The role of cytokines in pulp inflammation.

Pulpitis is a typical inflammatory disease of dental pulp, characterized by the local accumulation of inflammatory mediators, including cytokines and chemokines. In addition to serving as intercellular messengers mediating the inflammatory response, cytokines and chemokines induce the expression and stimulate the activity of molecular and cellular agents which participate actively in destructive and reparative processes in the pulp. It is the balance between these processes which eventually determines the extent of pulp inflammation and the viability of the affected tooth. Over the last decade, a number of studies have attempted to correlate cytokine gene expression in the pulp with various stages of inflammation, with possible diagnostic applications in mind. A small survey of relevant information is presented in this paper.

Short- and long-term sealing ability of Gutta-flow and AH-Plus using an ex vivo fluid transport model.

AIM: To use the fluid transport model to evaluate the ex vivo short- and long-term microleakage along root canals filled with Gutta-flow or AH-Plus using the cold lateral compaction technique. METHODOLOGY: A total of 38 single-rooted human teeth were used for the assessment of microleakage. The crowns of the teeth were sectioned below their cemento-enamel junctions to adjust the length of the roots to approximately 15 mm. The root canals were instrumented using the step-back technique and filled using cold lateral condensation. The sealer employed was either Gutta-flow (Group A) or AH-Plus (Group B). Microleakage along the root canals was evaluated using a fluid transport model after periods of 1 week and 3 months. RESULTS: The microleakage values (microL h(-1)) for group A were 0.36 +/- 0.33 at 1 week and 0.41 +/- 0.36 at 3 months. Group B showed mean microleakage values 0.2 +/- 0.31 at 1 week and 0.28 +/- 0.38 at 3 months. Statistical analysis indicated no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the two groups after either 1 week or 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference between AH-plus and Gutta-flow in terms of sealing ability.

Shear bond strength of two resin cements to human root dentin using three dentin bonding agents.

This study compared the bond strength of two resin cements to human root dentin when used with three bonding agents. The materials used were Rely X ARC and Perma Cem, two one-bottle bonding agents (Single Bond, Bond-1) and one self-etching bonding agent (Clearfil SE Bond). The dentin was obtained from single rooted human teeth, and the specimens were treated with either 15% EDTA or 37% phosphoric acid to remove the smear layer, except in groups where the self-etching bonding agent was used. The resin cements were placed on dentin surfaces with the use of bonding agents. Shear bond strength (SBS) was tested using a single plane shear test assembly. The dentin specimens were divided into 10 groups. Eight groups were pre-treated with EDTA or phosphoric acid to remove the smear layer, followed by a bonding agent (Bond-1 or Single Bond) and resin cement (Rely X or Perma Cem). In the two remaining groups, the smear layer was left intact, and the two resins cements were used in combination with the self-etching bonding agent (Clearfil SE Bond). No statistically significant differences were observed among the eight groups treated with one-bottle bonding agents. The mean bond strengths of the two groups treated with the self-etching bonding agent did not differ significantly from each other but were both significantly greater than the bond strengths of all the other groups. The results of this study also showed that EDTA can be used as an alternative to phosphoric acid in bonding procedures for resin cements. However, the bond strengths of resin cements, in combination with a self-etching bonding agent, were significantly greater than those of the same cements when used with one-bottle bonding agents.

Depth of penetration and appearance of Grossman sealer in the dentinal tubules: an in vivo study.

Five teeth extracted after chemomechanical preparation (group A) and 11 extracted 1 to 7 yr after endodontic treatment (group B) were selected for this study. A 1% NaOCl was used for irrigations and a lateral condensation technique with a Grossman-type sealer was used for obturation. The teeth were fractured and prepared for and viewed by a scanning electron microscope equipped with an electron dispersive spectrometer. All root canal walls of group A were covered with a thick smear layer. Sealer, either rod-like or granular in appearance and barium free, was present in the majority of the dentinal tubules of group B usually at a distance up to 200 microns from the root canal walls; in two cases up to 900 microns. Sealer was found deepest in the middle third of the root. The smear layer did not stop sealer from entering the dentinal tubules. The differences in the depth of penetration or in the appearance of the sealer cannot be attributed to the different time periods the teeth remained in the arch after endodontic treatment.

[Examination of side dentinal tubules by the use of S.E.M]. / Exetase diakladoses odontinosolenarion me sarotiko elektroniko mikroskopio (S.E.M.).

This research was undertaken in order to find information about the number and the fine structure of the side dentinal tubules and their junction area with the main dentinal tubules. Frozen structure dentine specimens from 60 human canines examined with S.E.M. was the material used in the present investigation.

[Bite marks as evidence in violent incidents, rapes and murders. Report of 2 cases]. / Epexergasia, sygkritike melete kai anagnorise odontikon entypomaton se biaiopragies, biasmous kai dolophonies.

The main aim of this study is to emphasize the necessity of the bite marks used as evidence for violent incidents, rapes and murders. The first time that bite marks were used officially was in 1977. After a historical review has been made, the kinds of bite marks and the methods they were heated, are described. The authors also deal with two cases of violent incidents with bite marks found on the shoulder, blade and thigh, of one adult man. They also deal with a case of a violent incident with bite marks on the buttock, thigh, left arm and right elbow, of a 18-month old child. The bite marks were caused by the nurse-maid of the child who was trying to make it obedient, because the child disturbed her with its noisy behaviour.