Evaluation of physico-chemical properties of Portland cements and MTA

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hydrogenionic potential and electrical conductivity of Portland cements and MTA, as well as the amount of arsenic and calcium released from these materials. In Teflon molds, samples of each material were agitated and added to plastic flasks containing distilled water for 3, 24, 72 and 168 h. The results were analyzed with a Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test for global comparisons and a Dunn-Tukey test for pairwise comparisons. The results revealed no significant differences in the pH of the materials (p &gt; 0.05). The electrical conductivity of the cements were not statistically different (p &gt; 0.05). White non-structural cement and MTA BIO released the largest amount of calcium ions into solution (p < 0.05), while arsenic release was insignificant in all of the materials (p &gt; 0.05). The results indicated that the physico-chemical properties of Portland cements and MTA were similar. Furthermore, all materials produced an alkaline environment and can be considered safe for clinical use because arsenic was not released. The electrical conductivity and the amount of calcium ions released into solution increased over time

Effect of different restorative procedures on the fracture resistance of teeth submitted to internal bleaching

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different restorative procedures on the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth submitted to intracoronal bleaching. Fifty upper central incisors were distributed into 5 groups: GI - healthy teeth; GII - endodontically treated teeth sealed with Coltosol; GIII - endodontically treated teeth bleached and sealed with Coltosol; GIV - endodontically treated teeth bleached and restored with composite resin; and GV - endodontically treated teeth bleached and restored with a fiberglass post and composite resin. In the bleached specimens, a cervical seal was made prior to bleaching with 38% hydrogen peroxide. The gel was applied on the buccal surface and in the pulp chamber, and was then light-activated for 45 s. This procedure was repeated three times per session for four sessions, and each group was submitted to the restorative procedures described above. The specimens were submitted to fracture resistance testing in a universal testing machine. There were statistically significant differences among the groups (p &lt; 0.05). The mean value found for GIII was the lowest (0.32 kN) and was significantly different from the values found for GI (0.75 kN), GII (0.67 kN), GIV (0.70 kN), and GV (0.72 kN), which were not significantly different from each other (p &gt; 0.05). The restorative procedures using composite resin were found to successfully restore the fracture resistance of endodontically treated and bleached teeth

Propriedades físico-químicas e mecânicas, potencial bioativo e caracterização da interface dentina-cimento de cimentos endodônticos experimentais à base de cimento Portland associados à radiopacificadores micro e nanoparticulados

Portland Cement is composed by calcium silicate and the association with additives or vehicles, may confer characteristics to enable the use of this cement as root canal sealer. However, Portland cement lacks in radiopacity which requires the addition of a radiopacifying agent to the mixture to be used as dental material. The purpose of this study was to assess the physicochemical and mechanical properties, the bioactivy potential and to characterize the dentin-sealers interfaces of Portland-based experimental root canal sealers (ES) containing nano or micro particles of zirconium oxide or niobium oxide. Setting time, compressive strength, flow ability, film thickness, radiopacity, solubility and dimensional stability were evaluated according to ISO 6876:2012 standards, whereas formaldehyde realease was investigated using gas-cromatography. Dentin bond strength was evaluated by push-out test and the sealer’s microestruture and bioactivity potential were perfomed using X-ray energy espectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry and infrared spectroscopy. Dentin-sealers interface was assessed with respect to fluorescent microspheres penetration and it was also examined using confocal microscope and scanning electron microscope coupled to X-ray energy dispersive line scans. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc test (p < 0.05). With the exception of radiopacity, ES showed physicochemical properties according to ISO 6876:2012 specifications, adequate dentin bond strength, great bioactivity potential and promoted coronal sealing and chemical interaction with dentin.O cimento Portland é constituído por silicato de cálcio e a associação com aditivos e veículos conferem características que podem viabilizar seu uso como cimento endodôntico. No entanto, o cimento Portland não apresenta radiopacidade própria, o que torna necessário a adição de um agente radiopacificador à mistura para ser utilizado como material dentário. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as propriedades físico-químicas e mecânicas, o potencial bioativo e caracterizar a interface dentina-cimento de cimentos endodônticos experimentas à base de cimento Portland (ES) contendo nano ou micro partículas de óxido de zircônio ou óxido de nióbio. O tempo de presa, resistência à compressão, escoamento, espessura de filme, radiopacidade, solubilidade e estabilidade dimensional foram avaliadas de acordo com a norma ISO 6876:2012, enquanto que a liberação de fomaldeído foi avaliada por meio de cromatografia gasosa. A resistência de união dentinária foi avaliada por meio de teste push-out e tanto a caracterização da microestrutura dos cimento quanto a análise do potencial bioativo foram realizadas utilizando energia dispersiva de raios-x, difractometria e espectroscopia infravermelha. A interface dentina-cimento foi avaliada com relação à penetração de microesferas fluorescentes e examinada em microscopia confocal e microscopia eletrônica de varredura associada à escaneamento por energia dispersiva de raios-x linear. Os dados foram submetidos aos testes ANOVA e Tukey (p < 0,05). Com exceção da radiopacidade, os ES apresentaram propriedades físico-químicas de acordo com as especificações ISO 6876, adequada resistência de união à dentina, potencial bioativo e promoveram selamento coronário e interação química com a dentina

From MTA to New Biomaterials Based on Calcium Silicate

One of the most revolutionary materials introduced in Endodontics was the Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA). The investigations regarding MTA formulation allowed researchers to disclose the composition and also some clinical problems related to the clinical application of this material. The augmentation on MTA’s studies resulted in the development a new generation of Endodontic materials, the calcium silicate-based cements. Thus, a brief description of new cements and the perspectives on calcium silicate-based materials development were presented in this communication.

Interface of dentine to root canal sealers

Objective: Root canal sealers can interact physically or chemically with dentine. The aim of this study was to characterize the dentine-root canal sealer interface of experimental sealers based on Portland cement using an epoxy-based vehicle in comparison to an epoxy resin sealer, AH Plus.Methods: Root canals were biomechanically prepared and filled with any one of the four experimental epoxy sealers containing Portland cement with micro-and nano-particles of either zirconium oxide or niobium oxide radiopacifers, or AH Plus. The dentine-sealer's interfaces were assessed by coronal penetration of fluorescent microspheres, the penetration of sealers labelled with Rhodamine B inside the dentine tubules (following obturation with gutta-percha and sealers using System B technique) assessed by confocal laser scanning microscopy, and the chemical characterization of dentine-sealers interface by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) line scans.Results: No penetration of fluorescent microspheres at the root-dentine to sealer interface was recorded for all test materials. Sealers presented greater ability to penetrate within the dentinal tubules at the coronal and mid-root thirds. The experimental sealers containing radiopacifier nano-particles exhibited a more homogeneous microstructure along the whole length of the canal. EDS-line scans results showed a migration of silicon and niobium into dentine. Peak overlap between zirconium and the phosphorous compromised the identification of the migration of the zirconium oxide into dentine.Conclusions: All five sealers promoted coronal sealing. The experimental sealers exhibited promising characteristics and were comparable to AH Plus sealer. Elemental migration of the experimental sealers suggests material interaction with dentine which was not displayed by AH Plus. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Investigation of the Effect of Sealer Use on the Heat Generated at the External Root Surface during Root Canal Obturation Using Warm Vertical Compaction Technique with System B Heat Source

Introduction: During warm vertical compaction of gutta-percha, root canal sealers with different chemical compositions absorb the heat generated inside the root canal. The aim of this research was to assess physicochemical modifications of sealers subjected to the System B heat source (Analytic Technology, Redmond, WA) and to evaluate the effect that the use of different sealers has on the heat transfer to the external root surface. Methods: Three proprietary brand sealers (AH Plus [Dentsply International, Addlestone, UK], Pulp Canal Sealer [Kerr Corporation, Orange, CA], MTA Fillapex [Angelus Dental Solutions, Londrina, PR, Brazil]) and a prototype sealer based on Portland cement were assessed. The heat generated on the surfaces of System pluggers and the heat dissipation at different levels (apical, midroot, and cervical) over root surface while using different sealers was assessed using thermocouples. Data were collected in 3 different environmental conditions with the tooth suspended in air, immersed in Hank's balanced salt solution, or gelatinized Hank's balanced salt solution. Chemical changes in the sealers induced by the heat were monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The effect of heat changes on the setting time and compressive strength of the sealers was also assessed. Results: The continuous wave plugger sustained a rise in temperature at a maximum of 80 C at the instrument shank. The highest change in temperature on the external root surface was recorded after 1.5 minutes from the start of heating, and it was restored to body temperature by 6 minutes. Environmental conditions affected heat dissipation for all the sealers in the midroot and cervical regions and the highest increase in temperature (similar to 60 degrees C) recorded in air. In the midroot and cervical regions, the type of sealer used did not affect the rise in temperature. In the apical region, AH Plus obturations resulted in a greater rise in temperature, and the chemical composition of this sealer was affected by high temperature; it also induced a reduction in sealer setting time and strength. Conclusions: It could be concluded that surrounding conditions, such as temperature and humidity, exerted influence on heating dissipation during the continuous wave of the condensation obturation technique and that root canal sealers presented different conductive/isolating properties. Furthermore, the physical and chemical properties of AH Plus were negatively affected by the changes in temperature.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Influence of the gutta-percha taper and finger spreader on lateral consensation effectiveness

Introduction: Lateral condensation effectiveness may be influenced by the gutta-percha and finger spreader taper used during root canal obturation. Objective: To evaluate the penetration ability of finger spreader into simulated root canals prepared using MTwo rotary system and filled with different gutta-percha and finger spreader tapers. Material and methods: Resin blocks with curved root canals had the apical diameter enlarged up to #25.06 and distributed into groups (n = 6) according to the gutta-percha taper (#25.02, #25.04, and #25.06) and the finger spreader (#30 and #35 NiTi, and stainless steel B) used to perform cold lateral condensation. After applying a load of 1.5 Kg over the finger spreaders’ head, the distance between the finger spread tip and the apical limit of the root canal preparation were obtained. The data were submitted to Anova and Tukey-Krammer’s test, with 5% of significance. Results: The gutta-percha cones with 0.02 taper enabled higher finger spreader penetration when compared to 0.04 and 0.06 tapers (p 0.05), regardless of the type and diameter of the finger spreader used. When different finger spreaders were compared among themselves, stainless steel B showed higher penetration ability (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that the stainless-steel finger spreaders showed superior penetration ability and gutta-percha with lower tapers enabled a more effective lateral condensation at the apical third