Cleaning,Shaping, and Disinfecting Abilities of 2 Instrument Systems as Evaluated by a Correlative Micro–computed Tomographic and Histobacteriologic Approach

IntroductionThis study assessed the cleaning, shaping, and disinfection abilities of 2 instrumentation systems in molar root canals using a novel correlative analytical approach.MethodsThe root canals from extracted mandibular and maxillary molars with apical periodontitis were pair matched according to anatomic similarities as determined by micro–computed tomographic analysis and prepared with either XP-endo Shaper (FKG Dentaire, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland) (n = 16) or Reciproc Blue (VDW, Munich, Germany) (n = 16) instruments and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite irrigation. Pre- and postpreparation micro–computed tomographic scans were used to identify and calculate the unprepared surface areas (shaping), which were histobacteriologically evaluated for the presence of residual bacteria (disinfection) and pulp tissue remnants (cleaning) in each canal third.ResultsUnprepared canal surface areas for XP-endo Shaper and Reciproc Blue in the full canal length were approximately 26% and 19% (P < .05), respectively (30% and 23% in the apical part of the canal, P > .05). Preparation with Reciproc Blue resulted in 37.5% canals free of bacteria in all sections examined and 56% in the apical sections only. XP-endo Shaper resulted in 44% canals free of bacteria in all sections, and 56% in the apical part of the canal only. Pulp tissue remnants were not observed in 31% (all canal sections) and 50% (apical canal sections) of specimens from both instrument systems. No significant differences were observed between instruments when comparing the amount of pulp tissue remnants and the number of cases negative for bacteria and tissue remnants (P > .05).ConclusionsAlthough the Reciproc Blue instrument had superior shaping ability in comparison with XP-endo Shaper, both systems performed similarly in cleaning and disinfecting root canals. Irregular canals and difficult-to-reach areas were not thoroughly cleaned and disinfected by any of the tested systems.     

Retrograde Instrumentation of Surgically Resected Roots Using Controlled Memory Files: A Human Cadaver Study

IntroductionThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the amount of residual obturation material of retroinstrumented surgically resected roots using controlled memory files and to evaluate the incidence of adverse treatment outcomes.MethodsThirty maxillary anterior teeth in human cadavers were selected, and nonsurgical root canal treatment was performed on these teeth. A standardized 4-mm osteotomy and a 3-mm root resection with as close to 0° bevel as possible were made on each tooth. A microsurgical diamond tip was used to create a 1- to 2-mm starting point for each retropreparation. A 25/06 and 30/06 VTaper 2H were bent at about 90° angle to mimic the clinical and anatomic restrictions and used to create a retropreparation to a depth of 14 mm. Micro–computed tomography scans were taken and analyzed for volume and percentage of residual obturation material at 5 and 10 mm. In addition, the incidences of instrument separation and crack and ledge formation in the teeth were recorded.ResultsThe median volume of residual obturation at 5 and 10 mm was 0.18 mm³ (interquartile range, 0.36 mm³) and 1.97 mm³ (interquartile range, 1.99 mm³), respectively. The overall incidence of file separation during retropreparation was 13.33% (4/30). Among the cases analyzed with micro–computed tomography, none showed crack or ledge formation.ConclusionsRetroinstrumentation of surgically resected roots using controlled memory files cleans the canal effectively with relatively low adverse treatment outcomes. Although this novel technique is limited in application, it is a safe and effective way to achieve a deep, clean retropreparation.     

Bonding to industrial indirect composite blocks: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveThe aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of surface conditioning methods on the bond strength of industrial indirect composite blocks (ICs).MethodsBased on the PICOS strategy, the Medline via PubMed, Embase and Web of Science (ISI – Web of Knowledge) electronic databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles in both English and Chinese, with no publication year limit. In vitro studies evaluating the effects of surface conditioning on the bond strength of ICs were selected. The meta-analysis was conducted to calculate the mean difference between surface-conditioned ICs and unconditioned controls. Subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate the different surface conditioning methods, separately for polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN) material and the ICs with dispersed fillers (ICDFs). Meta-analyses were performed with a random-effects model at a significance level of 0.05.Results and SignificanceFrom 802 relevant studies, 25 were selected for full-text analysis. Nineteen studies were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review, whereas 9 studies were included in the meta-analysis. A manual search of the principal periodicals specific to the area resulted in no additional articles. The meta-analysis indicated a significant difference in bond strength between the surface-conditioned ICs and controls under both non-aged and aged conditions. The combination of mechanical and chemical conditioning yielded the highest bond strength of ICs. This meta-analysis suggests that chemical etching followed by a universal primer and alumina air abrasion followed by a silane coupling agent could be considered the best strategy for optimizing the bond strength of PICN materials and ICDFs under aged conditions, respectively.     

Case Study of Phrenic Nerve Paralysis: “I Can't Breathe!”

BackgroundThe anatomic course of the phrenic nerve runs in the fascia covering the anterior scalene muscle. Interscalene blocks are commonly performed by an anesthesiologist for shoulder surgery, such as a rotator cuff repair, total shoulder replacement, humeral fracture, or other arm surgery. Phrenic nerve palsy or paralysis is a known complication from interscalene block and is covered in multiple case reports and series in both Anesthesia and Neurosurgical literature, but only one case report in the Emergency Medicine literature.Case ReportThis case involves a 57-year-old man who had an uncomplicated arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with placement of interscalene block under care of anesthesia. He was discharged with a pain pump in place and then subsequently presented to the Emergency Department (ED) later that same day for evaluation of dyspnea. Using point-of-care ultrasound, his right diaphragm did not appear to be moving. Chest x-ray study revealed an elevated right hemidiaphragm. He was diagnosed with iatrogenic right phrenic nerve paralysis from interscalene block.Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?Emergent diagnosis of phrenic nerve paralysis in the ED is complicated by a distressed patient and need for quick intervention. Most formal tests for this diagnosis are not immediately available to emergency physicians. Ultrasound is a rapid and reproducible, noninvasive resource with high sensitivity and specificity, making it an ideal imaging modality for the emergent evaluation of possible phrenic nerve palsy or paralysis.     

一次性根管与常规根管治疗后冠修复对隐裂性牙髓炎患者的影响

目的 探讨一次性根管与常规根管治疗后冠修复对隐裂性牙髓炎患者的治疗效果。方法 选取2014年5月至2017年5月诊治的187例隐裂性牙髓炎患者随机分为观察组和对照组,观察组给予一次性根管治疗后冠修复,对照组给予常规根管治疗后冠修复,比较两组术前及术后1周Mohd Sulong疼痛分级、术后3个月临床疗效、术后6个月X线改变、术后2年治疗成功率。结果 术前两组Mohd Sulong疼痛分级无统计学差异(P＞0.05),冠修复术后1周两组疼痛分级无统计学差异(P＞0.05),术后3个月观察组临床疗效总有效率为97.83%较对照组88.41%显著提高(P＜0.05),术后6个月观察X线改变率为3.26%较对照组14.74%显著降低(P＜0.05),术后2年观察组治疗成功率为94.57%较对照组82.11%显著提高(P＜0.05)。结论 一次性根管治疗后冠修复能够缓解隐裂性牙髓炎疼痛,提高临床疗效,提高患者咀嚼功能和生活质量,值得在临床上推广。     

Patients' expectations,experience and acceptability of postoperative analgesia: a nested qualitative study within a randomised controlled trial comparing rectus sheath catheter and thoracic epidural analgesia

Adequate postoperative analgesia is a key element of enhanced recovery programmes. Thoracic epidural analgesia is associated with superior postoperative analgesia but can lead to complications. Rectus sheath catheter analgesia may provide an alternative. In a nested qualitative study (within a two-year randomised controlled trial) focussing on the acceptability, expectations and experiences of receiving the interventions, participants (n = 20) were interviewed 4 weeks post-intervention using a grounded theory approach. Constant comparative analysis, with patient and public involvement, enabled emerging findings to be pursued through subsequent data collection. We found no notable differences regarding postoperative acceptability or the experience of pain management. Pre-operatively, however, thoracic epidural analgesia was a source of anticipatory fear and anxiety. Both interventions resulted in some experienced adverse events (proportionately more with thoracic epidural analgesia). Participants had negative experiences of the insertion of thoracic epidural analgesia; others receiving the rectus sheath catheter lacked confidence in staff members' ability to manage the local anaesthetic infusion pump. The anticipation of the technique of thoracic epidural analgesia, and concerns about its impact on mobility, represented an additional, unpleasant experience for patients already managing an illness experience, anticipating a life-changing operation and dealing with concerns about the future. The anticipation of rectus sheath catheter analgesia was not associated with such anxieties. Patients' experiences start far earlier than the experience of the intervention itself through anticipatory anxieties and fears about receiving a technique and its potential implications. Complex pain packages can take on greater meaning than their actual efficacy in relieving postoperative pain. Future research into patient acceptability and experience should not focus solely on efficacy of pain relief but should include anticipatory fears, anxieties and experiences.