OBJECTIVE This study compared the sealing ability of 3 current filling techniques in root canals shaped with 2 different rotary systems. STUDY DESIGN Eighty human extracted mandibular premolars were divided randomly into 2 similar groups of 40 each and instrumented with either ProTaper (Dentsply Maillefer, Tulsa, OK; group A) or Mtwo (VDW; Antaeos, Munich, Germany; group B) rotary systems. Ea...

Aims of this work were to examine lateral canals in extracted teeth, to propose a new technique to produce artificial lateral canals, and to compare two obturation techniques. Cleared roots were examined to record measure and shape of lateral canals. Artificial lateral canals were prepared on human demineralized teeth before final clearing. Specimens were divided in two groups: canals of group ...

The efficacy of tactile detection of the apical constriction in flared and nonflared root canals was examined in 120 root canals of adult patients. In 68 nonflared (group 1) root canals, a #15 or #20 K-file was used to detect ("feel") the apical constriction. In 52 teeth (group 2), Hedstrom files, Gates Gliden drills #2 to #4, and ultrasonic files were used to enlarge the canal orifice and flar...

AIM To evaluate the relative performance of ProTaper nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) instruments shaping root canals of varying preoperative canal geometry. METHODOLOGY Extracted human maxillary molars were scanned, before and after shaping with ProTaper, employing micro computed tomography (muCT) at a resolution of 36 mum. Canals were three-dimensionally reconstructed and evaluated for volume, surfa...

INTRODUCTION Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) mixed with normal saline has short working time, delayed setting time, and poor consistency when used as an apical plug. A preliminary study suggested that substituting normal saline with KY Jelly or 5% calcium chloride (CaCl2) as a vehicle expedites the setting time of MTA. The present in vitro study compared the microleakage of ProRoot MTA mixed w...

This in vivo study analyzed the sealing ability of two adhesives in post spaces, cyanoacrylate (Super Bonder® - Henkel Loctite Adesivos Ltda., Itapevi, SP, Brazil) and ScotchbondTM Multi-Purpose (3M Dental Products, St. Paul, MN, USA), testing the hypothesis that their use would result in a decreased leakage through the remaining filling material. Forty extracted premolars (80 root canals) of d...

INTRODUCTION This study compared the reduction of Enterococcus faecalis in straight and curved canals using an erbium, chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet laser and irrigation with 6.15% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). METHODS Fifty-five single-rooted extracted teeth were divided into straight and curved canal groups. The root lengths were standardized (14.0mm) and NiTi instruments were use...

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of different irrigation solutions and ultrasonic activation of the irrigation solutions on the removal of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) from the simulated immature root canals after apexification. Materials and methods: One-hundred and one single-rooted teeth were used. The root canals were shaped with ProTaper rotary files up to F5. Simulation of roots with imm...

CASE REPORT This case report describes the outcome of a number of retreatments on a failed root filling in a maxillary first molar. The patient wanted all amalgams replaced by tooth-coloured Cerec restorations, including one in a symptomless maxillary molar. This tooth had a pulpotomy or a poorly done root-canal treatment 10 years earlier. The molar was root-canal retreated before placing the C...

A mandibular first molar requiring root canal therapy was found with five canals, three mesial canals, and two distal canals. Initially, four canals (mesiobuccal, mesiolingual, distobuccal, and distolingual) were identified. The mesiobuccal and mesiolingual canals were found in their normal locations, and a fifth canal was noted between these two. This case demonstrates a rare anatomical config...