Abstract Objective: To evaluate the sealing capacity and retention of apical barriers made with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Portland cement (PC). Material and Methods: Fifty-six bovine incisors were sectioned 8 mm above and 12 mm below the cement-enamel junction. The root canal was enlarged with a diamond drill to create a standard 2.5 mm diameter opening. Apical sheets of 5 mm thickness were placed using white MTA-Angelus or white PC. Fifteen samples of each material were exposed to human saliva in a dual chamber apparatus and casting was evaluated at 30 days. Samples without apical barriers and fully sealed samples were used as positive and negative controls (n = 3), respectively. Data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test (p<0.05) after 3 periods: 1 to 10 days (P1); days 11 to 20 (P2); and days 21 to 30 (P3). Then, three 1 mm thick sections were obtained at the apical level of other root samples of each material (n = 10) and the push-out test was performed Results: The leakage rates in P1, P2 and P3 were 60%, 73.3% and 100% for the MTA; and 73.3%, 86.7% and 100% for CP, with no significant difference between materials, regardless of the period analyzed. There were no significant differences between the bond strengths for both cements (p>0.05) Conclusion: Mineral trioxide aggregate and Portland cement apical barriers presented similar sealing ability and bond strength values.

Este relato descreve dois casos de remoção de fragmentos de instrumentos de terços apicais de canais radiculares utilizando um extrator personalizado e técnica da agulha modificada, respectivamente. No Caso 1, um extrator foi fabricado para remover fragmento de broca localizado no terço apical do canal radicular de um incisivo central superior. O uso deste extrator permitiu a remoção bem sucedida e conservadora do fragmento de instrumento. No Caso 2, uma agulha para anestesia modificada foi utilizada como um trépano para ganhar acesso ao redor de um fragmento de instrumento localizado na porção apical curva do canal mésio-vestibular de um molar inferior. Um segmento de fio de aço foi inserido no lúmen da agulha para envolver o fragmento metálico, permitindo sua remoção com rotação no sentido anti-horário e simultâneo movimento de retração. Métodos alternativos e criativos são úteis para a remoção intracanal de fragmentos metálicos durante o tratamento endodôntico.

This paper describes two cases of instrument fragment removal from the apical thirds of root canals using a customized extractor and a modified needle technique, respectively. In case 1, a customized extractor was manufactured to remove a bur fragment located in the apical root canal of a maxillary central incisor. The use of this extractor enabled successful and conservative removal of the instrument fragment. In case 2, a modified injection needle was used as a trepan to gain access around an instrument fragment located in the curved apical portion of the mesiobuccal canal of a mandibular molar. A segment of steel wire was inserted into the needle lumen to engage the metallic fragment, enabling its removal with counter-clockwise rotation and a simultaneous pull-out motion. Alternative and creative methods are useful for the management of intracanal metallic fragments during root canal treatment.

Este relato de caso descreve a obturação do canal radicular realizada sobre um grande fragmento da lima ProTaper S1 em um segundo molar inferior com pulpite irreversível. Uma lima ProTaper S1 fraturou durante a instrumentação do canal mésio-vestibular. Aproximadamente 10 mm de remanescente do fragmento da lima permaneceu nos terços apical e médio do canal. A obturação foi realizada sobre este fragmento usando guta-percha compactada termomecanicamente e cimento endodôntico. Achados radiográficos e ausência de sinais e sintomas clínicos após 3 anos de acompanhamento indicaram o sucesso do tratamento. Imagens de tomografia computadorizada de feixes cônicos revelaram a ausência de lesão periapical e detalhes do fragmento da lima intracanal relacionados à obturação do canal radicular e à morfologia do ápice. Neste caso, a presença de grande instrumento fraturado intracanal não teve impacto negativo no prognóstico endodôntico durante o período de acompanhamento.

This case report describes root canal filling performed over a large S1 ProTaper file fragment in a second mandibular molar with irreversible pulpitis. An S1 ProTaper file was fractured during the instrumentation of the mesiobuccal canal. Approximately 10 mm of file fragment remained in the apical and middle thirds of the canal. The obturation was performed over this fragment using thermomechanically compacted gutta-percha and sealer. Radiographic findings and the absence of clinical signs and symptoms at 3-year follow up indicated successful treatment. Cone-beam computed tomography images revealed absence of periapical lesion and details of intracanal file fragment related to root fillings and apex morphology. In this case, the presence of a large intracanal fractured instrument did not have a negative impact on the endodontic prognosis during the follow up evaluation period.

Objective: This study evaluated apical transportation associated with ProTaper® Universal Fl, F2 and F3 rotary files in curved canais prepared by undergraduate students. Material and Methods: Twenty mesial roots of mandibular molars with curvatures ranging between 25° and 35° were selected. Mesiobuccal canals were instrumented by twenty students with the ProTaper® system (Dentsply-Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Pre-fiaring was performed with Sl and SX files. A #15 K-file was inserted into the root canal up to the working length (WL), and an initial digital radiograph was taken in a buccolingual direction (baseline). Afterwards, the S1, S2, F1, F2, and F3 files were employed up to the WL. Other radiographies were taken in the same orientation of the baseline after the use of the Fl, F2, and F3 files, with each file inserted into the root canal. The radiographic images were overlapped, and the Image J software was used to measure the distance between the rotary files' ends and the #15 K-file's end, characterizing the apical transportation. Data were analyzed by Repeated Measure ANOVA and by the SNK post hoc test (P<0.05). Results: It was verified that file size affected apical transportation significantly (P<0.001). The F3 file showed higher apical transportation than Fl and F2, while between these last files there was no difference. Conclusion: The undergraduate students produced lower apical transportation in curved canals when they did not use the F3 rotary file.

Molares superiores apresentam morfologias radiculares e canais radiculares variáveis. Este relato de caso descreve o manejo endodôntico de dois casos de canais mésio-centrais (MC) encontrados em molares superiores. Canais MC estavam presente em um primeiro molar superior com uma única raiz vestibular (Caso 1), e em um segundo molar com três raízes vestibulares (Caso 2). Uma avaliação da configuração interna destes dentes foi realizada usando tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico (TCFC). Ampliação com microscópio operatório odontológico, lupas cirúrgicas e o uso de um explorador endodôntico possibilitaram a identificação dos orifícios dos canais MC. Os canais radiculares dos dois casos foram preparados e obturados. Imagens radiográficas pós-obturação revelaram quatro (um MC, dois mésio-vestibulares e um palatino) e cinco (um MC, dois mésio-vestibulares, um disto-palatino e um palatino) canais radiculares, que foram obturados nos Casos 1 e 2, respectivamente. Configurações complexas de canais em molares superiores, incluindo a presença de canais MC foram apresentadas. TCFC foi uma ferramenta útil no diagnóstico e propiciou uma descrição precisa destas variações anatômicas incomuns.

Maxillary molars present variable root canal and root morphologies. This report describes the endodontic management of two cases of midbuccal canals found in maxillary molars. Midbuccal canals were present in a maxillary first molar with a single buccal root (Case 1), and in a maxillary second molar with three buccal roots (Case 2). An assessment of the internal configuration of these teeth was performed using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Magnification with a dental operating microscope, surgical loupes, and the use of an endodontic explorer enabled the identification of the midbuccal canal orifices. The root canals in both cases were chemomechanically prepared and filled. Postobturation radiographic images revealed four (one midbuccal, two mesiobuccal and one palatal) and five (one midbuccal, two mesiobuccal, one distobuccal and one palatal) root canals, which were filled in Cases 1 and 2, respectively. Complex canal configurations of maxillary molars including the presence of midbuccal canals were presented. CBCT was a valuable tool in this diagnosis, as it provided a precise description of these unusual anatomical variations.

OBJECTIVE: This ex vivo study evaluated the effect of pre-flaring and file size on the accuracy of the Root ZX and Novapex electronic apex locators (EALs). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The actual working length (WL) was set 1 mm short of the apical foramen in the palatal root canals of 24 extracted maxillary molars. The teeth were embedded in an alginate mold, and two examiners performed the electronic measurements using #10, #15, and #20 K-files. The files were inserted into the root canals until the "0.0" or "APEX" signals were observed on the LED or display screens for the Novapex and Root ZX, respectively, retracting to the 1.0 mark. The measurements were repeated after the preflaring using the S1 and SX Pro-Taper instruments. Two measurements were performed for each condition and the means were used. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated to verify the intra- and inter-examiner agreement. The mean differences between the WL and electronic length values were analyzed by the three-way ANOVA test (p<0.05). RESULTS: ICCs were high (>0.8) and the results demonstrated a similar accuracy for both EALs (p>0.05). Statistically significant accurate measurements were verified in the pre-flared canals, except for the Novapex using a #20 K-file. CONCLUSIONS: The tested EALs showed acceptable accuracy, whereas the pre-flaring procedure revealed a more significant effect than the used file size.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of simulated periodontal ligament (SPDL) on custom cast dowel and core removal by ultrasonic vibration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two human maxillary canines were included in resin cylinders with or without SPDL made from polyether impression material. In order to allow tensile testing, the roots included in resin cylinders with SPDL were fixed to cylinders with two stainless steel wires. Post-holes were prepared by standardizing the length at 8 mm and root canal impressions were made with self-cured resin acrylic. Cast dowel and core sets were fabricated and luted with Panavia F resin cement. Half of the samples were submitted to ultrasonic vibration before the tensile test. Data were analyzed statistically by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc tests (p<0.05). RESULTS: The ultrasonic vibration reduced the tensile strength of the samples directly included in resin cylinders. There was no difference between the values, whether or not ultrasonic vibration was used, when the PDL was simulated. However, the presence of SPDL affected the tensile strength values even when no ultrasonic vibration was applied. CONCLUSION: Simulation of PDL has an effect on both ultrasonic vibration and tensile testing.

The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the time required for removal of intraradicular cast posts cemented with zinc phosphate (ZF) or glass ionomer cement (GIC), using two Brazilian ultrasound devices (BUD). Seventy two human inferior premolars with single root canals were sectioned transversally at the cementoenamel junction. In each specimen, the root canal was endodontically treated, the post space was prepared to a depth of 9 mm and the canal was molded to obtain a post impression. After the casting procedures, the posts were randomly distributed into 2 groups (n = 36) according to the luting material used: G1 - ZF and G2 - GIC. The tooth and luted post set was then embedded in an acrylic resin block. The groups were then divided into 3 subgroups (n = 12) according to the ultrasound device used: A - Enac (Osada Electric, Japan), used as a control group; B - Profi II Ceramic (Dabi Atlante, Brazil) and C - Jet Sonic Satelec (Gnatus, Brazil). The posts were submitted to the vibration process with maximum power set on all surrounding surfaces. Time of application was recorded with a chronometer until complete post dislodgment, and the data were analyzed by the ANOVA test (p < 0.05). The averages required for post removal in G1 and G2 were respectively 41.42 and 92.03 seconds, with significant statistical difference (p = 0.001). No statistical difference was observed among the three ultrasound devices (p = 0.088), and the BUD presented a performance similar to that of the international gold standard device (Enac). Moreover, the type of luting agent had a greater influence on the time required for post removal than the origin of the ultrasonic unit.