OBJECTIVE: This study compared the influence of three epoxy resin-based sealers with distinct radiopacities on the observers' ability to detect root canal filling voids during radiographic analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The root canals of 48 extracted maxillary canines were prepared and divided into three groups. Each group was laterally condensed with one sealer (AH Plus®, Acroseal® or a non-radiopaque sealer), and a longitudinal void was simulated in half of the specimens from each group (n=8). Buccolingual radiographs were obtained and randomly interpreted for voids by a radiologist and an endodontist in a blinded fashion. Teeth were cut and inspected under a microscope to confirm the position of void. Differences in sensitivity and specificity between groups and examiners were compared using the Fisher's Exact and McNemar tests, respectively (α=0.05). RESULTS: Significantly lower sensitivity levels (p<0.05) were observed in the coronal portion of fillings performed with both radiopaque sealers. Specificity values for Acroseal® were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the coronal and apical portions of fillings. CONCLUSIONS: The type of root canal sealer can affect the observers' ability to detect root canal filling voids during radiographic analysis of upper single-rooted teeth.

The identification of the mandibular canal (MC) is an important prerequisite for surgical procedures involving the posterior mandible. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) represents an advance in imaging technology, but distinguishing the MC from surrounding structures may remain a delicate task. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the visibility of the MC in different regions on CBCT cross-sectional images. MATERIAL AND METHODS: CBCT cross-sectional images of 58 patients (116 hemi-mandibles) were analyzed, and the visibility of the MC in different regions was assessed. RESULTS: The MC was clearly visible in 53% of the hemi-mandibles. Difficult and very difficult visualizations were registered in 25% and 22% of the hemi-mandibles, respectively. The visibility of the MC on distal regions was superior when compared to regions closer to the mental foramen. No differences were found between edentulous and tooth-bearing areas. CONCLUSIONS: The MC presents an overall satisfactory visibility on CBCT cross-sectional images in most cases. However, the discrimination of the canal from its surrounds becomes less obvious towards the mental foramen region when cross-sectional images are individually analyzed.

O propósito deste estudo ex vivo foi investigar se dois cimentos obturadores de fórmulas diferentes influenciariam a percepção radiográfica de obturações de canais radiculares. Os canais radiculares de 48 caninos superiores extraídos foram preparados e divididos em 3 grupos. Em cada grupo os canais foram preenchidos através da condensação lateral da guta-percha e de um dos cimentos testados (Endométhasone, Sealer 26 e cimento não-radiopaco), e um defeito de ponta a ponta foi simulado em metade dos espécimes de cada grupo (n=8). As imagens radiográficas vestíbulo-linguais obtidas foram aleatoriamente interpretadas quanto à existência de defeitos por um radiologista e um endodontista. As diferenças em sensibilidade e especificidade entre os grupos e examinadores foram comparadas respectivamente usando-se os testes Exato de Fisher e McNemar ajustados ao nível de significância de 5%. Ambos os cimentos radiopacos ocasionaram uma redução significativa da sensibilidade na parte cervical das obturações. O uso do Endométhasone aumentou os valores de especificidade para as porções cervical e apical das obturações dos canais radiculares. Concluiu-se que os cimentos testados influenciaram de maneira distinta a percepção radiográfica de obturações endodônticas executadas com condensação lateral.

The aim of this ex vivo was to investigate if two radiopaque root canal sealers with different formulations would influence the radiographic perception of root canal fillings. The root canals of 48 extracted maxillary canines were prepared and randomly assigned to 3 groups of 16 specimens each. In each group, the root canals were filled by lateral condensation of gutta-percha and one of the tested sealers: Endométhasone, Sealer 26, or a non-radiopaque sealer. A through-and-through void was simulated in half of the specimens from each group (n=8). The buccolingual radiographic images obtained were randomly interpreted for voids existence by a radiologist and an endodontist. The differences in sensitivity and specificity between groups and examiners were compared using, respectively, Fisher's Exact and McNemar tests at 5% significance level. Both radiopaque sealers caused a significant decrease in sensitivity at the coronal part of fillings. The use of Endométhasone increased specificity values for both coronal and apical portions of the root canal fillings. In conclusion, the tested sealers influenced the radiographic perceptions of laterally condensed root canal fillings in a different way.

INTRODUÇÃO: a deficiência transversal da maxila é caracterizada pela atresia maxilar, palato ogival, apinhamento e rotação dos dentes, além da mordida cruzada posterior (uni ou bilateral). O tratamento dos pacientes com esta deficiência consiste no alargamento das bases ósseas maxilares. Nos pacientes com maturidade esquelética, a expansão da maxila é obtida através de procedimentos ortocirúrgicos (conhecidos como expansão de maxila cirurgicamente assistida - EMCA) que podem gerar efeitos sobre a cavidade e sobre o septo nasal. OBJETIVO: avaliar o comportamento do septo nasal frente aos procedimentos de EMCA. METODOLOGIA: foram avaliadas radiografias cefalométricas em norma póstero-anterior e radiografias oclusais totais de maxila, obtidas pela técnica convencional e posteriormente digitalizadas, de 16 pacientes submetidos à EMCA pela técnica de osteotomia Le Fort I subtotal. As radiografias foram obtidas no período pré-operatório (inicial) e pós-operatório mediato ou ao final da expansão e foram digitalizadas e mensuradas utilizando o programa DIGORA. Foram medidas, ainda, as distâncias entre os dentes (caninos, primeiro pré-molares, segundo pré-molares, primeiros molares e segundos molares). RESULTADOS: após a análise estatística pode-se constatar o aumento das distâncias interdentárias e intermaxilares, além do aumento da largura da porção basal da abertura piriforme e das distâncias entre a parede lateral da porção basal da abertura piriforme e o septo nasal. CONCLUSÃO: a EMCA é um procedimento eficaz, capaz de alargar a porção basal da abertura piriforme, que parece não influenciar no posicionamento do septo nasal.

INTRODUCTION: Maxillary transversal deficiency is characterized by constricted maxillary arch, dental crowding and rotation, along with posterior uni or bilateral crossbite. The treatment of this deficiency is based on the widening of maxillary bone. In skeletal mature patients the maxillary expansion is achieved by means of surgical-orthodontic procedures (known as surgically assisted maxillary expansion - SAME) that can cause some effects on the nasal cavity and septum. AIM: To evaluate the behavior of the nasal septum after the procedures of SAME. METHODS: Post-anterior cephalometric and maxillary occlusal radiographs, taken by conventional technique and therefore digitalized, were analyzed from 16 patients undergone SAME. For all patients, the SAME technique consisted of subtotal Le Fort I osteotomy. The radiographs were taken before the surgical procedure, right after (mediate post-operatory time) or after the expansion, and thereafter digitalized and measured using DIGORA program. Also, the distances between teeth (canines, first premolars, second premolars, first molars and second molars) were registered. RESULTS: The statistical treatment showed an increase in interdental and intermaxillary distances, along with an increase in the width of the base of piriform aperture and in the distances between the base of lateral wall of the piriform aperture and nasal septum. CONCLUSION: SAME is an efficient procedure that seems not to influence the septum position.