Bacterial leakage evaluation of root canals filled with different endodontic sealers

Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sealing ability of AH Plus, Epiphany, Acroseal, Endofill, and Polifil after active lateral condensation technique, by using a bacterial test, during 64 days.Study design. One hundred bovine incisors were cleaned and shaped; then they were filled with the endodontic sealers and adapted into a microcentrifuge tube. The setup root/microcentrifuge tube was added to glass flasks containing Brain Heart Infusion broth. A culture of Enterococcus faecalis was inserted into the upper chamber of each assembly. Daily leakage was evaluated through the broth turbidity.Results. The results were submitted to statistical analysis (Kaplan-Meier method, Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests).Conclusions. AH Plus and Endofill had the worst sealing ability when compared with Polifil, which showed the least leakage. Acroseal and Epiphany showed a tendency toward having an intermediate behavior; however, there was no significant difference among Acroseal, Epiphany, and the other sealers. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2009; 108: e56-e60)

Antibacterial effectiveness of several irrigating solutions and the Endox Plus system - an ex vivo study

Aim To compare the ex vivo antibacterial effectiveness of the Endox Plus system and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) in combination with BioPure MTAD (Tulsa Dental, Tulsa, OK, USA) or with EDTA in Enterococcus faecalis-contaminated root canals.Methodology After initial preparation, the root canals of 70 single-rooted human teeth were inoculated with E. faecalis (ATCC 29212) and incubated for 21 days. Specimens were divided into five groups: Endox Plus/saline; 2.5% NaOCl/MTAD; 2.5% NaOCl/EDTA; saline (positive control); negative control (root canals not prepared, nor irrigated). Samples were collected using paper points. Microbiological analysis evaluated the number of CFUs. Data were analysed by anova and Tukey tests at 0.05 significance.Results All specimens had bacterial growth after the incubation period, with similar CFU per mL counts (P > 0.05). After chemo-mechanical preparation, the number of bacteria in all groups reduced, except for the negative control. No significant differences were observed between 2.5% NaOCl/MTAD and 2.5% NaOCl/EDTA, but these groups had lower CFU counts than the other groups (P < 0.05). In the final samples, an increase in the bacterial counts was observed for Endox Plus/saline, 2.5% NaOCl/MTAD, 2.5% NaOCl/EDTA and saline (P < 0.05) with no significant differences between these groups.Conclusions This ex vivo study revealed that the Endox Plus system was associated with a reduced antibacterial effectiveness compared with conventional irrigation using 2.5% NaOCl/MTAD and 2.5% NaOCl/EDTA. All irrigation procedures allowed recovery of bacteria 7 days after treatment, demonstrating persistence of contamination within the root canal system.

Bacterial leakage in root canals filled with conventional and MTA-based sealers

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

Residues of calcium hydroxide-based intracanal medication associated with different vehicles: A scanning electron microscopy evaluation

This study evaluated the presence of residues after removal of calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] associated with different vehicles. Thirty single-rooted teeth were instrumented to a master apical file #25 using 2.5% NaOCl as main irrigant and 17% trisodium EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) as final agent irrigant. Then, the root canals were dressed with Ca(OH)2 associated with silicone oil (Group 1), 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (Group 2), or propylene glycol (Group 3). After coronal sealing, all teeth were kept in a moist environment at room temperature. After 7 days, the teeth were reopened and medicaments were removed using 5 mL of saline solution and instrumentation with master apical file followed by new irrigation with 5 mL of 2.5% NaOCl. Subsequently, teeth were split longitudinally and assessed by scanning electron microscopy. The wall cleanliness of the cervical and apical thirds of the roots were evaluated and scored by three blinded examiners. Statistical analysis was performed using KruskalWallis and Wilcoxon tests at 5% level of significance. All roots had residues of Ca(OH)2 on the canal walls. All experimental groups had similar results (P > 0.05) regardless of the third evaluated. There was significant difference between the apical and cervical thirds only in Group 3 (P < 0.05). Association of different vehicles to Ca(OH)2 does not influence the persistence of residues on the root canal walls. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2012. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

In vitro antibacterial action of Tetraclean, MTAD and five experimental irrigation solutions

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Morphometrical analysis of cleaning capacity of a hybrid instrumentation in mesial flattened root canals

The cleaning capacity of hybrid and rotary instrumentation techniques in mesial flattened canals of mandibular first molars was evaluated by morphometrical analysis in this study. Twenty human mandibular first molars were randomly assigned into two groups, according to instrumentation technique, as follows: group 1, instrumentation with ProTaper Starter Kit (Dentsply/Maillefer) rotary system; group 2, manual instrumentation using K files (Dentsply/Maillefer) by crown-down technique in middle and apical thirds, cervical preparation with Gates-Glidden #1 and #2 (Dentsply/Maillefer) burs, and to finalise the preparation, ProTaper F2 and F3 rotary files. Serial transverse cross-sections (5 mu m) of the apical third, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, were analysed at 100 x original magnification. The images were submitted to morphometrical analysis with an integration grid to determine the percentage of root canal area with debris. Statiscal analysis (t-Student, P < 0.05) showed significant difference between the techniques (P < 0.05), although neither completely cleaned the root canal.

Antibacterial efficacy of endodontic irrigating solutions and their combinations in root canals contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis

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

Ability of Gutta-Percha and Resilon to Fill Simulated Lateral Canals by Using the Obtura II System

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of Resilon (Resilon Research, LLC, North Branford, CT) and 2 types of gutta-percha to fill simulated lateral canals when using the Obtura II system (Model 823-700; Obtura Spartan, Fenton, MO). Methods: Forty-five human single-rooted teeth were selected and subjected to root canal preparation. After that, simulated lateral canals were made at 2, 5, and 8 mm from the working length (WL). The specimens were divided into 3 groups (n = 15) according to the filling material used: Obtura Flow 150 gutta-percha (Obtura flow), Odous Endo Flow gutta-percha (Odous; Odous de Deus Ind e Corn. Ltda Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil), and Resilon pellets (Resilon). Root canals were filled using the Obtura II system with the tip inserted to 3 mm from the WL. No sealer was used for root canal obturation. Specimens were subjected to a tooth decalcification and clearing method, and filling of the lateral canals was analyzed by digital radiography and photographs. The measurement of lateral canal filling was done using Image Tool software (UTHSCSA Image Tool for Windows version 3.0, San Antonio, TX). Data were statistically analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis test at 5% significance. Results: All materials showed an ability to penetrate into the simulated lateral canals, with a minimum percentage of 73% in all thirds of the root canal. Conclusions: It was concluded that gutta-percha and Resilon are solid core materials with a lateral canal filling ability when used with the Obtura II system. (J Endod 2012;38:676-679)

Effectiveness of gutta-percha and Resilon in filling lateral root canals using the Obtura II System

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

Developmental and structural features of secretory canals in root and shoot wood of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. (Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae)

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

In vitro effects of calcium hydroxide and polymyxin B on endotoxins in root canals

Objectives. To evaluate the effects of intracanal medicaments on endotoxins in root canals.Methods. Seventy-five freshly extracted maxillary incisors were used in this study. The crowns of teeth were sectioned near the CEJ in order to standardize the root length to 14 mm. The root canals were instrumented to an apical size #50 file and irrigated with 1% sodium hypochlorite solution and sterilized with 60 Co gamma irradiation. Standardized suspension containing Escherichia coli endotoxin was inoculated into the 60 root canals. The specimens were randomly assigned to 5 groups (n=15), according to the intracanal medicament used: (G1) calcium hydroxide; (G2) polymyxin B; (0) combination neomycin-potymyxin B-hydrocortisone; (G4) positive control (no intracanal medicament); (G5) negative control (no endotoxin and no intracanal medicament). After 7 days, the detoxification of endotoxin was evaluated by Limulus lysate assay and antibody production in B-tymphocytes culture.Results. Groups 1, 2 and 5 presented the best results by Limulus lysate and were significantly different to groups 3 and 4 (p<0.05). Stimulation of antibodies production in cell culture by groups 1 and 6 was smaller and statistically different than groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 (p<0.05). Groups 2 and 5 induced a small increase in the antibodies production in relation to the groups 1 and 6. Groups 3 and 4 induced a significant increase of antibodies production (p<0.05).Conclusions. The calcium hydroxide and polymyxin B intracanal medicaments detoxified endotoxin in root canals and altered the properties of LPS to stimulate the antibody production by B-Lymphocytes. The combination neomycin-polymyxin B-hydrocortisone did not detoxified endotoxin. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Efficacy of Endodontic Treatment for Endotoxin Reduction in Primarily Infected Root Canals and Evaluation of Cytotoxic Effects

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

Effectiveness of ozonated water on Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, and endotoxins in root canals

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ozonated water in the elimination of Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, and endotoxins from root canals. Twenty-four single-rooted human teeth were inoculated with C. albicans and E. faecalis, and 24 specimens were inoculated with Escherichia coli endotoxin. Ozonated water (experimental group) or physiologic solution (control group) was used as irrigant agent. Antimicrobial effectiveness was evaluated by the reduction of microbial counts. Lipopolissacharide complex presence was assessed by limulus amebocyte lysate test and B-lymphocyte stimulation. Data were analyzed by Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests (5%). Ozonated water significantly reduced the number of C. albicans and E. faecalis at the immediate sampling, but increased values were detected after 7 days. Ozonated water did not neutralize endotoxin. It could be concluded that ozonated water was effective against C. albicans and E. faecalis but showed no residual effect. No activity on endotoxin was observed.

In vitro evaluation of the action of irrigating solutions associated with intracanal medications on Escherichia coli and its endotoxin in root canals

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of auxiliary chemical substances and intracanal medications on Escherichia coli and its endotoxin in root canals. Material and Methods: Teeth were contaminated with a suspension of E. coli for 14 days and divided into 3 groups according to the auxiliary chemical substance used: G1) 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl); G2) 2% chlorhexidine gel (CLX); G3) pyrogen-free solution. After, these groups were subdivided according to the intracanal medication (ICM): A) Calcium hydroxide paste (Calen (R)), B) polymyxin B, and C) Calcium hydroxide paste+2% CLX gel. For the control group (G4), pyrogen-free saline solution was used without application of intracanal medication. Samples of the root canal content were collected immediately after biomechanical preparation (BMP), at 7 days after BMP, after 14 days of intracanal medication activity, and 7 days after removal of intracanal medication. The following aspects were evaluated for all collections: a) antimicrobial activity; b) quantification of endotoxin by the limulus Amebocyte lysate test (LAL). Results were analyzed by the kruskal-wallis and Dunn's tests at 5% significance level. Results: The 2.5% NaOCl and CLX were able to eliminate E. coli from root canal lumen and reduced the amount of endotoxin compared to saline. Conclusions: It was concluded that 2.5% NaOCl and CLX were effective in eliminating E. coli. Only the studied intracanal medications were to reduce the amount of endotoxin present in the root canals, regardless of the irrigant used.