Effect of coronal-radicular flaring on apical transportation.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect early and late radicular flaring has on apical canal transportation when using balanced force instrumentation. Sixty-six extracted human teeth with curvatures ranging from 20 to 65 degrees were equally divided into two groups. Canals were cleaned and shaped using balanced force and one of two flaring techniques.

Chairside disinfection of radiographs.

Routine disinfection of materials that have contacted human blood products and body fluids during patient care is recommended by the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control. The purpose of this study was to determine whether surface disinfection with sodium hypochlorite would be an effective means for disinfection of radiographic film packets used in chairside developers. Disinfection of exposed radiographic film packets for 30 seconds in 5.

A serious complication following the inadvertent injection of sodium hypochlorite outside the root canal system.

During an attempt to negotiate a calcified root canal in a maxillary lateral incisor, a midroot distobuccal perforation was created, and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) was extruded through the opening into the supporting tissues. This procedural accident caused an immediate burning sensation, severe pain, and marked facial swelling, with the subsequent loss of the tooth.

Use of verbal descriptors, thermal scores and electrical pulp testing as predictors of tooth pain before and after application of benzocaine gels into cavities of teeth with pulpitis.

A double-blind pilot study was conducted on 27 consenting human volunteers who had irreversible pulpitis associated with persistent toothache pain from open carious lesions. Formulations tested contained either 0, 10%, or 20% benzocaine and were identified only by a numbered code. Before the experiment started, a small amount of a known 5% benzocaine gel was placed for 1 minute on the tongue of each patient to assure a sensation of numbness within the oral cavity.

Endodontic access: an update, Part II.

Part two of the series on root canal access discusses treatment of the premolars and the mandibular and maxillary molars, and offers additional treatment recommendations.