This study aimed to guide the planning of anticurvature filing using pre-determined anatomical points on teeth to establish directions for proper implementation of the technique. Two hundred digital periapical radiographs of human molar teeth were selected and divided into two groups (n = 100): MX (maxillary) and MD (mandibular) molars. Mesiobuccal roots were considered for the MX group and mesial roots for the MD group. Pre-determined anatomical points required for planning the anticurvature filing on the root canal path were located, and the distances between these points obtained. The anticurvature filing was simulated in two different protocols for each group, and the region of dentin removal and the remaining dentin thickness were measured in the safety and danger zones of the root canals. Statistical analysis was carried out at a significance level of 5%. The distances between the anatomical points and the thickness of remaining dentin showed significant differences when the two groups were compared (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found between the two experimental groups regarding the area of dentin removal at the root region, but differences were detected in comparison with dentin removal at the crown (p < 0.001). In terms of wear produced after simulation of both anticurvature filing protocols, significant differences were verified for all regions, except for the dentin remaining at the danger zone. The radiographic location of anatomical points allows for planning and implementation of controlled and efficient anticurvature filing and can be performed in the same manner for maxillary and mandibular molars.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the flexion angle of files on the decentralization of root canals during instrumentation. Fifteen lower incisors were instrumented with Protaper Universal files and radiographed in two directions (mesiodistal and buccolingual) before and after instrumentation with a #15 K-file in position for evaluating the flexion angle of files. The specimens were also scanned before and after instrumentation using micro-computed tomography to obtain the canal area and the distance from the center position of the file to the canal walls. Sections located 1.0 mm (end of the canal), 3.0 mm (apical third), 9.0 mm (middle third), and 15.0 mm (cervical third) from the apex were verified. After instrumentation, the flexion angles of files decreased by an average of 0.76º in the buccolingual direction and 1.92º in the mesiodistal direction (p < 0.001); the canal area increased by an average of 0.58, 0.37, 0.23 and 0.13 mm2 from the cervical to the end of the root canal (p < 0.001). Non-instrumented areas were observed on the buccal and lingual walls, and effective action of files was determined on the mesial and distal walls. The sections from the end of the canal showed canal deviation toward the lingual wall, whereas the other sections showed deviation toward the buccal wall. The flexion angles of files influence the final shape of the root canal, resulting in file decentralization along the pathway of the canal.

Este estudo avaliou a anatomia do canal radicular de incisivos inferiores, antes e após a instrumentação endodôntica, identificando regiões inacessíveis à ação das limas (Área Crítica de instrumentação - AC), em uma perspectiva tridimensional. Trinta incisivos centrais inferiores humanos foram selecionados, divididos em dois grupos (n=15), e instrumentados usando limas rotatórias ProTaper Universal. No grupo RX, imagens longitudinais foram obtidas em duas incidências, vestíbulo-lingual (VL) e mésio-distal (MD), por meio de radiografias digitais. No grupo CT, imagens transversais foram obtidas por meio de microtomografia computadorizada (μTC), em secções localizadas a 3 mm, 9 mm, e 15 mm do ápice. A área do canal das amostras foi avaliada antes e após a instrumentação usando as imagens digitais de cada grupo. Os dados foram analisados por meio do teste t, ANOVA a um critério com parcela subdividida e ao teste de Tukey (α=0,05). A área de canal encontrada nas radiografias MD foi maior do que nas radiografias VL, o que também foi confirmado nas imagens transversais (p<0,01). A Área Crítica de instrumentação só foi detectada nas radiografias MD e nas seções de μTC. Na configuração de canal, a redução contínua na conicidade do canal foi observada nas radiografias VL, enquanto na incidência MD, houve uma constrição no terço cervical e um subsequente aumento no terço médio (p<0,01). A forma cônica do canal radicular foi observada somente na visão VL. O alargamento do canal verificado nas radiografias VL não foi indicativo de instrumentação homogênea, uma vez que áreas não instrumentadas (AC) foram observadas nas paredes vestibular e lingual em visões distintas.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the root canal anatomy of mandibular incisors before and after endodontic instrumentation, identifying regions inaccessible to the action of files (Critical instrumentation Area - CA) in a three-dimensional perspective. Thirty human mandibular central incisors were selected, assigned to two groups (n=15) and instrumented using ProTaper Universal rotary files. In the RX group, longitudinal digital radiographic images were obtained in the buccolingual (BL) and mesiodistal (MD) views. In the CT group, cross-sectional micro-computed tomography (µCT) images were obtained at 3, 9 and 15 mm from the apex. The canal area of the specimens was evaluated before and after instrumentation using digital images from each group. Data were analyzed using t-test, one-way ANOVA with subdivided parcels and Tukey's test (α=0.05). The canal area found in the MD radiographs was larger than in the BL radiographs, which was also confirmed in the transversal images (p<0.01). The CA was only detected in the MD radiographs and µCT scans. On the root canal configuration, a continuous reduction in the canal conicity was observed in BL radiographs, while in MD view there was a constriction at the cervical third and subsequent increase at the middle third (p<0.01). The conical shape of the root canal was observed only in the BL view. The canal enlargement in BL radiographs was not indicative of homogeneous instrumentation, since unprepared areas (CA) were also verified on the buccal and lingual walls in different images

The dental pulp may be exposed to several irritants that are potentially noxious to the health and functions of this tissue. Each type of irritant or injury has different effects on the pulp, which are generally characterized by acute inflammation, chronic inflammation or necrosis. Common examples of irritants are dental caries, cavity preparation procedures, traumatic injuries, and chemical substances like bleaching agents and adhesive systems. The present study aimed to review the current knowledge about the effect of bleaching agents and adhesive systems in the human dental pulp. The review covered literature from 2004 to 2009, and only relevant manuscripts were included. Hand search of the references completed the review. Based on literature review, it may be concluded that all dental procedures associated with bleaching agents or adhesive systems involve risks to cause pulp damage. However, these risks can be minimized if the causal factors were known and avoided.

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o efeito da vibração ultra-sônica na força necessária para a remoção de pinos pré-fabricados e moldados e fundidos. Foram utilizados 120 dentes, divididos em dois grupos. No grupo I foi utilizado o pino pré-fabricado metálico, Unimetric-Maillefer, de 0,8 mm; no grupo II foi utilizado o pino em liga de cobre-alumínio com 0,8, 1,0 e 1,2 mm de diâmetro. Os canais radiculares foram preparados com três diferentes diâmetros: 0,8, 1,0 e 1,2 mm, e com 10 mm em extensão. Os pinos foram fixados com cimento ionômero de vidro, resultando em 20 espécimes para cada subgrupo. Metade da amostra foi submetida à vibração ultra-sônica durante três minutos, enquanto a outra metade não recebeu nenhuma vibração. Os espécimes foram submetidos a uma carga de tração axial em uma máquina de testes universal. Os resultados foram analisados por testes não-paramétricos: U de Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon e Kruskal-Wallis. A aplicação da vibração ultra-sônica reduziu significativamente a retenção promovida pelo cimento ionômero de vidro na fixação dos pinos intra-radiculares. A ação ultra-sônica foi efetiva tanto nos pinos pré-fabricados como nos pinos moldados e fundidos. A efetividade da vibração ultra-sônica não foi relacionada à linha de cimentação ou ao diâmetro do pino.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ultrasonic vibration on the force necessary to remove pre-fabricated and anatomic and cast posts. Two hundred and forty teeth were divided into two groups. In group I, a 0.8-mm metallic pre-fabricated post, Unimetric-Maillefer, was utilized; in group II, cast copper-aluminum alloy posts measuring 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 mm in diameter were used. The root canals were prepared in three different diameters: 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 mm, with a length of 10 mm. The posts were cemented with glass monomer cement resulting in 20 specimens for each subgroup. Half of the sample was submitted to ultrasonic vibration for 3 min, while the other half did not receive any vibration. The specimens were submitted to traction in a universal testing machine. The results were analyzed by non-parametric Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The application of ultrasonic vibration significantly reduced the retention provided by the glass ionomer cement in the fixation of intracanal posts. The ultrasonic action was effective in both pre-fabricated and anatomic and cast posts. The effectiveness of the ultrasonic vibration was not related to the cementation line or the diameter of the post.