Endodontic sequelae associated with repetitive impacts to the dentofacial region during boxing activities.

Aim: To explore self-reported dentofacial trauma and their potential endodontic sequelae in boxers using a questionnaire, followed by clinical and radiographic assessment to (1) compare the nature and number of self-reported dentofacial injuries with physical evidence of injury sequelae; and (2) investigate potential risk factors influencing dentofacial trauma and their endodontic sequelae.

Methodology: A focus group validated questionnaire was completed by 176 boxers recruited from 16 London boxing clubs; 61 boxers from this cohort then attended a London dental hospital, for a clinical and radiographic assessment. Data from the questionnaire and clinical assessments were then collated and analysed using Chi-squared or t-tests.

A comparison of radiographically determined periapical healing and tooth survival outcomes of root canal (re)treatment performed in two care pathways within the United Kingdom Armed Forces.

Aims: To compare radiographic periapical healing and tooth survival outcomes of root canal (re)treatment performed within two care pathways (Routine Dental Care and Referred Treatment Pathway), in the United Kingdom Armed Forces (UKAF), and determine the effects of endodontic complexity on outcomes.

Methodology: This retrospective cohort study included 1466 teeth in 1252 personnel who received root canal (re)treatment between 2015 and 2020. General Dental Practitioners treated 661 teeth (573 patients) (Routine cohort), whilst Dentists with a Special Interest treated 805 teeth (678 patients) (Referred cohort).

Factors that affect the outcomes of root canal treatment and retreatment-A reframing of the principles.

This paper undertakes a broad and comprehensive synthesis of relevant clinical, biological, biomechanical, technical and healthcare services data to understand the factors affecting outcomes of periapical healing after root canal (re)treatment. The medical and dental evidence-based era (1980-present) is contextualized with the earlier evidence drive in endodontics (1911-1940) triggered by the focal infection era. The current evidence-based approach has a sharper focus on evidence quality and derivation of practice guidelines.

Factors that influence the outcomes of surgical endodontic treatment.

Surgical endodontic treatment encompasses a broad spectrum of procedures, amongst which root-end cavity preparation and filling, retrograde root canal treatment and through-and-through endodontic surgery, may be classified under the umbrella term 'Root-end surgery'. This narrative review considers the available data on periapical healing, soft tissue healing, tooth survival and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), following root-end surgery and the factors that affect its outcomes. The pooled periapical healed rate for the studies published up to 2021 was 69% (95% CI: 65%, 73%) but increased to 76% (95% CI: 66%, 86%) when only data from the 2020's studies were analysed.

Effectiveness of root canal treatment for vital pulps compared with necrotic pulps in the presence or absence of signs of periradicular pathosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Preoperative pulpal status may influence the outcomes of root canal treatment (RCTx) according to various measures used.

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of RCTx of teeth with a vital pulp versus a necrotic pulp, using a range of clinical and patient-related outcomes proposed for the development of S3-level clinical practice guidelines.

Methods: A search was conducted in the PubMed-MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, Google scholar databases and available repositories, followed by hand searches, until 29 March 2022.

Bacteria in the cavity-restoration interface after varying periods of clinical service - SEM description of distribution and 16S rRNA gene sequence identification of isolates.

Objectives: To use extracted human teeth with amalgam (n = 26) or GIC (n = 3) restorations in service up to 20 years to evaluate microbiota at the cavity/restoration interface by SEM or culture.

Materials And Methods: Extracted teeth with intracoronal restorations (n = 20) of known history (2-20 years) were fixed, split, and prepared for SEM to ascertain the pattern and structure of bacterial aggregates on cavity and restoration surfaces. Another 9 teeth were anaerobically decontaminated, split and sampled (cavity/restorations), and cultured (anaerobically, aerobically); recovered isolates were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Removal and dispersal of biofluid films by powered medical devices: Modeling infectious agent spreading in dentistry.

Medical procedures can disperse infectious agents and spread disease. Particularly, dental procedures may pose a high risk of disease transmission as they use high-powered instruments operating within the oral cavity that may contain infectious microbiota or viruses. Here we assess the ability of powered dental devices in removing the biofluid films and identified mechanical, hydrodynamic, and aerodynamic forces as the main underlying mechanisms of removal and dispersal processes.

Radiographic periapical healing associated with root-treated teeth accessed through existing crowns: a historical controlled cohort study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the periapical healing rate and complications arising from non-surgical root canal treatment (NSRCT) conducted through the existing and retained restoration, compared to that conducted after removal of restoration (direct or indirect) with subsequent placement of a new crown.

Materials And Methods: Two-hundred-and-forty-five teeth met the inclusion criteria and were followed up for 2 years. One-hundred-and-six teeth had NSRCT completed through existing cast restorations, and 57 and 82 had the existing crowns and direct restorations removed (respectively) and received a new crown after NSRCT.

Viscoelastic and chemical properties of dentine after different exposure times to sodium hypochlorite, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and calcium hydroxide.

This study aims to evaluate the viscoelastic and chemical properties of dentine after different durations of exposure to 5.25% NaOCl, 17% EDTA and Ca(OH) solutions, and NaOCl in alternating combination with EDTA. Standard dentine bars were randomly assigned to: (i) formal-saline control-1; (ii) NaOCl; (iii) EDTA; (iv) NaOCl/EDTA; (v) formal-saline control-2; (vi) Ca(OH) pH 12.

Effect of Heated Sodium Hypochlorite on the Viscoelastic Properties of Dentin Evaluated Using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the effect of the immersion of standardized dentin bars in 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solutions at 60°C and 80°C on their viscoelastic properties using dynamic mechanical analysis.

Methods: Eighteen intact teeth were used to produce 99 dentin bars of standard dimensions (12 × 1 × 2 mm) and randomly allocated to 6 groups (n = 15 each) for immersion in (1) saline at 26°C, (2) saline at 60°C, (3) saline at 80°C, (4) NaOCl at 26°C, (5) NaOCl at 60°C, and (6) NaOCl at 80°C. The bars were individually tested using dynamic mechanical analysis at baseline and after every 10 minutes of immersion in the test medium, up to 40 minutes.

Value of root-filled teeth in maintaining a functional dentition for life.

The purpose of this article is to draw attention to the strategic goals of planning for a functionally and aesthetically optimal dentate quality of life, and the role that teeth maintained through root canal treatment can play in such a plan. The perception that root-treated teeth should largely, and wherever possible, be discarded as a viable option is a seriously flawed judgment. The utility of root-treated teeth must be properly and critically discriminated as they can play a significant role in the long-term plan, despite having unique characteristics that must be accounted for.

Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia.

Background: Pain during dental treatment, which is a common fear of patients, can be controlled successfully by local anaesthetic. Several different local anaesthetic formulations and techniques are available to dentists.

Objectives: Our primary objectives were to compare the success of anaesthesia, the speed of onset and duration of anaesthesia, and systemic and local adverse effects amongst different local anaesthetic formulations for dental anaesthesia.

Investigation to test potential stereolithography materials for development of an in vitro root canal model.

The aims were to compare the physico-chemical properties (zeta-potential, wettability, surface free energy) of stereolithography materials (STL) (Photopolymer, Accura) to dentine and to evaluate the potential of each material to develop Enterococcus faecalis biofilm on their respective surfaces. Eighteen samples of each test material (Photopolymer, Accura, dentine) were employed (total n = 54) and sectioned to 1 mm squares (5 mm x 5 mm) (n = 15) or ground into a powder to measure zeta-potential (n = 3). The zeta-potential of the powder was measured using the Nano-Zetasizer technique.

3D Computer aided treatment planning in endodontics.

Objectives: Obliteration of the root canal system due to accelerated dentinogenesis and dystrophic calcification can challenge the achievement of root canal treatment goals. This paper describes the application of 3D digital mapping technology for predictable navigation of obliterated canal systems during root canal treatment to avoid iatrogenic damage of the root.

Methods: Digital endodontic treatment planning for anterior teeth with severely obliterated root canal systems was accomplished with the aid of computer software, based on cone beam computer tomography (CBCT) scans and intra-oral scans of the dentition.

Contemporary root canal irrigants are able to disrupt and eradicate single- and dual-species biofilms.

Introduction: Clinical/microbiological studies have consistently revealed the persistence of some bacteria after conventional root canal debridement. Although this was originally attributed to the complexity of the root canal anatomy and the difficulty of delivering antibacterial agents effectively, it has emerged that the biofilm encasement of bacterial cells may confer a further mechanism of resistance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relative disruption and bactericidal effects of root canal irrigants on single- and dual-species biofilms of root canal isolates.

Ion release characteristics, precipitate formation and sealing ability of a phosphate glass-polycaprolactone-based composite for use as a root canal obturation material.

Objectives: The filling material used to obturate root canal systems during the common dental procedure, root canal treatment, has popularly involved gutta-percha (GP) in one of its many forms for almost a 100 years. An optimal root filling material should provide a predictable seal, inhibit or kill residual bacteria, prevent re-contamination and facilitate periapical healing. Although the goal of obturation is stated as the creation of a "seal", its precise role still remains elusive and the seal offered suspect.

Susceptibilties of two Enterococcus faecalis phenotypes to root canal medications.

This study aimed to investigate and compare the efficacy of selected root canal irrigants and a medicament on a clinical isolate of Enterococcus faecalis grown as biofilm or planktonic suspension phenotype. A cell-dense pellet "presentation" prepared from planktonic phenotype was also tested. Each bacterial presentation was exposed to calcium hydroxide (pH 12.

Evaluation of protocols for field decontamination before bacterial sampling of root canals for contemporary microbiology techniques.

The effectiveness of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) (2.5%) or iodine (10%) for decontamination of the operation field (tooth, rubber dam, and gasket [Oraseal]) was compared by using bacterial cultivation. In addition, the final samples were also assessed for bacteria by using polymerase chain reaction.

A retrospective comparison of outcome of root canal treatment using two different protocols.

Objectives: This retrospective study (1) compared the outcome of root canal treatment performed by an endodontist using 1 of 2 different protocols and (2) evaluated the influence of factors affecting outcome.

Study Design: A total of 200 teeth and 489 roots (Protocol A, 83 teeth/200 roots; Protocol B, 117 teeth/289 roots) treated nonsurgically with root canal 4 to 5 years previously were examined clinically and radiographically according to strict criteria. Generalized estimating equations were used to perform logistic regression to analyze data.