ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the cytotoxic effects of Biodentine and MTA on dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and to assess cell viability and adherence after material exposure to an acidic environment. Material and Methods: DPSCs were cultured either alone or in contact with either: Biodentine; MTA set for 1 hour; or MTA set for 24 hours. After 4 and 7 days, cell viability was measured using the MTT assay. Biodentine and MTA were also prepared and packed into standardized bovine dentin disks and divided into three groups according to the storage media (n=6/group): freshly mixed materials without storage medium (Group A); materials stored in saline (Group B); materials stored in citric acid buffered at pH 5.4 (Group C). After 24 hours, DPSCs were introduced in the wells and cell adherence, viability, and cellular morphology were observed via confocal microscopy after three days of culture. Cell viability was analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance test with Tukey's post hoc tests (α=0.05). Results: Biodentine expressed significantly higher cell viability compared with all other groups after 4 days, with no differences after 7 days. Notably, cell viability was significantly greater in 24-hour set MTA compared with 1-hour set MTA and control groups after 7 days. Material exposure to an acidic environment showed an increase in cell adherence and viability in both groups. Conclusions: Biodentine induced a significantly accelerated cell proliferation compared with MTA. Setting of these materials in the presence of citric acid enhanced DPSC viability and adherence.

Two cases are reported in which incomplete placement of 4 mm mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) plug was performed unintentionally at the apical third of permanent immature teeth with open apex and apical periodontitis. As confirmed radiographically, there were gaps between MTA and dentinal walls along the MTA-dentin interface. After setting of MTA was confirmed, endodontic treatment was completed and access was sealed with composite resin. At 6 to 16 months follow-up examinations, formation of dentin in contact with the MTA surface, as well as apical closure and periapical healing were ideied radiographically for both cases. The results of these cases showed that apical barrier formation and complete periapical healing is possible despite the incomplete apical placement of the MTA plug. This might be due to the biological properties of the MTA. Even so, an incomplete three-dimensional placement of the filling material is not advocated.

Dentes com periodontite persistente após apicectomia são comumente tratados cirurgicamente ou pela combinação de cirurgia e tratamento não-cirúrgico. Porém, alguns pacientes não aceitam se submeter a um segundo procedimento cirúrgico. A técnica da barreira apical, utilizada para fechamento apical de dentes com ápice aberto com necrose pulpar, pode ser uma alternativa não-cirúrgica para retratamento de casos de apicectomia mal sucedida. O agregado de trióxido mineral (MTA) tornou-se o material de escolha para estes casos devido a sua excelente biocompatibilidade, capacidade de selamento e propriedades osseoindutivas. O relato de caso aqui apresentado descreve o retratamento não-cirúrgico de uma apicectomia mal sucedida, sem retrobturação, de um incisivo central superior. Foi utilizado o MTA branco para induzir o fechamento apical da ampla área de ressecção radicular. O exame de acompanhamento quatro anos após o tratamento mostrou um dente assintomático e totalmente funcional com reparo satisfatório da lesão apical. A barreira apical com MTA branco pode ser uma técnica segura e eficaz para o retratamento não-cirúrgico de dentes com apicectomia mal sucedida. A previsibilidade de tal tratamento é um grande benefício para o paciente que não deseja ser submetido a um novo procedimento cirúrgico.

Root-end resected teeth with persistent apical periodontitis are usually retreated surgically or a combination of non-surgical and surgical retreatment is employed. However, patients are sometimes unwilling to be subjected to a second surgical procedure. The apical barrier technique that is used for apical closure of immature teeth with necrotic pulps may be an alternative to non-surgically retreat a failed apicoectomy. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) has become the material of choice in such cases because of its excellent biocompatibility, sealing ability and osseoinductive properties. This case report describes the non-surgical retreatment of a failed apicoectomy with no attempt at retrofilling of a maxillary central incisor. White MTA was used to induce apical closure of the wide resected apical area. Four-year follow-up examination revealed an asymptomatic, fully functional tooth with a satisfactory healing of the apical lesion. White MTA apical barrier may constitute a reliable and efficient technique to non-surgically retreat teeth with failed root-end resection. The predictability of such a treatment is of great benefit for the patient who is unwilling to be submitted to a second surgical procedure.

Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar a presença e a freqüência de istmos nas raízes mesiais de primeiros molares superiores e inferiores (em dois níveis de ressecção a partir do ápice), e comparar os achados obtidos por observação macroscópica (OM) e microscópio operativo (MO). Quarenta raízes mesiais superiores e inferiores foram examinadas a 3 e 5 mm do ápice, inicialmente macroscopicamente e em seguida com o uso do MO. A presença de istmo e o número de canais radiculares detectado foram registrados. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente usando o teste exato de Fisher para avaliação do istmo e o teste de Wilcoxon (signed rank-test) para o número de canais radiculares, com um intervalo de confiança de 95%. A comparação entre OM e MO com relação ao número de raízes com istmos forneceu os seguintes resultados: Grupo mandibular: 3 mm: OM 19 vs. MO 27; 5 mm: OM 31 vs. MO 32. Grupo maxilar: 3 mm: OM 9 vs. MO 14; 5 mm: OM 19 vs. MO 21. Diferenças significantes (p<0,05) foram encontradas com relação à precisão dos métodos de detecção de istmos em ambos os níveis de ressecção (3 e 5 mm), e ambos os tipos de raízes, bem como quanto ao número de canais radiculares inspecionados sob MO entre os dois níveis de ressecção das raízes mesiais dos primeiros molares superiores. Nas condições testadas, MO aumentou a precisão diagnóstica na detecção de istmos em ambos os níveis de ressecção e tipos de raízes.

The aims of this study were to assess the presence and the frequency of isthmuses in the mesial roots of the maxillary and mandibular first molars (at two resection levels from the apex), and to compare the findings obtained by macroscopic observation (MO) and operating microscope (OM). Forty maxillary and 40 mandibular mesial roots were observed at 3 and 5 mm from the apex initially macroscopically and then with the use of an OM. The presence of an isthmus and the number of root canals detected were recorded. Data were analyzed statistically by Fisher's exact test for isthmus evaluation and Wilcoxon signed rank-test for number of root canals at a confidence interval of 95%. Comparison between MO and OM regarding the number of roots with isthmuses provided the following results: Mandibular group: At 3 mm level: MO 19 ?s. OM 27; at 5 mm level: MO 31 ?s. OM 32. Maxillary group: At 3 mm level: MO 9 ?s. OM 14; at 5 mm level: MO 19 ?s. OM 21. Significant differences (p<0.05) were found concerning the accuracy of the isthmus detection methods at both resection levels (3 and 5 mm) and both types of roots, as well as for the number of the canals inspected under the OM between the two resection levels of the mesial roots of the maxillary first molars. Under the tested conditions, OM increased the diagnostic accuracy of isthmus detection at both resection levels and root types.