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Aim The aim of this work is to investigate the quality of root canal seals obtained by comparing two bioceramic cements, GuttaFlow bioseal and BioRoot RCS, focusing on the presence of voids created during the canal obturation procedure. Materials and methods The voids are analyzed using a micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) device. The study will be performed using images of the endodontic space before and after filling of a selected group of elements. Furthermore, the average thickness of the cement, the average quantity of gutta-percha compared to the total shaped volume, and the average quantity of the two cements, GuttaFlow bioseal and BioRoot RCS, with respect to the total shaped volume were considered. The apical, middle, and coronal thirds have been investigated in a sectorial manner. Images have been analyzed using a CT-An™ software and visualized through a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the slices by the software CT-Vol™. Shapiro-Wilk test/Test D'Agostino-Pearson/Kolmogorov-Smirnov test were used to ensure the reliability of results. Results No significant differences were observed in the amount of gutta-percha compared to the shaped volume between the GuttaFlow bioseal group and BioRoot RCS. No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of voids. Conclusion The data obtained from this study allowed to conclude that the samples filled with GuttaFlow bioseal and BioRoot RCS have a similar seal capacity since no statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups. No sample showed the absence of voids within the root canal obturation. Clinical significance Even if the two cements tested showed differences in terms of void volume and ability to fill thin spaces, they should be considered both acceptable and equivalent in terms of clinical sealing ability.

Background/purpose: In order to prevent reinfection of the pulp canal space and dressing for regenerative purpose, the coronal seal should have a perfect marginal adaptation. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Biodentine are among the most popular sealing materials. These are commonly used in combination with antibiotic medicaments, to ensure disinfection. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of 3 different medicaments on the marginal adaptation of MTA and Biodentine to the dentin. Materials and methods: Teeth were divided into 4 groups (n = 20) that were treated with the following medicaments; triple antibiotic paste (TAP), double antibiotic paste (DAP), a calcium hydroxide (CH) and a control group. The specimens were then assigned into two subgroups (n = 10), which received a coronal barrier of MTA or Biodentine. The specimens were scanned using an ex vivo micro-CT scanner. The data were statistically analysed using one-way ANOVA and the unpaired Student's t-test (P TAP > Control > CH. In the Biodentine group, the percentage of voids was determined in the following order: TAP ≥ DAP > CH > Control. Significantly lower percentage of voids was observed in the CH-medicated specimens in the MTA group when compared to all test groups (P = 0.04). Conclusion: The application of CH as an intracanal medicament reduced the void occurrence between the ProRoot MTA and root dentin. However, TAP and or DAP decreased the marginal adaptation in both ProRoot MTA and Biodentine. Keywords: MTA, Biodentine, TAP, Regenerative endodontics, Micro-computed tomography

Background Lateral approach to maxillary sinus floor elevation (LSFE) with autologous bone grafts and simultaneous implant insertion is a widespread technique for prosthetic rehabilitation of the atrophic maxilla. Purpose To analyze implant survival and autologous bone graft resorption after LSFE, in patients with at least 5 years follow-up. Materials and methods Thirty-three patients (mean age 56 years, range 46-68 years) who had undergone LSFE with intraoral autologous bone graft from mandibular ramus and simultaneous implant insertion were included. A minimum of 5 years of follow-up was required. The total peri-implant bone height was measured at mesial and distal aspects of the implants immediately after surgery (T0) and after a period ranging from 5 to 11.5 years after surgery (mean 7.65 ± 1.80 years) (T1) on digital panoramic and periapical radiographs. Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test was used to compare bone graft height at T0 and T1. The influence of patient-, surgery-, and implant-related factors on the outcomes was investigated. Results Of the 58 implants placed, no one was lost. All prostheses were in function, and no biological or mechanical complications occurred. The residual ridge height at the involved sites averaged 6.48 ± 1.72 mm. The mean bone height at grafted regions was 12.05 ± 2.47 mm at T0 and 12.13 ± 2.39 mm at T1 (not statistically significant). Marginal bone level change at T1 averaged -1.22 ± 1.60 mm. None of the evaluated factors significantly affected the results. Conclusion Autologous bone grafts from intraoral donor sites display excellent volume stability over time that may contribute to optimal outcomes of the procedure.

Introduction The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare, by means of micro–computed tomography imaging, the shaping ability of ProTaper Next (PTN) and the novel HyFlex EDM (HFEDM) instruments. Methods Forty teeth were randomly divided into 2 groups and prepared with PTN or HFEDM. Root canal transportation and centering ratio were evaluated in mesiodistal and buccolingual directions at 5 levels (at the midpoint of the apical, middle, and coronal thirds and at the boundaries between them). Variations in volume, surface, and cross-sectional shape were measured for the apical, middle, and coronal thirds. The null hypotheses were that no differences existed between the 2 groups. The D'Agostino-Pearson test (α=.05) was conducted to assess the normality of the data sets. The distributions were compared by using the Mann-Whitney test (α=.05). Results Statistically significant differences (P&nbsp