Sealability of MTA and calcium hydroxide-containing sealers

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the apical sealability of Fillapex (R), Endo-CPM-Sealer (R) and Sealapex (R). Material and Methods: Ninety-four freshly extracted single-rooted teeth were selected and decoronated. All teeth were radiographed to confirm the existence of a single and straight root canal, which was prepared using Protaper Universal and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite. The teeth were randomly divided in groups of 10 specimens each according to the sealer, and the canals were filled using the single cone technique and one of the sealers. Four additional teeth were used as controls. The teeth were submitted to dye leakage with Rhodamine B for 24 h but using vacuum on the initial 15 min. Thereafter, they were cut longitudinally and the leakage was measured in a linear fashion from apex to crown. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's tests at 5% significance level. Results: Fillapex (R) and Sealapex (R) showed significantly less dye leakage than Endo-CPM-Sealer (R) (p<0.05). Conclusions: It was concluded that Fillapex (R) and Sealapex (R) were able to prevent apical dye leakage differently from Endo-CPM-Sealer (R).

Evaluation of the Tissue Reaction to Fast Endodontic Cement (CER) and Angelus MTA

Introduction: A new cement (CER; Cimento Endodontico Rapido or fast endodontic cement) has been developed to improve handling properties. It is a formulation that has Portland cement in gel. However, there had not yet been any study evaluating its biologic properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rat subcutaneous tissue response to CER and Angelus MTA. Methods: The materials were placed in polyethylene tubes and implanted into dorsal connective tissue of Wistar rats for 7, 30, and 60 days. The specimens were prepared to be stained with hematoxylin-eosin or von Kossa or not stained for polarized light. The presence of inflammation, predominant cell type, calcification, and thickness of fibrous connective tissue were recorded. Scores were defined as follows: 0, none or few inflammatory cells, no reaction; 1, <25 cells, mild reaction; 2, 25-125 cells, moderate reaction; 3, >125 cells, severe reaction. Fibrous capsule was categorized as thin when thickness was <150 mu m and thick at >150 mu m. Necrosis and formation of calcification were both recorded. Results: Both materials Angelus MTA and CER caused moderate reactions at 7 days, which decreased with time. The response was similar to the control at 30 and 60 days with Angelus MTA and CER, characterized by organized connective tissue and presence of some chronic inflammatory cells. Mineralization and granulations birefringent to polarized light were observed with both materials. Conclusions: It was possible to conclude that CER was biocompatible and stimulated mineralization. (J Endod 2009,35:1377-1380)

Reaction of rat connective tissue to a new calcium hydroxide-based sealer

The aim of this study was to histopathologically examine the reaction of the connective tissue of rats to 2 calcium hydroxide-based sealers, Acroseal and Sealapex. Dentin tubes containing the materials and empty control tubes were implanted into the dorsal connective tissue of 36 Wistar albino rats. The animals were killed after 7 or 30 days, and the specimens were prepared for histologic analysis with hematoxylin and eosin, Von Kossa technique, and polarized light. Results were statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test. Both materials caused mild or moderate inflammatory reactions on the 7th day, but these reactions decreased by the 30th day with no significant difference at any time (P > .05). Mineralization of the subcutaneous tissue of the rats was observed only with Sealapex.

Biocompatibility of resin-based materials used as pulp-capping agents

Aim To evaluate and compare the response of pulps of rats capped with resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (RMGIC) or self-etching adhesive system.Methodology Class I cavities were prepared on the occlusal surface of 54 maxillary first molars of 27 rats. Pulp exposure was performed on the cavity floor. The following resin-based materials were applied as pulp-capping agents: G1, Clearfil Liner Bond 2V (CLB 2V; Kuraray Co., Japan); G2, Vitrebond (VIT; 3M/ESPE, USA). In group 3 (control group), a calcium hydroxide/saline paste (CH; Labsynth, Brazil) was used. The cavities were restored with amalgam. After 7, 30 and 60 days, the animals were sacrificed and the jaws were processed for microscopic evaluation.Results Despite the inflammatory response caused by the experimental and the control materials at 7 days, pulpal healing associated with calcified barrier formation was observed at 60 days following the pulp therapy. Both resin-based materials promoted a large zone of cell-rich fibrodentine matrix deposition on the pulp horn related to the pulp exposure site, which was larger to VIT than to CLB 2V specimens. Tertiary dentine underneath the fibrodentine matrix was deposited by a layer of elongated pulpal cells. The remaining pulpal tissue exhibited normal histological characteristics. In the control group, healing and dentine-bridge formation was observed at 30 days. Pulpal breakdown occurred only when bacterial infection occurred.Conclusion Both experimental pulp-capping agents allowed pulpal healing characterized by cell-rich fibrodentine and tertiary dentine deposition as well as calcified barrier formation.

Effect of a calcium hydroxide/chlorhexidine paste as intracanal dressing in human primary teeth with necrotic pulp against Porphyromonas gingivalis and Enterococcus faecalis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of Ultrasonic Excitation on the Porosity of Glass Ionomer Cement: A Scanning Electron Microscope Evaluation

Background: Ultrasonic excitation (US) was applied to glass ionomer cement (GIC) during early set time to increase the advantageous properties of this material. Purpose: The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the inner porosity of GIC after US. Study design: A total of 16 specimens, for each material, were prepared from high-viscosity GIC Fuji IX GP, Ketac Molar, and Ketac Molar Easymix. Half of these specimens (n = 8) received 30 s of US during the initial cement setting. After completion of the material setting, specimens were fractured and observed by scanning electronic microscopy to quantitatively assay porosity inside the material using Image J software. Results: Statistical data analysis revealed that US reduced the porosity for all tested materials (P <= 0.05). The following reductions (expressed in percentages) were achieved: Fuji IX-from 3.9% to 2.8%; Ketac Molar Easy Mix-from 4.4% to 2.6%, and Ketac Molar-from 2.4% to 1.6%. Conclusion: Under the tested conditions, US was an effective method for porosity reduction inside the material. Microsc. Res. Tech. 74:54-57, 2011. (C) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Influences of the insertion method in glass ionomer cement porosity

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of porosities inside the glass ionomer cement (GIC) after different techniques of material insertion. MATERIAL and METHOD: Specimens were prepared with high-viscosity GIC Ketac Molar Easymix and divided into three groups according to the insertion method: spatula (PI), Centrix injector (CI), and low-cost syringe (LCS). The specimens were fractured and observed with scanning electronic microscopy to quantitatively evaluate porosity inside the material using Image J Software. RESULTS: Statistical analysis, ANOVA application, and Tukey test to significance level of 5%, revealed that there was no statistical difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: Although the use of LCS has not decreased the porosity of the material, this insertion method is easy, accessible, and low cost, which makes it a viable alternative of use in the ART technique and in others bucal health programs. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Influence of the activation mode of a self-etch resin-based luting cement upon the metabolism of odontoblast-like cells

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Evaluation of 2 endodontic techniques used to treat human primary molars with furcation radiolucency area: A 48-month radiographic study

Objective: To evaluate 2 techniques for the treatment of human primary molars with necrotic Pulp and bifurcation bone loss by means of radiographic examination for 48 months. Method and Materials: Fifty-one mandibular primary molars were evaluated in children ranging from 4.5 to 6.5 years of age. The teeth with necrotic pulp and bifurcation bone loss were diagnosed by radiographic examination. The teeth were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (28 teeth)-pulpotomy technique using formocresol as a temporary dressing between sessions and coronal chamber obturation with zinc oxide-eugenol cement; and group 2 (23 teeth)-pulpectomy technique with calcium hydroxide paste as a temporary dressing between sessions and root canal obturation with a dense Calcium hydroxide paste. Standardized radiographs were taken immediately after the fillings were completed and after 12, 24, 36, and 48 months. The radiographs were digitized and analyzed with software that outlined and measured the bifurcation radiolucency. Results: Bifurcation radiolucency reduced significantly or repaired completely for both treatnients in the first 12 months. Minor radiographic reduction of the lesion was observed from 12 to 24 months, and no significant reduction of the remaining radioulcent area was observed from 24 to 48 months after treatment. Conclusion: The 2 endodontic techniques evaluated showed similar results. The main effect of treatment on the lesion repair was obtained in the first year after treatment.

Mechanical and biological characterization of resin-modified glass-ionomer cement containing doxycycline hyclate

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Utilization of autogenous bone, bioactive glasses, and calcium phosphate cement in surgical mandibular bone defects in Cebus apella monkeys

Purpose: the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the histologic results of bone cavities that were surgically created in the mandibles of Cebus apella monkeys and filled with autogenous bone, PerioGlas, FillerBone, or Bone Source. Materials and Methods: Surgical cavities 5 mm in diameter were prepared through both mandibular cortices in the mandibular angle region. The cavities were randomly filled, and the animals were divided into groups according to the material employed: Group 1 cavities were filled with autogenous corticocancellous bone; group 2 cavities were filled with calcium phosphate cement (BoneSource); and group 3 and group 4 cavities were filled with bioactive glass (FillerBone and PerioGlas, respectively). After 180 days the animals were sacrificed, and specimens were prepared following routine laboratory procedures for hematoxylin/eosin staining and histologic evaluation. Results: the histologic analysis showed that autogenous bone allowed total repair of the bone defects; bioactive glasses (FillerBone and PerioGlas) allowed total repair of the defects with intimate contact of the remaining granules and newly formed bone; and the cavities filled with calcium phosphate cement (BoneSource) were generally filled by connective fibrous tissue, and the material was almost totally resorbed. Discussion: the autogenous bone, FillerBone, and PerioGlas provided results similar to those in the current literature, showing that autogenous bone is the best Choice for filling critical-size defects. Synthetic implanted materials demonstrated biocompatibility, but the bioglasses demonstrated osteoconductive activity that did not occur with calcium phosphate (BoneSource). Conclusion: According to the methodology used in this study, it can be concluded that the utilization of autogenous bone and bioactive glasses permitted the repair of surgically created critical-size defects by newly formed bone; the synthetic implanted materials demonstrated biocompatibility, and the bioactive glasses demonstrated osteoconductive activity. The PerioGlas was mostly resorbed and replaced by bone and the remaining granules were in close contact with bone; the FillerBone showed many granules in contact with the newly formed bone; BoneSource did not permit repair of the critical-size defects, and the defects were generally filled by connective fibrous tissue.

Cytotoxicity of Portland Cement with Different Radiopacifying Agents: A Cell Death Study

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Evaluation of the radiopacity of calcium hydroxide- and glass-ionomer-based root canal sealers

Aim To evaluate the radiopacity of calcium hydroxide-based root canal sealers (Acroseal, Sealapex and Sealer 26), a glass-ionomer-based sealer (Activ GP Sealer) and a zinc oxide and eugenol-based sealer (Intrafill).Methodology Five disc-shaped specimens (10 x 1 mm) were fabricated from each material, according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 6876/2001 standard. After setting of the materials, radiographs were taken using occlusal films and a graduated aluminum step-wedge varying from 2 to 16 mm in thickness. The dental X-ray unit (GE1000) was set at 50 Kvp, 10 mA, 18 pulses s(-1) and distance of 33.5 cm. The radiographs were digitized and the radiopacity compared with that of the aluminum step-wedge, using WIXWIN-2000 software (Gendex). Data (mm Al) were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test.Results Intrafill was the most radiopaque material (7.67 mm Al) followed by Sealer 26 (6.33 mm Al), Sealapex (6.05 mm Al) and Acroseal (4.03 mm Al). Activ GP was the least radiopaque material (1.95 mm Al, P < 0.05).Conclusions The sealers evaluated in this study had different radiopacities. However, except for the glass-ionomer-based sealer, all materials had radiopacity values above the minimum recommended by the ISO standard.

Response of human pulps capped with different self-etch adhesive systems

The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of human pulps capped with a calcium hydroxide hard-setting cement or with two-step self-etch adhesive systems. Pulp exposures were performed on the occlusal floor, and the bleeding control was performed with saline solution. The exposed pulp tissue was capped with Clearfil LB 2V (2V) or Clearfil SE Bond (SE) and restored with a composite resin. In control group, the pulpal wound was capped with Ca(OH)(2) cement and restored with Clearfil LB 2V or Clearfil SE Bond + composite resin. After 30 and 90 days, the teeth were extracted, processed for hematoxylin and eosin, and categorized in a histological score system. The pulpal response was worse for groups capped with the self-etch adhesive systems (2V and SE) in both periods of evaluation, when compared to their respective control groups at 90 days (p < 0.05). For both self-etch systems evaluated, the pulp tissue exhibited moderate to severe inflammatory cell infiltrate involving the coronal pulp with chronic abscesses. Dentin bridging was observed in a few specimens. For the calcium hydroxide groups, almost all specimens showed dentin bridge formation, with few scattered inflammatory cells and normal tissue below the pulp exposure site. Calcium hydroxide should be used as the material of choice for pulp capping, and the use of two-step self-etch adhesives for human pulp capping is contraindicated.