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.

Tissue response to an epoxy resin-based root canal sealer

The objective of the present study was to evaluate two different types of root canal sealers: AH Plus (an epoxy resin-based sealer) and Fill Canal (a zinc oxide-eugenol based sealer). A total of 34 root canals with vital pulp from dogs' premolars were used. After instrumentation, the root canals were filled with gutta-percha and AH Plus or gutta-percha and Fill Canal sealers using a classical technique of lateral condensation. After histological processing, the sections were stained with hematoxylineosin or Mallory's trichrome stain. Inflammatory cells or areas of necrosis were not associated with AH Plus. Hard tissue formation apically to the material was observed in 14 specimens. The Fill Canal sealer presented an inflammatory response of moderate intensity in the periapical region, mainly adjacent to the material.

Influence of root canal dressings and sealers on repair of apical periodontitis after endodontic treatment

Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the histopathologic response of periapical tissues after root canal treatment of necrotic dog teeth with chronic apical periodontitis by using 2 calcium hydroxide-based root canal dressings and 2 root canal sealers.Study design. Seventy-eight root canals were instrumented by using 5.25% sodium hypochlorite as the irrigating solution, after which a calcium hydroxide paste (Calen/PMCC or Calasept) was placed for 30 days as a dressing. The root canals were then filled by using cold lateral gutta-percha condensation and an enclodontic sealer (Sealapex or AH Plus). After 360 days, the animals were killed by anesthetic overdose; then, the teeth were histologically prepared, sectioned, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for optical microscopic analysis of apical and periapical tissue repair.Results. Statistical analysis showed that the poorest histopathologic results were observed in the Calasept/AH Plus group and that the Sealapex sealer overall resulted in better apical repair than the AH Plus sealer. The histopathologic results of Calen/PMCC paste with both AH Plus and Sealapex and Calasept paste with only Sealapex were statistically similar but were different from the results of Calasept with AH Plus.Conclusions. The results of this study in the dog showed differences in apical and periapical tissue repair of teeth with chronic apical periodontitis by using 2 calcium hydroxide root canal dressings and 2 sealers. More research is necessary to determine the best combination of dressings and sealers.

Histological evaluation of the response of apical tissues to glass ionomer and zinc oxide eugenol based sealers in dog teeth after root canal treatment

The object of the study was to compare two commercial root canal sealers: Ketac-Endo (a glass ionomer cement) and Fill Canal (a zinc oxide-eugenol cement). A total of 34 root canals from dog premolars with vital pulps were used. After instrumentation, the root canals were sealed with Ketac-Endo and Fill Canal cements using gutta-percha and a lateral condensation technique. After 270 days the animals were sacrificed with an anesthetic overdose and the maxillae and mandibles were removed and fixed in formalin for 48 h. After routine histological processing the sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Mallory trichrome stains. Microscopic analysis revealed that Ketac-Endo cement presented better results than Fill Canal cement.

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.

Root canal treatment of three-rooted maxillary first and second premolars - a case report

Aim To report the diagnosis and successful clinical management of a patient with anatomical variation in maxillary first and second premolars.Summary Maxillary premolars have a highly variable root canal morphology, but it is rare, especially in the second premolar, to find three canals. This article describes the diagnosis and clinical management of first and second premolars with three canals and three separate roots, drawing particular attention to radiographic interpretation and access refinements.