Species turnover across different life stages from seedlings to canopy trees in swamp forests of Central Brazil

Processes driving the assembly of swamp forest communities have been poorly explored. We analyzed natural regeneration and adult tree communities data of a swamp gallery forest in Central Brazil to discuss the role of ecological filters in shaping plant species turnover in a successional gradient. Species data of 120 plots were used to assess species turnover between natural regeneration and adult tree communities. Our analyses were based on 4995 individuals belonging to 72 species. Community patterns were discerned using ordination analyses. A clear floristic turnover among plant life stages was distinguished. Regeneration community of swamp forests was richer in species composition than the adult community. Tree species commonly found in nonflooded gallery forests were present in the regeneration plots but not in the adult community. Differences in the floristic composition of these two strata suggest that not all species in the seedling stage can stand permanent flooding conditions and only a few tolerant species survive to become adult trees. We propose that natural disturbances play an important role by altering limiting resources, allowing seeds of nonflooded forest species to germinate. This paper elucidates the turnover between plant life stages in swamp forests and suggests mechanisms that may shape these communities

Root canal shaping of curved canals by Reciproc Blue system and Pro Taper Gold : a micro-computed tomographic study

This study aimed to evaluate the centralization and transportation of ProTaper Gold (PTG) rotary system and Reciproc Blue (RB) reciprocating system in curved canals, by using micro-CT. Twenty extracted mandibular molars were previously scanned by usin

Analysis of the physicochemical properties, cytotoxicity and volumetric changes of AH Plus, MTA Fillapex and TotalFill BC Sealer

To evaluate the physicochemical properties and cytotoxicity of AH Plus, MTA Fillapex and TotalFill BC Sealer. Volumetric changes were also evaluating using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Radiopacity and flow were evaluated in accordance with the ISO 6876, while setting time was evaluated in accordance with the ASTM- C266-08 specifications. The release of Ca2+ ions and pH were measured with spectrophotometer and pH meter, respectively, after different time intervals (1h, 3h, 24h, 72h, 168h, and 360h). Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT reduction assay to check 3T3 cells viability at 24, 48 and 72 hours. Volumetric change was evaluated by micro-CT, by using 30 acrylic teeth, filled with gutta-percha cones and the tested root canal sealer. The samples were evaluated after 168h, 360h and 720h of immersion in distilled water. Data were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey test or by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests (P<0.05). MTA Fillapex and TotalFill BC Sealer showed lower radiopacity than AH Plus (P<0.05). The MTA Fillapex showed the highest flow, while AH Plus showed the lowest flow (P<0.05). The initial and final setting time of AH Plus were lower than MTA Fillapex and TotalFill BC Sealer (P<0.05). In general, TotalFill BC Sealer presented higher Ca2+ ion release and pH than the other tested sealers. TotalFill BC Sealer also showed overall lower cytotoxicity when compared to the other sealers. Volumetric change of AH Plus and TotalFill BC Sealer was lower than MTA Fillapex (P<0.05). AH Plus, MTA Fillapex and TotalFill BC Sealer showed slight differences in the physicochemical properties and cytotoxicity, but all suitable for an endodontic sealer. However, AH Plus and TotalFill BC Sealer showed low volumetric changes when compared to MTA Fillapex

The Brazilian Registry of Adult Patient Undergoing Cardiovascular Surgery, the BYPASS Project: Results of the First 1,722 Patients

Objective: To report the early results of the BYPASS project - the Brazilian registrY of adult Patient undergoing cArdiovaScular Surgery - a national, observational, prospective, and longitudinal follow-up registry, aiming to chart a profile of patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery in Brazil, assessing the data harvested from the initial 1,722 patients. Methods: Data collection involved institutions throughout the whole country, comprising 17 centers in 4 regions: Southeast (8), Northeast (5), South (3), and Center-West (1). The study population consists of patients over 18 years of age, and the types of operations recorded were: coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), mitral valve, aortic valve (either conventional or transcatheter), surgical correction of atrial fibrillation, cardiac transplantation, mechanical circulatory support and congenital heart diseases in adults. Results: 83.1% of patients came from the public health system (SUS), 9.6% from the supplemental (private insurance) healthcare systemsand 7.3% from private (out-of-pocket) clinic. Male patients comprised 66%, 30% were diabetics, 46% had dyslipidemia, 28% previously sustained a myocardial infarction, and 9.4% underwent prior cardiovascular surgery. Patients underwent coronary artery bypass surgery were 54.1% and 31.5% to valve surgery, either isolated or combined. The overall postoperative mortality up to the 7th postoperative day was 4%for CABG was 2.6%, and for valve operations, 4.4%. Conclusion: This first report outlines the consecution of the Brazilian surgical cardiac database, intended to serve primarily as a tool for providing information for clinical improvement and patient safety and constitute a basis for production of research protocols.Univ Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP EPM, Hosp Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilHosp Caridade Sao Vicente Paulo, Jundiai, SP, BrazilInst Med Integral Prof Fernando Figueira IMIP, Recife, PE, BrazilHosp Base FUNFARME & FAMERP, Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP, BrazilIMC, Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP, BrazilIrmandade Santa Casa Sao Paulo INCT HPV, Fac Ciencias Med Santa Casa Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilFundacao Univ Cardiol, Inst Cardiol Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilInst Coracao Natal, Natal, RN, BrazilInst Cardiol Dist Fed, Brasilia, DF, BrazilUniv Fed Maranhao HU UFMA, Univ Hosp, Sao Luis, MA, BrazilHosp Evangelico, Cachoeiro De Itapemirim, ES, BrazilHosp Coracao Sergipe, Aracaju, SE, BrazilHosp Nossa Senhora Salete, Inst Cirurgia Cardiovasc ICCV, Cascavel, PR, BrazilHosp Wilson Rosado, Mossoro, RN, BrazilHosp Bosque Saude, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilHosp Univ Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, BrazilHosp Coracao HCor, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilHosp Coracao IP HCor, Ins Pesquisa, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilInst Coracao InCor, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP EPM, Hosp Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Evaluation of irrigating solutions on smear layer removal at different levels of root canal with and without ultrasonics: a scanning electron microscopic study

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a capacidade de remoção da smear layer das paredes de canais radiculares instrumentados pelas soluções de soro fisiológico, EDTA a 17%, vinagre de maçã e SmearClear®, nos três níveis radiculares, associadas ou não ao ultra-som. Para tal propósito, foram utilizados 70 dentes caninos humanos superiores e inferiores extraídos os quais tiveram suas coroas removidas. O comprimento de trabalho foi determinado pela visualização da ponta de uma lima tipo K com diâmetro 10 no forame apical, subtraindo-se 1 milímetro dessa medida. Para o preparo biomecânico, instrumentou-se os dentes com o sistema rotatório ProTaper®, pela técnica coroa-ápice, até o instrumento F5, irrigando os canais com hipoclorito de sódio a 2,5% a cada troca de instrumento. Os dentes foram divididos aleatoriamente em 6 grupos de 10 dentes e 2 grupos controle de 5 dentes de acordo com o método de irrigação final a serem testados: Grupo 1 (controle) Soro fisiológico por 3 minutos sem ultra-som; Grupo 2 - (controle) Soro fisiológico por 3 minutos, sendo o primeiro minuto ativado pelo ultra-som; Grupo 3 - EDTA a 17% por 3 minutos sem ultra-som; Grupo 4 - EDTA a 17% por 3 minutos, sendo o primeiro minuto ativado pelo ultra-som; Grupo 5 - Vinagre de maçã por 3 minutos sem ultra-som; Grupo 6 - Vinagre de maçã por 3 minutos, sendo o primeiro minuto ativado pelo ultra-som; Grupo 7 - SmearClear® por 1 minuto sem ultra-som; Grupo 8 - SmearClear® por 1 minuto ativado pelo ultra-som. Em seguida, os dentes foram irrigados com hipoclorito de sódio a 2,5% e soro fisiológico e secos com cones de papel absorvente. As raízes foram seccionadas longitudinalmente e preparadas para a microscopia eletrônica de varredura com o aumento de 750 vezes. Fotomicrografias foram obtidas dos terços cervical, médio e apical e analisadas por três examinadores para a atribuição de escores para posterior análise estatística. Concluiu-se que as soluções de EDTA e SmearClear® foram efetivas na remoção da smear layer do canal radicular, com pequena vantagem numérica do EDTA, entretanto, sem diferença estatisticamente significante entre elas. O soro fisiológico apresentou resultado significativamente inferior comparado às demais soluções irrigadoras. O vinagre de maçã se mostrou ligeiramente inferior ao SmearClear® e ao EDTA, apresentando diferença estatisticamente significante ao EDTA no terço cervical. O uso do ultra-som não promoveu uma melhora significante na capacidade de limpeza de todas as soluções irrigadoras testadas. Em todos os grupos, o resultado menos favorável em relação à remoção da camada de smear layer foi observado no terço apical do canal radicular, com diferença estatisticamente significante em relação ao terço cervical.The aim of this study was to evaluate the smear layer removal from instrumented root canal walls by saline solution, 17% EDTA, apple vinegar and SmearClear®, at three radicular levels, with or without ultrasonics. For that purpose, 70 upper and lower human canines were used, which had their crowns removed. The working length was established by visualizing the tip of a 10 K-type file at the apical foramen, by reducing 1 mm from this measurement. For preparation of root canal, the teeth were instrumented with rotatory files ProTaper®, using the crown-down technique, up to F5 instrument, irrigating with 2,5% sodium hypochlorite between each instrument change. The teeth were randomly divided into 6 groups of 10 teeth each and 2 control groups of 5 teeth according to the final irrigation protocol: Group 1 (control) Saline solution for 3 minutes without ultrasonics; Group 2 (control) Saline solution for 3 minutes, with ultrasonic activation for the first minute; Group 3 17% EDTA for 3 minutes without ultrasonics; Group 4 17% EDTA for 3 minutes, with ultrasonic activation for the first minute; Group 5 Apple vinegar for 3 minutes without ultrasonics; Group 6 Apple vinegar for 3 minutes, with ultrasonic activation for the first minute; Group 7 - SmearClear® for 1 minute without ultrasonics; Group 8 - SmearClear® for 1 minute with ultrasonic activation. Subsequently, the teeth were irrigated with 2,5% sodium hypochlorite and dried with paper points. The teeth were split open longitudinally and prepared for scanning electron microscopy at magnification of 750X. Photomicrographs were taken from coronal, middle and apical thirds and analyzed by three examiners for scores attribution for statistical analysis. It was concluded that EDTA and SmearClear® were efficient for smear layer removal from root canals, with a discrete superiority of EDTA, however, without statistical significance. The saline solution showed significant inferior results compared with the others solutions. Apple vinegar was slightly inferior to SmearClear® and EDTA, with statistical difference observed between apple vinegar and EDTA in coronal third. The ultrasonics did not enhance the cleaning ability of all the irrigating solutions tested. In all cases, the least favorable result regarding smear layer removal was observed in the apical third of the root canal, with statistically significant differences in the coronal third

Avaliação de métodos de desobturação do canal radicular no retratamento endodôntico e avaliação da ação antimicrobiana de soluções utilizadas na irrigação final

When endodontic treatment fails, an alternative could be root canal retreatment. During this procedure, all filling material should be removed to allow a new root canal preparation and new obturation of the root canal system. Bacteria are the main cause of endodontic treatment failure, and persistent infection may be related to microorganism ability to penetrate into dentinal tubules. Therefore, this requires the use of irrigating solutions with antimicrobial action and low toxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of instruments made of different alloys in root canal re-instrumentation during endodontic retreatment of lateral incisors with apical curvature, using computed microtomography and assessment of these samples by scanning electron microscopy after irrigant activation. Furthermore, the antimicrobial action of a root canal irrigant containing silver nanoparticles, 2% chlorhexidine and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite was evaluated against Enterococcus faecalis biofilm and dentin infected with this microorganism. Thirty extracted maxillary lateral incisors with apical curvature were selected. The teeth were instrumented, filled and divided into three different groups according to the protocol for removal of filling material: Group 1: re-instrumentation with Reciproc R25 instruments, Mtwo 40 and ProDesign Logic 50.01; Group 2: re-instrumentation with ProDesign R, ProDesign Logic 40 and ProDesign Logic 50.01; Group 3: re-instrumentation with Gates-Glidden drills and manual instruments K-file and Hedstroem files. For filling material removal analysis, the samples were scanned in a microtomograph device SkyScan 1174, for comparison of images taken before and after removing the root canal filling, and in each sample the volume was calculated at four levels (apical 1, apical 2, middle and cervical). These samples were split and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy to visualize filling material residues before and after irrigant activation with an ultrasonic device and with the EasyClean system used in continuous rotary motion. Statistical analyses were performed using Kruskal-Wallis, Friedman, Wilcoxon and Dunn tests. Furthermore, the minimum inhibitory concentration of an irrigating solution containing silver nanoparticles was determined against strains of Enterococcus faecalis, by using the microdilution method. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticle solution, 2% chlorhexidine and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite was tested against Enterococcus faecalis biofilm in vitro. For biofilm formation, bovine dentin blocks were placed in 24-well culture plates and Enterococcus faecalis biofilm was developed for 21 days. The dentin blocks were divided into 9 experimental groups of 5 blocks each, according to the irrigating solution used and the time in contact with the irrigant (5, 15 and 30 minutes). The samples were stained with Live/Dead reagent for analysis by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Finally, the antimicrobial action of these solutions was tested after dentinal tubules were contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis. Dentin tubes were made from bovine incisors, taken to a centrifuge and infected with Enterococcus faecalis. The dentin tubes were treated with silver nanoparticle solution, 2% chlorhexidine and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite, and analyzed by CLSM to assess the antimicrobial activity of these solutions against bacteria in the dentinal tubules. The results showed that residues of filling material were found after root canal reinstrumentation in all groups. No significant difference was observed in removal of filling material between the reciprocating instruments Reciproc and ProDesign R and between rotary instruments Mtwo 40 and ProDesign Logic 40. The ProDesign Logic 50/.01 instrument significantly improved the removal of filling material compared with the use of Reciproc and ProDesign R instruments. The apical levels presented greater amount of remnant filling material compared with middle and cervical levels. After canal reinstrumentation, the passive ultrasonic irrigation and irrigant agitation with EasyClean significantly improved the removal of residual filling material in all root canal thirds. There was no significant difference between the performance of ultrasonics and EasyClean regarding the removal of residual filling material, as well no significant difference was observed in the removal of these residues when comparing apical, middle and cervical thirds. Regarding the action of the irrigating solutions against Enterococcus faecalis, the minimum inhibitory concentration of silver nanoparticle solution capable of eliminating this microorganism in broth and agar plates was 94 ppm. After the irrigation of Enterococcus faecalis biofilm, the silver nanoparticle solution was significantly less effective in killing bacteria compared with chlorhexidine when used for time of contact of 5 minutes. The sodium hypochlorite solution presented antimicrobial activity significantly higher compared with the silver nanoparticle solution and chlorhexidine. This solution also presented higher ability to dissolve biofilm in all times tested, whereas the silver nanoparticle solution presented higher ability to dissolve biofilm compared with chlorhexidine in times of 5 and 15 minutes. In infected intratubular dentin with Enterococcus faecalis, the sodium hypochlorite solution presented significant higher effectiveness than the silver nanoparticle solutions and chlorhexidine, especially in middle third and deep areas of the root canal. When comparing the antimicrobial activity of these solutions in biofilm and infected intratubular dentin, it was shown that when the silver nanoparticle solution was used for shorter periods of time, it was more effective in intratubular dentin compared with biofilm. On the other hand, with longer time of 30 minutes, the number of viable bacteria was higher in intratubular dentin than in biofilm, which was also observed when using the sodium hypochlorite solution in this time of action. It was concluded that to increase the rate of success in endodontic retreatment, the combination of the use of reciprocating and rotary instruments in the removal of filling material, the agitation of irrigants and the use of antimicrobial agents could be used in an attempt to eliminate bacteria that resisted to endodontic treatment.Em casos de insucesso do tratamento endodôntico, uma alternativa seria o retratamento do canal radicular. Durante este procedimento deve haver remoção de todo o material obturador para que seja realizada novo preparo biomecânico e nova obturação do sistema de canais radiculares. Bactérias são o principal fator etiológico em casos de fracasso da terapia endodôntica, e esta infecção persistente pode estar relacionada à capacidade dos microganismos em penetrar nos túbulos dentinários. Por este motivo é necessário o uso de soluções na irrigação do canal radicular com ação antimicrobiana e com boa tolerância tecidual. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho dos instrumentos de diferentes ligas metálicas na desobturação do canal radicular durante o retratamento endodôntico de incisivos laterais superiores com curvatura apical, por meio da microtomografia computadorizada e análise destas amostras no microscópio eletrônico de varredura após a ativação de irrigantes. Posteriormente foi avaliada a capacidade antimicrobiana de um irrigante do canal radicular contendo nanopartículas de prata, clorexidina a 2% e hipoclorito de sódio a 2,5% frente ao biofilme de Enterococcus faecalis e à dentina contaminada com este mesmo microrganismo. Foram selecionados trinta incisivos laterais superiores humanos extraídos que apresentavam curvatura apical. Os dentes foram instrumentados, obturados e divididos em três diferentes grupos de acordo com o protocolo de remoção do material obturador do canal radicular: no Grupo 1: a desobturação foi realizada com os instrumentos Reciproc R25, Mtwo 40 e ProDesign Logic 50.01; no Grupo 2: foram utilizados os instrumentos ProDesign R, ProDesign Logic 40 e ProDesign Logic 50.01; e no Grupo 3: a desobturação foi realizada com brocas de Gates-Glidden e instrumentos manuais tipo K e Hedstroem. Para a análise da remoção do material obturador, as amostras foram escaneadas em micrótomogafo SkyScan 1174 para que fossem comparadas as imagens antes e após a desobturação do canal radicular, e em cada amostra este volume foi calculado nos quatro níveis (apical 1, 2, médio e cervical). Estas amostras posteriormente foram clivadas e analisadas no microscópio eletrônico de varredura, para a visualização de resíduos de material obturador antes e após a ativação de irrigantes com o ultrassom e com o sistema EasyClean utilizado em rotação contínua. Para a análise estatística dos resultados foram utilizados os testes de Kruskal-Wallis, Friedman, Wilcoxon e Dunn. Posteriormente, foi determinada a concentração inibitória mínima de uma solução irrigadora do canal contendo nanopartículas de prata frente a cepas de Enterococcus faecalis, através do método de diluição em caldo. Em seguida, foi testada a atividade antimicrobiana das soluções de nanopartículas de prata, da clorexidina a 2% e do hipoclorito de sódio a 2,5% sobre o biofilme de Enterococcus faecalis in vitro. Para isso, foram utilizados blocos de dentina bovina colocados em placas de 24 poços e biofilme de Enterococcus faecalis foi formado durante 21 dias. Os blocos de dentina foram divididos em 9 grupos experimentais com 5 blocos cada um, em função dos irrigantes avaliados e do tempo de exposição à solução irrigadora (5, 10 e 15 minutos). As amostras foram coradas com corante Live/Dead para posterior análise no microscópio confocal de varredura a laser (MCVL). Por fim, foi testada a atividade antimicrobiana destas soluções irrigadoras após a contaminação de túbulos dentinários com Enterococcus faecalis. Foram confeccionados tubos de dentina a partir de incisivos bovinos que foram levados à centrífuga e contaminados com Enterococcus faecalis. Os tubos de dentina receberam tratamento com a solução de nanopartículas de prata, com clorexidina a 2% e com hipoclorito de sódio a 2,5%, e foram analisados no MCVL para avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana das soluções sobre bactérias presentes nos túbulos dentinários. Os resultados demonstraram que resíduos de material obturador foram encontrados após a desobturação do canal em todos os grupos. Não houve diferença significante na remoção de material obturador entre os instrumentos reciprocantes Reciproc e ProDesign R e entre os instrumentos rotatórios Mtwo 40 e ProDesign Logic 40. O instrumento ProDesign Logic 50/.01 melhorou significantemente a remoção de material obturador comparado com o uso dos instrumentos Reciproc e ProDesign R. Os níveis apicais apresentaram uma maior quantidade de material obturador remanescente comparados com os níveis médio e cervical. Após a desobturação do canal radicular, a irrigação ultrassônica passiva e agitação dos irrigantes com o EasyClean melhoraram significantemente a remoção de resíduos de material obturador em todos os terços do canal radicular. Não houve diferença significante no desempenho do ultrassom e do EasyClean em relação à remoção de resíduos de material obturador, assim como não foi observada diferença significante na remoção destes resíduos quando comparados terços apical, médio e cervical. No que diz respeito à ação das soluções irrigadoras sobre o Enterococcus faecalis, a concentração inibitória mínima da solução de nanopartículas de prata capaz de eliminar este microrganimo em meio de cultura e ágar foi de 94 ppm. Após a irrigação no biofilme de Enterococcus faecalis, a solução de nanopartículas de prata foi significantemente menos efetiva em matar bactérias comparada com a clorexidina quando utilizadas pelo tempo de 5 minutos. A solução de hipoclorito de sódio apresentou atividade antimicrobiana significantemente maior comparada com as soluções de nanopartículas de prata e clorexidina. Essa solução ainda apresentou maior capacidade de dissolução do biofilme em todos os tempos testados, enquanto que a solução de nanopartículas de prata apresentou maior capacidade de dissolver o biofilme comparada à clorexidina nos tempos de 5 e 15 minutos. Na dentina intratubular infectada com Enterococcus faecalis, a solução de hipoclorito de sódio apresentou efetividade significantemente maior que as soluções de nanopartículas de prata e clorexidina, principalmente no terço médio e na região profunda do canal radicular. Quando comparada a atividade antimicrobiana destas soluções no biofilme e na dentina intratubular infectada, verificou-se que quando a solução de nanopartículas de prata foi utilizada por um tempo mais curto, foi mais efetiva na dentina intratubular comparada com o biofilme. De maneira contrária, com tempo maior de 30 minutos, o número e bactérias viáveis foi maior na dentina intratubular do que no biofilme, o que ocorreu também com a solução de hipoclorito de sódio neste tempo de ação. Conclui-se que para se aumentar a chance de sucesso em tratamentos retratamentos endodônticos, a combinação do uso de instrumentos reciprocantes e rotatórios na desobturação do canal, agitação de irrigantes e uso de agentes com capacidade antimicrobiana podem ser utilizados na tentativa de se eliminar bactérias resistente ao tratamento endodôntico

Comparison of two methods of irrigant agitation in the removal of residual filling material in retreatment

Abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of passive ultrasonic irrigation and EasyClean for removing residual filling material in retreatment. Twenty-two maxillary lateral incisors with apical curvature were instrumented with ProTaper files and filled with Endofill using the lateral compactation technique. Removal of filling material was performed with Reciproc, Mtwo and ProDesign Logic 50/.01 files. The teeth were inserted in a silicone mould, which was placed in a metal muffle, and split to visualize the residual filling material. The samples were divided into two groups (n = 11) according to the irrigation protocol: Passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI group) with 3 activations of 20 seconds and EasyClean (Easy Equipamentos Odontológicos, Belo Horizonte, Brazil) (EC group) used in continuous rotation with 3 activations of 20 seconds, both using NaOCl and EDTA. Environmental scanning electron microscopic images of the apical, middle, and cervical thirds were taken before and after the irrigant activation. The Kappa test was used to determine interexaminer agreement. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney, and Wilcoxon tests (p 0.05). No significant difference was observed in the removal of filling material in the apical, middle, and cervical thirds in both groups (p > 0.05). EasyClean in continuous rotary motion is useful in retreatment and was shown to be as effective as ultrasonic activation in the removal of remnant filling material

Prevalence and morphometric analysis of three-rooted mandibular first molars in a Brazilian subpopulation

The knowledge of the internal anatomy of three-rooted mandibular molars may help clinicians to diagnose and plan the root canal treatment in order to provide adequate therapy when this variation is present. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of three-rooted mandibular molars in a Brazilian population using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to analyze the anatomy of mandibular first molars with three roots through micro-CT. Material and Methods: CBCT images of 116 patients were reviewed to determine the prevalence of three-rooted first mandibular molars in a Brazilian subpopulation. Furthermore, with the use of micro-CT, 55 extracted three-rooted mandibular first molars were scanned and reconstructed to assess root length, distance between canal orifices, apical diameter, Vertucci's classification, presence of apical delta, number of foramina and furcations, lateral and accessory canals. The distance between the orifice on the pulp chamber floor and the beginning of the curvature and the angle of canal curvature were analyzed in the distolingual root. Data were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test (α=0.05). Results: The prevalence of three-rooted mandibular first molars was of 2.58%. Mesial roots showed complex distribution of the root canal system in comparison to the distal roots. The median of major diameters of mesiobuccal, mesiolingual and single mesial canals were: 0.34, 0.41 and 0.60 mm, respectively. The higher values of major diameters were found in the distobuccal canals (0.56 mm) and the lower diameters in the distolingual canals (0.29 mm). The lowest orifice distance was found between the mesial canals (MB-ML) and the highest distance between the distal root canals (DB-DL). Almost all distal roots had one root canal and one apical foramen with few accessory canals. Conclusions: Distolingual root generally has short length, severe curvature and a single root canal with low apical diameter