Influence of Orthodontic Dental Movement on the Healing Process of Teeth With Periapical Lesions

The purpose of this study was to histomorphologically evaluate (in dog's teeth) the influence of tooth movement in the healing of chronic periapical lesions. Thirty roots of incisors and premolars of two dogs (1-year-old) were used in this research. After pulpectomy, the root canals remained exposed to the oral environment for 6 months for achievement of periapical lesions. Twenty root canals were biomechanically prepared and received a calcium hydroxide dressing for 14 days before being filled with gutta-percha points and Sealapex sealer. After root canal treatment, some incisors were submitted to orthodontic movement, whereas the other roots remained without orthodontic movement. The orthodontic appliance was removed at 5 months and 15 days after treatment, the dogs were killed 15 days later and the specimens were prepared for histomorphological analysis. The results showed that the orthodontic movement delayed, but did not hinder, the periapical healing process. (J Endod 2006;32:115-119)

Effect of the clinical application of the GaAlAs laser in the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity

Objective: the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the clinical use of the gallium-aluminum-arsenium (GaAlAs) laser at the maximum and minimum energies recommended by the manufacturer for the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity.Background Data: Dentine hypersensitivity (DH) is a response to a stimulus that would not usually cause pain in a healthy tooth. It is characterized by sharp pain of short duration from the denuded dentin. Its etiology is unknown. The dentin only begins to show sensitivity when exposed to the buccal environment. This exposure can result after removal of the enamel and/or dental cement, or after root denudation. Different treatments are proposed for this disorder.Materials and Methods: In this study, 25 patients, with a total number of 106 cases of DH, were treated with GaAlAs low-level laser therapy (LLLT). 65% of the teeth were premolars; 14% were incisors and molars; 6.6% were canines. The teeth were irradiated with 3 and 5 J/cm(2) for up to six sessions, with an interval of 72 It between each application, and they were evaluated initially, after each application, and at 15 and 60 days follow-up post-treatment.Results: the treatment was effective in 86.53% and 88.88% of the irradiated teeth, respectively, with the minimum and maximum energy recommended by the manufacturer. There was a statistically significant difference between DH and after a follow-up of 60 days for both groups. The difference among the energy maximum and minimum was not significant.Conclusion: the GaAlAs low-level laser was effective in reducing initial DH. A significant difference was found between initial values of hypersensitivity and after 60 days follow-up post-treatment. No significant difference was found between minimum (3 J/cm(2)) and maximum (5 J/cm(2)) applied energy.