Scanning electron microscopic study of the cleaning ability of chlorhexidine as a root-canal irrigant

Aim To evaluate in vitro the cleaning of root-canal walls after irrigation with different irrigants.Methodology A total of 36 recently extracted human teeth were divided into four experimental groups according to the irrigating solution used: saline; 2% chlorhexidine; 2.5% sodium hypochlorite; and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite + EDTA. The cleaning of the apical, middle and coronal thirds of the root canals was evaluated by scanning electron microscope examination using a 4-point scoring system.Results the best cleaning was obtained using 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and EDTA, followed by 2.5% sodium hypochlorite only (P < 0.05), whose cleaning was similar to chlorhexidine only in the cervical third. Cleaning by saline and 2% chlorhexidine was worse than the other two groups and was similar in all thirds. Better cleaning was found in the cervical and middle thirds for all groups with the worst results in the apical third.Conclusions the apical third of the root canals was not cleaned as well as the middle and coronal thirds. Cleaning by chlorhexidine and saline was inferior compared to the cleaning by sodium hypochlorite with and without EDTA.

Light and scanning electron microscopic study of the palatine mucosa of nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)

The three-dimensional structure of the lamina propria of the hard and soft palatine mucosa of the nine-banded armadillo was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Sodium hydroxide cell maceration method was applied to demonstrate the architecture of the connective tissue papillae. The palatine mucosa of the armadillo had a triangular shape and measured appr. 6.5 cm length. The hard palate showed 9 transverse palatine plicae while the soft palate was smooth. In the 10% NaOH treated specimens, the lamina propria of the hard palatine mucosa showed numerous connective tissue papillae with a general finger-like shape. These structures were composed by a meshwork of collagen fibers arranged in several directions. on the other hand, the connective tissue papillae of the soft palate mucosa were scattered and small. Numerous openings of glandular ducts with circular or elliptical shape were located in the interplicae area and in the soft palate.

Effects of Nd : YAG laser irradiation on root canal dentin wall: A scanning electron microscopic study

Objective: the purpose of this study was to evaluate, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the effects of Nd:YAG laser irradiation applied perpendicular or parallel to the root canal dentin wall. Methods: Thirty human teeth were divided into two groups: Group A (20 roots), laser application with circular movements, parallel to the dentin root surface; and Group B (10 roots), roots cut longitudinally and laser applied perpendicular to the root surface. Group A was subdivided into A1 (10 roots), laser application with 100 mJ, 15 Hz and 1.5 W; and A2 (10 roots) with 160 mJ, 15 Hz, and 2.4 W. Group B was subdivided into B1 (10 hemisections) and B2 (10 hemi-sections) with parameters similar to A I and A2. Four applications of 7-sec duration were performed, with a total exposure of 28 sec. SEM evaluations were made in the cervical, middle, and apical thirds, with 500X and 2000X magnifications. Morphological changes scores were attributed, and the results were submitted to Kruskal Wallis statistical test (5%). Results: Significant statistical differences were found between groups A and B (p = 0.001). In groups A1 and A2, few areas of dentin melting were observed. In groups B1 and B2, areas of melting dentin covering dentin surface were observed. Conclusions: It was concluded that intracanal laser application with circular movements (parallel to the surface) produces limited morphological changes in root canal dentin wall.

Microscopic characterization of teeth of pacas bred in captivity (Agouti paca, Linnaeus, 1766)

The microscopic description of the teeth of pacas (Agouti paca) bred in captivity was developed for providing biological data on one of the largest American wild rodents, as not many references exist in the literature about this species. Two newborn males, two adult males (9 and 72 months old), one newborn female and two adult females (30 and 54 months old) were used after death due to fights, neonatal cannibalism or unknown causes. Animals were radiographed, and their teeth were extracted and put on an acrylic resin block, cut on a diamond-like disc microtome and diaphanized. It was noted that enamel surrounds the coronary dentine and projects to the root region, besides being present as internal laminae, arranged in a parallel way and in the vestibulolingual direction. The dentine is located between the enamel laminae and surrounds the pulp horns. The cementum is located internal to the enamel laminae. From scanning electronic microscopy, we find that the enamel is the outer element on the vestibular surface, and it is in direct contact with the dentine. on the lingual surface, the cementum and dentine are the outer elements.

Mineral trioxide aggregate as a root canal filling material in reimplanted teeth. Microscopic analysis in monkeys

This study analyzed mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as a root canal filling material for the immediate reimplantation of monkey teeth. Four adult capuchin monkeys Cebus apella were used, which had their maxillary and mandibular lateral incisors on both sides extracted and reimplanted after 15 min. During the extra-alveolar period, the teeth were kept in saline solution and after reimplantation retention was performed with a stainless steel wire and composite resin for 14 days. After 7 days, the reimplanted teeth were submitted to endodontic treatment with biomechanics up to file n. 30 and irrigation with a saturated solution of calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)(2)], and then divided into two study groups: group I - root canal filled with a Ca(OH)(2) paste, and group II - root canal filled with MTA. Radiographic follow up was performed at 30, 60 and 90 days postoperatively, and after 180 days the animals were killed and specimens were processed for histomorphological analysis. The results revealed that most specimens of both groups presented organized periodontal ligament with no inflammation. The resorptions observed were surface resorptions and were repaired by cementum. Both MTA and Ca(OH)(2) were good root canal filling materials for immediately reimplanted teeth, providing good repair and also allowing biological sealing of some lateral canals. There was no significant difference between the study groups (alpha = 29.60%).