Real-time evaluation of the biocompatibility of calcium silicate-based endodontic cements: An in vitro study.

INTRODUCTION: An ideal filling material should hermetically seal the communication pathways between the canal system and surrounding tissues. Therefore, during the last few years, the development of obturation materials and techniques to create optimal conditions for the proper healing of apical tissues has been a focus of interest. The effects of calcium silicate-based cements (CSCs) on periodontal ligament cells have been investigated, and promising results have been obtained. To date, there are no reports in the literature that have evaluated the biocompatibility of CSCs using a real-time live cell system. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the real-time biocompatibility of CSCs with human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs). METHODOLOGY: hPDLC were cultured with testing media of endodontic cements for 5 days: TotalFill-BC Sealer, BioRoot RCS, Tubli-Seal, AH Plus, MTA ProRoot, Biodentine, and TotalFill-BC RRM Fast Set Putty. Cell proliferation, viability, and morphology were quantified using real-time live cell microscopy with the IncuCyte S3 system. Data were analyzed using the one-way repeated measures (RM) analysis of variance multiple comparison test (p < .05). RESULTS: Compared to the control group, cell proliferation in the presence of all cements was significantly affected at 24 h (p < .05). ProRoot MTA and Biodentine lead to an increase in cell proliferation; there were no significant differences with the control group at 120 h. In contrast, Tubli-Seal and TotalFill-BC Sealer inhibited cell growth in real-time and significantly increased cell death compared to all groups. hPDLC co-cultured with sealer and repair cements showed a spindle-shaped morphology except with cements Tubli-Seal and TotalFill-BC Sealer where smaller and rounder cells were obtained. CONCLUSIONS: The biocompatibility of the endodontic repair cements performed better than the sealer cements, highlighting the cell proliferation of the ProRoot MTA and Biodentine in real-time. However, the calcium silicate-based TotalFill-BC Sealer presented a high percentage of cell death throughout the experiment similar to that obtained.

Molecular characterization and antibacterial activity of oral antibiotics and copper nanoparticles against endodontic pathogens commonly related to health care-associated infections.

OBJECTIVE: To carry out molecular characterization and determine the antibacterial activity of oral antibiotics and copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) against endodontic strains isolated from persistent infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Root canal samples from 24 teeth in different patients with persistent endodontic infections were obtained. The isolated strains were identified by biochemical tests and 16S rDNA sequencing. Genotyping was achieved by molecular methods. The antibacterial activity of antibiotics and copper nanostructures was determined by using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values. Furthermore, a time-kill kinetics assay was evaluated. Nonparametric tests (Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA) were performed (p value <0.05). RESULTS: Twenty-one isolated strains were identified. Six isolates of Enterococcus faecalis were grouped into two clusters of three isolates each, two of which were clones. All were clarithromycin-resistant and erythromycin. Eight Pseudomonas putida presented two clusters, two Pseudomonas spp. were not clonal, and all were resistant to the tested antibiotics except tetracycline. Two of five strains of Cutibacterium acnes were clonal, and all were resistant only to metronidazole. The lowest MIC and MBC values were obtained with Cu-NPs. Time-kill kinetics using Cu-NPs showed a significant decrease in all tested species within 4 h and reached 100% in 2 h for C. acnes. CONCLUSION: In this study, in relation to health care-associated infections, endodontic strains of each species isolated at least in one patient were polyclonal. In Pseudomonas spp., at least one clone was shared between patients. E. faecalis and C. acnes strains were susceptible to low Cu-NP concentrations, while Pseudomonas spp. strains were resistant. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Assessing and keeping track of the susceptibility of clinical strains to antimicrobial compounds is important for the clinical outcome. Based on our results, Cu-NPs could be an alternative for endodontic treatment, in order to avoid selection of resistant strains.

La evaluación de los aprendizajes orientada al desarrollo de competencias en Odontología / Learning assessment oriented towards the competencies development in dentistry

La evaluación es uno de los pilares fundamentales del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje dentro del contexto educativo por competencias. Evaluar es emitir un juicio de valor sobre dicho proceso. Cuando se evalúa separado de esto, resulta una evaluación desintegrada, que pierde su valor formativo. La Odontología es una carrera del área de la salud, donde una sólida teoría se proyecta de manera activa en los procedimientos, dirigidos hacia la mantención y recuperación de la salud bucal humana y en una atención de calidad hacia el paciente. Una práctica evaluativa debe ser objetiva, abordando tanto los criterios conceptuales como los aspectos procedimentales y los actitudinales. La optimización del proceso de formación profesional del futuro odontólogo, a partir del mejoramiento de las acciones de validación y confiabilidad de los aprendizajes, con la incorporación de una evaluación orientada al desarrollo de competencias, debe nacer de un conocimiento global de lo que significa evaluación.

Assessment is an important pillar in the teaching-learning process within the educational context for competencies. Assess is to issue a judgment on this process. When evaluated separately from this, an evaluation is disintegrated, loses its educational value. Dentistry is a career in the health area where the theory solid is projected actively in the proceedings, directed to the maintenance and recovery of human oral health and quality care to the patient. An objective assessment practice must be addressed to other conceptual evaluative criteria, the procedural and attitudes aspects. The optimization of the process of training of future dentists, from improved actions validation and reliability of learning, with the incorporation of evaluation aimed at developing competence, must be born of a global knowledge assessment of what it means.