Teaching a New Obturation Technique in Preclinical Endodontic Training: Assessment of Student Learning Experience, Performance, and Self-Evaluation.

Introduction: This study investigated the impact of implementing hydraulic condensation (HC) as a second obturation technique in the Endodontic Preclinical course for dental students trained in warm vertical compaction (WVC).

Methods: A total of 70 students performed root canal treatment of 2 extracted molars; they performed the HC technique for the first time after a demonstration. The combination of the obturation technique (WVC or HC) and the type of molar (maxillary or mandibular) was randomly assigned, resulting in 4 groups (n = 35).

Genotype-phenotype correlations in Polish patients with SCN8A-related epilepsy: A multicentre observational study.

Background: Voltage-gated sodium channels are involved in the initial depolarisation of neurones. As such, they play important roles in neurotransmission. Variants in the genes encoding these channels may lead to altered functionality and neurodevelopmental disorders.

A three-dimensional cell culture approach to investigate cytotoxic effects and production of inflammatory mediators by epoxy resin-based and calcium silicate-based endodontic sealer.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the cytocompatibility of epoxy resin-based AH Plus Jet (Dentsply De Trey, Konstanz, Germany), Sealer Plus (MK Life, Porto Alegre, Brazil), calcium silicate-based Bio-C Sealer (Angelus, Londrina, PR, Brazil), Sealer Plus BC (MK Life) and AH Plus BC (Dentsply) through a tridimensional (3D) culture model of human osteoblast-like cells.

Methods: Spheroids of MG-63 cells were produced and exposed to fresh root canal sealers extracts by 24 h, and the cytotoxicity was assessed by the Lactate Dehydrogenase assay (LDH). The distribution of dead cells within the microtissue was assessed by fluorescence microscopy, and morphological effects were investigated by histological analysis.

Retrospective and prospective evaluation of the FluoroType®-Mycobacteria VER 1.0 assay for the identification of mycobacteria from cultures in a French center.

Purpose: Rapid, reliable identification of mycobacteria from positive cultures is essential for patient management, particularly for the differential diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) species. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a new "In-Vitro-Diagnostic"-certified PCR kit, FluoroType®-Mycobacteria VER 1.0 (Hain Lifescience GmbH) for NTM and MTBC identification from cultures.

Cleaning and disinfection of the root canal system provided by four active supplementary irrigation methods.

This in vitro study evaluated the bacterial reduction provided by the EndoActivator (EA), Easy Clean (EC), passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), and XP-Endo Finisher. Eight-four mesial roots of mandibular first molars were instrumented, inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis, and divided into four groups (n. 20).

Morphometric micro-CT study of contralateral mandibular incisors.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the degree of similarity and symmetry in the anatomy of contralateral mandibular incisors. Three-dimensional (3D) models of extracted teeth were obtained from microtomography (micro-CT) scans. Qualitative and quantitative assessments of the morphology and comparison of contralateral pairs were made.

Evaluation of changes in root canal length and accuracy of the electronic apex locator during different stages of endodontic treatment and retreatment.

This study evaluated changes in the root canal length (RCL) and the accuracy of the electronic apex locator (EAL) during the different stages of endodontic treatment and retreatment. Fifty-six mesial root canals of mandibular molars were selected. The actual root canal length (AL) of the canals was obtained by inserting a size 15 hand file up to the apical foramen, under magnification.

Dynamic Cyclic Fatigue Resistance of Heat-treated Nickel Titanium Instruments in Reciprocating Motion.

Objective: To compare the fatigue resistance of different heat-treated reciprocating instruments tested in a dynamic cyclic fatigue model.

Methods: Forty-eight new instruments were inspected under magnification and selected for this study, and then divided as follows (n=12): X1 Blue (MK Life, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil), Pro-R (MK Life), Reciproc (VDW, Munich, Germany), and Reciproc Blue (VDW). Artificial canals presenting a curvature of 60° angle and 5 mm radius were milled in zirconia.

Effects of CBCT acquisition protocol and additional superimposed computerized optical impressions on the accuracy of root canal length measurements: an ex vivo study.

Aim: The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate the accuracy of root canal length (RCL) determination according to CBCT acquisition protocol and evaluate the influence of additional superimposed computerized optical impressions.

Materials And Methods: CBCT scans with low-dose (LD) and high-definition (HD) protocols as well as computerized optical impressions of 30 extracted human molars were acquired. Sicat Endo software (Sicat) was used for CBCT RCL measurements with (LD+, HD+) and without (LD-, HD-) a superimposed optical impression.

Effect of Different Root Canal Drying Protocols on the Bond Strength of Two Bioceramic Sealers.

Objectives:  This study evaluated the effect of two different drying protocols on the dentin bond strength of two different bioceramic sealers (Sealer Plus BC [SP] and Bio C Sealer [BCS]). Bond strength and failure mode were evaluated according to the sealer, drying protocol, and root canal third.

Materials And Methods:  Sixty extracted human mandibular single-rooted premolars were selected after anatomical standardization.

Micro-CT evaluation of four final irrigation protocols on hard-tissue debris removal from mesial roots of mandibular molars containing isthmus.

Objectives: To evaluate by means of microcomputed tomography (micro-CT), the efficacy of four final irrigation protocols in the removal of hard-tissue debris (HTD) in mesial roots of mandibular molars containing isthmus.

Materials And Methods: Forty standardized mesial roots of extracted mandibular molars presenting isthmus were selected. The root canals were prepared and randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 10): EA, EndoActivator (Dentsply Sirona); EC, Easy Clean (Easy Dental Equipment, Belo Horizonte, Brazil); XPF, XP-Endo Finisher (FKG Dentaire, La Chaus-de Fonds, Switzerland); and PUI, passive ultrasonic irrigation using Irrisafe tip (Satelec Acteon, Merignac, France).

Evaluation of foramen locating accuracy of an endodontic motor integrated with electronic foramen employing optimal glide path kinematics.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the auto apical function in the maintenance of the apical limit of instrumentation during glide path procedures when associated to OGP kinematics of Tri Auto ZX2, compared to the continuous rotation of the same motor, as well as Root ZX II and VDW Gold.

Materials And Methods: Forty-eight extracted human mandibular single-rooted premolars were selected. After endodontic access, cervical pre-flaring was performed using size 30, 0.

Access Cavity Preparations: Classification and Literature Review of Traditional and Minimally Invasive Endodontic Access Cavity Designs.

Introduction: Several endodontic access cavity designs have been proposed in the past decade to access the root canal space in a minimally invasive manner. The rationale for this approach was derived from the assumption that preserving more tooth structure during access preparation will improve the tooth's resistance to fracture and its long-term survivability. However, is this assumption valid? Also, can this approach compromise other treatment-related aspects?

Methods: We conducted a literature review using 4 online databases and classified the access cavity designs presented in each article according to our proposed classification.

A laboratory study of the accuracy of three electronic apex locators: influence of embedding media and radiographic assessment of the electronic apical limit.

Aim: To evaluate several factors that might interfere with the use of electronic root canal length measurement devices (ERCLMDs) in a laboratory setting, including two different embedding media (alginate and electroconductive gel), three different types of devices and the radiographic view on the assessment of the electronic readings.

Methodology: Thirty single-rooted extracted human mandibular premolars were selected. After access and canal pre-flaring, a size 10 K-file was inserted in the canal up to the major apical foramen under magnification (×10), and this length was recorded as the actual length (AL) of the canal.

Cyclic and Torsional Fatigue Resistance of Seven Rotary Systems.

Introduction: This study aims to evaluate the cyclic and torsional fatigue resistance of seven rotary systems.

Methods And Materials: A total of 140 instruments were tested, 20 of each system including Genius (GN) 25/0.04, TruShape (TS) 25/0.

Endodontic Retreatment Using a Single Instrument from four Nickel-Titanium Systems - A Micro-CT Study.

This study evaluated the efficiency of using a single instrument from three different rotary multi-file systems and compared them with that of a reciprocating single-file for endodontic retreatment by means of micro-CT. Sixty extracted canines were prepared using a size F2 ProTaper Universal file and obturated. After 30 days of storage at 37ºC and 100% humidity, the teeth were randomly divided into four groups (n=15) based on the type of instrument used to retreatment: ProTaper Next (PTN), ProTaper Gold (PTG), TRUShape 3D (TS), and WaveOne (WO).

Management of Root Fenestration Using Buccal Decortication and Guided Tissue Regeneration: A Case Report and 3-dimensional Analysis.

The management of patients with apical fenestration and clinical symptoms has always been limited to apical root resection and placement of the root tip within the bony crypt. This result would often present resolution of clinical symptoms based on a few case studies. In this case report, we present a case in which apical resection alone did not resolve the patient's discomfort; on the contrary, it resulted in further bone loss and persistence of clinical symptoms.

The Buffalo study: Outcome and associated predictors in endodontic microsurgery- a cohort study.

Aim: To (i) evaluate and compare the outcome of endodontic microsurgery (EMS) using periapical radiographs (PAs) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans; (ii) identify prognostic factors affecting the outcome; and (iii) correlate the effect of guided tissue regeneration (GTR) on the pattern of apical bone remodelling.

Methodology: Eighty-two patients (101 teeth) who received EMS were included and followed-up using clinical and radiographic examinations (PAs and CBCT scans). Two calibrated endodontists evaluated the radiographic healing (favourable or unfavourable) by assessing PAs and CBCT.

Accuracy of electronic apical functions of a new integrated motor compared to the visual control of the working length-an ex vivo study.

Objectives: To evaluate ex vivo the efficacy of the integrated motor Tri Auto ZX2 in controlling the apical extent of preparation compared to conventional visual control (CVC) of the working length (WL).

Materials And Methods: Eighty standardized mandibular premolars were divided into five groups (n = 16). In the CVC group, instruments were used in continuous rotation (CR) and visual control performed by means of rubber stoppers.

Anatomic Two-dimensional and Three-dimensional Models for Cyclic Fatigue Testing of Endodontic Instruments.

Introduction: In this study, new devices were developed and evaluated for cyclic fatigue testing (CTF) of endodontic instruments in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) replicas of the internal anatomy of a mesial root of a mandibular molar.

Methods And Materials: The trajectories of both curved mesial canals of the same root were outlined from computed tomographic scans and exported to a computer assisted drawing (CAD) software. In the CAD program, the canals were virtually enlarged to a size 25/0.

Percentage of Gutta-Percha-, Sealer-, and Void-Filled Areas in Oval-Shaped Root Canals Obturated with Different Filling Techniques: A Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy Study.

Objective:  This study compared different obturation techniques, analyzing percentage of areas filled with gutta-percha, sealer, and voids (PGFA, PSFA, and PVFA, respectively) in oval-shaped root canals.

Materials And Methods:  A total of 60 extracted human mandibular central incisors were decoronated, instrumented, and irrigated using the same protocol. After drying, the root canal was filled with AH Plus labeled with 0.

In Vivo Evaluation of Operative Torque Generated by Two Nickel-Titanium Rotary Instruments during Root Canal Preparation.

Objectives:  This study evaluated the operative torque and preparation time of ProTaper NEXT (Dentsply Maillefer; Ballaigues, Switzerland) and EdgeFile X7 (EdgeEndo; Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States) rotary systems during root canal preparation of maxillary premolars.

Materials And Methods:  Ten double-rooted maxillary premolars with independent canals were selected. Each canal in each tooth was prepared with one of the rotary systems ( = 10), ProTaper NEXT or EdgeFile X7.

Higher Speed and No Glide Path: A New Protocol to Increase the Efficiency of XP Shaper in Curved Canals-An In Vitro Study.

Introduction: This in vitro study compared the performance of the XP-endo Shaper (XP; FKG, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland) in curved canals when used with a higher speed (3000 rpm) without a glide path with the manufacturer's protocol.

Methods: Twenty extracted mandibular molars with separate mesial curved canals were matched to obtain 2 standardized groups (n = 20). For the XP 1000 group, a glide path up to a size 15 hand file was performed followed by rotary instrumentation with the XP shaper at 1000 rpm, following the manufacturer's recommendations.