Scanning electron microscopic and profilometric study of different sharpening stones

Scaling and root planing contribute to the recovery of periodontal health. All periodontal instruments loose their fine cutting angle after use. To maintain this angle, correct sharpening is required using specifically designed stones. The characteristics of sharpening stones can be compared to the blade of the instruments and also transported to root surface during instrumentation. Root smoothness is related to the quality of the blade. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of 9 sharpening stones by scanning electron microscopic and profilometric analyses. Ceramic and Neumar stones were very fine and both may be recommended to maintain the sharpness of the instruments. Arkansas, Thompson and CE stones presented greater roughness with very regular and round particles, and are suitable for maintenance of the cutting angle. In addition, these stones may be indicated for the routine sharpening of the instruments that are partly dull. Oxide Aluminum, Carborundum and JON stones were the coarsest with large irregular particles and may be indicated for initial sharpening of totally dull instruments with completion of sharpening with finer stones.

Intraosseous schwannoma mimicking a periapical lesion on the adjacent tooth: Case report

Aim: To present an additional case of intraosseous schawannoma involving the apical area in the mandibular alveolar bone mimicking an inflammatory periapical lesion. Summary: This article describes a case of schwannoma periapically located mimicking an inflammatory periapical lesion in the mandible of a 34-year-old female. Diagnostic and therapeutic problems can occur when this lesion is misinterpreted as being endodontic in origin. The diagnosis, radiograph, immunohistochemical aspects and treatment are also discussed. Key learning points: • Intraosseous schwannoma is a rare unilocular radiolucency that when located periapically could be misdiagnosed as an endodontic lesion and result in unnecessary root canal treatment. • The vitality of the pulp is an important test to exclude lesions of inflammatory origin. • Histological examination is important to establish the diagnosis of lesions in the periradicular region. © 2007 International Endodontic Journal.

Evaluation of the thermoplasticity of different gutta-percha cones and the TC system

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the thermoplasticity of three commercial brands of gutta-percha (Tanari, Dentsply 0.06, and Roeko), and of the TC system. Materials and Methods: Standardized specimens were fabricated from the materials to be evaluated. Specimens were placed in water at 70°C for 60 seconds. Following that, they were positioned between two glass slabs and each set was compressed by a 5kg weight. Images of the specimens before and after compression were digitized and analyzed by the Image Tool software. The flow capacity of each material was confirmed by the difference between the initial and final areas of each sample. Results: The resulting data were analyzed by ANOVA. The TC system presented the greatest thermoplasticity values (p<0.05). Among the gutta-percha cones, the Roeko brand showed higher thermoplasticity than the others (p<0.05). Conclusion: The gutta-percha from TC system present good thermoplasticity capacity.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of endodontic sealers, MTA-based cements and Portland cement.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of different root-end filling materials - Sealer 26, Sealapex with zinc oxide, zinc oxide and eugenol, white and gray Portland cement, white and gray MTA-Angelus, and gray Pro Root MTA - against six different microorganism strains. The agar diffusion method was used. A base layer was made using Müller-Hinton agar (MH) and wells were formed by removing the agar. The materials were placed in the wells immediately after manipulation. The microorganisms used were: Micrococcus luteus (ATCC9341), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC6538), Escherichia coli (ATCC10538), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC27853), Candida albicans (ATCC 10231), and Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 10541). The plates were kept at room temperature for 2 h for prediffusion and then incubated at 37 degrees C for 24 h. Triphenyltetrazolium chloride 0.05% gel was added for optimization, and the zones of inhibition were measured. Data were subjected to the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests at a 5% significance level. The results showed that all materials had antimicrobial activity against all the tested strains. Analysis of the efficacy of the materials against the microbial strains showed that Sealapex with zinc oxide, zinc oxide and eugenol and Sealer 26 created larger inhibition halos than the MTA-based and Portland cements (P < 0.05). On the basis of the methodology used, it may be concluded that all endodontic sealers, MTA-based and Portland cements evaluated in this study possess antimicrobial activity, particularly the endodontic sealers.

Evaluation of the thermoplasticity of different gutta-percha cones and Resilon®

The goal of this study was to evaluate the thermoplasticity of conventional and thermoplastic gutta-percha and Resilon®, a polyester polymer-based material. Specimens with standardised dimensions were made from the following materials: conventional and thermoplastic gutta-percha (Dentsply), conventional and thermoplastic gutta-percha (Endopoints) and Resilon®. After 24 h, the specimens were placed in water at 70°C for 60 s, and thereafter positioned between two glass slabs. Each set was compressed by a 5-kg weight. Digital images of the specimens before and after compression were obtained and analysed. The thermoplasticity of each material was confirmed by the difference between final and initial areas of each sample. The data were analysed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey's test at a 5% significance level. Resilon® had the highest thermoplasticity means (P < 0.05). Among the gutta-percha cones, Endopoints TP (thermoplastic) presented the highest thermoplasticity means and differed significantly from the other commercial brands (P < 0.05). Resilon® had good thermoplasticity, endorsing its use as a thermoplastic root canal filling material. © 2007 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2007 Australian Society of Endodontology.

Cytotoxic effects of hard-setting cements applied on the odontoblast cell line MDPC-23

Objective: The present study evaluated the cytotoxic effects of hard setting applied on the odontoblastlike cells MDPC-23. Study design: Eighty round-shaped samples were prepared with the following experimental materials: calcium hydroxide, Vitrebond, RelyX Luting, and RelyX Unicem. The samples were placed in serum-free culture medium and incubated for 24 hours or 7 days at 37°C with 5% CO 2 and 95% air. The odontoblast cells were plated in the wells and incubated for 72 hours. After this period, the complete culture medium was replaced by the extracts obtained from every sample, and the methyltetrazolium assay was carried out to evaluate the cell metabolism. Results: For the 24-hour period, the experimental materials calcium hydroxide, Vitrebond, RelyX Luting, and RelyX Unicem decreased the cell metabolic activity by 91.52%, 81.14%, 78.17%, and 2.64%, respectively. For the 7-day period, calcium hydroxide, Vitrebond, RelyX Luting, and RelyX Unicem decreased the metabolic activity of the MDPC-23 cells by 91.13%, 87.27%, 79.04%, and 10.51%, respectively. Conclusion: RelyX Unicem presented the lowest cytopathic effects to the cultured odontoblast cell line. © 2007 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

The effect of endodontic materials on the optical density of dyes used in marginal leakage studies

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the exposure of different endodontic materials to different dye solutions by evaluating the optical density of the dye solutions. Seventy-five plastic tubes were filled with one of the following materials: AH Plus, Sealapex, Portland cement, MTA (Angelus and Pro Root) and fifteen control plastic tubes were not. Each specimen of material and control was immersed in a container with 1 ml of each dye solution. A 0.1 ml-dye solution aliquote was removed before immersion and after 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours of each specimen immersion to record its optical density (OD) in a spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis was performed with ANOVA and Tukey tests (5%). No significant difference was found among any of the solution OD values for AH Plus cement. Portland cement promoted different OD values after 12 hours of immersion. MTA-Angelus cement presented different OD values only for 2% rhodamine B and the MTA-Pro Root cement presented different OD values in all 2% rhodamine B samples. Sealapex cement promoted a reduction in the India Ink OD values. Dye evaluation through OD seems to be an interesting method to select the best dye solution to use in a given marginal leakage study.

MTA-induced neutrophil recruitment: a mechanism dependent on IL-1β, MIP-2, and LTB4

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the mediators and the resident peritoneal cells involved in the neutrophil migration (NM) induced by mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) in mice. Study design: MTA (25 mg/cavity) was injected into normal and pretreated peritoneal cavities (PC) with indomethacin (IND), dexamethasone (DEX), BWA4C, U75302, antimacrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), and anti-interleukin-1β (IL-1β) antibodies and the NM was determined. The role of macrophage (MO) and mast cells (MAST) was determined by administration of thioglycollate 3% or 48/80 compound, respectively. The concentration of IL-1β and MIP-2 exudates was measured by ELISA. Results: MTA induced dose- and time-dependent NM into mice PC, with the participation of MO and MAST. NM was inhibited by DEX, BWA4C, and U75302, as well as anti-MIP-2 and anti-IL-1β antibodies. In the exudates, IL-1β and MIP-2 were detected. Conclusions: This study suggests that MTA induces NM via a mechanism dependent on MAST and MO mediated by IL-1β, MIP-2, and LTB4. © 2008 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Antimicrobial activity of endodontic sealers based on calcium hydroxide and MTA.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of a new root canal sealer containing calcium hydroxide (Acroseal) and the root canal sealer based on MTA (Endo CPM Sealer), in comparison with traditional sealers (Sealapex, Sealer 26 and Intrafill) and white MTA-Angelus, against five different microorganism strains. The materials and their components were evaluated after manipulation, employing the agar diffusion method. A base layer was made using Müller-Hinton agar (MH) and wells were made by removing agar. The materials were placed into the wells immediately after manipulation. The microorganisms used were: Micrococcus luteus (ATCC9341), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC6538), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC27853), Candida albicans (ATCC 10231), and Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 10541). The plates were kept at room temperature for 2 h for prediffusion and then incubated at 37 degrees C for 24 h. The results showed that Sealapex and its base paste, Sealer 26 and its powder, Endo CPM Sealer and its powder, white MTA and its powder all presented antimicrobial activity against all strains. Intrafill and its liquid presented antimicrobial activity against all strains except P. aeruginosa and Acroseal was effective only against M. luteus and S. aureus.

Thermoplasticity of microseal and TC gutta-percha (Tanaka de Castro) and three gutta-percha cones

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the thermoplasticity of materials used in root canal filling. Methods: Specimens with standardized dimensions were fabricated using Tanari, Roeko and Activ Point gutta-percha cones, as well as Microseal and TC gutta-percha. After 24 hours, the specimens were placed in water at 70 °C for 60 seconds and positioned between two glass slabs. Each set was compressed by a 5 g weight. Digital images of the specimens before and after compression were obtained and analyzed. The thermoplasticity was evaluated based on the difference between the final and initial areas. Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's tests at a 5% significance level. Results: TC and Microseal gutta-percha presented the highest thermoplasticity (p < 0.05). Among the gutta-percha cones, Tanari and Roeko presented the highest thermoplasticity and differed when compared to Activ Point (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that TC and Microseal gutta-percha filling systems present better thermoplastic properties.

Biocompatibility of acetazolamide pastes in the subcutaneous tissue of rats

This aim of this study was to investigate the biocompatibility of two experimental acetazolamide (AZ)-based pastes in the subcutaneous tissue of rats. Both pastes contained AZ as the main component in similar concentration. The vehicle in experimental paste 1 was saline, while experimental paste 2 was prepared with propylene glycol. Sixty polyethylene tubes were sealed at one end with gutta-percha (GP), which served as a control. Half of the tubes were flled with paste 1 and half with paste 2. The tubes were implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of 15 rats, being 4 tubes for each animal. The animals were killed 7, 15 and 45 days after surgery and the specimens were processed in laboratory. The histological sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and were analyzed by light microscopy. Scores were assigned to level of infammatory process: 1- none; 2- mild; 3- moderate; 4- severe. The data were analyzed statistically by the Kruskal-Wallis test (p≤0.05). Paste 1 produced an infammatory process at 7 days. However, the intensity of this infammation decreased with time and was nearly absent at 45 days. No statistically signifcant difference (p>0.05) was observed between the control (GP) and paste 1. However, paste 2 produced infammatory response at all study periods and differed signifcantly (p<0.05) from the control. In conclusion, in the present study, the experimental AZ-based paste 1 was considered as biocompatible as the control matrial (GP), while experimental paste 2 was irritating to rat subcutaneous tissue.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of acroseal, polifl and epiphany against Enterococcus faecalis

Using the agar diffusion method, this study evaluated the in vitro antimicrobial activity of the commercial endodontic sealers Acroseal and Epiphany, a castor-oil based experimental sealer, Polifl, and a primer agent (Epiphany self-etching primer), against Enterococcus faecalis. Zinc oxide and eugenol cement (ZOE) served as control. Five wells per dish were made at equidistant points and immediately flled with the test and control materials. After incubation of the dishes at 37°C for 24 h and 48 h, the diameter of the zones of microbial growth inhibition produced around the wells was measured (in mm) with a millimeter rule. After 48 h, the diameters of the zones of microbial growth inhibition were the same as those observed at 24 h, only the substances continued to diffuse. Epiphany and Polifl did not show antibacterial activity (no formation of zones of microbial growth inhibition). The primer produced the largest zones of inhibition (17.62 mm) followed by Acroseal (7.25 mm) and ZOE (7.12 mm). E. faecalis was resistant to Epiphany and Polifl, while the primer and Acroseal sealer were effective against this microorganism under the tested conditions.

Evaluation of the diffusion capacity of calcium hydroxide pastes through the dentinal tubules

This study aimed to evaluate the diffusion capacity of calcium hydroxide pastes with different vehicles through dentinal tubules. The study was conducted on 60 extracted single-rooted human teeth whose crowns had been removed. The root canals were instrumented and divided into 4 groups according to the vehicle of the calcium hydroxide paste: Group I - distilled water; Group II - propylene glycol; Group III - 0.2% chlorhexidine; Group IV - 2% chlorhexidine. After placement of the root canal dressings, the teeth were sealed and placed in flasks containing deionized water. After 1, 2, 7, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days, the pH of the water was measured to determine the diffusion of calcium hydroxide through the dentinal tubules. The data were recorded and statistically compared by the Tukey test. The results showed that all pastes presented a similar diffusion capacity through dentin. Group IV did not present difference compared to group I. Group II presented difference compared to the other groups, as did Group III. In conclusion, groups I and IV presented a better diffusion capacity through dentin than groups II and III; 2% chlorhexidine can be used as a vehicle in calcium hydroxide pastes. © 2009 Sociedade Brasileira de Pesquisa Odontológica.

Cytotoxic effects of white-MTA and MTA-Bio cements on odontoblast-like cells (MDPC-23)

This study evaluated the cytotoxic effects of 2 mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) cements - White-MTA-Angelus and a new formulation, MTA-Bio - on odontoblast-like cell (MDPC-23) cultures. Twenty-four disc-shaped (2 mm diameter x 2 mm thick) specimens were fabricated from each material and immersed individually in wells containing 1 mL of DMEM culture medium for either 24 h or 7 days to obtain extracts, giving rise to 4 groups of 12 specimens each: G1 - White-MTA/24 h; G2 - White-MTA/7 days; G3 - MTA-Bio/24 h; and G4 - MTA-Bio/7 days. Plain culture medium (DMEM) was used as a negative control (G5). Cells at 30,000 cells/cm 2 concentration were seeded in the wells of 24-well plates and incubated in a humidified incubator with 5% CO 2 and 95% air at 37°C for 72 h. After this period, the culture medium of each well was replaced by 1 mL of extract (or plain DMEM in the control group) and the cells were incubated for additional 2 h. Cell metabolism was evaluated by the MTT assay and the data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). Cell morphology and the surface of representative MTA specimens of each group were examined by scanning electron microscopy. There was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) between G1 and G2 or between G3 and G4. No significant difference (p>0.05) was found between the experimental and control groups either. Similar cell organization and morphology were observed in all groups, regardless of the storage periods. However, the number of cells observed in the experimental groups decreased compared to the control group. MTA-Bio presented irregular surface with more porosities than White-MTA. In conclusion, White-MTA and MTA-Bio presented low cytotoxic effects on odontoblast-like cell (MDPC-23) cultures.

Solvent capacity of different substances on gutta-percha and resilon

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 3 solvents (eucalyptol, orange oil, and xylol) on 2 types of gutta-percha (conventional and thermoplastic) and Resilon. Specimens (10 mm diameter × 1 mm thick; n=7 per condition) were prepared and maintained at 37°C for 48 h. Each specimen was weighed on a precision scale every 24 h until its mass was stable, at which time the initial mass was determined. Specimens (n=7) were then immersed in the solvent solutions and, after 48 h at 37°C, they were reweighed at 24- h intervals, until stabilization (final mass). The difference between the final and the initial mass determined the solvent capacity of each solvent. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and Tukey's test at 5% significance level. The results demonstrated that xylol was the most effective, especially on conventional gutta-percha and Resilon (p<0.05). Eucalyptol and orange oil were more effective on thermoplastic gutta-percha than the other materials (p<0.05). It was concluded that all evaluated substances presented solvent action, but xylol was the most effective on both gutta-percha or Resilon.