Different Dentin Conditioning Protocols on Bond Strength of a Bioceramic Root Canal Filling.

Objective: Bioceramic-based sealers, in combination with bioceramic-coated gutta-perchas, have become more commonly used in root canal obturation. The present study aimed to assess the influence of laser-assisted dentin conditioning compared with conventional conditioning protocols on the push-out bond strength (PBS) of a bioceramic-based root canal filling. Material and Methods: Sixty extracted mandibular premolars with one root canal were instrumented with EndoSequence rotary files up to size 40/0.04. Four types of dentin conditioning protocols were used: 1) 5.25% NaOCl (control), 2) 17% EDTA+5.25% NaOCl, 3) Diode laser-agitated 17% EDTA+5.25% NaOCl, 4) Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation+5.25% NaOCl. Teeth were obturated using the single-cone technique with EndoSequence BC sealer+BC points (EBCF). After having obtained 1-mm-thick horizontal slices from the apical, middle and coronal root thirds, push-out test was carried out, and failure modes were determined. The data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test with a significance level of p<0.05. Results: The apical segments showed the highest PBS in all groups (p<0.05). In the apical segments, EDTA+NaOCl and diode laser agitated EDTA increased the PBS compared to the control (p=0.0001) and Er, Cr: YSGG laser (p=0.011 and p=0.027, respectively) groups. Both laser-used groups revealed significantly higher PBS values in the middle and coronal segments than EDTA+NaOCl (p<0.05). The bond failure was predominantly cohesive without any significant difference among the groups (p>0.05). Conclusions: Laser-assisted dentin conditioning had distinct effects on the PBS of the EBCF at different root segments. Although Er, Cr: YSGG was ineffective in the apical segments, generally, laser-assisted dentin conditioning affected PBS more favorably than conventional irrigation groups, with a more pronounced effect in the diode laser-agitated EDTA group.

Evaluation of the knowledge of final-year dental students on the use of antibiotics in endodontics in Turkey.

The knowledge of the final-year dental students on antibiotic use in endodontics in Turkey was assessed. The study was conducted at 20 Dentistry Faculties. A questionnaire was sent to the universities including the concerning several scenarios about endodontic cases. 1113 final-year dental students participated in the study. Respondents' significant choice was not to administrate antibiotics in endodontic treatments of symptomatic irreversible pulpitis, pulp necrosis, acute apical periodontitis, chronic apical abscess with or without sinus tract, retreatment, inadequate local anaesthesia and patient requests (P > 0.05). In acute apical abscess (AAA) with diffuse cases, choice of antibiotic administration was statistically higher (P < 0.05), while in AAA-localised cases, the ratio of antibiotic administration versus non-administration was similar. Amoxicillin was found to be the first-choice antibiotic in patients without medical allergies, whereas in allergic patients the first choice was clindamycin. Final-year dental students have fundamental knowledge on the antibiotic administration in endodontics.

In vitro comparison of gutta-percha-filled area percentages in root canals instrumented and obturated with different techniques.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of different obturation techniques in root canals instrumented either by hand or rotary instruments with regard to the percentage of gutta- percha-filled area (PGFA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixty extracted mandibular premolars with single, straight root canals were studied. Root canals were prepared to an apical size of 30 by hand with a modified crown-down technique or the ProTaper and HEROShaper systems. Teeth were divided into eight groups (n=20) according to the following instrumentation and obturation techniques: G1: Hand files+lateral condensation (LC), G2: Hand files+Thermafil, G3: ProTaper+LC, G4: ProTaper+single-cone, G5: ProTaper+ProTaper-Obturator, G6: HEROShaper+LC, G7: HEROShaper+single-cone, G8: HEROShaper+HEROfill. Horizontal sections were cut at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 mm from the apical foramen. A total of 1120 sections obtained were digitally photographed under a stereomicroscope set at 48X magnification. The cross-sectional area of the canal and the gutta-percha was measured by digital image analysis and the PGFA was calculated for each section. RESULTS: The mean of the PGFA in Thermafil (G2), ProTaper-Obturator (G5) and HEROfill (G8) groups was significantly higher than the other groups. In G3 and G4, PGFA showed no significant difference in the apical segments whereas PGFA was significantly higher at the middle and coronal segments in G3. In G6 and G7, PGFA showed no significant difference in the apical and middle segments whereas PGFA was significantly higher at the coronal segments in G6. CONCLUSION: The carrier-based gutta-percha obturation systems revealed significantly higher PGFA in comparison to single-cone and lateral condensation techniques.

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.

Effect of rotational speed on root canal preparation with Hero 642 rotary Ni-Ti instruments.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of Hero 642 rotary Ni-Ti instruments driven at 300, 400, or 600 rpm on root canal straightening, loss of working length, and instrument breakage. Sixty mesial root canals from extracted human mandibular molars were divided into 3 groups of 20 each and were instrumented at the aforementioned rotational speeds with a crown-down technique. Using a digital intraoral radiography system directly on the images of pre- and postoperative radiographs, degrees of canal curvatures were measured and recorded. Statistical analysis showed that final canal curvatures and working lengths were significantly reduced compared with those of original values in each group (p < 0.001). However, using Hero 642 rotary Ni-Ti system at different rotational speeds had no effect on canal curvature and working length alterations (p > 0.05). No file breakage was observed in any of the groups.