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External root resorption may occur as a consequence of trauma, orthodontic treatment, bacterial infection or incomplete sealing of the root canal system (bacterial re-infection), and lead to crater formation on the resorbed apex. This would deform the root apex surface, and cause loss of apical constriction. Depending on the extent of the resorptive process, different treatment regimens have been proposed. A 34-year-old male patient presented with an intra-radicular retainer and an inadequate filling on tooth #21, as well as a radiographic image suggesting periapical bone rarefaction. After root canal retreatment, the defect was accessed coronally. The resorption area was chemo-mechanically debrided and since the apical end was very wide, a calcium sulphate matrix was made. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) was used to fill the resorptive defect, and the coronal access was temporarily sealed. After 24 h, the quality of the apical seal was evaluated with the aid of an operating microscope, and then the root canal system was filled. A 12-month follow-up radiograph showed adequate repair of the resorption. Clinically, the tooth was asymptomatic. We concluded that MTA can be successfully used to avoid overextension of the filling material when treating a tooth with external resorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and treatment recommendation performance of four artificial intelligence chatbots in fictional pulpal and periradicular disease cases. Additionally, it investigated response consistency and the influence of text order and language on chatbot performance., Methods: In this cross-sectional comparative study, eleven cases representing various pulpal and periradicular pathologies were created. These cases were presented to four chatbots (ChatGPT 3.5, ChatGPT 4.0, Bard, and Bing) in both Portuguese and English, with the information order varied (signs and symptoms first or imaging data first). Statistical analyses included the Kruskal-Wallis test, Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligner pairwise comparisons, simple logistic regression, and the binomial test., Results: Bing and ChatGPT 4.0 achieved the highest diagnostic accuracy rates (86.4 % and 85.3 % respectively), significantly outperforming ChatGPT 3.5 (46.5 %) and Bard (28.6 %) (p < 0.001). For treatment recommendations, ChatGPT 4.0, Bing, and ChatGPT 3.5 performed similarly (94.4 %, 93.2 %, and 86.3 %, respectively), while Bard exhibited significantly lower accuracy (75 %, p < 0.001). No significant association between diagnosis and treatment accuracy was found for Bard and Bing, but a positive association was observed for ChatGPT 3.5 and ChatGPT 4.0 (p < 0.05). The overall consistency rate was 98.29 %, with no significant differences related to text order or language. Cases presented in Portuguese prompted significantly more additional information requests than those in English (33.5 % vs. 10.2 %; p < 0.001), with the relevance of this information being higher in Portuguese (29.5 % vs. 8.5 %; p < 0.001)., Conclusions: Bing and ChatGPT 4.0 demonstrated superior diagnostic accuracy, while Bard showed the lowest accuracy in both diagnosis and treatment recommendations. However, the clinical application of these tools necessitates critical interpretation by dentists, as chatbot responses are not consistently reliable., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Cleaning and shaping the root canal system are essential steps for performing successful endodontic therapy, and are challenging procedures in the apical region. This study aimed to conduct an ex vivo assessment of the debridement ability of the WaveOne Gold (Medium 35/.06) and TruNatomy (Medium 36/.03) systems in the apical third of round root canals of mandibular premolars. Forty-eight teeth, extracted for orthodontic or periodontal reasons, were divided into three groups (n=16), as follows: Group C, control (without instrumentation or irrigation); Group WOG, instrumentation with WaveOne Gold; Group TN, instrumentation with TruNatomy. A total of 40 mL of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 5 mL of 17% ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid were used per root canal in all the groups. Ten 0.5-μm serial cross-sections per specimen were obtained every 0.2 mm from a 2-mm segment of the apical region, extending from 1 to 3 mm short of the root apex. The sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and analyzed under a digital microscope (100x). The percentages of unprepared walls and remaining debris were quantified using ImageJ software. Generalized linear models were used to analyze the results (α=5%). Groups WOG and TN had significantly lower percentages of unprepared walls and remaining debris than Group C (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between groups WOG and TN for either of the variables studied (p>0.05). Instrumentation with the WaveOne Gold Medium and TruNatomy Medium instruments was associated with equivalent percentages of unprepared walls and remaining debris in the apical third of round canals of mandibular premolars.

Aims: This ex vivo study aimed to assess the dissolving capacity of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite using eight agitation protocols within swine pulp tissue., Subjects and Methods: Twelve lower first premolars were prepared and split into the fragments with a groove housing porcine dental pulp. Groups were assigned based on agitation systems: manual, passive ultrasonic, Easy Clean and XP-Endo Finisher. Two agitation time protocols were applied: One min (3 s × 20 s cycles) and 2 min (6 s × 20 s cycles). Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the groups., Results: Both time frames demonstrated superior results compared to manual group ( P > 0.5). However, in the two min groups, no significant differences were observed among the other protocols ( P < 0.5). Intriguingly, increasing cycle numbers significantly improved results within each group ( P > 0.5)., Conclusion: Extending the chemical agitation time during final irrigation enhances tissue removal, regardless of the irrigation protocol employed., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Journal of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics.)

To use scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to evaluate the metallurgical-chemical changes of WaveOne Gold (WOG) and R-Motion (RM), after multiple uses. The instruments were divided into groups (n = 8): WOG and RM-control groups, new instruments; WOG1 and RM1; WOG2 and RM2; WOG3 and RM3 after instrumentation of 1, 2 or 3 molars, respectively. Burrs occurred mainly in the control group and after the first use. The RM files were found to have a higher nickel content, which increased during reuse, and a decrease in oxygen content with increasing reuse, in addition to calcium impregnation, which occurred in greater amounts in the corrosion areas in the WOG files. The presence of topographic and chemical changes was demonstrated, indicating that caution should be taken when reusing endodontic instruments to avoid fractures., (© 2024 Australian Society of Endodontology Inc.)

Knowledge of root canal internal anatomy and its variations is important forproper endodontic treatment. It is therefore necessary to investigate morphological aspects among different dental groups in the same patient to define the best protocol for the case., Aim: To evaluate the morphology and symmetry of homologous incisors, premolars and mandibular molars using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)., Materials and Method: Descriptive statistical analysis was performed for the frequency of categorical variables, and a chi-square test or Fisher 's exact test was used to test whether gender and side were associated with number of roots, number of canals, and Vertucci's classification. Forty-five CBCT scans were evaluated, and 444 mandibular teeth were analyzed. The number of roots, number of canals, classification of the canals in each root according to Vertucci and presence of a symmetrical relationship between pairs of posterior teeth were analyzed., Results: The resuls showed that 74% of mandibular central incisors had type I root canal, 26% of mandibular lateral incisors had type I and, with a significant difference in the number of canals between males and females (p < 0.05). In mandibular first premolars, 70.5% had type I; and in mandibular second premolars, 98.5% had type I. Mandibular first molars had two roots in 98% of the cases. Second mandibular molars had two roots in 92.5% of the cases, one root in 6%, and three roots in 1.5%. Symmetry between central incisors was higher in females than in males., Conclusión: Teeth of the same group can have different morphologies in the same patient., Competing Interests: The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest regarding the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (Copyright© 2024 Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Odontológica.)

Differentiating orofacial odontogenic pain/disorders from pain/disorders associated with maxillary sinusitis is important to avoid unnecessary dentalprocedures and to properly refer patients to colleagues/dentists and vice versa., Aim: To analyze the association between apical lesions and sinus changes and to evaluate the agreement between the diagnoses of an endodontist, a radiologist, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, and an otolaryngologist., Materials and Method: 385 axial, coronal, and sagittal MSCT scans were selected using an image archiving andcommunication system (PACS). The examinations had been performed between 2018 and 2022., Results: Apical lesions were observed in 36.10% of sinusitis cases, 73.8% of unilateralsinusitis cases, 48.7% of sinus floor discontinuity cases, and 67.2% of cases in which endodontic treatment had been performed. Agreement between the diagnoses made by the endodontist and those made by the other investigators was high for most study variables (k &gt; 0.60). The exceptions were mucosal thickening, for which agreement between the endodontist and the other investigators was intermediate (k=0.397), and the presence of periapicallesions (k=0.010), previous endodontic treatment (k=0.013), and mucosal thickness (k=0.024), for which agreement between endodontists and radiologists was low. Conclusions: There was an association between sinus changes and apical lesions., Competing Interests: The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest regarding the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (Copyright© 2024 Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Odontológica.)

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of the Reciproc, Reciproc Blue, and WaveOne Gold systems to remove filling material during endodontic retreatment of extracted human mandibular premolars., Methods: Thirty-nine teeth were instrumented with the Protaper Universal System to the F3 file and filled with the Tagger hybrid technique using an F3 gutta-percha cone and AH Plus cement. At the end of this period, the teeth were scanned with micro-computed tomography before and after removal of the filling material from the root canals. The teeth were divided into 3 groups (n = 13) based on the apical volume, depending on the systems used to remove the filling material. Group GR: Reciproc 40/.06; Group GRB: Reciproc Blue 40/.06; and Group GWG: WaveOne Gold 35/.06. The results were statistically analyzed using the tests of Kruskal-Wallis, Duncan, and analysis of variance at a significance level of 5%., Results: The results showed that there were no significant differences between the amounts of filling material removed, either for the apical and middle regions alone or in the overall evaluation for the 3 groups (P = .97). The time evaluation statistically showed that the GR and GWG groups required less time to clean the root canals than the GRB group., Conclusions: Reciproc R40 files and WaveOne Gold Medium files required less time for endodontic treatment than Reciproc Blue R40 files. There was no difference in the ability to remove obturation material between the 3 instruments. No instrument was able to completely remove the filling material from the root canals., (Copyright © 2023 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective : The aim of this study is to evaluate local and systemic photobiomodulation (PBM) in patients with COVID-19-related dysgeusia, with the expectation of improving taste dysfunction. Background : PBM has garnered attention as a potential therapy in long COVID, a condition characterized by many persistent symptoms following the acute phase of COVID-19. Among these symptoms, dysgeusia, or altered taste perception, can significantly affect patients' quality of life. Emerging research suggests that PBM may hold promise in ameliorating dysgeusia by modulating cellular processes and reducing inflammation. Further clinical studies and randomized controlled trials are essential to establish the efficacy and safety of PBM for the treatment of dysgeusia in long COVID, but initial evidence suggests that this noninvasive modality may offer a novel avenue for symptom management. Methods : Seventy patients experiencing dysgeusia were randomly assigned to receive active local and systemic PBM ( n  = 34) or simulated PBM ( n  = 36). Low-power laser (red wavelength) was used at 18 spots on the lateral borders of the tongue (3 J per spot), salivary glands (parotid, sublingual, and submandibular glands-3 J per spot), and over the carotid artery for 10 min (60 J). Alongside laser therapy, all patients in both groups received weekly olfactory therapy for up to 8 weeks. Results : Dysgeusia improved in both groups. At weeks 7 and 8, improvement scores were significantly higher in the PBM group than in the sham group ( p  = 0.048). Conclusions : Combined local and systemic PBM, as applied in this study, proved effective and could serve as a viable treatment option for alleviating dysgeusia in long-COVID patients. Clinical Trial Registration: RBR-2mfbkkk.

Introduction: The success of endodontic treatment is based on microbial reduction promoted by the interaction of chemical and mechanical procedures. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is used as an adjunct to conventional treatment, with significant microbial reduction. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) of the photosensitizer (PS) used in PDT on microbial reduction in the root canal system., Materials and Methods: Forty-five mesiobuccal root canals from extracted human mandibular molars that were inoculated with standard strains of Enterococcus faecalis , Candida albicans , and Streptococcus mutans for 21 days were selected. The root canals were prepared using the ProTaper Next system and randomly divided into 3 groups ( n =15): 1) PDT: PDT alone; 2) PUI+PDT: PUI followed by PDT; and 3) PUI/PS+PDT: PUI of the PS followed by PDT. Microbiological samples were collected from the canals before and after using the protocols described above. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance (Tukey's test) at a significance level of 5%., Results: Microbial counts before PDT, PUI+PDT, and PUI/PS+PDT did not differ significantly ( P >0.05), showing methodological standardization in the microbial contamination of the root canal system. There was a significant reduction in microbial counts after PDT (61.05%), PUI+PDT (65.04%), and PUI/PS+PDT (68.58%) ( P <0.01), but with no statistically significant difference between the three groups ( P >0.05)., Conclusion: Based on the present findings, it was concluded that the combination of PUI with PDT or PS activation did not influence microbial reduction achieved by PDT alone., Competing Interests: None.

Background: The success of endodontic treatment can be influenced by the type of endodontic sealer used, as certain sealers may be prone to apical microleakage, leading to treatment failure. The limitations of currently available sealers necessitate the development of new materials to improve the success rate of endodontic treatment. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the apical microleakage of newly developed hydroxyapatite-based endodontic sealers, including one derived from eggshells, and compare them with other commercially available sealers., Material and Methods: Eighty-five extracted human upper anterior teeth were selected for this study. The teeth were divided into 5 experimental groups and 2 control groups. The experimental groups were designated as follows: (1) HPSINT - obturated with gutta-percha cone and synthetic hydroxyapatite-based sealer, (2) BIOC - obturated with gutta-percha cone and Bio C-Sealer sealer, (3) AHPLUS-BC - obturated with gutta-percha cone and AHPLUS Bioceramic sealer, (4) AHP - obturated with gutta-percha cone and AHPLUS sealer, and (5) HPO - obturated with gutta-percha cone and sealer based on hydroxyapatite extracted from eggshells. Additionally, there were positive and negative control groups consisting of instrumented teeth filled with gutta-percha cones without any sealer and instrumented teeth without any filling, respectively. Methylene blue dye penetration was used to assess apical microleakage. Descriptive statistical analysis and Shapiro-Wilk normality test were applied to the observed results. As the samples followed a normal distribution, the ANOVA test was applied., Results: The control groups confirmed the validity of the experimental method, while the experimental groups showed varying degrees of dye penetration. The group obturated with Bio C-Sealer exhibited the highest mean apical microleakage, while AHPLUS Bioceramic sealer demonstrated lower mean than AHPLUS sealer and sealer based on hydroxyapatite extracted from eggshells ( p <0.05). Finally, there was no difference between the synthetic hydroxyapatite-based sealer and AHPLUS Bioceramic sealer, AHPLUS sealer and sealer based on hydroxyapatite extracted from eggshells ( p >0.05). No significant difference was observed between the hydroxyapatite-based sealers and the AHPLUS-BC sealer., Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the newly developed hydroxyapatite-based endodontic sealers, including the one derived from eggshells, may have a lower risk of apical microleakage compared to other commercially available sealers. These findings highlight the potential of hydroxyapatite-based sealers to improve the success rate of endodontic treatment. Further research and clinical studies are warranted to validate these results and explore the long-term effects of these novel sealers. Key words: Endodontic treatment, apical microleakage, endodontic sealer, hydroxyapatite, eggshell-derived sealer., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare that orn have no conflicts of interest regarding this research study. There are no financial or personal relationships with any individuals or organizations that could potentially bias or influence the interpretation of the results. The research was conducted in na unbiased and impartial manner, with the sole purpose of contributing to scientific knowledge and promoting dental health., (Copyright: © 2023 Medicina Oral S.L.)

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to investigate ex vivo by confocal laser scanning microscopy the antibacterial effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on dentinal tubules in the apical 5 mm of human mandibular premolars contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis., Methods: Thirty-four teeth were standardized to 20 mm and foraminal anatomic diameters using a #20 K-file (Dentsply Maillefer). Samples were contaminated for 21 days and divided into the following 3 experimental groups (n = 10): the PDT group (instrumented canals and PDT), the passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) group (instrumented canals and PUI), and the PUI-PDT group (instrumented canals, PUI, and PDT), along with a control group (n = 4) (noninstrumented canals). The canals in the experimental groups were instrumented with ProTaper Next (Dentsply Maillefer) up to X3 and rinsed with EDTA and sodium hypochlorite. The photosensitizer used was 0.01% methylene blue with a preirradiation time of 5 minutes and a diode laser with 4 J energy and a 660-nm wavelength. Cross sections were made 5 mm from the apex of all samples, which were analyzed using confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk and Kruskal-Wallis (Dunn) tests., Results: There was a lower percentage of live bacteria in the PUI-PDT group, with a statistical difference compared with the control and PDT groups (P < .05). There was no statistical difference in the percentage of live bacteria between PUI-PDT and PUI (P > .05)., Conclusions: It was concluded that the PUI-PDT association was most effective in disinfecting root canals compared with the control group and PDT., (Copyright © 2023 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This in vitro study compared the antimicrobial efficacy of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and 8 µg/mL ozonated water agitated by passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) or PUI combined with EndoActivator (EA) against mature multispecies biofilm. One hundred and five oval-shaped mandibular premolars were instrumented, sterilized, and inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, and Staphylococcus aureus, divided into: control group - saline; O3 group - ozonated water; O3 PUI group - ozonated water with PUI agitation; O3 PUI+EA group - ozonated water with PUI+EA agitation; NaOCl group - NaOCl; NaOCl PUI group - NaOCl with PUI agitation; and NaOCl PUI+EA group - NaOCl with PUI+EA agitation. Microbiological samples were collected before (S1) and after (S2) the disinfection procedures and the data were statistically analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. In the culture method, there was significant disinfection in the O3 PUI+EA, NaOCl, NaOCl PUI, and NaOCl PUI+EA groups (p˂0.05). The combination of NaOCl with PUI+EA reduced microbial counts to zero (p˂0.05). In the qPCR method, there was a significant reduction in the total count of viable microorganisms in the O3 PUI, O3 PUI+EA, NaOCl, NaOCl PUI, and NaOCl PUI+EA groups (p˂0.05). It can be concluded that 2.5% NaOCl with and without agitation, as well as 8 µg/mL ozonated water with its action enhanced by the agitation techniques, were effective in root canal disinfection, and their antimicrobial efficacy is related to the microorganisms present in the biofilm.

Objective:  The aim of this study was to compare the cyclic fatigue of heat-treated and non-treated instruments., Materials and Methods:  Twenty instruments with and without heat treatment from Bassi Logic were evaluated ( n  = 10). All instruments were subjected to dynamic cyclic fatigue through continuous rotations inside a stainless-steel tube (1.4-mm diameter, 9-mm curvature with 6-mm radius, and 90° angle) using a custom-made device, which performed 1 axial oscillation every 2 seconds with an amplitude of 3 mm, powered by a torque-controlled motor (Silver Reciproc, VDW, Germany), with speed adjusting to 950 rpm and torque to 4 N, according to manufacturer's guidance. The groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney test., Result:  The fracture time of the heat-treated instruments (97.20 ± 39.94 second and non-treated instruments (14.30 ± 6.78 seconds had statistical differences [ p  < 0.05]). Heat-treated instruments were 6.8 times more resistant to fatigue than non-treated instruments ( p  < 0.05)., Conclusion:  Heat treatment provides increased fatigue resistance of NiTi alloy with the same design., Competing Interests: None declared., (The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).)

Background: The ability of the Reciproc system (R40) followed by continuous ultrasonic irrigation (CUI) to remove filling material from oval root canals of mandibular premolars filled with gutta-percha and AH Plus or Bio-C Sealer was evaluated by microtomography (micro-CT)., Material and Methods: The straight and oval root canals of 42 mandibular premolars were prepared with the ProDesign R 35.05 reciprocal file and randomly divided into two groups according to the material used to fill the canals (n=21): Group AH - Master Cone and AH Plus; Group BC - Master Cone and Bio-C Sealer. After filling and provisional sealing, the teeth were stored at 100% relative humidity and a temperature of 37°C for 30 days. The filling material was then removed with an R40 file. The material was considered completely removed when the R40 file reached the working length (WL), and no remaining filling material was visible on the canal walls. CUI was then performed. The teeth were scanned by micro- CT before and after removal of the filling material. The remaining filling material was measured in mm in the last apical 5 mm. The data were analyzed with the nonparametric Friedman test and subsequently with the Dunn test. The Mann-Whitney U test was also performed. Statistical significance was accepted at the 5% level., Results: After instrumentation with the Reciproc R40, the volume of residual filling material was significantly greater in the BC group than in the AH group ( P = 0.035). After CUI, there was no difference in the volume of residual material between the two groups ( P = 0.705)., Conclusions: Bio-C sealer was more difficult to remove with the Reciproc file than AH Plus. CUI improved the removal of residual filling material regardless of sealer type. However, no technique was able to completely clear the canals of filling material. Key words: Bioceramic cement, CUI, micro-CT, reciproc, retreatment., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright: © 2023 Medicina Oral S.L.)

Purpose: This study compared the accuracy of detection of incomplete vertical root fractures (VRFs) in filled and unfilled teeth on cone-beam computed tomography images with and without a metal artefact reduction (MAR) algorithm., Materials and Methods: Forty single-rooted maxillary premolars were selected and, after endodontic instrumentation, were categorized as unfilled teeth without fractures, filled teeth without fractures, unfilled teeth with fractures, or filled teeth with fractures. Each VRF was artificially created and confirmed by operative microscopy. The teeth were randomly arranged, and images were acquired with and without the MAR algorithm. The images were evaluated with OnDemand software (Cybermed Inc., Seoul, Korea). After training, 2 blinded observers each assessed the images for the presence and absence of VRFs 2 times separated by a 1-week interval. P -values<0.05 were considered to indicate significance., Results: Of the 4 protocols, unfilled teeth analysed with the MAR algorithm had the highest accuracy of incomplete VRF diagnosis (0.65), while unfilled teeth reviewed without MAR were associated with the least accurate diagnosis (0.55). With MAR, an unfilled tooth with an incomplete VRF was 4 times more likely to be identified as having an incomplete VRF than an unfilled tooth without this condition, while without MAR, an unfilled tooth with an incomplete VRF was 2.28 times more likely to be identified as having an incomplete VRF than an unfilled tooth without this condition., Conclusion: The use of the MAR algorithm increased the diagnostic accuracy in the detection of incomplete VRF on images of unfilled teeth., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: None, (Copyright © 2023 by Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology.)

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of different sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) irrigation protocols on organic tissue dissolution in the periapical region of simulated immature permanent teeth., Methods: Eight single-rooted premolars and 48 samples of porcine palatal mucosa were used. Acrylic resin prototypes were constructed, placing the tissue in close contact with the dental apices. Specimens were then divided into 6 groups (n = 8): 2 control groups of normal saline irrigation with (NS/WA) or without (NS/NA) ultrasonic activation and 4 experimental groups of 1.5% and 2.5% NaOCl irrigation with (NaOCl 1.5%/WA and NaOCl 2.5%/WA) or without (NaOCl 1.5%/NA and NaOCl 2.5%/NA) activation. Root canals were irrigated with 20 mL of the solution for 5 minutes distributed over 4 irrigation cycles. In each cycle, after irrigation, the solution was either kept stagnant or activated for 30 seconds and then replaced. Specimens were weighed on a precision balance before and after the irrigation protocols. Tissue dissolution was measured by the difference between the initial and final weights. One-way analysis of variance was applied followed by the Tukey honestly significant difference test (α = 0.05)., Results: The NS/NA and NS/WA groups had mean weight reductions similar to the 1.5% NaOCl/NA group (P > .05) and lower than the others (P < .05). The 2.5% NaOCl/NA and 2.5% NaOCl/WA groups had the highest mean weight loss (P < .05), whereas the 1.5% NaOCl/WA group had intermediate values (P < .05)., Conclusions: Periapical tissue dissolution occurred in all groups, with a greater impact observed with 2.5% NaOCl with or without ultrasonic activation., (Copyright © 2022 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To assess dentin-post bond strength and mode of failure through tensile strength testing of two endodontic post systems: CAD/CAM custom-milled fiber posts vs Splendor SAP., Materials and Methods: Thirty extracted single-rooted mandibular premolars were sectioned 2 mm coronal to the cementoenamel junction. Root length was standardized at 15 mm, and the root canals were instrumented with #20 K-files followed by 30/0.03 and 30/0.05 ProDesign Logic rotary files, under irrigation with 2.5% NaOCl, and then submitted to final irrigation with 17% EDTA. Canals were filled with gutta-percha and AH PLUS sealer. After 24 hours, the teeth were prepared for post placement to a depth of 10 mm and randomly allocated into two experimental groups ( n = 15): CAD/CAM (CC) and Splendor SAP (SS). All posts were cemented with RelyX U200 dual-cure self-adhesive resin cement. The roots were embedded in acrylic resin, and the specimens were stored for 7 days in moist heat (37°C). Tensile strength testing until failure was then performed in a universal testing machine using a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/minute. The final failure load was tabulated for statistical analysis, and the G test was used to compare the failure modes observed under light microscopy (5× magnification)., Results: There was no significant difference between groups regarding tensile bond strength to root dentin ( p = 0.325). Conversely, failure mode differed significantly between groups ( p = 0.037)., Conclusion: The tensile bond strength observed for the CAD/CAM and Splendor SAP post systems was similar. Adhesive failure was predominant in both groups; however, the CAD/CAM custom-milled fiber posts failed predominantly at the dentin-resin cement interface, whereas Splendor SAP posts failed mostly at the post-resin cement interface., Clinical Significance: A strong post-dentin bond is a key to the success of dental restorations and prosthetic rehabilitation. In teeth with severe coronal decay and wide canals, both of the tested systems would be able to achieve good cervical fit.

Background: This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the use of EDTA combined with photodynamic therapy to reduce Streptococcus mutans in carious dentin., Methods: Sixty third molars were sectioned to obtain flat dentin surfaces. All specimens were waterproofed, except for the coronal dentin, and subjected to cariogenic challenge in brain-heart infusion (BHI) broth supplemented with 0.5% yeast extract, 1% glucose, 1% sucrose, and standard strain of S. mutans (ATCC 25175). The specimens were divided into 6 groups (n = 10 each): (1) control - caries collection; (2) EDTA - 17% EDTA was actively applied with a microbrush for 1 min; (3) aPDT - antimicrobial photodynamic therapy with 0.01% methylene blue photosensitizer (wavelength of 660 nm, energy of 4 J, power of 100 mW, spot size of 0.028 cm 2 , energy density of 142 J/cm 2 for 40 s); (4) EDTA+aPDT - 17% EDTA actively applied for 1 min plus aPDT; (5) (EDTA+PT) + L - application of EDTA compounded with photosensitizer plus laser irradiation; and (6) PT - photosensitizer alone. Collection of caries was performed after the different cavity disinfection protocols. Aliquots from each dilution were seeded for colony-forming unit (CFU) counts. The results were log 10 -transformed and analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis test (Student-Newman-Keuls)., Results: There was a significant reduction in S. mutans after aPDT (p<0.05), EDTA+aPDT (p<0.001), and (EDTA+PT) + L (p<0.001). The percentage of microbial reduction in ascending order was as follows: EDTA: 1.65%; PT: 15.51%; aPDT: 38.28%; EDTA+aPDT: 75.24%; and (EDTA+PT) + L: 97.35%., Conclusion: Application of 17% EDTA prior to photosensitization or compounded with a photosensitizer increased the antimicrobial effect of aPDT on S. mutans in carious dentin., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Successful endodontic treatment requires an effective coronal sealing to prevent the penetration of saliva and microorganisms into the root canal system. We aimed to investigate the sealing capacity of Maxxion R, Intermediate Restorative Material (IRM), Mineral Trioxide Aggregate-like material (Biodentine), White Cimpat, Flow Resin and Z250 Resin against Enterococcus ( E. ) faecalis infiltrates, when used as coronal sealants after endodontic treatment., Materials and Methods: Sixty-six roots of adult lower premolars were randomly divided into 6 experimental groups with 10 roots each ( n =10), and two control groups (positive and negative) with three roots each. The root canals were instrumented to ProTaper F3 file, irrigated with 2.5% NaOCl and 17% EDTA, and filled using Tagger's Hybrid technique with AH-Plus cement. After removing 2 mm of the coronal third filling with a Gates Glidden #6 drill, the cervical portion of each of the sixty roots was sealed with a 2 mm-thick plug, plus the respective material being tested in this study. All roots were fitted to silicone devices (Eppendorf) with cut extremities and sterilized with ethylene oxide; experimental procedures were performed in a laminar flow chamber for aseptic chain maintenance. All specimens were inoculated with E. faecalis , and the culture medium was renewed every 3 days for 60 days. Medium turbidity was evaluated daily. The obtained data were subsequently submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA-R) complemented by Student's t -test at a significance level of 5%. Analyzes of variance were calculated using the SAS system GLIMMIX procedure., Results: Biodentine (56.90), Z250 Resin (54.90) and White Cimpat (53.30) resisted contamination for a longer time compared to Maxxion R (51.30), Flow Resin (50.70), and IRM (48.70) over a period of 60 days., Conclusion: Biodentine, Resin Z 250 and White Cimpat presented the lowest infiltration averages when compared to the other tested materials., Competing Interests: ‘None declared’.

To evaluate the use of cetrimide alone and combined with photodynamic therapy to reduce S. mutans burden in carious lesions. Sixty permanent third molars were sectioned and the coronal dentin exposed. A cariogenic challenge was performed using brain-heart infusion (BHI) medium supplemented and S. mutans ATCC 25175. Specimens were incubated in anaerobic jars at 37 °C for 15 days, with BHI renewed every 24 h. After 15 days, specimens were randomly divided into six groups (n = 10): C, control (no treatment); CHX, application of chlorhexidine 2%; CT, application of cetrimide 2%; CT+aPDT, application of cetrimide 2% followed by methylene blue dye and aPDT (antimicrobial photodynamic therapy: wavelength 660 nm, energy 4J, power 100 mW, spot size 0.0028 cm 2 , energy density 142 J/cm 2 for 40 s); ES+aPDT, application of experimental solution (methylene blue dye with cetrimide) and aPDT; and aPDT alone. Carious tissue from each specimen was collected before and after the applications. Five decimal dilutions were performed, and the resulting solution was seeded in mitis-salivarius-bacitracin agar. Plates were incubated in anaerobic jars at 37 °C for 48 h. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc Tukey's test was used to compare total S. mutans counts. Significant reductions in S. mutans were observed after application of CT+aPDT (0.30 (0.97), p < 0.0001) and ES+aPDT (0.52 (1.13), p < 0.0001). Cetrimide 2% with methylene blue dye, applied consecutively or as a mixture, can be used as a photosensitizing agent for aPDT to reduce S. mutans burden in dentinal caries., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

This study evaluated the ability of reciprocating glide path instruments to reach the full working length (RFWL). Thirty mesial roots of mandibular molars were matched into 2 groups (n = 15 teeth, 30 root canals), according to the system used for glide path: WaveOne Gold Glider (WOGG) and R-Pilot. The samples with fractured instruments or when it was not possible to RFWL were scanned using micro-computed tomography. Fractured instruments were also visualised through a scanning electron microscopy to verify the type of fracture. The parameters were compared statistically by Fisher's and chi-square tests (P < 0.05). No instrument fractures were observed in the R-pilot, while 2 fractures occurred in the WOGG group (P > 0.05). RFLW was achieved in 29 canals (96.66%) and 28 canals (93.33%) with R-pilot and WOGG instruments, respectively (P > 0.05). The instruments are able to RFWL in mesial canals of mandibular molars. WOGG showed two fractures while no R-Pilot instruments fractured., (© 2021 Australian Society of Endodontology Inc.)

The objective of this study was to develop a chitosan-based biomaterial with calcium hydroxide and 2% chlorhexidine for intracanal treatment application and, consequently, to diminish the number of microorganisms in the root canal system. The chitosan solution was prepared by dissolving it in 2% and 4% acetic acid ( v / v ) for 1 h at room temperature (25 °C) with magnetic agitation (430 rpm). Calcium hydroxide was obtained in two stages: the first was the synthesis of the calcium oxide-CaO, and the second was that of the calcium hydroxide-Ca(OH) 2 . The samples were developed using different concentrations of chitosan, calcium hydroxide, and chlorhexidine 2%. They were codified as Ca(OH) 2 + Q2% (M1), Ca(OH) 2 + Q4% (M2), Ca(OH) 2 + Q2% + CLX (M3), Ca(OH) 2 + Q4% + CLX (M4), Ca(OH) 2 + Q2% + PEG (M5), and Ca(OH) 2 + Q4% + PEG (M6). They were characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and rheological measurement, and the antimicrobial activity was evaluated in vitro. Characteristic absorption bands of the source materials used in this research were observed in the FTIR spectra. The X-ray diffraction technique indicated that the material has a semi-crystalline structure and that the presence of calcium hydroxide made the biomaterial more crystalline. The viscosity measurement showed a pseudoplastic behavior of the studied samples. The microbiologic analysis was positive for all samples tested, with bigger inhibition zones for the samples M3 and M4. As a result, we conclude that the formulation developed based on chitosan is promising and has potential to be an intracanal medication.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) versus mechanical agitation of the irrigant promoted by the EasyClean (EC) and XP-Endo Finisher (XP-F) systems in removing debris from root canal walls, using environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM)., Methods and Materials: Twelve curved mesiobuccal canals of mandibular molars were prepared with the ProTaper Next system up to file X2 (25/0.06). The specimens were embedded in flasks containing silicone putty, sectioned lengthwise, and a 4-mm long groove was made on the canal wall of the buccal half of the specimen, extending from 2 mm up to 6 mm short of the apex. Five cross-sectional markings were made along this groove to establish standardized locations for imaging. The same specimens were used to prepare a negative control group (without debris), a positive control group (completely covered by debris), and 3 experimental groups according to the final irrigation protocol employed: PUI, EC or XP-F. ESEM images were obtained and evaluated by 3 examiners. The amount of debris observed on the images was classified according to a 4-category scoring system. The kappa test was used to assess inter-examiner agreement, and the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests were used to compare the scores ( P <0.05)., Results: The scores attributed to the PUI, EC, and XP-F groups were statistically similar to those attributed to the negative control group ( P >0.05)., Conclusion: Based on this in-vitro study, the mechanical agitation of the irrigant promoted by EC and XP-F was as effective as using PUI to remove debris from the root canal walls., Competing Interests: ‘None declared’., (© The Author(s).)

Context: It is essential to know if the immersion in sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) influences the cyclic fatigue resistance of nickel-titaniumm (NiTi) files., Aim: This study was aimed to evaluate the resistance to the cyclic fatigue of three NiTi systems, as well as the influence of 5.25% NaOCl on their resistance., Methods: Files from the Sequence Rotary File (MK life, Porto Alegre, Brazil), ProTaper Next (PTN) (Dentsply, Maillefer, Baillagues, Switzerland), and HyFlex EDM (Coltène Whaledent, Allstatten, Switzerland) systems were tested and separated into Group 1)-without immersion in NaOCl solution and Group 2 and Group 3-immersed in 5.25% NaOCl solution, for 1 min, and 5 min, respectively. All instruments were submitted to the cyclic fatigue test. Images of the instruments were observed by scanning electron microscopy, to evaluate the type of defect presented on the fractured surface. The test performed for the analysis of two independent factors was a two-way analysis of variance., Results: HyFlex EDM presented a greater number of cycles until fracture when compared to others ( P < 0.001). The control group showed a greater number of cycles until fracture than the same instruments submitted to NaOCl ( P < 0.001). Sequence instruments showed the lowest values of cycles until fracture ( P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between treatments ( P = 0.998). PTN, showed intermediate values of fracture resistance when compared to the HyFlex EDM and sequence instruments ( P < 0.001), but without intragroup differences ( P = 0.437)., Conclusions: Hyflex EDM instruments were the most resistant to cyclic fatigue., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2021 Journal of Conservative Dentistry.)

Objective:  This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of three irrigation systems: EndoActivator, passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), and Easy Clean in the reduction of Enterococcus faecalis , after instrumentation with the reciprocating system, through microbiological collection and culture method., Materials and Methods:  A total of 60 extracted human lower premolars were used and standardized at 16 mm in length. The teeth were accessed, contaminated with E. faecalis , and incubated for 21 days at 37°C. Initial collections (S1) were made with an absorbent paper cone to confirm the contamination; subsequently, instrumentation was performed with WaveOne Primary. The teeth were divided into four groups according to the final irrigation protocol ( n = 15): group 1. EndoActivator; group 2, PUI; group 3, Easy Clean; and group 4, control group irrigated with saline solution sterile and without agitation. In the final irrigation, the agitation of the 17% ethylene amine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) solutions was used, then 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl); in both for this, three cycles of 20 seconds each. After the chemical-mechanical preparation and agitation of the irrigating solutions, the final collections (S2) for counting the colony-forming units (CFU/mL) occurred., Results:  The Kruskal-Wallis test revealed that all the agitation systems reduced by 100% and the control group by 65.7%., Conclusion:  The control group presented a significantly higher amount of CFU/mL after the chemical-mechanical preparation than the other groups, which were similar to each other ( p > 0.05)., Competing Interests: None declared.

Aim: This prospective clinical study evaluated the incidence of instrument fracture observed after single-file root canal treatment of molars using WaveOne Gold instruments., Methodology: Three standardized, experienced and calibrated specialists treated 750 maxillary and mandibular molars with curvatures less than 45° (2691 root canals) over a 12-month period. All the treatments were performed in a single session. A total of 1104 WaveOne Gold instruments were used, including 38 small, 750 primary, 228 medium and 88 large instruments. Intracanal procedures were performed according to the manufacturer's recommendations, and each instrument was used in a single clinical case. The instruments were examined after their removal from the canal, under an operating microscope at 8× magnification., Results: No fractures were observed in any of the 1104 instruments used., Conclusions: No fractures of WaveOne Gold reciprocating instruments occurred during root canal preparations performed in maxillary and mandibular molars with curvatures less than 45° when used strictly according to the manufacturer's recommendations and applied in a single clinical case., (© 2020 International Endodontic Journal. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction: Maxillary premolars, may be more susceptible to fracture due to their anatomy; especially when there is loss of tooth structure. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate materials and techniques that may increase fracture resistance during and post root canal treatment. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate root fracture resistance of maxillary premolars when filled with three root canal sealers as well as whether this resistance would be increased by passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI)., Methods and Materials: Sixty-four maxillary premolars with two roots were randomly divided into one negative control group (intact canals; n  = 8), one positive control group (instrumented, unsealed canals; n  = 8), and six experimental groups ( n  = 8), which were instrumented with ProTaper Next rotary system up to X2 file and subdivided according to final irrigation (with or without PUI) and type of sealer used (AH-Plus [AH], MTA Fillapex [MTA], or EndoSequence BC Sealer [ES]). The specimens were subjected to fracture strength test in a universal testing machine at a speed of 1 mm/min until fracture. The maximum force required to induce fracture was recorded (N). The Kruskal-Wallis test and DUNN test were used for analysis., Results: The lowest force required to cause root fracture was observed in the positive control group (310.48 ± 54.08 N); this was significantly different from the other groups ( P  < 0.05). There was no significant difference between experimental groups obturated with the same sealer, whether with or without PUI (AH with PUI: 558.80 ± 87.12 N; AH without PUI: 508.75 ± 97.55 N; MTA with PUI: 507.27 ± 174.55 N; MTA without PUI: 516.69 ± 96.56 N; ES with PUI: 526.76 ± 143.97 N; ES without PUI: 628.40 ± 94.74 N) ( P  > 0.05). There was also no significant difference between the experimental groups and the negative control group ( P  > 0.05)., Conclusions: In this in vitro study PUI did not increase the fracture resistance of maxillary premolars, while AH Plus, MTA Fillapex, EndoSequence sealers increased fracture resistance of instrumented root canals., Competing Interests: ‘None declared’.

Objective:  The main purpose of this study was to evaluate pain symptoms in patients after endodontic treatment performed in a single session in teeth with vitality or pulp necrosis, comparing two depths of insertion of the NaviTip irrigation needle., Materials and Methods:  One-hundred upper uniradicular teeth were selected and divided into four groups ( n = 25), namely Bio group 1 (live pulp/1 mm from the foramen), Bio group 3 (live pulp/3 mm from the foramen), Necro group 1 (pulp necrosis/1 mm from the foramen), and Necro group 3 (pulp necrosis/3 mm from the foramen). All canals were instrumented with Wave One Gold System. Irrigation was performed using 2.5% NaOCl. The teeth were filled using the single-cone technique with AH Plus sealer using a McSpadden compactor. After treatment, patients answered a questionnaire with a visual analog scale scored from 0 to 10 at 1, 3, and 7 days after treatment., Statistical Analysis:  Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon, and Friedman tests., Results:  There was a decrease in average pain levels at the three time points for both vital and necrotic teeth ( p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in postoperative pain levels comparing needle depth, or vitality and pulp necrosis ( p > 0.05). The percentage of mild pain increased over time and moderate pain decreased, regardless of pulp condition. There was no incidence of acute pain at any time., Conclusions:  Post-treatment endodontic pain levels in upper uniradicular teeth with or without pulp vitality resulted in similar pain scores, regardless of the depth of insertion of the irrigation needle in relation to the apical foramen., Competing Interests: None declared.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite associated with 17% Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (NaOCl-EDTA), versus that of 1% peracetic acid (PA), in removing the smear layer, as assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and in exerting bactericidal action against Enterococcus faecalis ( E. faecalis ) , as assessed by the real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR)., Methods and Materials: Fifty-five extracted mandibular single-rooted premolars were selected, and divided into two experimental groups (NaOCl-EDTA and PA; n =25) and one control group (0.9% saline; n =5). Pre- and post-instrumentation samples were collected and assessed for the presence of E. faecalis using real-time PCR. The teeth were instrumented using hand files and the ProTaper Universal system (hybrid technique) for a standardized time of 7 min. A total of 20 mL of NaOCl followed by 5 mL of EDTA were applied during instrumentation in the NaOCl-EDTA group, whereas 20 mL of PA and 20 mL of saline were applied in the PA and control groups, respectively. An additional 5 mL of saline was applied in all the groups to neutralize the environment. A scoring system was used to conduct the SEM assessment. The results were submitted to the Kruskal-Wallis test, complemented by Dunn's test (SEM analysis) ( P <0.05)., Results: A significant microbial reduction was observed in both the PA and the NaOCl-EDTA groups ( P <0.05). In the PA group, the presence of a smear layer in the apical third was significantly greater than in the cervical third ( P <0.05); no significant differences were observed between the middle and cervical thirds, or between the middle and apical thirds ( P >0.05). In the NaOCl-EDTA group, the smear layer scores were significantly higher in the apical third than in the cervical and middle thirds ( P <0.05)., Conclusion: This in vitro study showed that there was no significant difference between PA and NaOCl-EDTA irrigation regimens regarding either antimicrobial action against E. faecalis or removal of the smear layer, except for greater removal in the middle third by the NaOCl-EDTA group., Competing Interests: ‘None declared’.

Objective:  The objective of this study was to quantify the amount of debris apically extruded after instrumentation with two reciprocating systems., Materials and Methods:  Forty-two single-rooted mandibular premolars with only one straight root canal and apical diameter compatible with a no. 15 K-file were randomly divided into two groups ( n  = 21) according to the instrument used: ProDesign R (Easy Equipamentos; Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil) and Reciproc Blue (VDW; Munich, Germany). Dry Eppendorf tubes were weighed three consecutive times for the initial mean weight. A silicone stopper was then fitted into the mouth of the tube. Each tooth was inserted through the stopper up to the cementoenamel junction and instrumented with one of the two systems to the predetermined working length (18 mm). The root canals were instrumented per root thirds. At each instrumented root third, the canal was irrigated with 3 mL of double-distilled water, followed by patency control. Each stopper was then separated from the tube and tubes were incubated at 70°C for 5 days. Tubes were again weighed, and the amount of extruded debris was calculated by subtracting the initial mean weight from the final mean weight., Statistical Analysis:  Results were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test at a 5% significance level., Results:  No significant difference was observed in debris extrusion between the ProDesign R and Reciproc Blue systems ( p = 0.7557)., Conclusions:  The two reciprocating systems tested produced similar amounts of postinstrumentation apically extruded debris., Competing Interests: None declared., (Dental Investigation Society.)

Objectives:  The objective of this study was to compare a bioceramic and a resin-based endodontic sealer with regard to extrusion and postoperative pain., Materials and Methods:  Sixty-four patients requiring endodontic treatment of single-rooted maxillary teeth with necrotic pulps were included in this study. The root canal treatments were performed in a single visit using a size 40.06 single-file reciprocating system under 2.5% NaOCl irrigation. After irrigation with 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and 2.5% NaOCl, the canals were dried and randomly divided into two different groups ( n = 32) depending on the sealer used: resin-based group (RG) in which the canals were filled with the AH Plus, and the bioceramic group (BG) in which the canals were filled with the Sealer Plus BC. Ibuprofen (600 mg) was prescribed every 6 hours if the volunteers experienced pain. The patients registered their pain sensation in a visual analog scale (VAS) card, ranging from 0 to 10 at 24-hour, 48-hour, 72-hour, and 1-week intervals., Statistical Analysis:  For statistical analysis, the level of significance was set at p < 0.05., Results:  Sealer extrusion occurred in nine patients of the RG and in 19 patients of the BG ( p < 0.05). The average pain level at 24-hour and 48-hour intervals was, respectively, 1.46 ± 1.96 and 0.44 ± 0.86 for RG, and 1.21 ± 2.09 and 0.09 ± 0.38 for BG. There was no report of pain after 48 hours. The mean number of tablets taken for pain relief was 0.03 ± 0.17 for RG and 0.06 ± 0.24 for BG. No statistically significant difference was found with regard to pain level and intake of pain killer tablets ( p > 0.05)., Conclusions:  The BG sealer presented significantly more extrusion than the RG sealer. Sealer extrusion was not associated with pain. The average pain level and the mean number of tablets taken for pain relief were similar in both groups., Competing Interests: None declared., (Dental Investigation Society.)

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the extrusion of debris associated with the use of the Reciproc (VDW GmbH, Munich, Germany) and WaveOne Gold (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) reciprocating systems in curved canals instrumented up to different working lengths (WLs)., Methods: Sixty mesial roots of extracted mandibular first molars with mesiobuccal canals having curvatures between 10° and 20° and independent foramina were randomly distributed into 4 experimental groups (n = 15) according to WL and the instrumentation system used: RC0, Reciproc and WL at the apical foramen; RC1, Reciproc and WL at 1 mm short of the apical foramen; WOG0, WaveOne Gold and WL at the apical foramen; and WOG1, WaveOne Gold and WL at 1 mm short of the apical foramen. The canals were irrigated with double-distilled water throughout the preparation. Each root was fit into an Eppendorf tube to collect the debris extruded through the foramen during instrumentation. After instrumentation, the roots were removed from the tubes, and the weight of the debris was obtained by subtracting the initial weight of the tubes from their final weight. The data were submitted to the analysis of variance parametric test complemented by the Tukey test., Results: No statistically significant difference was observed between the 4 experimental groups regarding the amount of debris extruded (P > .05)., Conclusions: The 2 reciprocating systems tested were associated with similar amounts of apically extruded debris, regardless of the working length used in the instrumentation., (Copyright © 2019 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Context: The use of chemicals solutions and means of activation is of utmost importance in endodontic treatment., Aims: This study compared three activation techniques used in the final irrigation of the endodontic treatment., Subjects and Methods: Eighty uniradicular teeth were instrumented with the Protaper Universal system up to F4 file. After decalcification, the teeth had artificial lateral canals created at 2, 4.5 and 6 mm from working length (WL). The groups were randomly divided into four groups ( n = 20): control group (C), passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) group, continuous ultrasonic irrigation (CUI) group, and easy clean (EC) group. The penetration of the irrigant into the samples was evaluated using image observation using the Image J program., Statistical Analysis Used: The level of agreement among the observers was determined by the Cronbach's alpha test. The likelihood ratio test was used to evaluate possible differences between the groups and the Kendall's W statistic test to verify possible differences between the irrigant penetration levels in the lateral canals. The Fisher's exact test was applied to verify differences by the studied group considering the WL variables and lateral canals., Results: The results showed no statistical difference in the penetration of the irrigator in the main canal when compared to the C, PUI, CUI, and EC groups ( P > 0.05)., Conclusions: The method using a positive syringe and needle pressure was not able to effectively carry the irrigator to the artificially made lateral canals, whereas PUI, CUI, and EC were equally efficient in this regard ( P < 0.01)., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of 2. 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 17% ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), and 1% peracetic acid (PAA) on human fibroblasts. FG11 and FG15 cell lines were cultured in 24-well cell culture plates for cell proliferation assessment and 96-well cell culture plates for the methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay; Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) was used as control data. The experimental solutions were used at 0. 01%, 0. 05%, and 0. 1% dilutions and assessed at 1-, 2-, and 4-hour intervals. Data were subjected to statistical analysis by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the Bonferroni test at a significance level of p <0. 05. The assessment of cell proliferation in this study showed cytotoxicity to the fibroblasts with 2. 5% NaOCl for all three dilutions at all time intervals, 17% EDTA for the 0. 05% and 0. 1% dilutions at the 2- and 4-hour intervals, and 1% PAA for all three dilutions at the 4-hour interval. The cell viability assay (MTT assay) for fibroblasts showed 2. 5% NaOCl to be cytotoxic at the 0. 05% and 0. 1% dilutions at all time intervals, 17% EDTA to be cytotoxic at the 0. 1% dilution at the 2- and 4-hour intervals, and 1% PAA to be cytotoxic at the 0. 1% dilution at the 2- and 4-hour intervals. In conclusion, 1% PAA was less cytotoxic than 2. 5% NaOCl and 17% EDTA., (Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Odontológica.)

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite, 2% chlorhexidine, and ozonated water on biofilms of Enterococcus faecalis , Streptococcus mutans , and Candida albicans in mesiobuccal root canals with severe curvature of mandibular molars., Materials and Methods: This was an experimental ex vivo study in microbiologic laboratory. Sixty mesiobuccal root canals with severe curvature of mandibular molars were contaminated with standard strains of E. faecalis , S. mutans , and C. albicans . The specimens were randomly divided into four groups ( n = 15) according to irrigating solution: SH: 2.5% sodium hypochlorite; CH: 2% chlorhexidine; O 3 : ozonated water; and control: double-distilled water. The mesiobuccal root canals of all groups were instrumented with the WaveOne Gold Primary reciprocating system. Three cycles of instrumentation with three short in-and-out brushing motions were performed: (1) in the coronal third, (2) in the middle third, and (3) in the apical third of the canal. A ProGlider file was used before the first cycle., Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's multiple comparison test. Samples were collected for viable bacterial counts before and after instrumentation., Results: All groups showed significant biofilm reduction after irrigation ( P < 0.01). After instrumentation, sodium hypochlorite (98.07%), chlorhexidine (98.31%), and ozonated water (98.02%) produced a significantly reduction in bacterial counts compared with double-distilled water (control, 72.98%) ( P < 0.01)., Conclusion: All irrigants tested in this study showed similar antimicrobial activity. Thus, ozonated water may be an option for microbial reduction in the root canal system., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate, under scanning electronic microscopy, the morphological aspect of apical foramen after root canal instrumentation with rotary and reciprocating kinematics at 2 different working length determinations., Methodology: Sixty mesiobuccal roots of mandibular and maxillary molars presenting with curvature ranging from 30 to 65° were used in this study. The roots were initially scanned with a scanning electronic microscope under ×50 magnification. Roots were divided into 2 different groups (n = 30): group 1 instrumented with rotary kinematics, and group 2 instrumented with reciprocating kinematics. Both groups were instrumented at 2 different working lengths: at the apex and 1 mm beyond the apex. The roots were scanned after the instrumentation at the apex and again after further instrumentation 1 mm beyond the apex. The photomicrographs obtained were assigned to 3 independent evaluators for foraminal deformation assessment through comparison with baseline images. Evaluators were masked with regard to the kinematics and working length used. The Pearson correlation test and Kruskal-Wallis test (method of Dunn) were used for statistical analysis (P < .05)., Results: The Pearson Correlation test showed good agreement among evaluators. Foraminal deformation was observed in instrumentation at the apex and 1 mm beyond the apex with both kinematics (P < .05)., Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that root canal instrumentation at the apex or 1 mm beyond the apex promoted deformation of the major foramen, regardless of the kinematics., (Copyright © 2017 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two activated irrigation techniques in removing the smear layer after single-file reciprocating instrumentation in curved canals., Materials and Methods: Sixty distobuccal roots of maxillary molars were standardized to create a closed system, and then instrumented using WaveOne Primary (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) instruments. Fifty-four specimens were randomly distributed into 3 groups for final irrigation: Non-activated irrigation, passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), and EndoActivator (EA;Dentsply Maillefer, Tulsa, USA) irrigation. All specimens received 3 mL of 17% EDTA for 1 minute, followed by irrigation with 6 mL of 2.5% NaOCl. The apical, middle and cervical thirds of the specimens were analyzed using scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), and the amount of remaining smear layer on the canal walls was rated by three examiners using a five-category scoring system. Kendall's concordance coefficient was used to assess inter-rater agreement. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney (Bonferroni) tests were used to compare the scores., Results: Kendall's concordance coefficient was ≥ 0.7, indicating an excellent level of agreement between the raters. No statistically significant difference in irrigation techniques efficacy for removal of the smear layer ( p =0.061) was found for the apical third. The scores attributed to the specimens irrigated with the EA system were significantly lower than those of the other groups in the cervical and middle thirds ( p < 0.05)., Conclusions: The efficacy of the EA system in removing the smear layer in the cervical and middle thirds of root canals instrumented with reciprocating motion was significantly higher than that of either PUI or non-activated irrigation. Both EA and PUI performed similarly in apical third.

Objectives: The aim of this in vivo study was to assess the accuracy of 2 third-generation electronic apex locators (EALs), Propex II (Dentsply Maillefer) and Root ZX II (J. Morita), and radiographic technique for locating the major foramen (MF)., Materials and Methods: Thirty-two premolars with single canals that required extraction were included. Following anesthesia, access, and initial canal preparation with size 10 and 15 K-flex files and SX and S1 rotary ProTaper files, the canals were irrigated with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite. The length of the root canal was verified 3 times for each tooth using the 2 apex locators and once using the radiographic technique. Teeth were extracted and the actual WL was determined using size 15 K-files under a × 25 magnification. The Biostat 4.0 program (AnalystSoft Inc.) was used for comparing the direct measurements with those obtained using radiographic technique and the apex locators. Pearson's correlation analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for statistical analyses., Results: The measurements obtained using the visual method exhibited the strongest correlation with Root ZX II ( r = 0.94), followed by Propex II ( r = 0.90) and Ingle's technique ( r = 0.81; p < 0.001). Descriptive statistics using ANOVA (Tukey's post hoc test) revealed significant differences between the radiographic measurements and both EALs measurements ( p < 0.05)., Conclusions: Both EALs presented similar accuracy that was higher than that of the radiographic measurements obtained with Ingle's technique. Our results suggest that the use of these EALs for MF location is more accurate than the use of radiographic measurements., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Introduction: Reciprocating instruments were developed to improve and simplify the preparation of the root canal system by allowing greater centralization of the canal and requiring a shorter learning curve. Despite the risk of instrument separation, using a reciprocating instrument in more than 1 case is a relatively common clinical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fracture resistance of Reciproc (R25; VDW, Munich, Germany) and WaveOne (Primary; Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) instruments according to the number of uses during the preparation of root canals in up to 3 posterior teeth., Methods: A prospective clinical study was conducted by 3 experienced specialists who performed treatment of 358 posterior teeth (1130 canals) over a period of 12 months using 120 reciprocating instruments, 60 of which were Reciproc R25 and 60 were WaveOne Primary. The motion used during instrumentation followed the recommendations of the respective manufacturers. After each use, the instruments were observed under a dental operating microscope at 8× magnification. In the case of fracture or deformation, the instrument was discarded., Results: None of the instruments showed any signs of deformation, but 3 instruments fractured (0.26% of the number of canals and 0.84% of the number of teeth). All fractures occurred in mandibular molars (1 WaveOne Primary file during the third use and 2 Reciproc R25 files, 1 during the first use and the other during the third use)., Conclusions: There was a low incidence of fracture when reciprocating files were used in up to 3 cases of endodontic treatment in posterior teeth., (Copyright © 2017 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of establishing glide path on the centering ability and preparation time of two single-file reciprocating systems in mesial root canals of mandibular molars., Methods and Materials: Sixty extracted mandibular molars with curvatures of 25-39 degrees and separate foramina for the mesiobuccal and mesiolingual canals, were divided into four groups (n=15); WaveOne+glide path; WaveOne; Reciproc+glide path and Reciproc. Non-patent canals were excluded and only one canal in each tooth was instrumented. A manual glide path was established in first and third groups with #10, 15 and 20 hand K-files. Preparation was performed with reciprocating in-and-out motion, with a 3-4 mm amplitude and slight apical pressure. Initial and final radiographs were taken to analyze the amount of dentin removed in the instrumented canals. The radiographs were superimposed with an image editing software and examined to assess discrepancies at 3-, 6- and 9-mm distances from the apex. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used for statistical analysis. The level of significance was set at 0.05., Results: Preparation in groups without glide paths was swifter than the other groups (P=0.001). However, no difference was observed regarding centering ability., Conclusion: Establishing a glide path increased the total instrumentation time for preparing curved canals with WaveOne and Reciproc instruments. Glide path had no influence on the centering ability of these systems.

Objective: The present study sought to evaluate the antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis of photodynamic therapy applied before and after reciprocating instrumentation of permanent molars., Background: Apical extrusion of debris can cause flare-ups due to introduction of bacteria into the periapical tissues., Methods: Eighteen mesial roots from permanent mandibular molars were selected. The crowns were removed to obtain a standard root length of 15 mm. The included mesial roots had an angulation of 10°-40° and canals with independent foramina. The orifice of each mesiolingual canal was sealed with light-curing resin, and the working length was established visually, 1 mm short of the apical foramen. The roots were rendered impermeable and sterilized, and the mesiobuccal canals were contaminated with a standard strain of E. faecalis for 21 days. Specimens were randomly divided into three groups (n = 6): G1, photodynamic therapy performed before instrumentation and irrigation with 0.9% NaCl (saline) solution; G2, photodynamic therapy performed after instrumentation and irrigation with 0.9% NaCl; and G3 (control), instrumentation and irrigation with 2.5% NaOCl (sodium hypochlorite) solution. Canals were shaped with a WaveOne primary file (25.08) and irrigated with 0.9% NaCl. E. faecalis samples were collected before and after each procedure, and the results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests., Results: Significant reductions in E. faecalis were observed when photodynamic therapy was performed before and after instrumentation of the root canal system (p < 0.05). Reciprocating instrumentation significantly reduced E. faecalis colonies in experimentally contaminated root canal systems (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: Photodynamic therapy was effective in removing E. faecalis from the root canal system, whether performed before or after reciprocating instrumentation.

Endodontic retreatment requires complete removal of the filling material and access to the apical foramen. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Wave One reciprocating system and compare it to the ProTaper D rotarysystem, with or without the use of a solvent, in removing filling material from root canals. The time required for each filling removal technique employed was also determined and compared. Forty extracted human mandibular premolars with a single, straight, flattened canal were prepared and filled. They were divided into four groups (n = 10): Group 1: ProTaper D Ni Ti rotary instruments; Group 2: ProTaper D Ni Tirotary instruments, with a solvent; Group 3: Wave One primary instrument; and Group 4: Wave One primary instrument, with a solvent. The teeth were then split along their long axis and photographed using an operating microscope with 5Xmagnification. The amount of remaining filling material was assessed with Image Tool software. The results were compared using the Kruskal Wallis test (p <0.05). There was no significant difference between groups regarding the amount of residual filling material (p > 0.05). Operative time was significantly longer in Group 3 than in groups 1, 2 and 4 (p <0.05). The Wave One system and the ProTaper D system were equally effective, with or without a solvent. The time required to remove the filling material from the canals was significantly longer in Group 3 than in the other groups., (Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Odontológica.)

Introduction: The objective of this ex vivo study was to compare the efficacy of passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) versus a new activation system using reciprocating motion (EasyClean [EC]; Easy Equipamentos Odontológicos, Belo Horizonte, Brazil) to remove debris from the root canal walls at 6 predetermined apical levels using environmental scanning electron microscopy., Methods: Mesiobuccal root canals of 10 mandibular molars were prepared with a 30/.05 final instrument. The specimens were embedded in flasks containing heavy body silicone, cleaved longitudinally, and 6 round indentations were made into the apical region of the buccal half at 1-mm intervals. The same specimens were used to prepare a blank control group (no debris), a negative control group (completely covered by debris), and 2 experimental groups: PUI and irrigation with reciprocating activation. Standardized images of the indentations were obtained under environmental scanning electron microscopy and assessed by 2 examiners. The amount of debris was then classified using a 4-category scoring system. The kappa test was applied to determine interexaminer agreement, whereas the Kruskal-Wallis, Dunn, and Friedman tests were used to compare scores., Results: The EC group had results statistically similar to those of the blank control group for all 6 root levels examined. The PUI group had results statistically similar to those of the negative control group for the 3 most apical levels and similar to those of the blank control group for the 3 most cervical levels., Conclusions: Activating the irrigant with a reciprocating system (EC) promoted more effective debris removal from the more apical regions of the root canal when compared with PUI., (Copyright © 2016 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Cleaning and shaping without making procedural errors have always been a challenge in endodontics, particularly when the root canals are curved. Several rotary instruments have been developed to minimize such errors. The purpose of this study was to compare the shaping ability of 2 rotary file systems, BioRace (BR; FKG, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland) and ProTaper Next (PTN; Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland), during the preparation of curved root canals in extracted teeth using micro-computed tomographic imaging., Methods: A total of 20 first and second human mandibular molars with 2 separate mesial canals were scanned before and after root canal preparations using the SkyScan 1176 X-ray microtomograph (Bruker microCT, Kontich, Belgium) at a resolution of 17.42 μm. Canals were prepared using the BR and PTN systems. The percentage of dentin removed after preparation, root canal volume increase, untreated canal walls, structure model index, degree of canal transportation, and centering ability were also measured., Results: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in the removed dentin after preparation and determination of the root canal volume, percentage of untreated canal walls, structure model index, degree of canal transportation, and centering ability (P > .05)., Conclusions: In conclusion, within the limitations of this ex vivo study, instrumentation of moderately curved mesial roots with 2 independent root canals and foramina using the BR and PTN rotary file systems were equally effective. Both instrumentation systems caused negligible procedural errors with minimal apical transportation., (Copyright © 2016 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of endodontic retreatment on push-out bond strength and dentin interface of two resin cements used for fiber postcementation during endodontic retreatment., Materials and Methods: The root canals of 40 extracted human canines were prepared, obturated and divided into four groups (n = 10). Gutta-percha was partially removed and fiber posts were immediately cemented in groups 1 and 2 using Panavia F with ED Primer and RelyX™ U200, respectively. In groups 3 and 4, the root canal access was sealed with temporary restorative cement, specimens were stored for 30 days, endodontically retreated, and fiber posts were cemented using the resin cements applied to groups 1 and 2, respectively. Push-out tests and scanning electron microscopy analyses of different areas were performed. Data from push-out bond strengths were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's tests., Results: Higher bond strength values were detected in the apical third for group 1 than group 3 (p < 0.05). No differences were observed in other comparisons between the same third of different groups (p > 0.05). Comparisons between different thirds in the same group revealed a higher bond strength in the apical third for group 1. Scanning electron microscopy showed formation of hybrid layer and extensive resin tags in group 1. No hybrid layer was observed in groups 2 and 4., Conclusion: Endodontic retreatment had adverse effects on the push-out bond strength and dentinal interface of Panavia F with ED Primer when used for fiber postcementation specifically in the apical third, but not on RelyX™ U200., Clinical Significance: A significant interaction was detected between endodontic retreatment and resin cement, which indicated that endodontic retreatment might adversely affect the push-out bond strength and dentinal interface of Panavia F with ED Primer when used for fiber postcementation specifically in the apical third.

Introduction: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the postoperative pain that followed root canal treatments performed with a single-file reciprocating system on asymptomatic uniradicular necrotic teeth with and without foraminal enlargements (FEs)., Methods: Forty-six volunteers were randomly divided into 2 groups according to the established working lengths. The FE group had a working length of 0.0 mm from the apex, and the control group had a working length of 1.0 mm short of the apex. The treatments of both groups were performed with a Reciproc R40 (VDW, Munich, Germany) instrument. Both groups underwent the same treatment protocol with the exception of the established working length. The volunteers were instructed to record their pain (none, mild, moderate, or severe) on a visual analog scale at 24 hours, 72 hours, and 1 week after the procedures. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to identify significant differences., Results: Overall, 82.22% of the patients indicated no pain or mild pain. A greater proportion of the patients in the FE group reported mild pain compared with patients in the control group in the first 24 hours (P < .05). At 72 hours and 1 week, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups (P > .05)., Conclusions: FEs during endodontic treatments of asymptomatic necrotic, uniradicular teeth that were performed in single visits using the Reciproc R40 reciprocating file resulted in a low incidence of pain. After 24 hours, the FEs resulted in more patients reporting mild pain compared with the control group, but no differences were observed at 72 hours or 1 week., (Copyright © 2016 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)