Effect of a separated instrument on bacterial penetration of obturated root canals

The aim of this study was to determine the effect a separated instrument has on the time required for bacterial penetration of obturated root canals. Twenty-six extracted human mandibular premolars with single canals were used in the study. Group 1 consisted of teeth that contained a separated size 40 Profile rotary file and were obturated with gutta-percha and zinc oxide eugenol sealer to the level of the separated file. Group 2 consisted of teeth that were similarly obturated, but without a separated file. The negative control canals were obturated and had the entire root surface sealed with nail polish. The positive controls were obturated without sealer. Streptococcus sanguis was placed in the access chamber daily, and penetration was determined when turbidity was noted in the culture broth. The results showed no significant difference between the two experimental groups.     

In vitro endotoxin penetration of coronally unsealed endodontically treated teeth

Abstract The purpose of the study was to evaluate the penetration of bacterial endotoxin (L.P.S.) through obturated root canals. Twenty-four single-rooted teeth were instrumented in a uniform manner. The root canals of 16 teeth were obturated with gutta-percha and Roth's sealer and 8 teeth were similarly obturated but without sealer. The teeth were then divided into three groups. Group 1 – Positive control (4 teeth). Teeth obturated without sealer were used. Sticky wax was softened in an open flame and painted over the external root surface except the apical 2 mm and coronal canal orifice which were left free of the sticky wax. Group 2 – Negative control (4 teeth). Again teeth without sealer comprised the teeth in this group. However, in this group the sticky wax covered the apical area of the root and the canal orifice coronally, in addition to the rest of the root. Group 3 – Experimental (16 teeth). The teeth obturated in conjunction with sealer were used. Otherwise the teeth were treated as in group 1. The coronal root half was then hermetically sealed from the apical root half so that LPS placed coronally could move only through the obturated canal space to the apical segment. One ml of water containing 100 μg/ml endotoxin was placed in the upper chambers and pyrogen-free water in the lower chambers. The upper and lower chambers were then tested for endotoxin at different time periods up to 21 days. The upper chambers tested positive for endotoxin at all test times for all teeth. All 4 positive control teeth showed endotoxin in the lower chambers by 24 hrs. None of the 4 negative control teeth showed endotoxin in the lower chambers for the duration of the study. Five of the 16 (31.5%) experimental teeth had demonstrable L.P.S. in the lower chambers by the end of the 21 day test period. According to the results of this study, endotoxin may move through obturated root canals.     

The influence of smear layer on coronal leakage of Roth 801 and AH26 root canal sealers

The aim of this in vitro study was to examine the effect of removal of smear layer on the coronal seal of two commonly used root canal sealers: Roth 801, a zinc oxide-eugenol-based sealer and AH26, an epoxy resin-based sealer. Ninety-six single-rooted human teeth were used. The teeth were instrumented and assigned to four experimental groups of 20 teeth each, with 10 teeth as controls and the remaining six teeth examined under a scanning electron microscope. The teeth in the experimental groups (80 teeth) were divided into four sub-groups and were obturated by laterally condensed gutta-percha with the two sealer cements as follows: Group A1: smear layer left intact and AH26 cement used as sealer; Group A2: smear layer left intact and Roth 801 cement used as sealer; Group B1: smear layer removed and AH26 cement used as sealer; and Group B2: smear layer removed and Roth 801 cement used as sealer. Coronal microleakage was evaluated by measuring the distance of dye penetration. The data was statistically evaluated using a two-way ANOVA test. The results showed that removal of the smear layer resulted in a statistically significant reduction of microleakage values in the groups obturated with AH26 compared with the groups obturated with Roth 801 sealer. It was concluded that the removal of smear layer has a significant influence on the degree of microleakage in obturated root canals.     

Sealing ability of thermoplasticized gutta-percha in root canal obturation using a sectional vs. a single-phase technique

Properly prepared straight root canals of freshly extracted maxillary canines and central incisors were used to evaluate the sealing ability of the sectional thermoplasticized gutta-percha obturation technique, with or without sealer and the single-phase thermoplasticized gutta-percha filling technique. The teeth were divided into 3 groups (A, B, C) of 20 teeth and were obturated using the 3 thermoplasticized gutta-percha techniques. Group A: single phase with sealer; group B: sectional technique without sealer; and group C: sectional technique with sealer. The obturated teeth were immersed in India ink for 3 days followed by clearing procedures. The teeth were then examined under a stereo microscope and the linear leakage was recorded. Statistical unpaired Student's t-tests showed significantly less dye penetration in teeth obturated using the sectional technique with sealer (group C) than in teeth obturated with the single-phase technique with sealer (group A) or the sectional technique without sealer (group B).     

Sealing ability of thermoplasticized gutta-percha in root canal obturation using a sectional vs. a single-phase technique

Abstract Properly prepared straight root canals of freshly extracted maxillary canines and central incisors were used to evaluate the sealing ability of the sectional thermoplasticized gutta-percha obturation technique, with or without sealer and the single-phase thermoplasticized gutta-percha filling technique. The teeth were divided into 3 groups (A, B, C) of 20 teeth and were obturated using the 3 thermoplasticized gutta-percha techniques. Group A: single phase with sealer; group B: sectional technique without sealer; and group C: sectional technique with sealer. The obturated teeth were immersed in India ink for 3 days followed by clearing procedures. The teeth were then examined under a stereo microscope and the linear leakage was recorded. Statistical unpaired Student's t-tests showed significantly less dye penetration in teeth obturated using the sectional technique with sealer (group C) than in teeth obturated with the single-phase technique with sealer (group A) or the sectional technique without sealer (group B).     

旋转镍钛器械与手用不锈钢器械去除根充物的效果评价

目的对比再治疗旋转镍钛器械与手用不锈钢器械去除根充物的效果。方法 54颗上切牙根管充填后分为三组(n=18),用不同方法去除根充物:A组:手用不锈钢锉+氯仿组;B组:ProTaper再治疗旋转镍钛组,不使用氯仿;C组:ProTaper+氯仿组。评价操作时间、氯仿用量及根充物残留。结果 B、C组操作时间短于A组(P<0.05),使用氯仿对总操作时间无影响(P>0.05),C组氯仿用量明显少于A组(P<0.01)。三组根充物总残留量无差异(P>0.05)。结论使用旋转镍钛器械去除根充物,可减少氯仿用量,缩短操作时间。     

不同封闭剂对根管壁抗折力的影响

目的:比较经过完善预备后的根管选用不同封闭剂根充对管壁抗折力的影响。方法:将30颗人尖牙随机分为二个实验组和一个对照组,每组10颗。从牙颈部截去牙冠后进行根管预备。组1以Ultra为封闭剂;组2以Endofil为封闭剂,均采用冷侧压方法充填。组3根管预备后不充填。所有标本进行抗剪切强度试验。结果:组3与其它二组间有显著性差异(P<0.01),抗折应力值最低(126.1819MPa);组1和组2之间有显著性差异(P<0.01),其抗折应力值最大(153.4974MPa)。结论:预备后不充填的根管抗折力,明显低于完善根管治疗组;使用Ultra封闭剂根充后的管壁抗折力,明显强于Endofil组。     

3种器械去除根管内牙胶充填物的效果评价

目的：比较H型锉和两种再治疗镍钛旋转器械去除根充物的效果。方法：45颗离体单根管下颌前磨牙,使用ProTaper镍钛器械根管预备,热牙胶垂直加压根管充填。标本随机分为3组（n=15）用不同方法去除根充物。A组H型锉、B组ProTaper Universal和C组Hero Shaper,分别记录再治疗所用时间。将标本沿牙体长轴纵劈,用立体显微镜观察根管壁残留的牙胶,t检验和单因素的方差分析one way ANOVA进行统计学分析。结果：B组根管内残留充填物的量较其他两组更少（P〈0.05）;B、C两组操作时间明显短于A组（P〈0.05）,而B、C两组间,C组用时较少,但没有显著性差异。结论：根管再治疗中,所有器械均会残留根充物,ProTaper Universal镍钛再治疗器械可以有效去除单根管下颌前磨牙根管内充填物。     

Human saliva coronal microleakage in obturated root canals: an in vitro study.

This study assessed salivary penetration through obturated root canals as related to time by using two methods of analysis--histological examination and dye penetrations. A total of 160 human maxillary anterior teeth were instrumented to size 60 Hedstrom file. Ten of the teeth were not obturated; 150 teeth were obturated by lateral condensation of gutta-percha and Roth's root canal sealer. Fifty of these teeth received intermediate restorative material temporaries to a thickness of approximately 3 mm. All teeth were immersed in 50 ml of whole human saliva and kept at 37 degrees C and 100% humidity. The saliva was changed daily. At 2, 7, 14, 28, and 90 days, 32 teeth were removed from the saliva. Of these, two were unobturated and were examined for bacterial penetration by culturing of the apical one-third. Ten teeth without temporaries were immersed in Pelikan ink for 2 days to demonstrate the extent of salivary penetration. These teeth were decalcified and cleared to allow direct measurement of dye penetration. Decalcified serial 7-microns-thick sections were prepared from the remaining 20 teeth, 10 with and 10 without intermediate restorative material temporaries. The sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin stain and Brown and Hopps stain. Saliva penetration assessed in histological sections was significantly less than was visualized with dye analysis. Salivary penetration at 3 months was significantly greater than at the four earlier study periods. This amount of salivary penetration was considered to be clinically significant. The results strongly suggest retreatment of obturated root canals that have been exposed to the oral cavity for at least 3 months.     

Gap volume and sealer penetration of C-shaped root canals obturated with cold hydraulic technique and calcium silicate sealer

This study compared the gap volume and sealer penetration in C-shaped root canals prepared with adaptive core rotary files and obturated with cold hydraulic compaction using calcium-silicate sealer, warm vertical hybrid compaction, or lateral compaction using epoxy-resin sealer. Thirty-six extracted mandibular molars with pulpal floor configuration Types I and III were used. The teeth were prepared using XP-Shaper and XP-Finisher and obturated with: group 1: cold hydraulic compaction/calcium silicate, group 2: warm vertical hybrid compaction/epoxy resin, or group 3: lateral compaction/epoxy resin. The gap volume was evaluated using μ-CT. The sealer penetration depth and area were evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy. The gap volume in groups 1, 2, and 3 was 0.82%, 0.24%, 0.80%, respectively, which were not significantly different (p > 0.05). The gap volumes in the obturated C-shaped canals were not significantly different among the CHC/CSBS, WHC/ERS, or LC/ERS groups. CHC/CSBS was the most convenient technique.     

Evaluation of the apical seal in root canals prepared with a new rotary system and obturated with a methacrylate based endodontic sealer: an in vitro study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vitro the apical seal of root canals prepared with a new rotary system, Anatomic Endodontic Technology (AET) and filled with a methacrylate based endodontic sealer and a single gutta-percha cone and a lateral condensation technique, using the methacrylate based endodontic sealer/filler or Grossman's cement. The root canals of 45 freshly extracted human maxillary anterior teeth were prepared and then randomly assigned to three groups of 15 teeth each. After cleaning and shaping the teeth were obturated as follows: in group 1 the canals were filled with a methacrylate based sealer and a single gutta-percha cone; in group 2 the canals were filled using a lateral condensation technique with gutta-percha and the methacrylate based sealer; and in group 3, the canals were filled by means of lateral condensation of gutta-percha and Grossman's cement (control group). The specimens were stored in 100% relative humidity at 37 degrees C for 72 h, after which the coronal portion and the root surface of each tooth was covered with three layers of nail varnish and a final layer of sticky wax. After immersion in 2% methylene blue dye for 7 days, the specimens were imbedded in clear orthodontic resin and sectioned. Dye penetration was evaluated by an independent investigator using a stereo microscope. The results demonstrated that more pronounced leakage occurred in root canals obturated with the lateral condensation technique and Grossman's cement (p < 0.05). The least amount of dye leakage was observed for group 1 and 2 in which the methacrylate based sealer was used, either with a single gutta-percha cone or with lateral condensation of gutta-percha.     

An assessment of microbial coronal leakage in teeth root filled with gutta-percha and three different sealers

The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the effect of three different root canal sealers on the bacterial penetration of obturated root canals. Eighty extracted human teeth with straight, single root canals were prepared using the modified double-flared technique with balanced force under copious irrigation until the master apical file was size 40. The teeth were divided randomly into experimental groups (60 teeth) and control groups (20 teeth). Twenty experimental teeth each were obturated by lateral condensation of cold gutta-percha with AH26, Apexit or Tubliseal EWT sealer. In the control groups, 10 teeth were obturated using the same technique with AH26, Apexit or Tubliseal EWT sealer. These teeth were completely sealed to serve as negative controls. The remaining 10 teeth were not obturated and served as positive controls. The root surface of each tooth, except the apical 2 mm, was sealed with nail varnish. The coronal part of each root canal was sealed with the cut end of a polypropylene tube and placed in a glass bottle containing sterile Todd-Hewitt Broth (THB). Aliquots of 0.5 ml of THB were injected into the polypropylene tube and the model system was centrifuged at 168 g. An innoculum of Streptococcus sanguis in THB was added to the tube at 5-day intervals and daily observations were made for bacterial growth in the apical reservoir for 90 days. All positive control teeth showed bacterial penetration within 24 h and negative control teeth remained uncontaminated throughout the test period. Leakage through the experimental teeth varied from 7 to 86 days. There was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) in leakage of the obturated canals between AH26, Apexit and Tubliseal EWT sealers.     

Does cold burnishing gutta-percha create a better apical seal?

This study investigated the seal created by cold burnishing the gutta-percha exposed after apical root resection of endodontically treated teeth. Sixty single-rooted extracted human teeth with a single straight canal were divided into four experimental groups of 15 teeth each. In two of the experimental groups the canals were instrumented and obturated well with laterally condensed gutta-percha and sealer. The remaining two groups were instrumented and poorly obturated with laterally condensed gutta-percha and sealer. The apical 2 mm of all the teeth were then resected and the effect of cold burnishing the exposed gutta-percha was investigated using a linear dye penetration technique. Under the condition of this study, cold burnishing gutta-percha after apical root resection of a well-obturated root canal resulted in a poorer apical seal than if no burnishing were performed. Cold burnishing the exposed gutta-percha after apical root resection of poorly obturated root canals improved the apical seal as compared with nonburnished poorly obturated canals.     

An in-vitro study of smear layer removal and microbial leakage along root-canal fillings

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of removal of the smear layer on canal obturation as measured by penetration of bacteria from a coronal direction. Fifty-four extracted human teeth were decoronated and instrumented in a uniform manner. Following instrumentation the root canals of 20 teeth were rinsed with 17% EDTA and 5.25% NaOCl to remove the smear layer before obturation. A second group of 20 teeth were flushed with NaOCl alone. The teeth of both groups were obturated with Thermafil^TM plastic carriers and Roth's sealer. The root canals of another 10 teeth, five rinsed with EDTA and five without, were obturated with Thermafil^TM without sealer. Two teeth serving as positive controls were instrumented but not obturated, while another set of two were sealed coronally and apically to serve as negative controls. The root surface of each tooth was sealed with nail varnish. A small chamber was thoroughly sealed around the coronal aspect of each tooth so that bacteria placed therein could move only through the obturated canal space. Each tooth was placed in a test tube containing sterile trypticase soy broth (TSB). An inoculum of Proteus vulgaris in TSB was placed in each coronal chamber at five day intervals and daily observations were made for bacterial growth in the apical reservoir for 21 days. Both positive control teeth showed bacterial penetration after 24 h. Neither of the two negative control teeth demonstrated penetration for the duration of the study. The frequency of bacterial penetration through teeth obturated with intact smear layer (70%) was significantly greater than that of teeth from which the smear layer had been removed (30%) P< 0.05. All but one tooth obturated without sealer exhibited bacterial penetration, irrespective of the presence or absence of smear layer. Removal of the smear layer enhanced sealability as evidenced by increased resistance to bacterial penetration.     

Effectiveness of rotary and hand files in gutta-percha and sealer removal using chloroform or chlorhexidine gel

The purpose of this study was to assess in vitro the efficacy of nickel-titanium K3 rotary files and hand files for removal of gutta-percha and sealer from obturated root canals using either chloroform or chlorhexidine as solvents. Sixty extracted single-rooted bovine teeth with straight, large canals were prepared, obtured and randomly assigned to 3 groups (n=20). The teeth were stored at 37 degrees C for 1 month and then the gutta-percha and sealer were removed using different techniques, as follows. Group I: size 3 Gates-Glidden drills plus size 30 hand K-files and Hedstr?m files and chloroform; Group II: K3 NiTi rotary files and chloroform; and Group III: K3 NiTi rotary files and 2% chlorhexidine gel. Radiographs were taken and scanned and the images were digitized. The total area of the canal and the area with remaining obturation material were measured in millimeters using a computed image analysis system (ImageLab). Data were analyzed statistically by one-way ANOVA and Tukey test at 5% significance level. The groups differed statistically (p<0.05) with respect to the average percentage of remaining gutta-percha and sealer, presenting the following sequence of effectiveness (from most to least effective): Group I (15.48%), Group II (28.42%) and Group III (35.96%). The findings of this study showed that, despite the technique used for removal of filling material, none of the retreated canals were completely free of gutta-percha and sealer remnants. The use of stainless steel hand files resulted in a lesser amount of filling debris than the use of nickel-titanium rotary instruments.     

Comparison of laterally condensed .06 and .02 tapered Gutta-Percha and sealer in vitro.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the quality of the seal in canals prepared in a standardized manner and obturated with a .06 or a .02 tapered gutta-percha master cone using lateral condensation. Forty-four extracted human anterior teeth with single, straight canals were divided into two experimental groups of 20 teeth each and two control groups of 2 teeth each. The teeth were instrumented with Series 29 Profile .06 tapered rotary nickel-titanium files to a master apical file of 0.46 mm. Teeth in group 1 were obturated with a .02 tapered master gutta-percha cone and Roth 801 sealer using lateral condensation. Teeth in group 2 were obturated similarly, except a .06 tapered master gutta-percha cone was used. The depth of spreader penetration was recorded in millimeters. Positive control teeth were instrumented but not filled. Negative control teeth were instrumented, obturated, and externally sealed. The teeth were placed into a coronal leakage apparatus that contained an upper and lower reservoir of trypticase soy broth separated by the tooth. A 24-h growth of Proteus vulgaris in 0.25 ml of trypticase soy broth was placed in the coronal reservoir every 7 days for 70 days and incubated at 37 degrees C. Student's t test was used to determine whether there was a difference in spreader penetration between the groups, and a Fisher's exact test was used to determine whether there was a difference in bacterial leakage. The positive and negative controls validated the testing model. When a .02 tapered master cone was used, the spreader penetrated significantly closer to working length than when a .06 tapered master cone was used (p < 0.05). The difference between the groups in the number of samples that demonstrated complete bacterial penetration was not significant (p > 0.05).     

Influence of gutta-percha points on the filling of simulated lateral canals

The aim of this study was to investigate, in vitro, the percentage of filling of simulated lateral canals in teeth obturated with TP medium and standardized gutta-percha points. Twenty human mandibular canines were prepared with LA Axxess (SybronEndo) and K3 Endo rotary system (SybronEndo) up to a #50 file, according to the Free Tip Preparation Technique. During instrumentation, the root canals were alternately irrigated with 1% sodium hypochlorite and 17% EDTA. Six artificial lateral canals were prepared at the apical third of each tooth. Then, the teeth were assigned to two groups (n=10): Group 1 - filled with TP medium master gutta-percha points (Dentsply, Mailleffer); Group 2 - filled with standardized master gutta-percha points (Dentsply, Mailleffer). Root canal filling was complemented with AH Plus sealer (Dentsply, Mailleffer) and accessory gutta-percha points (Dentsply, Mailleffer), according to the classic technique. The teeth were radiographed and the images obtained were digitized. Linear measurements of the percentage of filling of the artificial lateral canals in each group were accomplished on the Image Tool 2.02 software. Statistical analysis of the data using Mann-Whitney U non-parametric test evidenced significant difference (p<0.01) between the experimental groups. The group obturated with TP medium points yielded higher percentage of filling of the lateral canals. It may be concluded that the use of master gutta-percha points with larger taper resulted in better filling of the simulated lateral canals, as compared to the use of standardized master gutta-percha points.     

不同根管处理方法对根管壁抗折力影响的研究

目的　比较预备与不预备的根管以及预备后充填与不充填的根管抗折力。方法　将 30颗人尖牙随机分为 2个实验组和 1个对照组 ,每组 10颗。实验组从牙颈部截去牙冠后进行根管预备。第 1组以Ultra为封闭剂 ,采用冷侧压方法充填 ;第2组根管预备后不充填 ;第 3组根管不作任何处理。所有标本进行抗剪切强度试验。结果　第 2组与其他 2组间差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 0 1) ,抗折应力值最低 (12 6 .182MPa) ;第 1组抗折应力值最大 (15 3.4 97MPa) ;第 1组和第 3组之间无统计学差异 (P>0 .0 5 )。结论　预备后不充填的根管抗折力低于未处理组和完善根管治疗组。使用封闭剂根充后的管壁抗折力增强。     

Effect of gravity and capillarity on human saliva penetration in coronally unsealed obturated root canals

AimThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of gravity and capillarity on penetration of human salivary bacteria into the entire length of obturated root canals, and to demonstrate the dye penetration configuration.Materials and methodsFifty single-rooted premolars were decoronated, prepared to a standardized length of 15 mm, instrumented, and randomly divided into two groups (A and B) of 25 teeth each. Each group consisted of experimental (15 samples) and negative and positive controls (five samples each). The experimental groups were obturated with gutta-percha and root canal sealer. The positive control groups were obturated with a single cone of gutta-percha and root canal sealer. The outer surfaces (except for the apical 2 mm) were covered with two layers of nail varnish. An apparatus containing Brain Heart Infusion broth was designed, in which the teeth were placed. The samples in Group A were placed upside down, while Group B was placed normally. The coronal portions of the samples were placed in contact with fresh saliva. The number of days required for bacteria to penetrate the entire length of canals was determined. The samples were then immersed in India ink to determine the dye penetration configuration. Data were analyzed using Student’s t-test.ResultsThe extent of dye penetration was significantly greater in Group B compared to Group A, and they were in a pattern rather than linear form.ConclusionsGravity and capillarity insignificantly affected bacterial leakage. Although gravity and capillarity did not affect bacterial penetration when applied to the coronal access of endodontically treated teeth, it seems that they can promote penetration of India ink into the canal after the bacterial test on the same tooth.     

Sealability of the Trifecta™ technique in the presence or absence of a smear layer

The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the sealability of a recently introduced thermoplasticized gutta-percha technique (Trifecta, Hygenic Corp., OH, USA) in the presence or absence of a smear layer. A total of 100 teeth with single straight root canals were included in the study. The teeth were decoronated and the canals prepared with a modified double-flared technique under constant irrigation with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite solution. The apical matrix was prepared to size 40 and apical patency subsequently confirmed with a size 10 file. Four teeth were discarded for technical reasons and the remaining 96 allocated randomly into two groups of 44 teeth and a group of eight teeth which acted as controls. Canals in group 1 were obturated randomly with either cold lateral condensation of gutta-percha or with the Trifecta technique. Canals in Group 2 were rinsed with 17% REDTA to remove the smear layer and then obturated with lateral condensation or the Trifecta technique. All teeth were suspended in India ink for 9 days, demineralized, and rendered transparent prior to the assessment of apical linear dye penetration. Apical extrusion of sealer and gutta-percha occurred commonly but there was no significant difference between the four obturation groups. However, overall, there was significantly more extrusion of sealer with the Trifecta technique compared with lateral condensation (P<0.05). The majority of canals (79 out of 88) had no evidence of apical leakage and there was no significant difference between the groups. The prevalence of sealer and gutta-percha penetration into the dentinal tubules was significantly different between the four obturation techniques (P<0.01) and significantly more common in the absence of the smear layer (P<0.001). Under the conditions of this study, the Trifecta technique