In vitro evaluation of the influence of ultrasonic activation on physicochemical properties of three endodontic repair materials.

The influence of ultrasonic activation (UA) on the physicochemical properties of setting time (n = 5), volumetric stability (n = 10), alkalizing activity/calcium ions release (pH/Ca) (n = 10) and calcium/phosphate-rich substance formation in simulated body fluid (Hank's balanced salt solution; HBSS) of three cements was evaluated: white MTA-Angelus (MTA), MTA Repair HP (MTAHP) and Biodentine (BIO). It was observed that UA influenced the setting times (min) distinctly, delaying the initial setting time of MTA (40.8/64.

Does the Mixing Method of AH Plus Jet Affect its Physicochemical and Mechanical Properties?

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the mixing method of AH Plus Jet sealer affects its physicochemical and mechanical properties.

Methods: The properties of AH Plus Jet sealer were analyzed when mixed using either the Auto Mix Tip or manual mixing. The evaluated properties included radiopacity (n = 5), initial and final setting times (n = 5), flow (n = 5), and solubility (n = 3), following specifications outlined in ISO 6876/2012 and ADA Nº 57/2000.

Impact of different agitation methods on smear layer cleaning of mesial canals with accentuated curvature.

Objectives: This study evaluated the impact of different methods of irrigant agitation on smear layer removal in the apical third of curved mesial canals of 3 dimensionally (D) printed mandibular molars.

Materials And Methods: Sixty 3D-printed mandibular second molars were used, presenting a 70° curvature and a Vertucci type II configuration in the mesial root. A round cavity was cut 2 mm from the apex using a trephine of 2 mm in diameter, 60 bovine dentin disks were made, and a smear layer was formed.

Referred pain is associated with greater odontogenic spontaneous pain and a heightened pain sensitivity in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis.

Background: Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis often results in heightened reactions to thermal stimuli such as pain evoked by a cold stimulus, and spontaneous odontogenic pain (unprovoked pain).

Objective: This study primarily compared the clinical manifestations of odontogenic spontaneous pain and pain provoked by cold stimulus specifically focusing on their sensory discriminative characteristics (intensity, duration and quality) between symptomatic irreversible pulpitis patients with and without referred pain.

Methods: Twenty-three patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis with referred pain and 12 patients without referred pain were included in this cross-sectional study.

Influence of Different Apical Foramen Morphologies on the Accuracy of Four Electronic Foramen Locators.

Objective:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the Root ZX II (RZX), Raypex 6 (RAY), EPex Pro (EPEX), and CanalPro (CNP) electronic foramen locators (EFLs) in different foraminal morphologies (fully formed foramen, immature foramen with parallel walls, and immature foramen with divergent walls); this article also evaluated the influence of different penetration levels (0.0 mm and -1.0 mm).

Biological response to endodontic treatment in one versus two-visit: a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies.

Objectives: To perform a systematic review of animal studies that compared the histopathological characteristics between teeth with apical periodontitis after endodontic treatment in one or two visits.

Materials And Methods: This systematic review was registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) - CRD42022340849. Studies were collected from PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS, EMBASE, Livivo, SciELO, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library and manual and gray literature searches.

How Does Intentional Apical Foraminal Enlargement Affect the Foramen and Root Canal Morphology?

Introduction: This study assessed the effect of intentional foraminal enlargement on the foramen and the apical root canal morphology.

Method: Sixty mesial roots of mandibular molars were scanned by micro-computed tomography. Their apical foramina were photographed with a stereomicroscope before and after preparation.

Photobiomodulation Therapy Improves Repair of Bone Defects Filled by Inorganic Bone Matrix and Fibrin Heterologous Biopolymer.

Biomaterials are used extensively in graft procedures to correct bone defects, interacting with the body without causing adverse reactions. The aim of this pre-clinical study was to analyze the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) with the use of a low-level laser in the repair process of bone defects filled with inorganic matrix (IM) associated with heterologous fibrin biopolymer (FB). A circular osteotomy of 4 mm in the left tibia was performed in 30 Wistar male adult rats who were randomly divided into three groups: G1 = IM + PBM, G2 = IM + FB and G3 = IM + FB + PBM.

Micro-CT Assessment of Filling Removal Effectiveness in the Apical Third of Curved Canals with Different Types of Anatomy.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of filling removal material from the apical third of curved mesial root canals of mandibular molars. Reciprocating instrumentation followed by additional rotary instrumentation with instruments made of alloys with different heat treatments was evaluated.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-six mesial roots of mandibular molars were divided into two groups: Group Class IV consisted of 16 roots with two independent canals, and Group Class II consisted of 20 roots with two canals that merged into one at their apical level.

Shaping ability of a pediatric motor-driven instrumentation system in primary molar root canal prototypes.

Unlabelled: Evaluate the shaping ability and preparation time using a pediatric motor-driven rotary instrumentation compared to other systems in resin prototypes of primary molars.

Methods: Thirty specimens were scanned in micro-CT and divided into three groups according to the instrumentation type: pediatric motor-driven Sequence baby File (SBF); conventional motor-driven (Sequence Rotary File - SRF); manual K file. Instrumentation time was timed.

Effectiveness of a new endodontic irrigation system for removing smear layer and dissolving simulated organic matter.

Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the potential for the dissolution of organic tissue in areas of simulated complexity and cleaning of root canal walls of the new iVac® endodontic irrigation system.

Material And Methods: Thirty mandibular premolars were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy before and after biomechanical preparation. Then, they were distributed according to the final irrigation protocol into groups with conventional irrigation, ultrasonic agitation with metallic insert (UA), and iVac® system, and new photomicrographs were obtained.

Enhancing debris removal in curved canals: a comparative evaluation of XP-endo Finisher and Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation.

Objectives: The study aimed to compare the efficacy of XP-endo Finisher and Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation (PUI) in removing hard tissue debris from curved canals.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-four mandibular molars with Vertucci's type II mesial canals were scanned in microcomputed tomography before and after preparation with HyFlex EDM, and accumulated hard tissue debris was quantified. Subsequently, the teeth were randomly divided into two groups according to the supplementary procedure: PUI with the Ultra-X insert or XP-endo Finisher.

A Global Overview of Guided Endodontics: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Introduction: This review aimed to analyze the trend and main characteristics of articles related to guided endodontics (GE).

Methods: The search was conducted in May 2023 on Web of Science. GE-related articles were included, and conferences were excluded.

Divergence between confidence and knowledge of endodontists regarding non-odontogenic pain.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the self-reported levels of confidence and knowledge related to non-odontogenic pain among a group of Brazilian endodontists.

Methodology: A total of one hundred and forty-six endodontists affiliated with the Brazilian Society of Endodontics participated in the survey. The questionnaire, distributed via email or WhatsApp, contained inquiries designed to gauge self-perceived confidence and knowledge concerning non-odontogenic pain.

To flat or not to flat? Exploring the impact of flat-side design on rotary instruments using a comprehensive multimethod investigation.

Aim: To assess the influence of a flat-side design on the geometry, metallurgy, mechanical performance and shaping ability of a novel nickel-titanium rotary instrument.

Methodology: Sixty-five new 25-mm flat-side rotary instruments (size 25, taper 0.04) and their nonflat-side prototypes (n = 65) were assessed for major deformations and examined regarding macroscopic and microscopic design, determination of nickel and titanium elements ratio, measurement of phase transformation temperature and evaluation of mechanical performance parameters including time/cycles to fracture, maximum torque, angle of rotation, maximum bending and buckling strengths and cutting ability.

Postoperative Pain After Using Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation and EasyClean Device, Irrigation Activation Techniques: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: This randomized clinical trial aimed to compare postoperative pain after the use of 2different irrigation activation techniques: passive ultrasonic irrigation and the EasyClean device.

Methods: Sixty-six single-rooted teeth diagnosed with asymptomatic pulp necrosis and apical periodontitis were randomly assigned to 2experimental groups (n = 33), which differed in the irrigation activation technique. Postoperative pain levels were assessed after 24, 48, and 72 hours using a verbal rating scale; the ibuprofen intake amount was recorded at the same time intervals.

Influence of temperature on the torsional properties of two thermally treated NiTi rotary instruments.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of temperature on torsional strength and angular deflection of two experimental NiTi rotary instruments manufactured from Blue and Gold thermal treatments and with identical cross-sections. A total of 40 experimental NiTi instruments 25.06 and with a triangular cross-section and manufactured from Blue and Gold thermal treatments were used (n=20).

New Ultrasonic Tip for Root Canal Filling of the Mesial Canals of Mandibular Molars with Isthmus: A Laboratory Evaluation Using Computed Microtomography.

Introduction: The obturation quality of the mandibular molar mesial canals and isthmuses with two thermoplastic techniques, ultrasonic vertical condensation (UVC) and continuous wave of condensation (CWC), was evaluated using computed microtomography (μCT).

Methods: Thirty-six human mandibular molars had been previously scanned and analyzed using μCT for mesial roots with morphologically similar isthmuses for this study. Coronal access and confirmation of foraminal patency were performed, and the actual length of the teeth was established using a clinical microscope (40X magnification).

Effect of A Clinical-Replicable Cooling Protocol on the Cyclic Fatigue Resistance of Heat-Treated Nickel-Titanium Instruments.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the bending and cyclic fatigue resistance of Wave One Gold (WOG) and X1 Blue (X1B) instruments when tested at body temperature (36°C ± 1°C) with and without subjected to an alloy cooling protocol.

Materials And Methods: A total of sixty instruments (n=30) were tested. Forty instruments (n=20) were randomly selected and divided into two groups: body temperature (BT; n=20) and body temperature with cooling protocol (CP; n=20).

Impact of the final agitation system in the irrigant diffusion inside the root canal: A micro-CT analysis.

This study evaluated, through micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), the volume of irrigant diffusion by different techniques of final agitation. Sixty mesiobuccal canals were scanned in a micro-CT and standardised according to the volume. They were instrumented with the MTwo 40/04 system and using the Terebrix 35 contrast solution as irrigant, were divided into six groups (n = 10): Conventional irrigation with syringe and needle (CI), EndoActivator (EA), EasyClean (EC), RinsEndo (RE), Utrasonic agitation (UI) and XP-Clean (XP).

Tissue Bioengineering with Fibrin Scaffolds and Deproteinized Bone Matrix Associated or Not with the Transoperative Laser Photobiomodulation Protocol.

Extending the range of use of the heterologous fibrin biopolymer, this pre-clinical study showed a new proportionality of its components directed to the formation of scaffold with a lower density of the resulting mesh to facilitate the infiltration of bone cells, and combined with therapy by laser photobiomodulation, in order to accelerate the repair process and decrease the morphofunctional recovery time. Thus, a transoperative protocol of laser photobiomodulation (L) was evaluated in critical bone defects filled with deproteinized bovine bone particles (P) associated with heterologous fibrin biopolymer (HF). The groups were: BC (blood clot + laser); HF; HF; PHF (P+HF); PHF (P+HF+L).

Use of Photobiomodulation Combined with Fibrin Sealant and Bone Substitute Improving the Bone Repair of Critical Defects.

In this preclinical protocol, an adjunct method is used in an attempt to overcome the limitations of conventional therapeutic approaches applied to bone repair of large bone defects filled with scaffolds. Thus, we evaluate the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on the bone repair process on defects filled with demineralized bovine bone (B) and fibrin sealant (T). The groups were BC (blood clot), BT (B + T), BCP (BC + PBMT), and BTP (B + T + PBMT).