Quantitation of catecholamines in inflamed human dental pulp by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Catecholamines may play an important role in the control of intrapulpal pressure as mediators of vasoconstriction. A baseline level of catecholamines (dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine) in the uninflamed human dental pulp was previously reported using high-performance liquid chromatography. The purpose of this study was to compare the level of catecholamines present in the inflamed human dental pulp with the baseline level established in virgin teeth. Twelve uninflamed pulps were analyzed as a control and to validate previous findings. Pulp tissue was obtained from 10 vital and inflamed teeth requiring endodontic treatment. Selective criteria for each patient included: absence of systemic disease, medications, and allergies; a vital response to ice, heat, and electric pulp tests; and periodontal probing < or = 3 mm. A prior history of pain associated with the tooth was an additional criterion for inflamed pulps. To avoid the presence of an exogenous catecholamine, local anesthesia without epinephrine was administered. Dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine were chemically extracted and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Catecholamine levels found to be present in the pulp during inflammation were greater than the baseline level established in uninflamed pulp tissue.

An evaluation of resin-ionomers to prevent coronal microleakage in endodontically treated teeth.

While a gutta-percha system is most commonly used by practitioners for canal obturation, there is no agreement on how best to close the chamber of an endodontically treated tooth. Some materials used in restorative dentistry may have endodontic applications. Restorative materials of particular interest to endodontists are those used as subgingival restorations. Their properties include insolubility in oral fluids, adhesiveness, dual-cure capabilities, radiopacity, hardness and fluoride release, low cure shrinkage and a low coefficient of thermal expansion. The purpose of this in vitro study was to test three products that could be used to seal pulp chambers of endodontically treated teeth to prevent bacterial infiltration. A bacteriological assay system was used to determine the efficacy of three commercially available restorative materials to prevent penetration of Streptococcus salivarius from the pulp chambers into the prepared canals. The materials evaluated were: Geristore two-paste system with Tenure Quik with fluoride, Dispersalloy with Tenure Quik with fluoride, and Marathon posterior composite with Tenure Quik with fluoride. During the sixty days of the study, the analysis indicated that the Geristore two-paste system with Tenure Quik with fluoride provided a statistically significant improved seal when compared to the Marathon posterior composite and Dispersalloy amalgam with Tenure Quik with fluoride.