Root trunk height as a risk factor for periodontal furcation involvement in maxillary first molars: an in vitro study.

The aim of this study was to correlate the root trunk height from the furcation openings on the buccal, mesial and distal surfaces to the cemento-enamel junction in upper first permanent molars in human beings with risk for periodontal disease progression. One hundred extracted maxillary first molars were used. Reference points and demarcations were determined from the entrance of the buccal (F1), mesial (F2) and distal (F3) furcations to the cemento-enamel junction in millimeters.

Prevalence of different types of accessory canals in the furcation area of third molars.

Background: Although there are several studies that show the prevalence and diameter of accessory root canals in the furcation area, there is a scarceness of studies that observe the trajectory and different types of cavo-interradicular canals. The aim of this study was to verify the prevalence of the different morphologic types of accessory canals in the furcation region in an attempt to show their trajectories.

Methods: Forty submerged mandibular third molars were used, which were extracted and decalcified so that the microtomy procedure in the mesio-distal axial plane could be performed, obtaining semiserial sections with thicknesses of 5 microm.

Relationship between gingival clinical parameters and the reactivity of the BANA test in subgingival samples from children.

Gingivitis is the first manifestation of periodontal disease, and is characterized by painless and slow evolution. Early diagnosis and intervention must be done to avoid the possibility of precocious periodontitis during the childhood or teenage years. The enzymatic BANA test (N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-naphthylamide) was used to evaluate subgingival samples from 54 children between 6 and 9 years of age.

Sharpening of periodontal instruments with different sharpening stones and its influence upon root debridement--scanning electronic microscopy assessment.

The objective of this study was to evaluate, through scanning electronic microscopy, the effect of sharpening with different sharpening stones on the cutting angle of periodontal curettes (Gracey 5-6), and the influence on root surfaces after debridement and planing. The experimental model consisted of two different phases. In the first, the cutting angles of fifteen stainless steel Gracey 5-6 curettes were analyzed under a scanning electronic microscope after being sharpened with different types of stones.

A comparative SEM study of smear layer removal by detergents and EDTA on the root surface.

The present study performed an SEM evaluation of the efficiency of the following detergents on smear layer removal on the root surface: sodium lauryl sulphate, Plax, castor oil, and EDTA 24%. Sodium lauryl sulphate did not remove the smear layer and showed the worst results of all detergents tested. Plax and castor-oil detergents showed similar results represented by partial removal of the smear layer; these results were better than those obtained in the control (physiologic serum) and sodium lauryl sulphate groups.

Reliability of bleeding and non-bleeding on probing to gingival histological features.

Given the extensive use in periodontal diagnosis of the clinical sign of bleeding on probing, the reliability of the technique in relation to gingival histological features and the need for a better understanding of its significance was investigated. Bleeding (B) and non-bleeding (NB) buccal gingival tissues, were measured through manual probing during gingivectomy procedures. The histological evidence of inflammation was used as the gold standard.

Technical assessment of WHO-621 periodontal probe made in Brazil.

This study technically assessed the WHO-621 periodontal probe made in Brazil as well as its dimensional and weight stability after sterilization. The following characteristics were measured in one hundred (100) new probes: diameter and linear area of tip sphere and beginning and ending references of its colored band by means of indirect computerized morphometric method, and weight, by means of a digital balance within 0.01 mm precision.