Evaluation of three instrumentation techniques at the precision of apical stop and apical sealing of obturation

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of two NiTi rotary apical preparation techniques used with an electronic apex locator-integrated endodontic motor and a manual technique to create an apical stop at a predetermined level (0.5 mm short of the apical foramen) in teeth with disrupted apical constriction, and to evaluate microleakage following obturation in such prepared teeth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 85 intact human mandibular permanent incisors with single root canal were accessed and the apical constriction was disrupted using a #25 K-file. The teeth were embedded in alginate and instrumented to #40 using rotary Lightspeed or S-Apex techniques or stainless-steel K-files. Distance between the apical foramen and the created apical stop was measured to an accuracy of 0.01 mm. In another set of instrumented teeth, root canals were obturated using gutta-percha and sealer, and leakage was tested at 1 week and 3 months using a fluid filtration device. RESULTS: All techniques performed slightly short of the predetermined level. Closest preparation to the predetermined level was with the manual technique and the farthest was with S-Apex. A significant difference was found between the performances of these two techniques (

Apical Leakage of Four Endodontic Sealers

International audienceThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the sealing properties of four root canal sealers. Fortyeight maxillary central incisors were instrumented with Profile rotary instruments. They were randomly divided into four groups (n ‫؍‬ 12) and filled using lateral condensation with one of the four sealers: Sealapex, Pulp Canal Sealer, AH 26, and Ketac-Endo. The apical leakage was measured with a fluid filtration method and expressed as L s ؊1 KPa ؊1. The teeth filled with Sealapex displayed a higher apical leakage (8.42 ؎ 4.2 10 ؊11 L s ؊1 KPa ؊1) than those filled with AH 26 (2.10 ؎ 1.39 10 ؊11 L s ؊1 KPa ؊1), Pulp Canal Sealer (0.17 ؎ 0.09 10 ؊11 L s ؊1 KPa ؊1) or Ketac-Endo (0.32 ؎ 0.24 10 ؊11 L s ؊1 KPa ؊1) (p < 0.01). No statistically significant difference was found among AH 26, Pulp Canal Sealer, and Ketac-Endo. No correlation was found between the sealing efficiency of the four sealers and their adhesive properties recorded in a previous study

Influence of the powder/liquid ratio on the properties of zinc oxide-eugenol-based root canal sealers

International audienceThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of modifications of the powder/liquid ratio by endodontists on the physical properties recommended by ISO standards as well as on other clinically relevant properties of zinc oxide-eugenol-based root canal sealers. Methods: The powder/liquid ratio of two zinc oxide-eugenol-based root canal sealers (Cortisomol and Pulp Canal Sealer EWT) was recorded by 10 endodontists. The materials, prepared according to the different consistencies, were tested according to ISO standards to evaluate their physical properties. Their sealing efficiency and the release of eugenol were also evaluated on 20 single rooted teeth. Results: Some results varied according to the material. Nevertheless, for both cements, an increased powder/liquid ratio led to a decreased flow, an increased radiopacity and a decreased amount of eugenol released. The variations in the powder/liquid ratio did not influence the dimensional changes and the apical leakage of both cements. Significance: Variations in the powder/liquid ratio of zinc oxide-eugenol-based root canal sealers have a limited influence on the properties of the sealers. The endodontists can prepare the zinc oxide-eugenol-based root canal sealers at their chosen consistency according to the filling technique they use.

Antibacterial efficiency of passive ultrasonic versus sonic irrigation. Ultrasonic root canal irrigation.

International audienceTo compare the antibacterial effect of the passive ultrasonic to passive sonic irrigation with a 5.25% NaOCI solution

Antibacterial efficiency of passive ultrasonic versus sonic irrigation. Ultrasonic root canal irrigation.

International audienceTo compare the antibacterial effect of the passive ultrasonic to passive sonic irrigation with a 5.25% NaOCI solution

Antibacterial efficiency of passive ultrasonic versus sonic irrigation. Ultrasonic root canal irrigation.

International audienceTo compare the antibacterial effect of the passive ultrasonic to passive sonic irrigation with a 5.25% NaOCI solution