[Teaching of endodontics in the 11-member nations of the European Endodontic Society]. / L'insegnamento della endodonzia in 11 paesi membri della Società Europea di Endodonzia.

This study was commissioned in 1984 by the Council of the European Society of Endodontology (E.S.E.) in order to discover the extent of endodontic teaching in undergraduate curricula, the methods used in the teaching of the subject and the clinical technique favoured by each school. The survey was conducted with the co-operation of the Country Representatives in eleven out of the fourteen member countries. Each representative was sent a questionnaire and asked to translate it, if necessary, into the appropriate language/languages. These translated questionnaires were sent to the Head of the department responsible for endodontic teaching in each school of that country. The questionnaire inquired into the following subjects: 1) Type of school and teaching arrangements; 2) Teaching concepts; 3) Operative procedures. This study confirmed that endodontic teaching in the schools of the eleven countries that contributed to the survey was fundamentally similar and conformed to what is generally accepted as the conventional approach to the endodontic treatment.

[Significance of the bacterial flora in the etiology of apical periodontitis. Qualitative, quantitative and topographical aspects]. / Significato della flora batterica nell'eziologia delle periodontiti apicali. Aspetti qualitativi, quantitativi e topografici.

In the international literature it is shown the central role of root canal infection in the etiology of periapical lesions. As a matter of fact it has been proved (13) that sterile necrotic pulp tissue is completely unable to cause inflammatory reactions at the periapex. Infection of endodontic origin extends to the supporting tissues of the tooth only in the case of their acute inflammation (e.g. acute apical periodontitis, acute alveolar abscess, phoenix abscess). On the other hand in chronic inflammation bacteria remain confined in the endodontic space. Only few exceptions to this general rule have been experimentally proved. In endodontics we deal with a mixed infection which is composed by obligate anaerobes and by facultative anaerobes. The most frequently found obligate anaerobes are Bacteroides sp. and Fusobacterium sp. (Gram- rods) Anaerobic Diphtheroides (Gram+ rods) Peptostreptococcus sp. (Gram+ cocci) and Veilonella sp. (Gram- cocci). Actinomyces sp., Lactobacillus sp., Streptococcus sp., and Staphilococcus sp. are the facultative anaerobes most frequently found.

[Subjectivity in interpretation of radiographs in endodontics]. / Soggettività nella interpretazione delle radiografie in endodonzia.

This research found a substantial interobserver disagreement existing in endodontic success/failure interpretation from periapical radiographs. The diagnostic variability appears to be independent of the anatomic location of the endodontically treated tooth (even though it seems less for mandibular teeth), as well as it appears to be independent of the time interval between post-operative and recall radiographs. Extremely significant has also been the fact that an important percentage of observers have contradict themselves in the interpretation of the same radiograph.

[Morpho-functional characteristics of bacterial species of major importance in endodontic infections]. / Caratteristiche morfo-funzionali dei ceppi batterici di maggiore importanza nelle infezioni endodontiche.

Most of the bacteria involved in the endodontic infection can be considered as "highly specific", for they appear to be almost irrelevant in the large field of the other human disease from infection. Namely the most important anaerobia responsible for endodontic infection are: Bacteroides, Fusobacterium, Peptostreptococcus, and Veillonella. The group of Bacteroides is composed by several species with different metabolic and genetic characteristics. They are Gram-, non-motile, non-spore-forming rods. Fusobacterium are spindle-shaped, Gram-, non motile, non-spore-forming bacilli. Peptostreptococci are round-shaped, Gram+, non-motile cocci. Veillonella are small, Gram-, non-motile cocci.

[Mixed infection: specific canal aspects]. / L'infezione mista: aspetti specifici a livello canalare.

The fundamental feature of the bacteriologic flora that causes endodontic lesions is its mixed nature. It has been demonstrated that a mixed flora can more easily give rise to both acute and chronic inflammatory reactions. The coexistence of different families of bacteria within the same environment is based upon a very delicate balance given by the interplay of the various mechanisms of bacterial relationships: mutualism (symbiosis and commensalism), antagonism and synergism. The metabolic needs (nutritive and respiratory) of the different types of bacteria which cause endodontic infections are so specific that these organisms are strictly dependent on each other for their own survival in the radicular canal system and for their pathogenicity.

[Root fracture and tooth luxation. Endo-orthodontic technic after 15 years]. / Fratture radicolari e lussazioni dentali. Technica endo-ortodontica - dopo 15 anni.

The authors described a personal treatment method for the traumatic root fractures in the permanent incisors, and the review of their results after 15 years. The method consists in the good immobilisation and fixation of the injured teeth, with orthodontic bands and brackets and arch wire. They put this orthodontic contention for one-two months, and after x-ray control and pulp vitality checks, removed it. They presented also the use of the same technique in the luxations of permanent incisors, and compared the results. In the root fractures the authors obtain good long distance results, such as pulp vitality, good health, calcified tissue in the fracture zone, good stability of the tooth. Otherwise in the incisors luxations they frequently founded pulp necrosis, and root resorption in the long distance controls.