Filling analysis of artificial lateral canals after main canal obturation through three different endodontic sealers

Introduction and Objective: This study aimed to evaluate, in vitro, the filling ability of lateral canals after main canal obturation through three different endodontic sealers. Material and methods: Thirty single-rooted pre-molars were used and, six lateral canals were constructed on proximal surfaces and arranged in pairs at 3, 5 and 7 mm from the apex. After chemo-mechanical preparation, with size #40 memory instrument, the teeth were randomly assigned to three experimental groups, according to the root canal sealer applied: Endofill® (group A), Sealer 26® (group B) and MTA Fillapex® (group C). In all groups, we used active lateral condensation technique with gutta-percha associated with sealer. After obturation, the teeth were radiographed at buccolingual direction and the images were digitized. The analysis of endodontic sealer plug near the lateral canals was performed by calculating the area through Image Tool® software. Results and Conclusion: The data were subjected to parametric (Anova), and nonparametric (Kruskal-Wallis) tests, with significance level of 5%. There was no difference among the tested sealers for filling the lateral canals. Concerning to the positions of lateral canals, no differences were also found among sealer types, except at 7 mm from the apex, where MTA Fillapex® showed a significantly greater filling than Sealer 26®

Filling analysis of artificial lateral canals after main canal obturation through three different endodontic sealers

Introduction and Objective: This study aimed to evaluate, in vitro, the filling ability of lateral canals after main canal obturation through three different endodontic sealers. Material and methods: Thirty single-rooted pre-molars were used and, six lateral canals were constructed on proximal surfaces and arranged in pairs at 3, 5 and 7 mm from the apex. After chemo-mechanical preparation, with size #40 memory instrument, the teeth were randomly assigned to three experimental groups, according to the root canal sealer applied: Endofill® (group A), Sealer 26® (group B) and MTA Fillapex® (group C). In all groups, we used active lateral condensation technique with gutta-percha associated with sealer. After obturation, the teeth were radiographed at buccolingual direction and the images were digitized. The analysis of endodontic sealer plug near the lateral canals was performed by calculating the area through Image Tool® software. Results and Conclusion: The data were subjected to parametric (Anova), and nonparametric (Kruskal-Wallis) tests, with significance level of 5%. There was no difference among the tested sealers for filling the lateral canals. Concerning to the positions of lateral canals, no differences were also found among sealer types, except at 7 mm from the apex, where MTA Fillapex® showed a significantly greater filling than Sealer 26®

Influence of pulp condition on the accuracy of an electronic foramen locator in posterior teeth: an in vivo study

The aim of this study was to assess, in vivo, the accuracy of the NovApex® electronic foramen locator in determining working length (WL) in vital and necrotic posterior teeth. The NovApex®was used in 144 canals: 35 teeth with vital pulps (68 canals) and 42 teeth with necrotic pulps (76 canals). WL was measured with the NovApex® locator and confirmed using the radiographic method. Differences between electronic and radiographic measurements ranging between 0.0 and 0.4 millimeters were classified as acceptable; differences equal to or greater than 0.5 millimeter were considered unacceptable. Pearson's chi-square test was used to assess the influence of pulp condition on the accuracy of NovApex®(a = 0.05). Regardless of pulp condition, differences between electronic and radiographic WL measurements were acceptable in 73.61% of the canals. No statistically significant differences in accuracy were observed when comparing vital and necrotic canals (p > 0.05). There were 38 unacceptable measurements. In none of these cases was the file tip located beyond the radiographic apex; in 32, it was located short of the NovApex® measurement. Pulp condition had no significant effect on the accuracy of NovApex®