1) Background: One of the key factors for a successful endodontic therapy is to adequately fill the root canals. The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the quality of three different techniques of root canal obturation: tapered singlecone, cold lateral condensation, warm vertical condensation and injection system, using non-invasive Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). 2) Materials and methods: A total of 30 extracted single-rooted teeth, prepared with Reciproc System (VDW, silver Reciproc ) were divided into three groups, based on the filling method: the first group obturated with “single-cone” (n=10) Reciproc guttapercha single-cone tapered according to the diameter, length and conicity of the preparation, the second group obturated with cold lateral condensation (n=10) and the third group, “combined-system” (EQ META BIOMED) (n=10). OCT technology can generate high-resolution cross-sectional imaging, capable to evaluate the micro-leakages of dental restorations and endodontic fillings. 3) Results: OCT showed that none of the root canal filled teeth were gape-free; the highest percentage of filling material was observed in the combined system group (warm vertical and injection system). 4) Conclusions: OCT represents a valuable method for investigation with high depth resolution which can be used for evaluation of endodontic fillings.
The aim of this study was to evaluate a relatively new calcium silicate cement (Biodentine(R)) used as a dentine substitute. The marginal adaptation in Class II restorations have been studied; this is the spot, where gingival margins are situated apical to the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ). 20 Class II cavities have been prepared on mesial and distal surfaces of 10 extracted teeth, with margins extending 1 mm below the cementum-enamel junction. Cavities have been restored with composite resin and Biodentine(R) in an "open sandwich" technique. The assessment of the marginal adaptation was performed using Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy. The considered interfaces have been evaluated and the differences between the different materials have been discussed. In conclusion, contemporary calcium silicate materials, such as Biodentine, can be used as substitute materials for the dentin. However, because Biodentine needs extensive time to set, the operating time is longer than when a Resin-Modified Glass-Ionomer (RMGI) is used.
Several obturation methods are available today to study the 3D filling of the root canal. There are also several methods capable to evaluate the ability to seal apically the root canals. However, the common methods of investigation are invasive; they also lead to the destruction of the samples. If the sectioning differs slightly from the desired area, the investigation is non-conclusive regarding the micro-leakages. Also, although the use of Cone-Beam Micro Computer Tomography (CBCT) appears to be most promising for endodontic purposes, its effective radiation doses are higher than with conventional intra-oral and panoramic imaging. In contrast, enface (ef) Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) proves to be efficient for the investigation of material defects of dental restorations, dental materials, and micro-leakage at the interfaces, where the penetration depth depends on the material. Therefore, ef OCT has been proposed in our studies as a potential tool for in vivo endodontic imaging. Twenty five recently extracted human maxillary molars were selected for the study for caries or periodontal reasons. The pulp chambers were completely opened, the dental pulp was removed, and the root canals were shaped. Silver nanoparticles were used in half of the samples in order to increase the scattering of the adhesive material in comparison with the dental roots walls. The sample teeth were then probed using Time Domain (TD) OCT working at 1300 nm. A synchrotron radiation X-Ray microCT experiment was also performed. The imagistic results pointed out the efficiency of the silver nanoparticle layer used in order to increase the scattering of the root canal adhesive scattering for the OCT non-invasive investigation. MicroCT allowed for obtaining qualitative data related to the depth penetration of the root canal adhesive into the dentin walls.
Studies have demonstrated that conventional chemo-mechanical preparation is limited regarding the decontamination of the endodontic space, which is why alternative techniques such as laser radiation have their importance in the modern endodontic treatment. The present study aims to assess the possibility of improving the debridement of the root canals by removing smear layer using Er: YAG laser radiation. We used 18 extracted teeth, which were subjected to the same initial protocol and then divided into 5 study groups: the control group has not been treated with laser; the other 4 groups were exposed to laser radiation using two different geometries peaks of quartz and two energy levels. Scanning electronic microscopy revealed an increased efficiency in the debridement of all interested areas when using PIPS and XPulse tips at proper energy. In the two groups treated with inferior laser energy, the debridement didn’t prove to be superior to the conventional treatment.
Bonding to root canal dentin may be difficult due to various factors: the structural characteristic of the root canal dentin, which is different from that of the coronal dentin; the presence of the organic tissue of the dental pulp inside the root canal, which has to be removed during the cleaning-shaping of the root canal system; the smear-layer resulted after mechanical instrumentation, which may interfere with the adhesion of the filling materials; the type of the irrigants used in the cleaning protocol; the type of the sealer and core material used in the obturation of the endodontic space; the type of the materials used for the restoration of the endodontically treated teeth. The influence of the cleaning protocol, of the root canal filling material, of the type of the adhesive system used in the restoration of the treated teeth and of the region of the root canal, on the adhesion of several filling and restorative materials to root canal dentin was evaluated in the push-out bond strength test on 1-mm thick slices of endodontically treated human teeth. The results showed that all these factors have a statistically significant influence on the push-out bond strength. Formation of resin tags between radicular dentin and the investigated materials was observed in some of the samples at SEM analysis.
Successful root canal treatment is based on diagnosis, treatment planning, knowledge of tooth anatomy, endodontic
access cavity design, controlling the infection by thorough cleaning and shaping, methods and materials used in root
canal obturation. An endodontic obturation must be a complete, three-dimensional filling of the root canal system, as
close as possible to cemento-dentinal junction, without massive overfilling or underfilling.
There are several known methods which are used to assess the quality of the endodontic sealing, but most are invasive.
These lead to the destruction of the samples and often no conclusion could be drawn in respect to the existence of any
microleakage in the investigated areas of interest. Using an time domain en-face OCT system, we have recently
demonstrated real time thorough evaluation of quality of root canal fillings.
The purpose of this in vitro study was to validate the en face OCT imagistic evaluation of endodontically treated human
teeth by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and microcomputer tomography (μCT).
SEM investigations evidenced the nonlinear aspect of the interface between the endodontic filling material and the root
canal walls and materials defects in some samples.
The results obtained by μCT revealed also some defects inside the root-canal filling and at the interfaces between the
material and the root canal walls.
The advantages of the OCT method consist in non-invasiveness and high resolution. In addition, en face OCT
investigations permit visualization of the more complex stratified structure at the interface between the filling material
and the dental hard tissue.
Endodontic therapy consists in cleaning and shaping the root canal system, removing organic debris and sealing the
intra-canal space with permanent filling materials. The purpose of this study was to evaluate various root canal fillings in
order to detect material defects, the marginal adaptation at the root canal walls and to assess the quality of the apical
sealing.
21 extracted single-root canal human teeth were selected for this study. We instrumented all roots using NiTi rotary
instruments. All canals were enlarged with a 6% taper size 30 GT instrument, 0,5 mm from the anatomical apex. The
root canals were irrigated with 5% sodium hypochlorite, followed by 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).
After the instrumentation was completed, the root canals were obturated using a thermoplasticizable polymer of
polyesters. In order to assess the defects inside the filling material and the marginal fit to the root canal walls, the conebeam
micro-computed tomography (CBμCT) was used first. After the CBμCT investigation, time domain optical
coherence tomography working in en face mode (TDefOCT) was employed to evaluate the previous samples. The
TDefOCT system was working at 1300 nm and was doubled by a confocal channel at 970 nm.
The results obtained by CBμCT revealed no visible defects inside the root-canal fillings and at the interfaces with the
root-canal walls. TDefOCT investigations permit to visualize a more complex stratificated structure at the interface
filling material/dental hard tissue and in the apical region.
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