Influence of the Calcium Hydroxide Intracanal Dressing on Dentinal Tubule Penetration of Two Root Canal Sealers.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a calcium hydroxide (CH) dressing on the tubular penetration of two endodontic sealers, AH Plus (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and MTA Fillapex (Angelus, Londrina, Brazil). METHODS: Seventy-two mandibular premolars with a single root canal were prepared with ProFile.04 rotary instruments (Dentsply Maillefer) and divided into four groups. In two groups, an intracanal CH dressing was placed for 15 days. The obturations were performed with lateral condensation of gutta-percha in combination with one of the tested sealers. The roots were transversely sectioned at the apical and middle levels. The percentage of sealer penetration in the root canal walls and the percentage of impregnated dentin area in the transverse sections were obtained using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Games-Howell test. RESULTS: The CH dressing reduced the mean value of tubular penetration in the middle third of teeth obturated with AH Plus (P<0.01), whereas no difference was observed at the apical sections for both sealers. CONCLUSION: The CH dressing did not interfere with the apical penetration of both tested sealers, however, decreased the tubular penetration in the middle third of the AH Plus root canal fillings. Overall, MTA Fillapex presented higher tubular penetration than AH Plus obturations.

Efficacy of five rotary systems versus manual instrumentation during endodontic retreatment.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of ProFile, GT, ProTaper, Race and K3 rotary instruments compared with hand K-files for removal of gutta-percha during retreatment. Sixty mandibular premolars were instrumented with GT rotary files and filled by thermomechanical compaction of gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer. The teeth are randomly divided into 6 groups of 10 specimens each. The roots were split longitudinally, digital images were created using a flatbed scanner, and the areas with remaining filling material were demarcated using Image Tool 1.21 software. The results indicate that GT left significantly less (p<0.05) remaining filling material (1.18 ± 1.47) than hand (3.70 ± 3.16) and Hero instruments (2.99 ± 2.58). There was no statistically significant difference (p<0.05) among the others techniques: ProFile (1.99 ± 2.66), ProTaper (2.00 ± 1.99) and K3 (2.71 ± 2.87) when compared with GT. In conclusion, GT, ProFile, ProTaper and K3 were more effective in removing gutta-percha than manual and Hero instruments.

Efficacy of five rotary systems versus manual instrumentation during endodontic retreatment

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of ProFile, GT, ProTaper, Race and K3 rotary instruments compared with hand K-files for removal of gutta-percha during retreatment. Sixty mandibular premolars were instrumented with GT rotary files and filled by thermomechanical compaction of gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer. The teeth are randomly divided into 6 groups of 10 specimens each. The roots were split longitudinally, digital images were created using a flatbed scanner, and the areas with remaining filling material were demarcated using Image Tool 1.21 software. The results indicate that GT left significantly less (p<0.05) remaining filling material (1.18 ± 1.47) than hand (3.70 ± 3.16) and Hero instruments (2.99 ± 2.58). There was no statistically significant difference (p<0.05) among the others techniques: ProFile (1.99 ± 2.66), ProTaper (2.00 ± 1.99) and K3 (2.71 ± 2.87) when compared with GT. In conclusion, GT, ProFile, ProTaper and K3 were more effective in removing gutta-percha than manual and Hero instruments.

O propósito deste estudo foi avaliar a eficiência dos instrumentos rotatórios ProFile, GT, ProTaper, Race e K3 comparados com limas K para a remoção do material obturador durante o retratamento. Sessenta pré-molares inferiores foram instrumentados com o sistema rotatório GT e obturados usando a técnica de compactação termomecânica de guta-percha com cimento AH Plus. Os dentes foram divididos aleatoriamente em seis grupos de dez espécimes cada. As raízes foram seccionadas longitudinalmente, imagens digitais foram criadas através de um scanner, e as áreas de remanescentes de material foram medidas usando o programa Image Tool 1.21. Os resultados indicaram que o GT deixou significantemente menos material remanescente (1,18 ± 1,47) do que os instrumentos manuais (3,70 ± 3,16) e os instrumentos Hero (2,99 ± 2,58) (p<0,05). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre as outras técnicas ProFile (1,99 ± 2,66), ProTaper (2,00 ± 1,99) e K3 (2,71 ± 2,87) quando comparadas com o GT. Como conclusão, GT, ProFile, ProTaper e K3 foram revelados como mais efetivos em remover a guta-percha do que os instrumentos manuais e os instrumentos Hero.

Evaluation of care of dentoalveolar trauma.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate cases of dental trauma treated at the specialized center of Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil, during a period of 2 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 647 patients were evaluated and treated between 2003 and 2005. Data obtained from each patient were tabulated and analyzed as to gender, age, etiology, time elapsed after the injury, diagnosis (type of trauma), and affected teeth. RESULTS: The results revealed that male individuals aged 7 to 13 years presented the highest prevalence of injury, and falling was the main causal factor. In most cases, the time elapsed between the accident and the first care ranged from 4 to 24 h. A total of 1,747 teeth were affected, with higher incidence of concussion/subluxation and coronal fracture, followed by lateral luxation and avulsion. The permanent maxillary central incisors were the most commonly affected teeth. CONCLUSION: The frequency and causes of dentoalveolar trauma should be investigated for identification of risk groups, treatment demands and costs in order to allow for the establishment of effective preventive measures that can reduce the treatment duration and costs for both patients and oral health services.

Evaluation of care of dentoalveolar trauma

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate cases of dental trauma treated at the specialized center of Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil, during a period of 2 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 647 patients were evaluated and treated between 2003 and 2005. Data obtained from each patient were tabulated and analyzed as to gender, age, etiology, time elapsed after the injury, diagnosis (type of trauma), and affected teeth. RESULTS: The results revealed that male individuals aged 7 to 13 years presented the highest prevalence of injury, and falling was the main causal factor. In most cases, the time elapsed between the accident and the first care ranged from 4 to 24 h. A total of 1,747 teeth were affected, with higher incidence of concussion/subluxation and coronal fracture, followed by lateral luxation and avulsion. The permanent maxillary central incisors were the most commonly affected teeth. CONCLUSION: The frequency and causes of dentoalveolar trauma should be investigated for identification of risk groups, treatment demands and costs in order to allow for the establishment of effective preventive measures that can reduce the treatment duration and costs for both patients and oral health services.

The accuracy in the control of the apical extent of rotary canal instrumentation using Root ZX II and ProTaper instruments: an in vivo study.

The accuracy of Root ZX II (J. Morita, Kyoto, Japan) to control the apical extent of rotary canal instrumentation in vivo was assessed. Twenty-four premolars with a single canal were selected. The roots were divided in two groups according to the calibration of the automatic apical reverse mechanism of Root ZX II, set at levels 1 and 2. After endodontic access, the preparation was performed with ProTaper instruments (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) connected to the device. Afterwards, the last file used was introduced into the canal and fixed in place with acrylic resin. The teeth were extracted and ground until exposure of the file. The distance from the instrument tip to the apical foramen was obtained. The percentage of acceptable measurements and the difference between means were submitted to statistical analysis. The differences of setting the reverse mechanism at 1 and 2 were not statistically significant. Both settings were not accurate for determining and controlling the apical extent of rotary instrumentation.

Management of horizontal root-fractured teeth: report of three cases.

Horizontal root fractures frequently occur at the maxillary anterior region and sometimes may be healed without endodontic treatment. Diagnosis of horizontal root fractures is mainly reached by the information obtained in clinical and radiographic examinations. The report of three cases presents horizontal root-fractured teeth, at different thirds, which were healed satisfactory with and without endodontic treatment, rigid splint and carefully monitored.