Clinical and radiographic evaluation of pulpotomies employing calcium hydroxide and trioxide mineral aggregate

This study utilized clinical and radiographic examinations to compare the effectiveness of calcium hydroxide paste and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) for pulpotomies of primary molars in children. Ninety primary molars that showed clinical and radiographic indications for pulpotomy treatment were selected. The pulpotomies were performed in two sessions, using a corticosteroid/ antibiotic solution as therapeutic dressing. The sample was divided into two groups of 45 teeth, in which the pulpal remains were protected with either calcium hydroxide paste (Group 1) or MTA (Group 2). Radiographs were taken immediately and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up appointments. Three teeth in Group 1 failed after three months, while two cases failed after six months and one more failed at one year. Two failures were found in Group 2 at the 12-month follow-up. These results indicate that both materials may be utilized for pulpotomies in primary teeth.

Entropy-Based Approach to Analyze and Classify Mineral Aggregates

This paper presents an automatic method to detect and classify weathered aggregates by assessing changes of colors and textures. The method allows the extraction of aggregate features from images and the automatic classification of them based on surface characteristics. The concept of entropy is used to extract features from digital images. An analysis of the use of this concept is presented and two classification approaches, based on neural networks architectures, are proposed. The classification performance of the proposed approaches is compared to the results obtained by other algorithms (commonly considered for classification purposes). The obtained results confirm that the presented method strongly supports the detection of weathered aggregates.

Waste plastic as a stabilizing additive in Stone Mastic Asphalt

The present study investigates the benefits of stabilizing the stone mastic asphalt (SMA) mixture in flexible pavement with shredded waste plastic. Conventional (without plastic) and the stabilized SMA mixtures were subjected to performance tests including Marshall Stability, tensile strength and compressive strength tests. Triaxial tests were also conducted with varying percentage bitumen by weight of mineral aggregate (6% to 8%) and by varying percentage plastic by weight of mix (6% to 12% with an increment of 1%). Plastic content of 10% by weight of bitumen is recommended for the improvement of the performance of Stone Mastic Asphalt mixtures. 10% plastic content gives an increase in the stability, split tensile strength and compressive strength of about 64%, 18% and 75% respectively compared to the conventional SMA mix. Triaxial test results show a 44% increase in cohesion and 3% decrease in angle of shearing resistance showing an increase in the shear strength. The drain down value decreases with an increase in plastic content and the value is only 0.09 % at 10% plastic content and proves to be an effective stabilizing additive in SMA mixtures

Ensaios comparativos de mistura asfáltica pré-misturado a frio com adição de borracha de pneu

Pós-graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia de Materiais - FC

Discrete element methods for asphalt concrete : development and application of user-defined microstructural models and a viscoelastic micromechanical model

As an important Civil Engineering material, asphalt concrete (AC) is commonly used to build road surfaces, airports, and parking lots. With traditional laboratory tests and theoretical equations, it is a challenge to fully understand such a random composite material. Based on the discrete element method (DEM), this research seeks to develop and implement computer models as research approaches for improving understandings of AC microstructure-based mechanics. In this research, three categories of approaches were developed or employed to simulate microstructures of AC materials, namely the randomly-generated models, the idealized models, and image-based models. The image-based models were recommended for accurately predicting AC performance, while the other models were recommended as research tools to obtain deep insight into the AC microstructure-based mechanics. A viscoelastic micromechanical model was developed to capture viscoelastic interactions within the AC microstructure. Four types of constitutive models were built to address the four categories of interactions within an AC specimen. Each of the constitutive models consists of three parts which represent three different interaction behaviors: a stiffness model (force-displace relation), a bonding model (shear and tensile strengths), and a slip model (frictional property). Three techniques were developed to reduce the computational time for AC viscoelastic simulations. It was found that the computational time was significantly reduced to days or hours from years or months for typical three-dimensional models. Dynamic modulus and creep stiffness tests were simulated and methodologies were developed to determine the viscoelastic parameters. It was found that the DE models could successfully predict dynamic modulus, phase angles, and creep stiffness in a wide range of frequencies, temperatures, and time spans. Mineral aggregate morphology characteristics (sphericity, orientation, and angularity) were studied to investigate their impacts on AC creep stiffness. It was found that aggregate characteristics significantly impact creep stiffness. Pavement responses and pavement-vehicle interactions were investigated by simulating pavement sections under a rolling wheel. It was found that wheel acceleration, steadily moving, and deceleration significantly impact contact forces. Additionally, summary and recommendations were provided in the last chapter and part of computer programming codes wree provided in the appendixes.

The use of mineral trioxide aggregate in endodontics - status report

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is a clinical product comprising a mixture of Portland cement and bismuth oxide which is currently used as a root−filling material in dentistry. It has good biological compatibility, is capable of promoting both osteogenesis and cementogensis, and is finding increasing use in endodontic therapy. It is dimensionally stable, and provides an acceptable and durable seal for endodontically treated teeth. This article reviews the chemistry and applications of MTA, and highlights the fact that very little is currently known about the hydration chemistry, phase evolution and stability of this cement in physiological environments. However, biological effects of MTA have been well documented and are considered in detail. The article concludes that this material is a useful addition to the range of materials available for clinical application in endodontics.

Biocompatibility in vitro tests of mineral trioxide aggregate and regular and white Portland cements

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Portland cement are being used in dentistry as root end-filling materials. However, biocompatibility data concerning genotoxicity and cytotoxicity are needed for complete risk assessment of these compounds. In the present study, genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of MTA and Portland cements were evaluated in vitro using the alkaline single cell gel (comet) assay and trypan blue exclusion test, respectively, on mouse lymphoma cells. The results demonstrated that the single cell gel (comet) assay failed to detect DNA damage after a treatment of cells by MTA and Portland cements for concentrations up to 1000 mu g/ml. Similarly, results showed that none of the compounds tested were cytotoxic. Taken together, these results seem to indicate that MTA and Portland cements are not genotoxins and do not induce cellular death.

Evaluation of genetic damage in human peripheral lymphocytes exposed to mineral trioxide aggregate and Portland cements

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Portland cement are being used in dentistry as root-end-filling material for periapical surgery and for the sealing of communications between the root canal system and the surrounding tissues. However, genotoxicity tests for complete risk assessment of these compounds have not been conducted up to now. In the present study, the genotoxic effects of MTA and Portland cements were evaluated in peripheral lymphocytes from 10 volunteers by the alkaline single cell gel (comet) assay. The results pointed out that the single cell gel (comet) assay failed to detect the presence of DNA damage after a treatment of peripheral lymphocytes by MTA and Portland cements for concentrations up to 1000 mu g mL(-1). In summary, our results indicate that exposure to MTA or Portland cements may not be a factor that increases the level of DNA lesions in human peripheral lymphocytes as detected by single cell gel (comet) assay.

Mineral trioxide aggregate stimulates macrophages and mast cells to release neutrophil chemotactic factors: role of IL-1 beta, MIP-2 and LTB4

Objective. In the present study, the role of macrophages and mast cells in mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)-induced release of neutrophil chemotactic factor was investigated.Study design. MTA suspension (50 mg/mL) was plated over inserts on macrophages or mast cells for 90 minutes. Untreated cells served as controls. Cells were washed and cultured for 90 minutes in RPMI without the stimuli. Macrophages and mast cell supernatants were injected intraperitoneally (0.5 mL/cavity), and neutrophil migration was assessed 6 hours later. In some experiments, cells were incubated for 30 minutes with dexamethasone (DEX, 10 mu M/well), BWA4C (BW, 100 mu M/well) or U75302 (U75, 10 mu M/well). The concentration of Leukotriene B-4 (LTB4) in the cell-free supernatant from mast cells and macrophage culture was measured by ELISA.Results. Supernatants from MTA-stimulated macrophages and mast cells caused neutrophil migration. The release of neutrophil chemotactic factor by macrophages and mast cells was significantly inhibited by DEX, BW, or U75. Macrophages and mast cells expressed mRNA for interleukin-1 (IL-1)beta and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) and the pretreatment of macrophages and mast cells with DEX, BW, or U75 significantly altered IL-1 beta and MIP-2 mRNA expression. LTB4 was detected in the MTA-stimulated macrophage supernatant but not mast cells.Conclusions. MTA-induces the release of neutrophil chemotactic factor substances from macrophages and mast cells with participation of IL-1 beta, MIP-2, and LTB4. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2010; 109: e135-e142)

Reaction of the lateral periodontium of dogs' teeth to contaminated and noncontaminated perforations filled with mineral trioxide aggregate

It has been shown that the mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) used to seal lateral/furcal perforations stimulates the deposition of newly formed cementum. Nevertheless, when the site of the perforation is contaminated, the healing process might occur under less favorable conditions. This study evaluated the repair healing process of noncontaminated and contaminated lateral perforations filled with MTA and the effect of previously filling the contaminated perforations with a bactericidal agent. Thirty lateral root perforations were prepared in endodontically treated dog's teeth, thus forming 3 groups with 10 specimens each. In group 1 the perforations were immediately sealed with MTA. In group 2 the perforations were left open for 7 days and thereafter sealed with MTA. In group 3 the perforations were left open for 7 days, filled temporarily with a calcium hydroxide-based paste for 14 days, and then sealed with MTA. The animals were killed after 90 days, and the pieces were prepared for histomorphologic and histomicrobiologic evaluations. The statistical analysis showed that group 1 had significantly better repair than groups 2 (P <.05) and 3 (P <.05), which validates the superior results obtained when MTA was immediately used to seal root perforations. Groups 2 and 3 had statistically similar repair to each other (P >.05). There were a larger number of cases of complete or partial biologic seal in group 1 compared with the contaminated groups. It might be concluded that the lateral root perforations sealed with MTA after contamination presented worse repair than the noncontaminated, immediately sealed perforations. The temporary filling with a bactericidal agent (calcium hydroxide-based paste) did not improve the repair of perforations exposed to contamination, and the contaminated groups presented similar results to each other.

Influence of the type of vehicle and limit of obturation on apical and periapical tissue response in dogs' teeth after root canal filling with mineral trioxide aggregate

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the type of vehicle (distilled water or propyleneglycol) on the response of apical tissues of dogs' teeth after root canal filling with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) at two different limits. Forty roots of incisors and premolars of two adult dogs were used. After pulpectomy, the root canals were prepared biomechanically, and the roots had the apical cemental barrier penetrated with a #15 K-file and widened to a #25 K-file. The root canals were assigned to four groups according to the vehicle used for MTA (ProRoot-MTA; Tulsa Dental, Tulsa, OK) preparation and the limit of root canal filling: group 1, filling with MTA/distilled water to the limit of the cemental canal; group 2, overfilling with MTA/distilled water, group 3, filling with MTA/propyleneglycol to the limit of the cemental canal; and group 4, overfilling with MTAlpropyleneglycol. The animals were killed by anesthetic overdose 90 days after endodontic treatment and the anatomic pieces were prepared for histomorphological analysis. The sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Brown and Brenn techniques. The results showed that MTA pastes prepared with either distilled water or propyleneglycol as vehicles had similar biological behavior (p > 0.05); root fillings placed at the cemental canal limit showed better results than the overfillings (p = 0.01), and MTA/propyleneglycol paste was more easily placed into the root canals than MTA/distilled water paste.

Evaluation of Rat Alveolar Bone Response to Angelus MTA or Experimental Light-cured Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Using Fluorochromes

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the rat alveolar bone response after the implantation of experimental light-cured mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) or Angelus MTA (Angelus, Londrina, Parana, Brazil) by histological and fluorescence analysis. Methods: Thirty Wistar Albino rats were divided into three groups. In the control group, empty polyethylene tubes were inserted into the rat alveolar sockets immediately after extraction. In the other groups, the tubes were filled with light-cured MTA or Angelus MTA. Five animals from each group were injected with calcein on day 7, alizarin on day 14, and oxytetracycline on day 21. on day 30, these animals were killed, and the right hemimaxillas were removed and histologically processed. Half of the maxillas were processed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The remaining maxillas were processed for fluorescence analysis and stained with Stevenel blue and alizarin red. New bone was histomorphometrically evaluated using a Merz grid. Results: The light-cured MTA presented a similar response when compared with Angelus MTA; it was characterized by a mild inflammatory response and complete bone healing. In the light-cured MTA group, the fluorescence areas were more evident at 21 days, showing an increase in bone formation. However, dystrophic mineralization was observed only with Angelus MTA. Conclusions: It was concluded that both materials present a similar inflammatory response and bone healing, but dystrophic mineralization was observed only with Angelus MTA. (J Endod 2011;37:250-254)

Evaluation of mineral trioxide aggregate and calcium hydroxide cement as pulp-capping agents in human teeth

This study evaluated the histomorphologic response of human dental pulps capped with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Ca(OH)(2) cement (CH). Pulp exposures were performed on the occlusal floor of 40 human permanent premolars. After that, the pulp was capped either with CH or MTA and restored with composite resin. After 30 and 60 days, teeth were extracted and processed for histologic exam and categorized in a histologic score system. The data were subjected to Kruskal-Wallis and Conover tests (alpha = .05). All groups performed well in terms of hard tissue bridge formation, inflammatory response, and other pulpal findings. However, a lower response of CH30 was observed for the dentin bridge formation, when compared with MTA30 and MTA60 groups. Although the pulp healing with calcium hydroxide was slower than that of MTA, both materials were successful for pulp capping in human teeth.

Mineral trioxide aggregate but not light-cure mineral trioxide aggregate stimulated mineralization

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the subcutaneous response of rat connective tissue to light-cure MTA and Angelus MTA. These materials were placed in polyethylene and dentin tubes and implanted into dorsal connective tissue of Wistar rats for 30 and 60 days. The specimens were prepared to be stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Von Kossa, and without stain for polarized light and evaluated in an optic microscope. The Angelus MTA showed a mild inflammatory response at 30 days and none at 60 days, characterized by organized connective tissue, presence of some chronic inflammatory cells, and induction of mineralized tissue formation. Light-cure MTA presented a moderate chronic inflammatory response at 30 days that decreased at 60 days but was more intense than with Angelus MTA and without dystrophic calcifications. It was possible to conclude that light-cure MTA was similar to MTA at 60 days, but it did not stimulate mineralization.

A Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Sealer Stimulated Mineralization

The aim of this study was to evaluate the rat subcutaneous tissue response to implanted polyethylene tubes filled with Endo-CPM-Sealer (Portland Cement Modified Sealer) (EGEO S.R.L., Buenos Aires, Argentina) compared with Sealapex (SybronEndo, Glendora, CA) and Angelus MTA (Angelus, Londrina, Brazil). These materials were placed in polyethylene and dentin tubes and implanted into dorsal connective tissue of Wistar rats for 7, 15, 30, 60, and 90 days. The specimens were prepared to be stained with hematoxylin and eosin or Von Kossa or not stained for polarized light. Qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the reaction were performed. Both materials caused mild to moderate reactions at 7 days that decreased with time. The response was similar to the control on the 30th day with Endo-CPM-Sealer and Angelus MTA and on the 60th day with Sealapex. Mineralization and granulations birefringent to the polarized light were observed with all materials. it was possible to conclude that Endo-CPM-Sealer was biocompatible and stimulated mineralization. (J Endod 2009;35:256-260)