Photodynamic Therapy: A Novel Ally for Surgical Endodontic Treatment? Case Report.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a powerful tool for conventional endodontic treatment, capable of eradicating microorganisms present in endodontic infections. Despite this, the use of PDT in the surgical endodontic treatment is not well-known. This paper describes the case of a patient with asymptomatic apical periodontitis in a mandibular incisor submitted to surgical endodontic treatment associated with PDT.

Infant sleep and the influence of a pacifier.

Background: Divergent opinions are found in the literature regarding the use of a pacifier. During the longitudinal follow-up of children, health professionals must take a position on this issue and offer clear information regarding the pros and cons of pacifier use so that parents/caregivers can feel comfortable enough to make their own decision.

Aim: Evaluate the beneficial effects of pacifier use on the sleep quality of infants.

Effect of Reciprocating Systems and Working Lengths on Apical Microcrack Development: a micro-CT Study.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of root canal preparation with single-file reciprocating systems at different working lengths on the development of apical microcracks using micro-computed tomographic (micro-CT) imaging. Forty extracted human mandibular incisors were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n=10) according to the systems and working length used to prepare the root canals: Group A - WaveOne Gold at apical foramen (AF), Group B - WaveOne Gold 1 mm short of the AF (AF-1 mm), Group C - Unicone (AF) and Group D - Unicone (AF-1 mm). Micro-CT scanning was performed before and after root canal preparation at an isotropic resolution of 14 µm.

Prevalence of Asymptomatic Apical Periodontitis and its Association with Coronary Artery Disease in a Brazilian Subpopulation.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic apical periodontitis (AAP) and its association with coronary artery disease (CAD) in a Brazilian subpopulation, and to examine the correlation of AAP with gender, age and most frequently affected dental elements.

Methods: The data were collected from medical records of the patients (n = 1346) treated at the Specialization in Endodontics Clinic of the Federal University of Pernambuco in the period between 2003 and 2010. From each patient, the following variables were recorded: gender, age, endodontically compromised teeth, endodontic diseases diagnosed and the history of CAD.

Detection of Apical Root Cracks Using Spectral Domain and Swept-source Optical Coherence Tomography.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the ability of 2 optical coherence tomographic (OCT) systems to detect apical dentinal microcracks.

Methods: Twenty extracted human single-rooted mandibular incisors were selected. After root canal preparation with an R40 Reciproc file (VDW, Munich, Germany), the specimens presenting apical microcracks were identified using micro-computed tomographic (micro-CT) scanning as the gold standard.

Micro-computed Tomographic Analysis of Apical Microcracks before and after Root Canal Preparation by Hand, Rotary, and Reciprocating Instruments at Different Working Lengths.

Introduction: This study aimed to compare apical microcrack formation after root canal shaping by hand, rotary, and reciprocating files at different working lengths using micro-computed tomographic analysis.

Methods: Sixty mandibular incisors were randomly divided into 6 experimental groups (n = 10) according to the systems and working lengths used for the root canal preparation: ProTaper Universal for Hand Use (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland), HyFlex CM (Coltene-Whaledent, Allstetten, Switzerland), and Reciproc (VDW, Munich, Germany) files working at the apical foramen (AF) and 1 mm short of the AF (AF - 1 mm). The teeth were imaged with micro-computed tomographic scanning at an isotropic resolution of 14 μm before and after root canal preparation, and the cross-sectional images generated were assessed to detect microcracks in the apical portion of the roots.

A C-Shaped Canal in a Maxillary Second Molar: Prexion 3D Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Analysis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to present an atypical case of a C-shaped root canal that was present in the vestibular root of a permanent maxillary second molar using PreXion 3-D cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) as a diagnostic device.

Materials And Methods: A 50-year-old female patient was referred for routine examination to a private diagnostic imaging clinic in Recife-Pernambuco. During the physical examination, the presence of an unusual C-shaped anatomy in the vestibular canal with a mesiodistal interconnection that extended from the apical to the cervical third was detected in axial slices acquired with a PreXion 3-D scanner.

Evaluation of Capacity of Essential Oils in Dissolving ProTaper Universal Gutta-Percha points.

Purpose: Solvents may be used to remove the filling materials. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of formulated orange oil, orange oil and formulated eucalyptol in dissolving F3 ProTaper Universal Gutta-percha points.

Material And Methods: 200 samples were used and divided into four groups, further divided in fifty samples for each solvent.

Evaluation of Microbial Reduction in Root Canals Instrumented with Reciprocating and Rotary Systems.

Objective: This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the disinfection of root canal systems carried out with Reciproc(TM) and ProTaper Universal(TM) systems using 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl).

Methods: Forty human single-rooted mandibular premolars were infected with Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, and twenty were not infected. The specimens were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 10): Group 1: ProTaper Universal(TM) + 1% NaOCl; Group 2 (positive control): ProTaper Universal(TM) + saline; Group 3 (negative control without microorganisms): ProTaper Universal(TM) + saline; Group 4: Reciproc(TM) + 1% NaOCl; Group 5 (positive control): Reciproc(TM) + saline; Group 6 (negative control without microorganisms): Reciproc(TM) + saline.

The efficacy of photodynamic therapy and sodium hypochlorite in root canal disinfection by a single-file instrumentation technique.

Aim: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) in root canal disinfection by a single-file instrumentation technique.

Material And Methods: Seventy human single-rooted mandibular premolars were infected with Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, and divided into seven groups (n=10) according to the protocol of disinfection used. Group 1: 1% NaOCl; Group 2: 5.

Comparison of smear layer removal using the Nd:YAG laser, ultrasound, ProTaper Universal system, and CanalBrush methods: an in vitro study.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the Nd:YAG laser, ultrasound, the ProTaper Universal system (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland), and the CanalBrush (Coltene Whaledent, Langenau, Germany) methods for the removal of the smear layer from the apical third of root canals.

Methods: Fifty distal root canals from extracted human mandibular first molars were instrumented up to ProTaper Universal F5 and divided randomly into 5 groups (n = 10) according to the following final irrigation agitation techniques: no agitation (control), ProTaper Universal file, ultrasound, CanalBrush, and Nd:YAG laser. Specimens were observed under a scanning electron microscope.

Photodynamic therapy in combating the causative microorganisms from endodontic infections.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is presented as a promising antimicrobial therapy that can eliminate microorganisms present in endodontic infections. This treatment is based on the use of a nontoxic photosensitizing agent followed by irradiation of a resonant light source being capable of generating highly reactive species that are harmful to microorganisms. The purpose of this paper is to review the dental literature about the main factors that encompass the use of PDT combined with endodontic treatment for decontamination of the root canal system.

Comparison of the centring ability of the ProTaper™ and ProTaper Universal™ rotary systems for preparing curved root canals.

The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the centring ability of the ProTaper™ and ProTaper Universal™ rotary systems for preparing curved root canals, by means of preoperative and postoperative imaging of a cross-section of their coronal, middle and apical thirds. Twenty mesiobuccal root canals of human mandibular first molars with a degree of curvature ranging from 55° to 60° were randomly divided into two groups of 10 specimens each: Group 1, ProTaper™ rotary system; and Group 2, ProTaper Universal™ rotary system. The data were analysed statistically by Kruskal-Wallis and Student's t-test at the 5% significance level.

Horizontal root fracture in a maxillary central incisor: a case report.

Horizontal root fractures usually are characterized by a fracture line that is perpendicular to the long axis of the tooth's root. Root fractures are diagnosed through clinical and radiographic examination. Treatment depends on the position of the fracture and the extent of root involvement.

Association between breastfeeding and the development of breathing patterns in children.

Unlabelled: The aims of the present study were to evaluate the association between breastfeeding and breathing development and to investigate associations between breastfeeding duration and the breathing patterns in children. A cross-sectional study was carried out at the Institute of Integrative Medicine Professor Fernando Figueira, Recife, Brazil, with a random sample of 732 children aged between 6 and 9 years. Breastfeeding and breathing patterns were identified using a questionnaire that was filled out by mothers or guardians, and a clinical examination of the children.

Assessment of canal walls after biomechanical preparation of root canals instrumented with Protaper Universal rotary system.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the instrumented walls of root canals prepared with the ProTaper Universal rotary system.

Material And Methods: Twenty mesiobuccal canals of human first mandibular molars were divided into 2 groups of 10 specimens each and embedded in a muffle system. The root canals were transversely sectioned 3 mm short of the apex before preparation and remounted in their molds.

Factors involved in the choice of dentistry as an occupation by pernambuco dental students in Brazil.

The aim of this study was to determine the factors that lead to the choice of dentistry as an occupation among dental students in Pernambuco, Brazil. A total of 1,024 students were surveyed. All participants were enrolled in dentistry courses in the state of Pernambuco in 2008.

Evaluation of the centreing ability of the ProTaper Universal rotary system in curved roots in comparison to Nitiflex files.

The aim of the present study was to assess the centreing ability of the ProTaper Universal rotary system in curved roots in comparison to Nitiflex files, by means of preoperative and postoperative imaging of a cross-section of the apical third. Twenty mesiobuccal canals of human first mandibular molars with a degree of curvature ranging from 35 degrees to 60 degrees were divided into two groups of 10 specimens each: group 1, ProTaper Universal rotary system; group 2 (control), Nitiflex files. All instruments produced morphological alterations.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of 0.5%, 1%, and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite in root canals instrumented with the ProTaper Universal system.

Objective: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of 0.5%, 1% and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite in root canals instrumented with the ProTaper Universal system.

Evaluation of the root dentine cutting effectiveness of the HERO 642, HERO Apical and HERO Shaper rotary systems.

Different HERO rotary systems were evaluated by pre- and postoperative images of a cross-section of their mesiobuccal root thirds with a stereoscopic magnifier (45x). Fifty mesiobuccal canals of human mandibular first molars were divided into five groups: 1--HERO 642; 2--HERO 642 and HERO Apical; 3--HERO Shaper; 4--HERO Shaper and HERO Apical; 5--NitiFlex files. The perimeter of the canal was calculated using Image Tool software (UTHSCA).

Assessment of the deviation after biomechanical preparation of the coronal, middle, and apical thirds of root canals instrumented with three HERO rotary systems.

The aim of the present study was to assess the risk of deviation of the root canals prepared by 3 HERO rotary systems, used solely or in association, by means of preoperative and postoperative imaging of a cross-section of their coronal, middle, and apical thirds. Fifty mesiobuccal canals of human first molars were randomly divided into 5 groups of 10 specimens each: group A, HERO 642; group B, HERO 642 + HERO Apical; group C, HERO Shaper; group D, HERO Shaper + HERO Apical; group E (control), NitiFlex files. Fisher exact test showed that the differences between the percentages of the presence of deviation and the differences observed between the proportions of instrumented and noninstrumented walls were not statistically significant.