AIM To evaluate ex vivo the accuracy of two electronic apex locators during root canal length determination in primary incisor and molar teeth with different stages of physiological root resorption. METHODOLOGY One calibrated examiner determined the root canal length in 17 primary incisors and 16 primary molars (total of 57 root canals) with different stages of root resorption based on the ac...

Accumulation of soft tissue or dentinal remnants in the apical region is a common event that can cause blockage of root canals. This event can be avoided if apical patency is performed during the root canal shaping procedures. However, there is no consensus on the role of apical patency in relation to the success of endodontic treatment of necrotic teeth with apical periodontitis. Therefore, th...

AIM The aim of this study was to determine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels in periapical exudates and to evaluate their relationship with radiological findings. METHODOLOGY Periapical exudates were collected from root canals of 60 single-rooted teeth using absorbent paper points. TNF-alpha levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The samples were divided in...

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to determine in anterior teeth, bicuspids, and molars (1) the accuracy of 3 different electronic apex locators (EALs) in detecting the apical foramen and (2) the accuracy of digital radiography in determining the working length (WL), compared with visible control under a microscope. METHODS By using radiovideography (RVG), we measured the lengths of 120 ...

INTRODUCTION The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the amount of apically extruded debris after root canal preparation using rotary and reciprocating systems in severely curved root canals. METHODS AND MATERIALS Thirty six extracted human mandibular first molars with 25-35° curvature in their mesiobuccal (MB) canal (according to Schneider's method) were cleaned and shaped with ProTape...

Endodontic retreatment requires complete removal of the filling material and access to the apical foramen. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Wave One reciprocating system and compare it to the ProTaper D rotarysystem, with or without the use of a solvent, in removing filling material from root canals. The time required for each filling removal technique employed...

INTRODUCTION This study evaluated the working length (WL) modification after instrumentation with WaveOne Primary (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) reciprocating files and the incidence of overinstrumentation in relation to the initial WL. METHODS Thirty-two root canals of permanent teeth were used. The angles of curvature of the canals were calculated on digital radiographs. The ...

Optical microscopy and morphometric analysis were used in this study to evaluate, in vitro, the cleaning of the apical region in root canals with mild or moderate curvatures subjected to biomechanical preparation with a rotary system, as well as to assess the amount of extruded material to the periapical area. Lateral incisors (n = 32), 16 with curvature angles smaller or equal to 10º (GI) and ...

The aim of this study was to obtain a quantitative analysis of the film thickness of a root canal sealer formed after filling by three different techniques. Thirty human maxillary incisors were selected and access cavities were prepared using high-speed diamond stones and water spray. A size #15 K-Flexofile was introduced in the canal of each specimen until it was seen just at the apical forame...