Computed tomography (CT) in the selection of treatment for root-filled maxillary molars with apical periodontitis.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate whether the use of CT facilitates agreement among endodontists in selecting treatments for root-filled maxillary molars with apical periodontitis and to assess the efficacy of CT in choosing a treatment for such teeth.

Methods: 39 root-filled maxillary molars from 34 patients with suspected apical periodontitis were independently evaluated by 4 endodontists and 1 postgraduate student (decision-makers). Treatment decisions were made based on intra-oral radiographs and a fictive clinical history.

The adoption of nickel-titanium rotary instrumentation increases root-filling quality amongst a group of Swedish general dental practitioners.

The aim of the present study was testing the hypothesis that the adoption of nickel-titanium rotary instrumentation (NTRI) will improve the technical quality of root-fillings. The investigation was carried out within a mandatory continuing education program (CEP) for general dental practitioners (GDPs). The study was conducted amongst GDPs employed by the Public Dental Health Service in the County of Stockholm.

Introducing nickel-titanium rotary instrumentation in a public dental service: the long-term effect on root filling quality.

Objective: The aim of this study was to study the long-term effect on root filling quality after the introduction of nickel titanium rotary instrumentation (NTRI) within a public dental health organization.

Study Design: After an education package, including hands-on training and/or lectures, the root filling quality was evaluated at the organizational level. All general dental practitioners (GDPs) employed at primary evaluation (n = 120) and after 4 years (n = 174) were included.

Clinical and radiographic evaluation of one- and two-visit endodontic treatment of asymptomatic necrotic teeth with apical periodontitis: a randomized clinical trial.

The present investigation recorded the 2-year clinical and radiographic outcome of one- and two visit endodontic treatment and studied the significance of the bacteriologic sampling results on the outcome. A randomization procedure allocated 53 teeth to one-visit treatment and 48 teeth to two-visit treatment. At the end of the study period, 32 teeth (65%) in the one-visit group and 30 teeth (75%) in the two-visit group were classified as healed.

Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and culture analyses of Enterococcus faecalis in root canals.

Reports on the prevalence of Enterococcus faecalis in root canals vary considerably, potentially because of variations in clinical sampling and sample analysis methods. This study compared culture and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to detect and quantify E. faecalis in the same root canal sample.

Evaluation of the antibacterial potential of tetracycline or erythromycin mixed with calcium hydroxide as intracanal dressing against Enterococcus faecalis in vivo.

Objective: We evaluated the intracanal antibacterial potential of tetracycline or erythromycin mixed with calcium hydroxide (CH) against enterococci in vivo.

Study Design: Fifty-five teeth in which enterococci were present were dressed for 1 month with either tetracycline (28 teeth) or erythromycin (27 teeth) mixed with CH.

Results: The tetracycline mixture was effective against enterococci in 22 teeth (79%).