Effect of Ultrasonic Activation on pH and Calcium Released by Calcium Hydroxide Pastes in Simulated External Root Resorption

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of ultrasonic activation of calcium hydroxide (CH) pastes on pH and calcium release in simulated external root resorptions. Methods: Forty-six bovine incisors had their canals cleaned and instrumented, and defects were created in the external middle third of the roots, which were then used for the study. The teeth were externally made impermeable, except for the defected area, and divided into the following 4 groups containing 10 samples each according to the CH paste and the use or not of the ultrasonic activation: group 1: propylene glycol without ultrasonic activation, group 2: distilled water without ultrasonic activation, group 3: propylene glycol with ultrasonic activation, and group 4: distilled water with ultrasonic activation. After filling the canals with the paste, the teeth were restored and individually immersed into flasks with ultrapure water. The samples were placed into other flasks after 7, 15, and 30 days so that the water pH level could be measured by means of a pH meter. Calcium release was measured by means of an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Six teeth were used as controls. The results were statistically compared using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests (P < .05). Results: For all periods analyzed, the pH level was found to be higher when the CH paste was activated with ultrasound. Calcium release was significantly greater (P < .05) using ultrasonic activation after 7 and 30 days. Conclusions: The ultrasonic activation of CH pastes favored a higher pH level and calcium release in simulated external root resorptions. (J Endod 2012;38:834-837)

Simultaneous use of urea and potassium nitrate for Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis cultivation

Urea has been considered as a promising alternative nitrogen source for the cultivation of Arthrospira platensis if it is possible to avoid ammonia toxicity; however, this procedure can lead to periods of nitrogen shortage. This study shows that the addition of potassium nitrate, which acts as a nitrogen reservoir, to cultivations carried out with urea in a fed-batch process can increase the maximum cell concentration (Xm) and also cell productivity (PX). Using response surface methodology, the model indicates that the estimated optimum Xm can be achieved with 17.3 mM potassium nitrate and 8.9 mM urea. Under this condition an Xm of 6077 +/- 199 mg/L and a PX of 341.5 +/- 19.1 mg L1day1 were obtained.

Antimicrobial activity of calcium hydroxide and chlorhexidine on intratubular Candida albicans

This study investigated the efficacy of calcium hydroxide and chlorhexidine gel for the elimination of intratubular Candida albicans (C. albicans). Human single-rooted teeth contaminated with C. albicans were treated with calcium hydroxide, 2% chlorhexidine gel, calcium hydroxide plus 2% chlorhexidine gel, or saline (0.9% sodium chloride) as a positive control. The samples obtained at depths of 0–100 and 100–200 µm from the root canal system were analyzed for C. albicans load by counting the number of colony forming units and for the percentage of viable C. albicans using fluorescence microscopy. First, the antimicrobial activity of calcium hydroxide and the 2% chlorhexidine gel was evaluated by counting the number of colony forming units. After 14 days of intracanal medication, there was a significant decrease in the number of C. albicans colony forming units at a depth of 0–100 µm with chlorhexidine treatment either with or without calcium hydroxide compared with the calcium hydroxide only treatment. However, there were no differences in the number of colony forming units at the 100–200 µm depth for any of the medications investigated. C. albicans viability was also evaluated by vital staining techniques and fluorescence microscopy analysis. Antifungal activity against C. albicans significantly increased at both depths in the chlorhexidine groups with and without calcium hydroxide compared with the groups treated with calcium hydroxide only. Treatments with only chlorhexidine or chlorhexidine in combination with calcium hydroxide were effective for elimination of C. albicans

Antimicrobial activity of triantibiotic paste, 2% chlorhexidine gel, and calcium hydroxide on an intraoral-infected dentin biofilm model

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of calcium hydroxide, 2% chlorhexidine gel, and triantibiotic paste (ie, metronidazole, minocycline, and ciprofloxacin) by using an intraorally infected dentin biofilm model. Methods: Forty bovine dentin specimens were infected intraorally using a removable orthodontic device in order to induce the biofilm colonization of the dentin. Then, the samples were treated with the medications for 7 days. Saline solution was used as the control. Two evaluations were performed: immediately after the elimination of the medication and after incubation in brain-heart infusion medium for 24 hours. The Live/Dead technique (Invitrogen, Eugene, OR) and a confocal microscope were used to obtain the percentage of live cells. Nonparametric statistical tests were performed to show differences in the percentage of live cells among the groups (P < .05). Results: Calcium hydroxide and 2% chlorhexidine gel did not show statistical differences in the immediate evaluation. However, after application of the brain-heart infusion medium for 24 hours, 2% gel chlorhexidine showed a statistically lesser percentage of live cells in comparison with calcium hydroxide. The triantibiotic paste significantly showed a lower percentage of live cells in comparison with the 2% chlorhexidine gel and calcium hydroxide groups in the immediate and secondary (after 24 hours) evaluations. Conclusions: The triantibiotic paste was most effective at killing the bacteria in the biofilms on the intraorally infected dentin model in comparison with 2% chlorhexidine gel and calcium hydroxide

Healing of a tooth with an overinstrumented apex, extensive transportation and periapical lesion using a 5 mm calcium hydroxide apical plug: an 8-year follow-up report

Besides the risk of filling material extrusion throughout the apex, a satisfactory apical seal can be difficult to achieve in canals with open apices or iatrogenic enlargements of the apical constriction. These situations pose a challenge to root canal filling. This paper describes the root canal filling of a maxillary right canine with an overinstrumented apex, complete loss of the apical stop, extensive canal transportation and apical periodontitis. A 5 mm calcium hydroxide apical plug was placed before root canal filling. The plug was made by soaking paper points with saline, dipping the points in calcium hydroxide powder and then applying it to the apex several times, until a consistent apical plug was obtained. The canal was then irrigated with saline in order to remove any residual calcium hydroxide from the root canal walls, dried with paper points and obturated with an inverted #80 gutta-percha cone and zinc oxide-eugenol based sealer by the lateral condensation technique. An 8-year radiographic follow-up showed formation of mineralized tissue sealing the apical foramen, apical remodeling and no signs of apical periodontitis.