Comparison of physico-chemical properties of zinc oxide eugenol cement and a bioceramic sealer

The aim of the present study was to compare the physico-chemical properties of EssenSeal with AH PLUS bioceramic and Pulp Canal Sealer EWT. Flow, solubility, film thickness, radiopacity and setting time were evaluated according to ISO 6876 (2012) specifications. External and cross-section surface characteristics were analysed under a scanning electron microscope. Statistical analysis was performed using Shapiro–Wilk's test, one-way ANOVA and the Tukey HSD test. All the sealers conformed to the ISO 6876 (2012) standards, except for the setting time for AH plus bioceramic, which exceeded more than 10% of the time indicated by the manufacturer. Statistically significant differences were found between the three study sealers regarding the physico-chemical properties tested (p < 0.05). EssenSeal demonstrated characteristics respecting the ISO 6876 (2012) standards and can be considered a predictable alternative in root canal sealing.     

Application of bis-eugenol to a zinc oxide eugenol cement

OBJECTIVES: To assess the usefulness of dimerized eugenol (bis-eugenol) in dentistry, the physical properties of zinc oxide eugenol cement (ZOE) with bis-eugenol and the cytotoxicity of bis-eugenol were studied. METHODS: Setting time, compressive strength, solubility and disintegration of ZOE cement with bis-eugenol according to the specifications of JDMAS315 were evaluated. The cytotoxicity of bis-eugenol and eugenol toward two different cell types, HGF (a primary culture of human gingival fibroblast) and HSG (a human epidermoid carcinoma cell line derived from a salivary gland) was evaluated by the MTT test and in terms of cell survival. RESULTS: Addition of bis-eugenol to ZOE did not decrease the physical properties when employed at the ratio of 9:1 or 6:1 (liquid ND:bis-eugenol, w/w). Bis-eugenol was less toxic than eugenol in the cell culture tests. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this assay demonstrated that bis-eugenol is useful in ZOE.     

Evaluation of apical leakage of root canals obturated with Nd: YAG laser-softened gutta-percha,System-B,and lateral condensation techniques

In endodontics, a laser can be used as a heat source and gutta-percha can be softened by a laser and used in the root canals. The System-B endodontic heat source unit was designed for the obturation of the root canal system with a single continuous wave of thermoplasticized gutta-percha. The aim of this study was to compare the apical leakage of lateral condensation; Nd: YAG laser-softened gutta-percha and System-B techniques. Fifty-five extracted, single root human maxillary anterior and premolar teeth were used in this study. After working length determination, the "step-back technique" was used to prepare the root canals. The teeth were randomly divided into three experimental groups of 15 each and two control groups of 5 specimens each. The first group was obturated by lateral condensation, the second group by gutta-percha softened with an Nd: YAG laser, and the third group was obturated using the System-B technique. Apical leakage of the roots was evaluated by dye penetration using a stereomicroscope after sectioning the roots. The results of the first and third groups were similar, and the results of the second group showed differences when compared with the other groups. However, variance analysis revealed there was no statistically significant difference among the results.     

Pulp reaction to a temporary zinc oxide/eugenol cement.

The pulpal irritation, such as inflammatory reaction and aspiration of pulpal cells, demonstrated after insertion of the zinc oxide/eugenol cement (Nobetec) seems to warrant the following recommendations: (1) A temporary restoration with a zinc oxide/eugenol base should not be inserted in deep cavities without a protective liner or a calcium hydroxide base covering the exposed dentinal tubules. (2) Before the temporary cementing of inlays and crowns with a zinc oxide/eugenol cement, not only should the dentin be properly cleaned and debris removed, but the prepared surfaces should be covered with a calcium hydroxide liner.     

A laboratory study of root fillings in teeth obturated by lateral condensation of gutta-percha or Thermafil obturators

The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the quality of root canal obturation and degree of apical dye penetration in teeth root-filled with either laterally condensed cold gutta-percha or Thermafil obturators. A total of 144 extracted teeth with single roots were included in the study. All canals were prepared with a standard technique using a sonic handpiece with copious irrigation. Radiographs taken of the teeth to show the maximum degree of canal curvature were then exposed and the angle, radius and position of curvature determined. This information about the canals, together with their working length and diameter at end-point was used to divide the teeth into two experimental and two control groups. A total of 71 teeth were filled with Thermafil obturators, 69 with lateral condensation while four teeth remained unfilled and acted as controls. Following obturation, the teeth were radiographed in two planes and the technical quality of fill assessed on a four-point scale. All access cavities were then sealed and the teeth immersed in dye for 48 h before being split longitudinally. Linear dye penetration via the apical foramen was then assessed. In both straight and curved canals obturation with Thermafil obturators was significantly quicker (P< 0.001) than lateral condensation. Apical extrusion of gutta-percha occurred significantly more often in straight canals obturated with lateral condensation (P< 0.005) but there was no difference in curved canals. There was little difference in the radiographic quality of fill in the apical halves of the root fillings but Thermafil obturators were significantly better in the coronal halves when viewed from the proximal. Apical leakage of dye was significantly worse (P< 0.05) in curved canals filled with lateral condensation with a similar, but not significant, trend in straight canals. Under the conditions of this study, Thermafil obturators proved a satisfactor alternatie to lateral condensation of gutta-perch.     

An in vitro study of the quality of root fillings in teeth obturated by lateral condensation of gutta-percha or Thermafil obturators

The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the quality of root canal obturation and degree of linear apical dye penetration in teeth root filled with either laterally condensed gutta-percha or Thermafil obturators, A total of 150 teeth with single roots were included in the study. All canals were prepared using a standard step-back technique with anticurvature filing. Radiographs taken of the teeth to show the maximum degree of canal curvature were then exposed and the angle, radius and position of curvature determined. This information about the canals, together with their working length and diameter at end-point, was used to divide the teeth into two experimental and two control groups. A total of eight teeth were excluded because of technical difficulties, 65 were filled with Thermafil obturators, 63 were filled with laterally condensed gutta-percha whilst 14 teeth remained unfilled and acted as controls. Following obturation, the teeth were radiographed in two planes and the technical quality of fill assessed on a four-point scale. All access cavities were then sealed and the teeth immersed in dye for 48 h before being split longitudinally. Linear dye penetration via the apical foramen was then assessed. Canal obturation with Thermafil obturators (0.7 min) was significantly quicker (P > 0.001) than lateral condensation (6.4 min). Apical extrusion of sealer and gutta-percha occurred significantly more often with Thermafil obturators but there was little difference in the technical quality of the fillings and no significant difference in dye penetration. Under the conditions of this study, Thermafil obturators proved a satisfactory alternative to lateral condensation of gutta-percha.     

Comparison of zinc oxide and eugenol, and Vitapex for root canal treatment of necrotic primary teeth

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to evaluate iodoform base materials for root canal treatment of necrotic primary teeth, and to compare them with traditionally used zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE). SAMPLE AND METHODS: Zinc oxide and eugenol and Vitapex (a premixed calcium hydroxide and iodoform paste) were compared for root canal treatment in 52 necrotic primary teeth in two groups of children with a mean age of 5 years and 8.4 months. All the patients were followed-up clinically and radiographically 3 months and 10-16 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The overall success rates of Vitapex and ZOE were 100% and 78.5%, respectively. Using Fisher's Exact Test, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both ZOE and Vitapex gave encouraging results. Vitapex, however, can be used more safely whenever there is a doubt about the patient's return for follow-up.     

不同锥度牙胶尖冷侧压充填根尖封闭性能的比较研究

目的：对比研究0.02锥度和0.06锥度牙胶尖冷侧压充填后根尖封闭效果.方法：收集离体单根管前牙53颗,经根管清理、机用ProTaper预备成型后随机分为2个实验组和1个阳性对照组,实验组每组26个样本,对照组1个样本.实验组分别用0.02锥度牙胶尖和0.06锥度牙胶尖作主尖冷侧方加压进行充填,阳性对照组不进行充填.用透明标本法配合染料渗透技术测量根尖染料的线性渗透长度,评价各组标本的根尖封闭效果.结果：阳性对照组标本染料全部进入根管.0.02锥度组染料渗透长度（0.761 ±0.457） mm,0.06锥度组（0.906±0.490） mm,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.结论：机用ProTaper预备根管后,冷牙胶侧方加压充填时0.06锥度牙胶尖和0.02锥度牙胶尖的根尖封闭效果差异无统计学意义.     

Efficacy of removing glass ionomer cement, zinc oxide eugenol, and epoxy resin sealers from retreated root canals.

Removal of gutta-percha and various sealers was assessed during retreatment of the root canal system. Sixty root canals were prepared and obturated with gutta-percha and Ketac-endo, Roth's 801 cement, or AH26. After 14 days, the canals were retreated by hand or ultrasonic technique and the retreatment time was recorded. The roots were split and the amount of debris that remained on the canal walls in three separate levels was recorded by use of a dissecting microscope. The mean scores were compared by one-way and two-way ANOVA. The total score was significantly the highest for Ketac-endo (p less than 0.04), followed by AH26 and Roth's 801 cement. The largest amount of debris was consistently found in the apical third, and generally it was comparable for both retreatment techniques. The ultrasonic technique was significantly faster than the hand technique for all sealers tested (p less than 0.0004, p less than 0.0003, p less than 0.02, respectively). Hand retreatment of Ketac-endo was the slowest, whereas ultrasonic retreatment of Roth's 801 cement was the fastest. The results indicated that Ketac-endo endodontic sealer can be effectively removed from the root canal by ultrasonic instrumentation.