Effect of gaseous ozone and light-activated disinfection on the surface hardness of resin-based root canal sealers.

Although root canal instruments remove most of the content from the main root canal space, disinfection or irrigation plays an indispensable role in all areas of the root canal system, especially in parts that are inaccessible by instruments. The originality of this study was to investigate the effect of two novel disinfection techniques on the surface hardness of resin-based endodontic sealers using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Forty extracted single-rooted maxillary central human teeth were prepared and divided into four groups according to treatment methods. The first group was irrigated with saline and served as a control, other groups irrigated with sodium hypochlorite (NaClO); gaseous ozone; and light-activated disinfection (LAD). The groups were divided into two subgroups, according to the obturation method used: subgroup A: gutta-percha and AH plus; and subgroup B: EndoREZ/resin-coated cones. After obturation, atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurement was performed to analyze the surface hardness of the sealers. There was a significant difference between group 1A and group 3A (p < 0.05). Group 3B had the highest surface hardness values that were statistically different (p < 0.05). When disregarding the sealers, the ozone possessed statistically higher surface hardness values than the other groups in all root thirds (p < 0.05). The use of ozone and LAD may alter the surface hardness of resin-based sealers. The use of AFM can be considered an alternative hardness test techonology for sealing material.

Effect of various intracanal medicaments on the bond strength of self-adhesive resin cement to root canal dentin.

Objective: It has been shown that the irrigating solutions and medicament used during root canal treatment may affect the bonding strength. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of triple antibiotic paste (TAP), double antibiotic paste (DAP) and calcium hydroxide (CH) on the bond strength to root dentin of self-adhesive resin cement. Materials and methods: Forty-eight single-rooted human teeth were prepared and randomly divided into one control and three experimental groups (dressing with TAP, DAP or CH). After removal of intracanal dressing, post-spaces were created and fiber posts cemented to the root canal using a self-adhesive resin cement. A push-out test was performed. The data obtained from the push-out test were analyzed using analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc tests (p = 0.05). Results: TAP decreased the bond strength of self-adhesive resin cement bond strength to root dentin compared to the control group (p = 0.012), while CH and DAP did not influence this (p > 0.05). The majority of specimens exhibited adhesive failures. Conclusions: TAP decreased the bond strength of self-adhesive to the root dentin compared to the control group.

The effect of various backfilling techniques on the fracture resistance of simulated immature teeth performed apical plug with Biodentine.

AIM: To evaluate the fracture resistance of simulated immature teeth that had been backfilled using different materials after using Biodentine as the apical plug material. DESIGN: Seventy-five single-rooted teeth were divided into five groups (n = 15). The 15 teeth in group 1 served as a negative control group and received no treatment. The remaining 60 teeth were instrumented to a #6 Peeso reamer to obtain a standard internal diameter of 1.5 mm. The apical 4 mm of 60 teeth was filled with Biodentine. The backfilling was then performed on each group as follows: group 2--no backfilling (positive control), group 3--gutta-percha, group 4--fiber post, and group 5--Biodentine. Specimens were then subjected to fracture testing. The force required to fracture each specimen was recorded, and the data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The mean fracture values of groups 1 and 4 were significantly higher than groups 2, 3, and 5 (P < 0.05). The values of groups 3 and 5 were significantly higher than group 2 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The backfilling with fiber post after an apical Biodentine plug provided the highest fracture resistance among all experimental groups.

Evaluation of debris extruded apically during the removal of root canal filling material using ProTaper, D-RaCe, and R-Endo rotary nickel-titanium retreatment instruments and hand files.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the amount of debris extruded apically during the removal of root canal filling material using ProTaper (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland), D-RaCe (FKG Dentaire, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland), and R-Endo (Micro-Mega, Besançon, France) nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary retreatment instruments and hand files. METHODS: Sixty extracted single-rooted mandibular premolar teeth were prepared with K-files and filled with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer (Dentsply DeTrey, Konstanz, Germany). The teeth were then randomly assigned to 4 groups (n = 15 for each group) for retreatment. The removal of canal filling material was performed as follows: hand files, ProTaper, D-RaCe, and R-Endo retreatment instruments. Debris extruded apically during the removal of canal filling material was collected into preweighed Eppendorf tubes. The tubes were then stored in an incubator at 70°C for 5 days. The weight of the dry extruded debris was established by subtracting the preretreatment and postretreatment weight of the Eppendorf tubes for each group. The data obtained were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc tests. RESULTS: All retreatment techniques caused the apical extrusion of debris. Hand files produced significantly more debris when compared with ProTaper, D-RaCe, and R-Endo rotary systems (P < .05). There was no statistical difference between the ProTaper, D-RaCe, and R-Endo retreatment systems (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed that during the removal of root canal filling material, rotary NiTi retreatment instruments used in this study caused less apical extrusion of debris compared with hand files.

Effect of calcium hydroxide and double and triple antibiotic pastes on the bond strength of epoxy resin-based sealer to root canal dentin.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of calcium hydroxide (CH) and triple (TAP) and double (DAP) antibiotic pastes on the bond strength of an epoxy resin-based sealer (AH Plus Jet; Dentsply DeTrey, Konstanz, Germany) to the root canal dentin. METHODS: Sixty-four single-rooted human mandibular premolars were decoronated and prepared using the rotary system to size 40. The specimens were randomly divided into a control group (without intracanal dressing) and 3 experimental groups that received an intracanal dressing with either CH, DAP, or TAP (n = 16). The intracanal dressing was removed by rinsing with 10 mL 17% EDTA followed by 10 mL 2.5% sodium hypochlorite. The root canals were then obturated with gutta-percha and AH Plus Jet sealer. A push-out test was used to measure the bond strength between the root canal dentin and the sealer. The data were analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc tests to detect the effect of the independent variables (intracanal medicaments and root canal thirds) and their interactions on the push-out bond strength of the root canal filling material to the root dentin (P = .05). RESULTS: The push-out bond strength values were significantly affected by the intracanal medicaments (P < .001) but not by the root canal thirds (P > .05). In the middle and apical third, the bond strength of the TAP group was higher than those of the CH and DAP groups (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The DAP and CH did not affect the bond strength of the epoxy resin-based sealer. Additionally, the TAP improved the bond strength of the epoxy resin-based sealer in the middle and apical thirds.

Incidence of apical crack initiation and propagation during the removal of root canal filling material with ProTaper and Mtwo rotary nickel-titanium retreatment instruments and hand files.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of crack initiation and propagation in apical root dentin after retreatment procedures performed by using 2 rotary retreatment systems and hand files with additional instrumentation. METHODS: Eighty extracted mandibular premolars with single canals were selected. One millimeter from the apex of each tooth was ground perpendicular to the long axis of the tooth, and the apical surface was polished. Twenty teeth served as the control group, and no preparation was performed. The remaining 60 teeth were prepared to size 35 with rotary files and filled with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer. Specimens were then divided into 3 groups (n = 20), and retreatment procedures were performed with the following devices and techniques: ProTaper Universal retreatment files, Mtwo retreatment files, and hand files. After retreatment, the additional instrumentation was performed by using size 40 ProTaper, Mtwo, and hand files. Digital images of the apical root surface were recorded before preparation, after instrumentation, after filling, after retreatment, and after additional instrumentation. The images were then inspected for the presence of any new apical cracks and propagation. Data were analyzed with the logistic regression and Fisher exact tests. RESULTS: All experimental groups caused crack initiation and propagation after use of retreatment instruments. The ProTaper and Mtwo retreatment groups caused greater crack initiation and propagation than the hand instrument group (P < .05) after retreatment. Additional instrumentation with ProTaper and Mtwo instruments after the use of retreatment instruments caused crack initiation and propagation, whereas hand files caused neither crack initiation nor propagation (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that retreatment procedures and additional instrumentation after the use of retreatment files may cause crack initiation and propagation in apical dentin.

The effect of different final irrigant activation techniques on the bond strength of an epoxy resin-based endodontic sealer: a preliminary study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether or not different final irrigation activation techniques affect the bond strength of an epoxy resin-based endodontic sealer (AH Plus; Dentsply DeTrey, Konstanz, Germany) to the root canal walls of different root thirds. METHODS: Eighty single-rooted human mandibular premolars were prepared by using the ProTaper system (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) to size F4, and a final irrigation regimen using 3% sodium hypochlorite and 17% EDTA was performed. The specimens were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 20) according to the final irrigation activation technique used as follows: no activation (control), manual dynamic activation (MDA), CanalBrush (Coltene Whaledent, Altststten, Switzerland) activation, and ultrasonic activation. Five specimens from each group were prepared for scanning electron microscopic observation to assess the smear layer removal after the final irrigation procedures. All remaining roots were then obturated with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer. A push-out test was used to measure the bond strength between the root canal dentin and AH Plus sealer. The data obtained from the push-out test were analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc tests. RESULTS: The bond strength values mostly decreased in the coronoapical direction (P < .001). In the coronal and middle thirds, ultrasonic activiation showed a higher bond strength than other groups (P < .05). In the apical third, MDA displayed the highest bond strength to root dentin (P < .05). The majority of specimens exhibited cohesive failures. CONCLUSIONS: The bond strength of AH Plus sealer to root canal dentin may improve with ultrasonic activation in the coronal and middle thirds and MDA in the apical third.

The effects of Mtwo, R-Endo, and D-RaCe retreatment instruments on the incidence of dentinal defects during the removal of root canal filling material.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of dentinal defects after retreatment procedures with different nickel-titanium rotary retreatment files. METHODS: One hundred-eighty mandibular premolars were randomly assigned to 6 groups (n = 30 teeth per group). One group was left unprepared, and the remaining 5 groups were prepared with K-files (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and filled with gutta-percha and AH plus sealer (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland). Of these 5 groups, 1 group was left filled and received no further treatments; in the other groups, removal of the filling material was performed with Mtwo R (VDW, Munich, Germany), D-RaCe (FKG Dentaire, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland), R-Endo instruments (Micro-Mega, Besançon, France), or Hedström files (Dentsply Maillefer). Roots were then sectioned 3, 6, and 9 mm from the apex and observed under a microscope. The presence of dentinal defects was noted. Chi-square tests were performed to compare the incidence of dentinal defects between the groups. A Pearson correlation test was performed to check the correlation between defects and root level or remaining dentin thickness. RESULTS: No defects were observed in the unprepared group. Dentinal defects were detected in all retreatment groups. Retreatment groups showed significantly more defects than the filled but no retreatment group (P < .05). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of defects between retreatment groups (P > .05). There was no correlation between the appearance of defects and level of the root or remaining dentin thickness. CONCLUSIONS: Under the experimental conditions, all retreatment techniques used in this study created defects in the root dentin.

In vitro fracture resistance of roots obturated with epoxy resin-based, mineral trioxide aggregate-based, and bioceramic root canal sealers.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the fracture resistance of teeth filled with 3 different endodontic sealers. METHODS: Seventy-five single-rooted extracted mandibular premolars were decoronated to a length of 13 mm. The teeth were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 15 for each group). In group 1, the teeth were left unprepared and unfilled (negative control), and in group 2, the teeth were left unobturated (positive control). The rest of the roots were prepared by using the ProTaper System up to a master apical file size of F3: group 3, bioceramic sealer (Endosequence BC sealer) + gutta-percha; group 4, mineral trioxide aggregate-based sealer (Tech Biosealer Endo) + gutta-percha; and group 5, epoxy resin-based sealer (AH Plus Jet) + gutta-percha. All root specimens were stored for 2 weeks at 100% humidity to allow the complete setting of the sealers. Each specimen was then subjected to fracture testing by using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/min(-1) until the root fractured. The force required to fracture each specimen was recorded, and the data were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The fracture values of groups 3 and 5 were significantly higher than those of group 4 (P < .05). There was no significant difference between groups 3 and 5 (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to Tech Biosealer Endo, Endosequence BC and AH Plus Jet sealer increased the force to fracture in root-filled single-rooted premolar teeth.

Frequency and distribution of early tooth loss and endodontic treatment needs of permanent first molars in a Turkish pediatric population.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to evaluate the frequency and distribution of early tooth loss and endodontic treatment needs of permanent first molars in a Turkish pediatric population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 7,895 panoramic radiographs taken for routine dental examination at the Department of Oral Maxillofacial Radiology between 2008 and 2012 years were investigated. Two independent specialists evaluated early tooth loss and endodontic treatment needs of permanent first molars using panoramic radiography and patient anamnesis forms. The teeth were classified according to the following data: (a) Missing teeth, (b) teeth requiring extraction, (c) endodontically treated teeth (ETT), (d) teeth requiring endodontic therapy. The data also classified according to four factors: Age group (6-12 and 13-16), gender (boy and girl), jaw (mandible and maxilla) and side (right and left). A Chi-square test was used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: A total of 19,488 and 12,092 teeth were evaluated in the child group and adolescent group respectively. All data were higher in adolescents than children (P < 0.001). For gender factor, only ETT was higher in girls than it was in boys (P < 0.001). For the jaw factor, all data were higher (P < 0.001) in mandible than in the maxilla. For the side factor, no statistical difference existed between right and left. CONCLUSIONS: Early tooth loss and endodontic treatment needs of permanent first molars showed variability according to age groups and jaws. When the results were compared according to the side and gender factors, no statistical difference was found (P > 0.05) except with the data of ETT in gender groups.