The effect of ultrasonic access cavity preparation on dentinal inner walls: a micro-CT study on cadaveric samples.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the occurrence of coronal dentinal micro-cracks after access cavity refinement using high-speed burs and ultrasonic tips by means of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) analysis. METHODS: In this study, 18 mandibular cadaveric incisors were divided into two groups according to the protocol of the preparation of the conventional access cavity. The diamond bur 802 # 12 was used until the perforation of the pulp roof. Then, the Endo-Z bur was used for the group #1 and the ultrasonic tip Start-X # 1 for the group #2 to finish and refine the access cavity. The preparation time of each access cavity has been recorded. The teeth underwent a micro-CT scan before and after the preparation of the access cavity. Fisher's exact test, the Chi-square test, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the Mann-Whitney test, and the Student's test were used for statistical evaluation. RESULTS: The percentage of teeth with new micro-cracks is not significantly different between the two groups (-p-value < 0.5). The number of newly formed micro-cracks and extension size were not significantly different between the two groups. The direction of extension of the micro- cracks was occluso-apical. The average duration of the access cavity is significantly smaller with the Endo-Z system (-p- value < 0.001). The roughness of walls surfaces has no statistically difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The use of ultrasound, although slower, is considered safe in the creation of dentinal micro-cracks, in the preparation of the access cavity.

Evaluation of two shaping systems and two sonic irrigation devices in removing root canal filling material from distal roots of mandibular molars assessed by micro CT.

AIM: To compare two preparation systems and two sonic irrigation devices during the removal of root filling material from oval distal canals of extracted mandibular molars. METHODOLOGY: The distal canals in 40 extracted mandibular molars were shaped using the ProTaper Next system (Dentslpy Sirona, Ballaigues, Switzerland), filled with Gutta Percha X2 (Dentsply Sirona), along with AH Plus sealer (Dentsply De Trey, Konstanz, Germany) and randomly divided into two groups (n = 20) according to volume of initial filling, preparation diameter and working length. One group was retreated using the Reciproc system (VDW, Munich, Germany), and the other using the 2Shape system (Micro-Mega, Besançon, France). A micro-CT scan was taken after the initial root filling and after retreatment to evaluate the volume of filling material remnants. The teeth were divided into four groups to test the supplementary effect of two sonic irrigation devices on removing filling material: Eddy (VDW) and MM1500 (Micro-Mega). In the first and second groups, 2Shape was followed subsequently by MM1500 and Eddy; in the third and fourth groups, Reciproc was followed by MM1500 and Eddy. A third micro-CT was taken to compare the remaining root filling material in all groups. Wilcoxon's signed rank tests, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: No significant difference was found for the volume of filling material removed between the Reciproc and 2Shape in the entire canal (P = 0.355). The volume dropped significantly from its initial value after removing the bulk of the root filling by 95.8% (from 4.71 to 0.22 mm3 ) with the 2Shape (P < 0.001) and by 94.0% (from 5.05 to 0.33 mm3 ) with the Reciproc (P < 0.001). Sonic activation significantly decreased the residual volume of filling material remnants by 3.21% (P = 0.013) in the first group, 1.38% (P = 0.012) in the second group, 1.83% (P = 0.008) in the third group and 1.83% (P = 0.012) in the fourth group. At the end, the percentage of residual material was not significantly different among the groups in the entire canal (P = 0.163). CONCLUSION: In the distal oval canals of extracted mandibular molar teeth, there was no significant difference between the 2Shape and Reciproc systems in removing gutta-percha/sealer. Sonic activation with MM1500 and Eddy significantly improved filling material removal.

[Amalgam, composite and compomer: microbiological study]. / Amalgames, composites et compomères. Etude microbiologique comparative.

Restorative materials have different consequences on the periodontium. The surface of these materials may influence gingival health and cause in some instances gingival inflammation. The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare, in a healthy periodontium, intracrevicular plaque bacteria (Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythensis and Treponema denticola), at day 0 and at 6 months, around subgingivally located amalgam, composite and compomer fillings. All the tests were negative (less than 0.1% of the sum of 103 cells), since none of the investigated pathogens were detected. It has been concluded that the material used does not have direct effect on the bacteria species developed around the restorations at this short time period.

Influence of apical taper on the quality of thermoplasticized root fillings assessed by micro-computed tomography.

The objective of this study is to study the influence of final canal taper on the sealing ability of Real Seal 1 by using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Fifty-four single-rooted teeth were instrumented to apical size of 40 taper 4, 6, and 8. The teeth were divided into three groups. All teeth were filled with Real Seal 1 (RS1; SybronEndo, Orange, CA, USA). Roots were then scanned with mico-CT, and volume measurements of voids in the apical third and in sections at 1, 3, and 5 mm from the apex were calculated in the obturated roots using specialized CT software. Measurements were analyzed statistically by using ANOVA followed by Bonferroni multiple comparison correction. Data analysis showed that 0.08% and 0.06% apical tapered RS1 obturations provided better results than 0.04% tapered samples. The present study showed that none of the root canals filled teeth were gap free. Mean percentages of voids were significantly higher with Real Seal 1 taper 0.04% (P = 0.05).There was no significant difference with 0.06 and 0.08 final taper. For Real Seal 1 technique 0.06 and 0.08 tapered preparations seem to be more optimal. At 1 mm, final taper 0.08 showed less voids and gaps than the two other final tapers. In our daily practice, enlarging the apical third (last 3 mm) of root canals to an 8% taper is necessary to achieve a better sealing ability and thus long-term success for our root canal obturations.