ≤4 years before (p=0.045). In general, IL-4 was the most expressed mediator in both cysts and granulomas. CONCLUSIONS: There was a balance between the expression of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines associated with the chronic periradicular inflammatory process. TNF-α and TGF-ß were related to some clinical and CBCT data.

Transportation Assessment in Simulated Curved Canals after preparation with Twisted File Adaptive and BT-Race instruments.

BACKGROUND: This study compared the incidence of deviation along curved canals after preparation with two nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary systems, Twisted File Adaptive and BT-RaCe. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty resin training blocks with curved canals were filled with ink and divided into two groups according to the instrumentation technique. Preinstrumentation images were acquired by using a stereomicroscope. The canals were up to an instrument #35/0.04. Postinstrumentation images were captured using the same conditions, and the images were superimposed. The amount of resin removed was measured at 8 different points, beginning at the apical terminus of the canal. Differences in the mesial and distal aspects were measured to evaluate the occurrence of deviation. The Student's-t test was used for comparison of the intragroup deviation. Intergroup analysis was performed by using one-way ANOVA for each level. For multiple comparisons, the Bonferroni test was used and a cutoff for significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: Intragroup analysis showed that both instrumentation techniques promoted some deviation at all levels. BT-RaCe showed significantly lower deviation at 0 and 4-mm levels than Group Twisted File Adaptive (p<0.05). On the other hand BT-RaCe showed worse performance at level 6. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrated that none of the NiTi tested systems was able to instrument curved canals simulated in resin blocks without some deviation during the preparation. There is still need for improvement in the instruments manufacturing aiming the better performance of endodontic files in curved root canals. Key words:BT-RaCe, Curved root canals, Deviation, Twisted File Adaptive.

Influence of the Apical Preparation Size and the Irrigant Type on Bacterial Reduction in Root Canal-treated Teeth with Apical Periodontitis.

INTRODUCTION: This clinical study evaluated the influence of the apical preparation size using nickel-titanium rotary instrumentation and the effect of a disinfectant on bacterial reduction in root canal-treated teeth with apical periodontitis. METHODS: Forty-three teeth with posttreatment apical periodontitis were selected for retreatment. Teeth were randomly divided into 2 groups according to the irrigant used (2.5% sodium hypochlorite [NaOCl], n = 22; saline, n = 21). Canals were prepared with the Twisted File Adaptive (TFA) system (SybronEndo, Orange, CA). Bacteriological samples were taken before preparation (S1), after using the first instrument (S2), and then after the third instrument of the TFA system (S3). In the saline group, an additional sample was taken after final irrigation with 1% NaOCl (S4). DNA was extracted from the clinical samples and subjected to quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to evaluate the levels of total bacteria and streptococci. RESULTS: S1 from all teeth were positive for bacteria. Preparation to the first and third instruments from the TFA system showed a highly significant intracanal bacterial reduction regardless of the irrigant (P < .01). Apical enlargement to the third instrument caused a significantly higher decrease in bacterial counts than the first instrument (P < .01). Intergroup comparison revealed no significant difference between NaOCl and saline after the first instrument (P > .05). NaOCl was significantly better than saline after using the largest instrument in the series (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Irrespective of the type of irrigant, an increase in the apical preparation size significantly enhanced root canal disinfection. The disinfecting benefit of NaOCl over saline was significant at large apical preparation sizes.

The Effect of Sodium Hypochlorite and Chlorhexidine as Irrigant Solutions for Root Canal Disinfection: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials.

INTRODUCTION: This systematic review aimed to compare the effectiveness of sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine for root canal disinfection during root canal therapy. METHODS: A literature search for clinical trials was made on the PubMed (MEDLINE), Web of Knowledge, SCOPUS, and Science Direct databases and in the reference lists of the identified articles up to January 2015. Quality assessment of the selected studies was performed according to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement. RESULTS: One clinical trial and 4 randomized clinical trials were selected from the 172 articles initially identified. There was heterogeneity in the laboratory methods used to assess the root canal disinfection as well as in the concentrations of the irrigants used. Therefore, meta-analysis was not performed. Two studies reported effective and similar reductions in bacterial levels for both irrigants. Sodium hypochlorite was more effective than chlorhexidine in reducing microorganisms in 1 study, and another reported opposite findings. Both root irrigants were ineffective in eliminating endotoxins from necrotic pulp root canals in 1 study. Trial design and information regarding randomization procedures were not clearly described in the clinical trials. No study compared laboratory results with clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence on this topic is scarce, and the findings of studies were not consistent. Additional randomized clinical trials using clinical outcomes to compare the use of sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine during root canal therapy are needed.