Outcome of single-visit root canal treatment with or without MTAD: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate 2-year changes in periapical trabecular patterns in single-rooted teeth with apical periodontitis using fractal analysis and periapical index (PAI) after root canal treatment performed with or without BioPure MTAD solution. METHODOLOGY: In this randomized clinical trial, 100 patients were selected and randomized to either the BioPure MTAD or the control groups. Initial periapical radiographs were obtained for each participant before and 2 years after root canal treatment. The region of interest in the periapical lesion around the root apex was selected from the paired periapical radiographs, and then, the fractal dimension (FD) was calculated. With regards to the classification of periapical status, PAI was labelled as "healed" (PAI ≤ 2) or "unhealed" (PAI ≥ 3). RESULTS: After 24 months, 28 patients did not comply with the follow-up and the data of 72 patients were compared. When the initial and the follow-up PAI scores were compared, the decrease was statistically significant in 33 of 37 teeth (89.2%) and 32 of 35 teeth (91.4%) in the BioPure MTAD and control group, respectively. In both groups, statistically significant increases were observed in FD values after 2 years in all patients (p < .001). No significant difference was found between the two groups amongst decreased PAI scores and increased FD values. CONCLUSIONS: Root canal treatments with or without BioPure MTAD irrigation contributed to periapical healing in single-visit root canal treatment. Two years after root canal treatment, the extent of the periapical trabecular bone radiographically increased, as the FD and PAI data revealed.

Assessment of Stem Cell Transplant Eligibility in Recipients with Oral Foci of Infection: Appropriate Conditioning Regimens.

OBJECTIVES: It is unclear whether patients with oral foci of infection should be approved for hematopoietic stem cell transplant with or without posttransplant cyclophosphamide. We compared the presence of oral foci of infection status on the effects of various conditioning regimens for such patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three groups were classified as autologous (carmustine-etoposide-cytarabinemelphalan, mitoxantrone-melphalan, and melphalan 200 mg/m² groups; n = 502 patients), and 6 groups were classified as allogeneic (busulfan-fludarabinerabbit anti-T-lymphocyte globulin, busulfanfludarabine-posttransplant cyclophosphamide, fludarabine-cyclophosphamide-anti-T-lymphocyte globulin, busulfan-fludarabine-anti-T-lymphocyte globulin-posttransplant cyclophosphamide, total body irradiation-posttransplant cyclophosphamide, and other; n = 428 patients). Data were collected from a database that met international accreditation requirements. We evaluated dental radiological findings and calculated interobserver reliability. RESULTS: Oral foci of infections increased febrile neutropenia and bacterial infection frequencies in both groups but only increased mucositis frequency in patients with allogeneic treatment. The frequencies of oral foci of infection-related complications were similar in both the autologous and allogeneic groups. Rate of graft-versus-host disease was not affected by oral foci of infection status. Periodontitis/cysts and periapical lesions increased the risk of infections at day 100 in the mitoxantrone-melphalan group versus the melphalan 200 mg/m² group. We observed no differences among the autologous transplant groups in terms of early mortality. Similarly, no differences in early mortality were observed among the allogeneic groups. CONCLUSIONS: Transplant is a valid option in patients with oral foci of infections undergoing various autologous and allogeneic transplant protocols when time is of the essence, even at myeloablative dose intensities.

Root canal length measurement of molar teeth using conebeam computed tomography (CBCT): comparison of two dimensional versus three-dimensional methods.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the validity of 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) root canal length measurements of molar teeth compared with actual root canal lengths and the influence of canal curvature on the accuracy of CBCT measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy root canals of 24 molar teeth were scanned using CBCT, and the root canals were categorized as; 'straight/curved,' 'highly curved,' and 'multiple curved.' The 2D measurements were performed within a suitable slice between the major foramen and the corresponding cusp. The 3D measurements were performed within the slices in regular intervals of axial planes in between the same reference points. The reproducibility and reliability of the methods were analyzed by intraclass correlation coefficient. Differences between the actual and CBCT root canal lengths were evaluated by chi-square and McNemar tests if the measurements were within acceptable limits of ±0.5 mm. RESULTS: Both methods were found to be reproducible and presented excellent reliability. However, the 3D method was significantly more accurate, with an 85.7% frequency of measurements within acceptable limits (p<0.05). In 'multiple curved' root canals, the 3D method presented more reliable measurements than the 2D method. For 'straight/curved' root canals, the 2D method gave results significantly closer to the actual root canal length in comparison with 'highly curved' root canals (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The 3D measurements are more accurate than 2D measurements. If an already existing CBCT is present, it could be an alternative method for predetermination of root canal lengths in molar teeth.

Comparative analysis of different periapical index systems used in cone-beam computed tomography.

This study aimed to compare the three index systems designed for cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in terms of intra- and inter-observer agreement. 117 root-filled teeth with or without periapical radiolucency from 77 of already existing CBCT images were chosen randomly. Two observers evaluated the periapical status of the selected teeth and graded the scores twice using CBCT periapical index (CBCTPAI), endodontic radiolucency index (ERI) and complex periapical index (COPI) part of the periapical and endodontic status scale (PESS), respectively. The researchers' self-agreement kappa values ranged from substantial to almost perfect. A moderate inter-observer agreement was present for the COPI and ERI, whereas a fair agreement was present for CBCTPAI. The researchers' ICC for the inter-observer reliability of CBCTPAI, ERI and COPI was 0.75, 0.77 and 0.80, respectively. COPI had the highest self-agreement and inter-observer reliability. ERI showed the highest intra-observer variation, whereas CBCTPAI showed the highest inter-observer variation.

Micro-CT analysis of the marginal adaptation and porosity associated with ultrasonic activation of coronally placed tricalcium silicate-based cements.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ultrasonic activation on coronal marginal adaptation and microporosity of tricalcium silicate-based materials. Sixty freshly extracted human maxillary lateral incisor teeth were instrumented with ProTaper Next X2 files followed by Peeso-Reamer burs, sizes 1 to 5. The specimens were randomly divided into six groups (n = 10): Group 1, Biodentine + hand condensation; Group 2, Biodentine + ultrasonic activation; Group 3, NeoMTA Plus + hand condensation; Group 4, NeoMTA Plus + ultrasonic activation; Group 5, ProRoot WMTA + hand condensation; and Group 6, ProRoot WMTA + ultrasonic activation. All tested materials were mixed mechanically and placed 2 mm underneath the cement-enamel junction by hand condensation or indirect ultrasonic activation. Volumetric analysis of the voids between the dentine wall and coronal barrier material and the porosity within the material was evaluated with micro-CT. There was no significant difference in marginal adaptation among the six groups (P > 0.05). Ultrasonic activation favoured a reduced microporosity in Biodentine Group (P < 0.001).

What Is the Role of Endodontic Predisposing Factors in Early Implant Failure?

We aimed to investigate a possible relationship between early implant failure (EIF) and an adjacent root canal-treated tooth and/or tooth with a periapical lesion (PL), considering the duration between implantation and root canal treatment (RCT). The importance of prior RCT and/or presence of a PL before implantation was also investigated. A total of 810 implants from 342 patients were included and scored according to the implant failure before abutment connection, adjacent root canal treated teeth, adjacent teeth without RCT, no adjacent teeth, adjacent teeth with PL, extraction of teeth with PL, and/or RCT before implantation. The durations between the extraction and implantation and between RCT and implantation adjacent to the root canal-treated teeth were recorded. The time from the RCT of adjacent teeth to implant placement was categorized into 5 groups: less than 4 weeks before implantation, 4-12 weeks before implantation, at least 12 weeks before implantation, within 4 weeks after implantation, and at least 4 weeks after implantation. Among the endodontic predictors, a prior PL on the tooth extracted was associated with an increased risk of EIF (P < .05, odds ratio: 4.37; 95% confidence interval: 1.604-11.891). Furthermore, EIF was more likely to occur when the RCT of an adjacent tooth was performed within 4 weeks of implantation (P < .05). Additional investigations with larger sample sizes are necessary to validate our findings.

Evaluation of the Relationship between Type II Diabetes Mellitus and the Prevalence of Apical Periodontitis in Root-Filled Teeth Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) in patients with type II diabetes mellitus (DM) with either optimal glycemic control (OGC) or poor glycemic control (PGC) compared with nondiabetics using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The periapical status of 75 teeth with adequate root canal treatment performed at least 1 year ago that could be visualized in the field of view of CBCT images of 43 DM patients (29 females, 14 males) was compared with a control group consisting of 162 teeth of 86 nondiabetics (56 females, 30 males). In addition, the DM group was divided into subgroups according to the patients' mean glycated hemoglobin level as either having OGC or PGC. The periapical status of the teeth was evaluated using the CBCT periapical index (CBCTPAI), and AP was diagnosed as a CBCTPAI ≥1. χ2, Fisher's exact test, and independent-samples t tests were used for the statistical analysis, and p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Significant differences between the DM group and the control group were observed (p< 0.05) in terms of AP (the frequencies of both CBCTPAI ≥1 and CBCTPAI ≥3) and the frequency of cardiovascular disease, while there were no significant differences between the DM subgroups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of AP and severe bone destruction in periapical tissues was significantly higher in the DM patients compared with the nondiabetic patients.

Comparison of the Shaping Ability of WaveOne Reciprocating Files with or without Glide Path in Simulated Curved S-shaped Root Canals.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to compare the shaping ability of WaveOne reciprocating files with or without glide path in simulated curved S-shaped root canals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty ISO #15, 0.02 taper, clear resin Endo Training Bloc-S blocks were studied. The simulated curved S-shaped canals were dyed using ink, preinstrumentation images were scanned, and resin blocks were prepared and divided into Group A: PathFile and WaveOne and Group B: WaveOne. All canals were postoperatively scanned. Pre- and postoperative images were superimposed and evaluated at 12 defined measuring points. The efficacy of the systems was compared based on the amount and direction of canal transportation, centering ability, amount of material removed, and presence of canal aberrations. Mann-Whitney U-test and independent t-test were used for statistical comparison. RESULTS: Both systems produced transportation at all levels and straightened the curved S-shaped canals. No significant differences in the amount and direction of transportation and amount of material removed were observed between the groups at each level (P > 0.05). However, Group A had significantly greater centering ability at the coronal straight zone (P = 0.018) and apical curvature (P = 0.014) levels than did Group B. Moreover, Group B showed more canal aberrations than did Group A. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the present study, the creation of a glide path with the PathFile system improved the centering ability of the WaveOne reciprocating file in the apical and straight coronal portions of the simulated curved S-shaped root canals and reduced the incidence of canal aberrations.

Comparative Micro-computed Tomographic Evaluation of the Sealing Quality of ProRoot MTA and MTA Angelus Apical Plugs Placed with Various Techniques.

INTRODUCTION: This study compared the effects of different mixing and placement techniques on sealing of ProRoot MTA (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and MTA Angelus (Soluçoes Odontologicas, Londrina, Brazil) apical plugs using micro-computed tomographic (micro-CT) imaging. METHODS: Standardized divergent open apex models were created using 120 extracted maxillary incisors and divided into 8 groups (n = 15). ProRoot MTA and MTA Angelus were mixed manually or mechanically and introduced to form apical plugs by hand condensation or indirect ultrasonic activation for 10 seconds. The samples were scanned using micro-CT imaging, and volumetric analysis of the voids between the dentin walls and the apical plugs and the porosity inside MTA was performed. RESULTS: Irrespective of the mixing and placement techniques used, the voids between the dentin walls and the apical plugs in the MTA Angelus groups were greater than those in the ProRoot MTA groups (P < .05). The mechanically mixed groups were significantly less porous than the manually mixed groups (P < .05). Combined mechanical mixing and indirect ultrasonic activation yielded a less porous structure for both types of MTA than combined manual mixing and hand condensation (P < .05). Marginal adaptation for ProRoot MTA, both mixed and placed manually, was greater than for MTA Angelus (P < .05), but no difference was found when indirect ultrasonic activation was performed (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: ProRoot MTA showed better marginal adaptation than MTA Angelus. Mechanically mixed products had better handling characteristics than the manually mixed product. Indirect ultrasonic activation did improve the adaptation of manually mixed MTA Angelus to the dentin walls.