The role of cytokines in pulp inflammation.

Pulpitis is a typical inflammatory disease of dental pulp, characterized by the local accumulation of inflammatory mediators, including cytokines and chemokines. In addition to serving as intercellular messengers mediating the inflammatory response, cytokines and chemokines induce the expression and stimulate the activity of molecular and cellular agents which participate actively in destructive and reparative processes in the pulp. It is the balance between these processes which eventually determines the extent of pulp inflammation and the viability of the affected tooth.

Digital subtraction radiography of panoramic radiographs to evaluate maxillary central incisor root resorption after orthodontic treatment.

Aim: To quantitatively assess the extent of morphologic changes of the apical root area and root length of maxillary central incisors after orthodontic treatment using digital subtraction radiography (DSR) and to investigate possible contributing parameters.

Methods: The subtracted images of panoramic radiographs of 21 patients before and after orthodontic treatment were evaluated using I/RAS C and Image J software. The retrieved data were analyzed by means of SPSS statistical software, and the method's error was assessed.

Irreversible but not reversible pulpitis is associated with up-regulation of tumour necrosis factor-alpha gene expression in human pulp.

Aim: To analyse the gene expression of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in human dental pulps, under normal and inflammatory conditions and to examine the association between any observed alterations in the expression of this cytokine with the severity of the clinical symptoms.

Methodology: Eighteen pulpal samples were obtained from single-rooted human teeth. Six of the teeth were normal (group A), six had been diagnosed with reversible pulpitis (group B), and the remaining six were from teeth diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis (group C).

The influence of the smear layer on dentinal tubule penetration depth by three different root canal sealers: an in vitro study.

The effect of the smear layer on the penetration depth of three different root canal sealers into the dentinal tubules was examined in 64 recently extracted single-rooted teeth. After chemomechanical preparation, the samples were randomly divided in two equal groups. The smear layer remained intact in group A, whereas complete removal of the smear layer was performed in group B.

Short-term periradicular tissue response to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as root-end filling material.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the short-term response of periradicular tissues to MTA when used as a root-end filling material in ideal tissue conditions.

Methodology: The experimental procedures were performed on the healthy teeth of dogs. Pulps were removed and root canals prepared and filled with gutta-percha and sealer.