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BACKGROUND Successful endodontic therapy requires a fluid-tight apical seal. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare the apical sealing ability of 3 root canal sealers: Apexit Plus, AH Plus, and Resilon/Epiphany sealers. MATERIAL AND METHODS Samples of 152 single-rooted teeth were divided into 2 test groups, and each group was divided into 3 subgroups based on the preparation and obturation technique. After preparation with the step-back technique, the first group of root canals were obturated with lateral gutta-percha compaction in combination with AH Plus sealer or Apexit Plus or with the Resilon/Epiphany system alone. In the second group, preparation was done with the crown-down technique and root canals were then obturated with Thermafil obturator in combination with AH Plus or Apexit Plus or with Resilon/Epiphany sealer alone. Apical leakage was determined using a dye leakage test observed with a stereomicroscope. The degree of dye leakage was assessed using the t test to comparing the arithmetic averages of the groups. RESULTS In the groups prepared with the step-back technique, the average dye leakage was lower in samples obturated with Resilon/Epiphany, than in those filled with AH Plus/lateral gutta-percha compaction or Apexit Plus/lateral gutta-percha compaction. In groups prepared with the crown-down technique and obturated with the Resilon/Epiphany system, the average dye leakage was lower than in those filled with AH Plus/Thermafil obturation and those filled with Apexit Plus/Thermafil obturation. CONCLUSIONS Although all preparation and obturation techniques showed dye penetration, the crown-down technique paired with the Resilon/Epiphany system showed the least leakage.

BACKGROUND: Complete mechanical preparation of the root canal system is rarely achieved. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the root canal shaping efficacy of ProTaper rotary files and standard stainless steel K-files using micro-computed tomography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty extracted upper second premolars were selected and divided into 2 groups of 30 teeth each. Before preparation, all samples were scanned by micro-computed tomography. Thirty teeth were prepared with the ProTaper system and the other 30 with stainless steel files. After preparation, the untouched surface and root canal straightening were evaluated with micro-computed tomography. The percentage of untouched root canal surface was calculated in the coronal, middle, and apical parts of the canal. We also calculated straightening of the canal after root canal preparation. Results from the 2 groups were statistically compared using the Minitab statistical package. RESULTS: ProTaper rotary files left less untouched root canal surface compared with manual preparation in coronal, middle, and apical sector (p

BACKGROUND Root canal shaping without any procedural error is of the utmost preference. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to use micro-computed tomography to evaluate and compare the root canal shaping efficacy of ProTaper rotary files and standard stainless steel K-files. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixty extracted upper second premolars were selected and were divided into 2 groups of 30. Before preparation, all samples were scanned by micro-CT. Then, 30 teeth were prepared with stainless steel files and the remaining 30 with ProTaper rotary files. Canal transportation and centering ability before and after root canal shaping were assessed using micro-CT. The amount and direction of canal transportation and the centering ratio of each instrument were determined in the coronal, middle, and apical parts of the canal. The 2 groups were statistically compared using one-way ANOVA. RESULTS ProTaper rotary files gave less transportation (p

Background Despite numerous studies on the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) and endodontic treatment in diverse geographical populations, there are currently no data on the prevalence of these conditions in populations of adults native to Kosovo. Therefore, little is known about how widespread these conditions are, and whether there is any correlation between root canal treatment and AP. The purpose of our research was to address this anomaly by investigating AP and endodontic treatment in an adult Kosovar population based on radiographic examination. Methods The sample used for this study consisted of randomly selected individuals referred to the University Dentistry Clinical Center of Kosovo in the years 2006-2007. Orthopantomographs of 193 patients were evaluated. The periapical status of all teeth (with the exception of third molars) was examined according to Ørstavik's Periapical Index. The quality of the root canal filling was rated as 'adequate' or 'inadequate' based on whether all canals were filled, the depth of fill relative to the radiographic apex and the quality of compaction (absence/presence of voids). Data were analyzed statistically using the Chi-square test and calculation of odds ratios. Results Out of 4131 examined teeth, the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) and endodontic treatment was 12.3% and 2.3%, respectively. Of 95 endodontically-treated teeth, 46.3% were associated with AP. The prevalence of AP increased with age. The prevalence in subjects aged over 60 years old (20.2%) was higher than in other age groups. A statistically significant difference was found for the frequency of endodontically-treated teeth associated with AP in the 40-49 year age group (P < 0.001). Of some concern was the discovery that only 30.5% of the endodontically-treated teeth examined met the criteria of an acceptable root canal filling. Inadequately root-filled teeth were associated with an increased AP risk. Conclusions The prevalence of AP and the frequency of endodontically-treated teeth with AP in this Kosovar population are higher than those found in other countries. Inadequate root canal fillings were associated with an increased prevalence of AP.