Clinical performance of dental fiberscope image guided system for endodontic treatment.

We developed a dental fiberscope that can be navigated. As a result we are able to better grasp the device position relative to the teeth, aiming at the lesion more precisely. However, the device position and the precise target setting were difficult to consistently ascertain.

In vitro study of anti-suck-back ability by themselves on new high-speed air turbine handpieces.

The anti-suck-back ability of five new high-speed air turbine handpiece models was evaluated in this study. First, suck-back pressure with water displacement within a glass tube was measured. Next, under three different conditions, how many on-off times it takes before fluorescent stains became visible on a piece of gauze at the exhaust vent was counted and the presence of fluorescent stains on the exhaust vents itself was examined.

Comparison of three techniques for preparing oval-shaped root canals.

Introduction: This study compared three techniques for preparing oval-shaped root canals: Anatomic Endodontic Technology (AET), hand instruments (Hedström files; Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland), and rotary nickel-titanium (EndoWave; Morita, Osaka, Japan) instruments with regard to cleaning ability and final canal shape.

Methods: Three groups each of 13 extracted human mandibular premolars with oval-shaped canals were used. After canal preparation, teeth were sectioned at three levels (coronal, middle, and apical), photographed to assess cross-sectional canal shape, and processed for histologic evaluation of canal wall planing and the presence of debris.

A comparison of techniques for obturating oval-shaped root canals.

This study compared the effectiveness of three obturation techniques for oval-shaped canals. Roots of 42 extracted teeth with oval canals were randomly divided into three groups: (1) ProTaper canal preparation and single cone obturation with matching gutta-percha point; (2) ProTaper preparation plus thermoplastic obturation (Thermafil); (3) Profile .06 taper and matching master cone with lateral condensation.

Dental fiberscope with navigation system for endodontic treatments.

We developed a dental fiberscope with a navigation system. The aim of this study is to direct the position of the tip of the endoscope fiber in the root canal via our navigation system. The distinguishing characteristic of our system is that it could be particularly practical in narrow spaces, such as those involving endodontic treatment typical of root canals.

Minimally invasive periapical curettage of foreign materials in periapical lesions using a fiberscope.

The design and development of a new fine fiberscope (1.0 mm outer diameter) is described, that includes an irrigation system for endoscopic use. This effectively allows visualisation of fields involved in periodontal disease.