The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo the clinical applicability of two electronic apex locators (EALs) - Apex (Septodont) and iPex (NSK) - in different groups of human teeth by using radiography. The working lengths (WLs) of 100 root canals were determined electronically. The EAL to be used first was chosen randomly and a K-file was inserted into the root canal until the EAL display in...

Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is the most common and effective intracanal medicament used in root canal treatments, because of its low-cost and a very effective antimicrobial activity against microbiota of infected root canals. Sodium hypochlorite is an effective intracanal irrigant and is used in concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 5.25%. At these concentrations, it is highly hypertonic and stron...

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the accuracy of working length determination using the apex locator versus conventional radiography in C-shaped canals. METHODS AND MATERIALS After confirming the actual C-shaped anatomy using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), 22 extracted C-shaped mandibular second molars were selected and decoronated at the cemento-enamel ju...

A study of 150 extracted maxillary first premolars from citizens of Seville, Andalusía, southern Spain, revealed 60 teeth with one root (40.0%), 85 teeth with two roots (56.7%) and five teeth with three roots (3.3%). The distribution of root canal shapes in the sample showed that all teeth with two or three roots had type I root canals (each canal had one apical foramen). Conversely, most of th...

Most mandibular second molars have one and two canals in distal and mesial roots, respectively. This report represents four cases of mandibular second molars with a single mesial and two distal root canals with two different canal configurations. After access cavity preparation, two teeth had one distal and two mesial orifices, whereas in the two other teeth one mesial and two distal orifices w...

The study aimed to compare the shaping effects, preservation of the original curvature, and transportation of the apical foramen of Reciproc (VDW, Munich, Germany), UnicOne (Medin, Nové Město na Moravě, Czech Republic), and Protaper Universal (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) in simulated root canals. Thirty resin blocks with simulated curved root canals were distributed into three ...

The purpose of this study was to undertake a comprehensive literature review of the root and root canal morphology of the mandibular first premolar. Published studies citing the anatomy and morphology of mandibular premolars report data for over 6,700 teeth. These studies were divided into anatomical studies reporting number of roots, number of canals, and apical morphology. Variations because ...

BACKGROUND Debris extrusion from the apical foramen can be problematic in severely curved canals. This study aimed to assess the use of Twisted Files (TF) at different rotational speeds during retreatment, compared with manual technique using Triple-Flex Files (TFF). METHODS Forty-eight mesiobuccal root canals were randomized to four groups (n = 12 per group). In groups A, B, and C, gutta-per...

BACKGROUND The results of an in vivo study on the "ratio method" used in electronic foramen locators (EFL) are presented. EFLs are becoming widely used in the determination of the working length (WL) during the root canal treatment. The WL is the distance from a coronal reference point to the point at which canal preparation and filling should terminate. The "ratio method" was assessed by many ...

AIM The aim of this study was to compare sizes of the first instrument with or without a taper that binds at the apical constriction of a root canal after coronal flaring. METHODS AND MATERIALS A total of 310 canals were evaluated in patients presenting for root canal therapy. Canals with intact apices were selected. After gaining straight line endodontic access, the coronal third was flared ...