In vitro analysis of the cytotoxicity and the antimicrobial effect of four endodontic sealers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>The aim of this study was to investigate <it>in vitro </it>the cytotoxicity and antibacterial properties of four different endodontic sealers using human periodontal ligament fibroblast cell proliferation and visual analysis of growth inhibition.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A silicone (GuttaFlow), silicate (EndoSequence BC), zinc oxide eugenol (Pulp Canal Sealer EWT) and epoxy resin (AH Plus Jet) based sealer were incubated with PDL fibroblasts (10⁴cells/ml, n = 6) up to 96 h. Cell proliferation (RFU) was determined by means of the Alamar Blue assay. Cell growth and morphology was visualized by means of fluorescent dyes. Possible antibacterial properties of the different sealers were visualized by means of SEM (<it>Enterococcus faecalis; Parvimonas micra</it>).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Fibroblast proliferation depended on sealer and cultivation time. After 72 and 96 h GuttaFlow and EndoSequence BC showed relatively non-cytotoxic reactions, while Pulp Canal Sealer EWT and AH Plus Jet caused a significant decrease of cell proliferation (p < 0.001). Visualization of cell growth and morphology with various fluorescent dyes supplemented the results. No antibacterial effect of EndoSequence BC to <it>P. micra </it>was found, whereas GuttaFlow showed a weak, Pulp Canal Sealer EWT and AH Plus Jet extensive growth inhibition. Also, no antibacterial effect of GuttaFlow, EndoSequence BC or AH Plus Jet to <it>E. faecalis </it>could be detected.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These <it>in vitro </it>findings reveal that GuttaFlow and EndoSequence BC can be considered as biocompatible sealing materials. However, prior to their clinical employment, studies regarding their sealing properties also need to be considered.</p

Effect of radiotherapy on the coronal-sealing ability of two different root canal sealing materials

Objective: This study aimed to assess the coronal-sealing ability of two different root canal obturation materials: gutta-percha with AH Plus and Resilon with Epiphany SE between radiated and nonirradiated groups.Materials and Methods: Fifty-six extracted premolar teeth were randomly divided into two main groups according to the presence or absence of radiotherapy. Specimens were divided into two equal groups. In the radiotherapy group, a total dose of 60 Gy was delivered with 1.8 Gy/d fractions, 5 days a week, for 35 days. The root canals were obturated with either gutta-percha/AH Plus or Resilon/Epiphany SE canal sealer. The samples were then evaluated for the coronal-sealing ability using a centrifuging dye penetration test at 3000 rpm for 5 min in a 2% Rhodamine B solution. The degree of dye penetration was evaluated with a stereomicroscope.Results: Although the sealing ability of both groups was not affected in radiotherapy, the coronal leakage values of Resilon/Epiphany SE slightly increased when radiation was applied (P > 0.05).Conclusion: Radiotherapy does not significantly affect the coronal-sealing ability of root canal obturation materials, gutta-percha/AH Plus and Resilon/Epiphany SE

Comparison of hardness of three temporary filling materials cured by two light-curing devices

Aim. Polymerization ability of light-curing devices can affect the light-cured material hardness. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate and compare the hardness of three temporary filling materials that had been light-cured by either a light emitting diode (LED) or a halogen light-curing unit. Methods. The temporary filling materials, First Fill, Voco Clip and Bioplic, were placed in wells in a Teflon plate. The 24 specimens of each material were divided into two groups (N.=12/group) for photo-activation by either of the two light-curing units. The LED or halogen device was applied for 40s to the top surface of each specimen. A Knoop hardness test was performed on the top and bottom surface of each specimen, with five measurements per specimen. Results. The highest hardness values for both the LED and halogen treated groups were observed for First Fill and the lowest values were for Voco Clip in top and bottom surfaces. The hardness obtained for the three materials with the halogen unit were significantly higher than the values obtained with the LED unit in both surfaces (P<0.05). Conclusion. First Fill light-cured temporary material exhibited the highest hardness values on the top and bottom surfaces than Voco Clip and Bioplic temporary materials. The hardness of light-cured temporary filling materials can be affected by the type of light-curing unit

Evaluation of root canal morphology of human primary mandibular second molars by using cone beam computed tomography

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the root canal configurations of primary mandibular second molars (PMSMs) using Vertucci classification. Materials and Methods: The root canal types of 228 PMSMs (228 mesial and 228 distal roots) were evaluated. In addition, the relationship between external root morphology and Vertucci classification was investigated. The Chi‑square test or Fisher Exact Chi‑square test was used for the evaluations, and P &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all tests. Results: The most commonly observed root canal type, which was observed in 228 roots (50%), was Type 4 followed by Type 8 (15.79%), Type 5 (14.47%), Type 1 (9.21%), and Type 3 (6.57%). In 150 mesial roots, the root canal Type 4 was observed whereas the same type was observed in 78 distal roots, and the difference was significant (P &lt; 0.001). In flat roots (82.9%), the most frequently observed root canal type was Type 4 (50.8%) (P &lt; 0.001).Conclusion: Various root canal types were observed in both mesial and distal roots although Type 4 was the most commonly observed. Root canal types showed a  consistent relationship with separated and conical root shapes whereas the flat roots showed different root canal types.Keywords: Primary teeth, root canal, Vertucci classificatio

Power Hydrogen Evaluation of Apexification Materials: EndoCal 10, Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and Calasept Plus

AIM: The present study was to evaluate pH values of apexification materials.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The materials were placed in 1 cm long and 4 mm diameter tubes. After sample immersion, glass flasks were hermetically sealed with rubber caps to attenuate any effects of external environmental factors and maintained at 37°C. The power hydrogen of the pastes was measured 1 hour, 3 hours, 8 hours, 24 hours, 72 hours and 7 days after preparation. pH was calibrated with solutions of known pH (7.0). Mann-Whitney test were used to determine significant differences.RESULTS: The mean pH of all medications was < 12.0 throughout the experiment. At 24 hours, EndoCal 10 had the highest pH of all the materials (p < 0.05).CONCLUSION: According to the results obtained, it may be concluded that calcium oxide (EndoCal 10) presented the highest pH compared with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Calasept Plus [Ca(OH)2].CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Apexification is an important treatment in immature teeth. For this reason, used materials in apexification should have some properties, such as high pH and stimulating to be hard tissue. Therefore, the material should be chosen carefully in apexification of immature teeth