Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the root canal real length (RL) changes due to the mechanical instrumentation use with different flaring magnitudes. After access cavity, 60 mesial root canals of mandibular molars were randomly separated in three groups: Hyflex EDM (HF; #25/.12, #10/.05 e #25/~), Reciproc Blue (RB; R25), and MTwo (M2; #10/.04, #15/.05, #20/.06 e #25/.06). The RL was defined as the apical limit, and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite irrigating solution was chosen. After the access cavity (RL 1), cervical flaring (RL 2), and complete chemical-mechanical preparation (RL 3), the RL was evaluated. The RL was evaluated by a blind examiner with the aid of a microscope (16x) placing the endodontic file stop at the coronary reference. When comparing length measurements, the RL was shorter before instrumentation than that after instrumentation. A reduction of 0.65 mm (HF), 0.61 mm (RB), and 0.48 mm (M2) was observed. However, among groups, no statistical differences were found (p > 0.05). Under the conditions tested, it can be inferred that all mechanical systems provoked RL variations, which emphasizes the need for constant verification of the odontometry, mainly before root canal obturation.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência de diferentes protocolos de pré-alargamento cervical (ausente, conservador e convencional) na precisão dos localizadores eletrônicos foraminais (LEFs) Root ZX II, Raypex 6 e RomiApex A-15. Vinte molares inferiores com raízes mesiais do tipo IV de Vertucci foram submetidos à exploração endodôntica e confirmação da patência foraminal. Sob ampliação de 16x, seus comprimentos reais (CR) foram medidos e registrados (CR1). Os canais foram então irrigados com hipoclorito de sódio a 2,5% e medidos eletronicamente (ME1) utilizando o modelo em alginato; todas as medidas foram realizadas em triplicata por um operador cego, utilizando limas endodônticas ajustadas introduzidas até o forame apical. Os procedimentos de pré-alargamento cervical foram realizados sequencialmente com os instrumentos #25/.06 (conservador) e #25/.12 (convencional); novas determinações de CRs foram realizadas após cada protocolo de preparação cervical (CR2/CR3), da mesma forma que as medidas eletrônicas (ME2/ME3). O erro dos dispositivos (mm) foi avaliado considerando a diferença entre CRs e MEs em cada estágio de preparação; sua precisão foi estabelecida adotando ± 0,5 mm como margem de tolerância. O erro dos LEFs reduziu significativamente após o protocolo convencional de alargamento cervical (p<0,05), o que não ocorreu após o conservador. Os melhores valores de precisão foram observados após a preparação convencional como 90% (Root ZX II), 97,5% (Raypex 6) e 92,5% (RomiApex A-15). Não foram encontradas diferenças significantes nas comparações entre os LEFs, independentemente do protocolo cervical testado (p>0,05). Sob as condições testadas, pode-se concluir que os LEFs avaliados foram precisos. Além disso, os protocolos de alargamento influenciam sua precisão, onde o menos conservador produziu os melhores resultados.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different coronal preflaring protocols (absent, conservative and conventional) on the accuracy of Root ZX II, Raypex 6, and RomiApex A-15 electronic foramen locators (EFLs). Twenty mandibular molars with Vertucci’s type IV mesial roots were subjected to endodontic exploration and foraminal patency confirmation. Under 16x magnification, its real lengths (RL) were measured and registered (RL1). The canals were then irrigated with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and electronically measured (EM1) employing the alginate model; all measurements were performed in triplicate by a blind operator using adjusted endodontic hand-files introduced until the apex foramen. Coronal preflaring procedures were sequentially performed with #25/.06 (conservative) and #25/.12 (conventional) instruments; new RLs extents were performed after each coronal preparation protocol (RL2/RL3), as same as electronic measurements (EM2/EM3). The devices error (mm) was evaluated considering the difference between RLs and EMs at each preparation stage; their precision was stablished adopting ±0.5 mm as tolerance margin. The EFLs error significantly reduced after conventional coronal preflaring protocol (p<0.05), which not occur after the conservative one. The best precisions values were noted after conventional preparation as 90% (Root ZX II), 97.5% (Raypex 6), and 92.5% (RomiApex A-15). No significant differences were found in EFLs comparisons, regardless of the coronal protocol tested (p>0.05). Under the conditions tested it can be concluded that the EFLs evaluated were precise. Moreover, the preflaring protocols influences its accuracy’s, where the less conservative one produced the best results.

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to assess the penetration capacity of two endodontic cements, Endosequence BC Sealer and AH Plus, in artificial lateral canals. Twenty-six two-rooted, maxillary first premolars were instrumented to size 40.06 using K3 files. In each root, six lateral canals of two diameters (0.06 and 0.10 mm) were created with a working length of 2, 4, and 6 mm. The specimens were randomly divided into two groups according to the endodontic cement to be used (Endosequence BC Sealer and AH Plus) and obturated by the single-cone technique. The specimens were imaged by digital periapical radiography and scores from 0 to 4 were attributed according to the degree of penetration by sealers into the lateral canals. Data were analyzed statistically by Kruskal-Wallis and Student-Newman-Keuls tests, and a significance level of p < 0.05 was adopted. No significant difference was observed between the two endodontic cements used to fill the simulated lateral canals (p > 0.05). The diameter of lateral canals only influenced the capacity of the Endosequence BC Sealer in filling the canals, and presented greater penetration in the lateral canals of diameter 0.10 mm (p < 0.05). We concluded that the bioceramic endodontic cement Endosequence BC Sealer presented similar ability as AH Plus to fill simulated lateral canals.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the amount of apically extruded debris, percentage of foraminal enlargement and apical foramen (AF) deformation that occurred during root canal preparation with different reciprocation systems: Reciproc, WaveOne (M-Wire), and ProDesign R (Shape Memory Technology Wire) at two different working lengths (WLs): 0.0 and 1.0 mm beyond the AF. Material and methods The AF of 120 root canals in 60 mesial roots of mandibular molars were photographed with stereomicroscope and randomly assigned into four groups: manual, Reciproc (REC), WaveOne (WO), and ProDesign R (PDR); subsequently, they were further subdivided according to the WL (n=15). Teeth were instrumented, coupled to a dual collecting chamber, and then another photograph of each AF was captured. Extrusion was analysed by determining the weight of extruded debris. Each AF diameter was measured in pre- and post-instrumentation images to determine deformation, which was analysed, and afterwards the final format of AFs was classified (circular/oval/deformed). Results We found no significant differences when analysing each system at different WLs. When considering each WL, REC and WO showed highest extrusion values (P<.05); for AF enlargement, differences were observed only for WO, when it was used beyond the AF; differences were observed among M-Wire groups beyond the AF (P<.05). AF deformation was observed in all groups; PDR showed the lowest AF deformation values at both WLs; M-Wire groups showed 50% strain beyond the AF. Conclusion Authors concluded that beyond the apical limit, the alloy and taper are important aspects when considering extrusion and deformation.

Este estudo avaliou a precisão de três localizadores eletrônicos foraminais (Root ZX, Novapex e Justy II) nas determinações de odontometria utilizando limas com diferentes padrões de ajuste, considerando-se a constrição apical (CA) e do forame principal (FA) como referências anatômicas. O diâmetro dos forames apicais de 40 dentes unirradiculados foi previamente determinado por visualização direta e a lima compatível com o forame apical foi estabelecida. Medições eletrônicas foram realizadas utilizando 3 instrumentos diferentes: lima compatível com o forame apical (lima ajustada), lima um tamanho menor (lima intermediária), e lima dois tamanhos menores (lima desajustada). As distâncias da ponta dos instrumentos ao FA e a CA foram determinadas em software específico. A precisão na CA e no FA para os instrumentos desajustado, intermediário e ajustado foram: 80% / 88% / 83% e 78% / 83% / 95% (Root ZX); 80% / 85% / 80% e 68% / 73% / 73% (Novapex), e 78% / 80% / 78% e 65% / 78% / 70% (Justy II). Considerando os erros médios oferecidos pelos aparelhos, foi encontrada diferença estatística apenas nas determinações realizadas com os instrumentos adaptados tendo como referência o FA onde o Root ZX ofereceu os melhores resultados. O teste qui-quadrado apresentou diferenças significantes entre as determinações consideradas aceitáveis para a CA e o FA tanto para o Justy II quanto para o Novapex (± 0,5 mm), independente do ajuste do instrumento. Nas condições do presente estudo todos os dispositivos ofereceram medições aceitáveis independentemente do ajuste dos instrumentos; exceção feita apenas ao Root ZX, que teve seu desempenho melhorado quando uma lima ajustada foi utilizada. Os aparelhos Justy II e Novapex ofereceram determinações mais próximas à CA.

This study evaluated the accuracy of three electronic apex locators (Root ZX, Novapex, and Justy II) in root canal length determinations using different apical file sizes, considering the apical constriction (AC) and the major foramen (MF) as anatomic references. The diameter of the apical foramina of 40 single-rooted teeth was determined by direct visual measurement and the master apical file was established. Electronic measurements were then performed using 3 instruments: the selected master apical file (adjusted file), one size smaller (intermediate file), and two sizes smaller (misfit file). The distances from the tip of files fixed in the canals to the MF and to the AC were measured digitally. Precision at AC and at MF for the misfit, intermediate and adjusted apical files was as follows: 80%/88%/83% and 78%/83%/95% (Root ZX); 80%/85%/80% and 68%/73%/73% (Novapex); and 78%/80%/78% and 65%/78%/70% (Justy II). Considering the mean discrepancies, statistically significant differences were found only for the adjusted file at MF, with Root ZX presenting the best results at MF. The chi-square test showed significant differences between the acceptable measurements at AC and at MF for the Justy II and Novapex (± 0.5 mm) regardless of file adjustment. Under the conditions of the present study, all devices provided acceptable electronic measurements regardless of file adjustment, except for Root ZX which had its performance improved significantly when the precisely fit apical file was used. Justy II and Novapex provided electronic measurements nearest to the AC.

Objetivou-se avaliar in vitro a eliminação do Enterococcus faecalis em pré-molares inferiores humanos após o preparo químico-mecânico seguido ou não de curativo de hidróxido de cálcio. Após 60 dias de contaminação com E. faecalis os canais radiculares foram preparados utilizando-se a técnica coroa-ápice associada à irrigação com clorexidina em gel a 2%. Posteriormente os espécimes foram divididos em dois grupos experimentais, tratados em uma ou duas sessões, e dois grupos controles. O grupo tratado em duas sessões recebeu medicação intracanal de hidróxido de cálcio por 14 dias (CalenTM) e o grupo de sessão única não recebeu medicação. Nos dois grupos controles, após o preparo químico-mecânico com clorexidina em gel a 2% ou água destilada, os canais foram preenchidos com BHI. Amostras microbiológicas foram coletadas dos canais radiculares e contadas por meio de unidades formadoras de colônia em cada fase do tratamento utilizando-se ponta de papel dentro da luz do canal. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente pelo teste de Kruskal-Wallis. As colônias bacterianas residuais foram então mensuradas. A utilização da clorexidina em gel a 2% sem emprego da medicação intracanal reduziu em 100% a contaminação por E. faecalis. O grupo que recebeu a medicação intracanal de hidróxido de cálcio por 14 dias permitiu o crescimento de pequeno número de bactérias entre as sessões, mas sem diferença estatística entre os grupos.

The purpose was to assess the elimination of Enterococcus faecalis in vitro in human mandibular premolars after chemomechanical preparation with or without the use of a calcium hydroxide dressing. After 60 days of contamination with E. faecalis, the root canals were prepared using the Crown-Down technique combined with 2% chlorhexidine gel irrigation. Then, the specimens were divided into two experimental groups, treated in a single visit or in multiple visits, and two control groups. The multiple-visit group received a dressing with calcium hydroxide for 14 days (CalenTM) and the single-visit group did not receive any medication. In the two control groups, the canals were filled with BHI after chemomechanical preparation with 2% chlorhexidine gel or distilled water. Microbial samples were taken from the root canals for colony forming unit count for each phase of the treatment using sterile paper points inside the root canal lumen. Data were ranked and analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis statistical test. The residual microbial colonies were then assessed. The results showed that chemomechanical preparation using 2% chlorhexidine gel with no intra-canal dressing reduced by 100% the E. faecalis contamination of the root canal lumen. The calcium-hydroxide group that received the 14-day intra-canal dressing allowed a small number of bacteria to grow between visits, but without statistical differences between groups.