Objective: To analyze possible correlations among tubular dentine cement penetration, adhesiveness and apical leakage in fillings performed with gutta percha and an endodontic cement based on epoxy amine resin. Material and Methods: Sixty similar, extracted human mandibular central incisors were irrigated, instrumented and filled following the same protocol. First, apical leakage was quantified by fluid filtration tests. Then, these same specimens were sectioned for analysis of tubular dentine cement penetration and the middle thirds were submitted to push-out tests to analyze the adhesiveness of the fillings. Results: In brief, the means and standard deviations with a confidence interval of 95% were as follows: tubular dentine cement penetration (8.875±4.540), adhesiveness (4.441±2.683) and apical leakage (0.318±0.215). The data were confronted using the Pearson's test (P>0.05), and it was possible to prove that there was no correlation between (1) tubular dentine cement penetration and apical leakage (r2: 0.08276), (2) tubular dentine cement penetration and adhesiveness (r2: -0.2412) and (3) adhesiveness and apical leakage (r2: 0.1340). Conclusion: After analysis of these data, it could be observed that there exists no correlation among the variables analyzed in this study.

The aim of this paper was to evaluate a possible correlation between obturation limits and leakage. Thirty-six extracted human mandibular incisors were used, characterized by straight and single canals, non-anatomical complexities, absence of previous endodontic treatment, complete root formation and patent foramen. For standardization of the specimens for the leakage analysis, foraminal instrumentation was performed up to a Flexofile #25 (Dentsply-Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland). All specimens were instrumented and filled following the same protocol, and the obturation limits were measured using Axiovision 4.5 Software (Carl Zeiss Vision, Hallbergmoos, Germany). The specimens were then separated into three groups (n = 12) according to the following variables: Group I - obturation limits ranging from 0 mm to 0.76 mm of the main apical foramen. Group II - obturation limits ranging from 0.77 mm to 0.98 mm of the main apical foramen. Group III - obturation limits ranging from 0.99 mm to 1.68 mm of the main apical foramen. Apical leakage was quantified by fluid filtration. The analyses were confronted using Pearson's test (p > 0.05). Groups I, II and III showed Pearson correlation values (r2) of -0.152, -0.186 and 0.058, respectively. No correlation was found between the obturation limits and apical leakage

INTRODUÇÃO: Instrumentos rotatórios em níquel-titânio (NiTi) reduzem erros processuais e o tempo requerido para a preparação do canal radicular. OBJETIVO: Comparar dois sistemas de instrumentação rotatória NiTi - Pathfile + ProTaper Universal e Twisted Files - quanto à capacidade de preservação da morfologia do canal e quanto ao tempo de trabalho necessário para a preparação de canais curvos. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Os canais mesiais de 32 molares inferiores humanos (com ângulos de curvatura entre 20 e 40 graus) foram selecionados para o estudo. As amostras foram divididas aleatoriamente em dois grupos de 16 canais. Os preparos foram realizados por um Endodontista, utilizando-se a combinação dos instrumentos rotatórios Pathfile e ProTaper Universal (grupo PT) e os instrumentos rotatórios Twisted Files (grupo TF). Três Endodontistas analisaram imagens com a técnica da dupla radiografia digital, pré e pós-instrumentação, para avaliar se ocorreu transporte apical e/ou aberrações na morfologia dos canais. Por meio de uma análise computadorizada e com o auxílio de magnificação, as imagens inicial e final do canal radicular foram comparadas por meio de sua sobreposição. O teste de odds ratio foi utilizado para a comparação dos níveis de preservação da morfologia do canal, e ANOVA, complementada pelo teste de Tukey, foi utilizada para a comparação dos tempos de preparo. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. RESULTADO: Ocorreram desvios na trajetória do canal em ambos os grupos, mas a diferença entre estes não foi significativa. O tempo de trabalho requerido pela combinação dos sistemas Pathfile + ProTaper Universal foi significativamente maior do que o requerido pelo sistema Twisted Files. CONCLUSÃO: Os dois sistemas apresentaram performances semelhantes em relação à preservação da trajetória do canal; no entanto, o tempo de trabalho requerido pelo sistema Twisted Files foi menor.

INTRODUCTION: Nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments reduce procedural errors and the time required for root canal preparation. The aim of this study was to compare two rotary NiTi instrumentation systems-Pathfile + ProTaper Universal versus Twisted Files-as to their ability to maintain original canal morphology and the time they require to prepare curved root canals. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The mesial canals of 32 human mandibular molars (with curvature angles between 20 and 40 degrees) were selected for the study, and divided at random into two groups of 16 canals each. The canals were prepared by an endodontist using either the combination of Pathfile and ProTaper Universal instruments (Group PT) or Twisted Files (Group TF). The double digital radiograph technique, pre- and post-instrumentation, was used by three endodontists to assess whether apical transportation and/or aberration in root canal morphology occurred. The initial and final images of the root canals were compared by superimposition through computerized analysis and with the aid of magnification. The odds ratio test was used to compare root canal morphology preservation, and ANOVA complemented by Tukey's test was used to compare preparation times. The significance level was set at 5%. RESULT: Deviation in root canal trajectory occurred in both groups, although the differences were not significant. The preparation time required by the Pathfile + ProTaper Universal combination was significantly longer than that required by the Twisted Files system. CONCLUSION: Both systems showed similar performances regarding the ability to maintain original root canal morphology; however, the preparation time required by the Twisted Files system was shorter

The aim of this study was to compare two methods of assessing apical transportation in curved canals after rotary instrumentation, namely, cross-sections and micro-computed tomography (µCT). Thirty mandibular molars were divided into two groups and prepared according to the requirements of each method. In G1 (cross-sections), teeth were embedded in resin blocks and sectioned at 2.0, 3.5, and 5.0 mm from the anatomic apex. Pre- and postoperative sections were photographed and analyzed. In G2 (µCT), teeth were embedded in a rubber-base impression material and scanned before and after instrumentation. Mesiobuccal canals were instrumented with the Twisted File (TF) system (SybronEndo, Orange, USA), and mesiolingual canals, with the EndoSequence (ES) system (Brasseler, Savannah, USA). Images were reconstructed, and sections corresponding to distances 2.0, 3.5, and 5.0 mm from the anatomic apex were selected for comparison. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney's test at a 5% significance level. The TF and ES instruments produced little deviation from the root canal center, with no statistical difference between them (P > 0.05). The canal transportation results were significantly lower (0.056 mm) in G2 than in G1 (0.089 mm) (p = 0.0012). The µCT method was superior to the cross-section method, especially in view of its ability to preserve specimens and provide results that are more closely related to clinical situations.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar in vitro a eficácia de limas rotatórias K³ e limas manuais na remoção de guta-percha e cimento obturador de canais radiculares, utilizando clorofórmio ou clorexidina como solventes. Sessenta dentes bovinos extraídos unirradiculares com canais amplos e retos foram instrumentados, obturados e divididos aleatoriamente em 3 grupos (n=20). Os dentes foram armazenados a 37°C por 1 mês e em seguida os canais foram desobturados empregando diferentes técnicas. Grupo I: brocas Gates-Glidden #3 + limas Kerr e Hedström #30 + clorofórmio; Grupo II: limas rotatórias K³ + clorofórmio; e Grupo III: limas rotatórias K³ + gel de clorexidina a 2%. Após a desobturação, radiografadas dos espécimes foram feitas, escaneadas e as imagens obtidas foram digitalizadas. A área total do canal e a área com remanescente de material obturador foram medidas em milímetros por meio do software ImageLab. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente por meio da ANOVA e do teste de Tukey. Os grupos diferiram estatisticamente (p<0,05) com relação à média percentual de material obturador remanescente, apresentado a seguinte ordem de efetividade (do mais para o menos efetivo): Grupo I (15,48%), Grupo II (28,42%) e Grupo III (35,96%). Os achados deste estudo demonstraram que, a despeito da técnica empregada remoção do material obturador, os canais retratados não se mostraram completamente livres de remanescentes de guta-percha e cimento. O uso de limas de aço manuais resultou em menor quantidade de material obturador nos canais radiculares do que o uso de instrumentos rotatórios de níquel-titânio.

The purpose of this study was to assess in vitro the efficacy of nickel-titanium K³ rotary files and hand files for removal of gutta-percha and sealer from obturated root canals using either chloroform or chlorhexidine as solvents. Sixty extracted single-rooted bovine teeth with straight, large canals were prepared, obtured and randomly assigned to 3 groups (n=20). The teeth were stored at 37ºC for 1 month and then the gutta-percha and sealer were removed using different techniques, as follows. Group I: size 3 Gates-Glidden drills plus size 30 hand K-files and Hedström files and chloroform; Group II: K³ NiTi rotary files and chloroform; and Group III: K³ NiTi rotary files and 2% chlorhexidine gel. Radiographs were taken and scanned and the images were digitized. The total area of the canal and the area with remaining obturation material were measured in millimeters using a computed image analysis system (ImageLab). Data were analyzed statistically by one-way ANOVA and Tukey test at 5% significance level. The groups differed statistically (p<0.05) with respect to the average percentage of remaining gutta-percha and sealer, presenting the following sequence of effectiveness (from most to least effective): Group I (15.48%), Group II (28.42%) and Group III (35.96%). The findings of this study showed that, despite the technique used for removal of filling material, none of the retreated canals were completely free of gutta-percha and sealer remnants. The use of stainless steel hand files resulted in a lesser amount of filling debris than the use of nickel-titanium rotary instruments.