Preparation and filling of the root canal

Bacterial leakage of GuttaFlow-filled root canals compared with Resilon/Epiphany and Gutta-percha/AH26-filled root canals

The purpose of this study was to assess bacterial apical leakage in root canals obturated with GuttaFlow and compare this with the leakage of root canals obturated with Resilon/Epiphany or Gutta-percha/AH26. A total of 55 single-rooted human teeth were divided randomly into three experimental (n = 15) and two control groups (n = 5). Following a standardised preparation, the teeth were obturated with either GuttaFlow, Resilon/Epiphany or Gutta-percha/AH26. A two-chamber bacterial model using Enterococcus faecalis was employed to assess bacterial apical leakage for a period of 60 days. A Kruskal-Wallis test showed no significant differences between the seal of root canals obturated with GuttaFlow, Resilon/Ephiphany or Gutta-percha/AH26.

Detection of a transitional ion concentration zone during electronic measurement of root canal length: a study in vitro

AIM

The aim of this study was to examine the importance of a transitional ion concentration zone at the apical foramen during electronic root canal length measurement (ERCLM).

METHODOLOGY

The model comprised 21 extracted single-rooted human teeth, divided into two experimental groups and one control group, each of seven teeth. The anatomical tooth length was determined from the site of reference on the tooth crown to the canal orifice and was measured using an endodontic file and a vernier caliper. Two aqueous solutions of various NaCl, KCl and CaCl2 concentrations were mixed with agar. The Na+, K+ and Ca++ concentrations corresponded to the average value of each group as determined by atomic spectrophotometry evaluation of the extirpated human pulps. The agar containing cations was injected into the root canals after their preparation to a foramen diameter of 0.70 mm. The control teeth were then completely immersed in agar having the same concentration of cations as the agar inside the canal. In the first experimental group (group 1), the teeth were immersed in agar so that the ion concentration was higher inside the canal; in the second experimental group (group 2), the concentrations were reversed. In all three groups, ERCLM was performed by an EED 11--resistance type device. Length d1 was defined as the length of the root when measured to a value one degree less than the test value. Length d2 was defined as the length of the root inducted by the test value, which corresponded to the resistance of the periapical agar.

RESULTS

In group 1 the average d1 length was 0.44 +/- 1.05 shorter than the anatomical foramen (AF), and in group 2, 1.11 +/- 0.43 mm longer than AF. In the control group the d1 length was on average--3.02 +/- 3.72 mm from the AF. The d1 values of all groups were not statistically significantly different from the anatomical length (AL). In all three experimental groups the d2 length was statistically significantly different from the AL (P < 0.05, t-test); group 1 d2 = AL + 6.32 +/- 1.38 mm; group 2 d2 = AL + 6.27 +/- 1.47; control group d2 = AL + 9.15 +/- 1.00 mm.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicated that when the electroconductive medium in the canal had a different ion concentration than the periapex, and the canal orifice had a wide diameter (0.70 mm), the transitional concentration zone influenced the accuracy of measurement during ERCLM with a resistance type device. When ion concentrations inside and outside the canal were identical, in teeth with a wide foramen diameter (0.70 mm or more) the lack of a transitional ion concentration zone meant that the length of the root canal could not be determined by ERCLM.

In vitro radiographic representation of the extent of voids within obturated root canals

The aim of this study was to determine whether radiographs provide an accurate representation of the degree of root canal obturation following a cold lateral condensation technique. A total of 40 extracted single-rooted lower premolar teeth were prepared using either a standardized step-back technique or an ultrasonic device by one of two operators. The four groups each of 10 teeth were obturated using lateral condensation by a third operator. To assess apical leakage the obturated teeth were coated with nail varnish to within 2 mm of the apex and immersed in methylene blue for 48 h. The teeth were then radiographed in bucco-lingual and mesio-distal planes prior to subsequent sectioning in a bucco-lingual plane. Sections and radiographs were analysed using an image analysis apparatus to determine the proportion of root canal occupied by gutta-percha, void and/or sealer. Mean percentages of void calculated from the bucco-lingual radiographs, mesiodistal radiographs and tooth sections were 4.14%, 5.98% and 4.98%, respectively. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences between the radiographic views and the tooth sections (P > 0.05). Both planes of radiograph accurately represented the proportion of void when compared with the tooth section.

An in vitro investigation into the cutting ability of ultrasonic K files

Endosonic files vary in their oscillation when operated in air with the greatest displacement at the unconstrained tip. It was the aim of this study to investigate how files of different lengths and sizes varied in their ability to cut dentine. Single rooted teeth were sectioned to produce 1 mm dentine discs. These were positioned on a plastic block connected to a load transducer. Endosonic K-files (#15 to 25) were used to cut the disc for 10 s using operator assisted movement. The files contacted the disc at the following points along their length; apical (3 mm from tip), middle (8 mm from tip) and coronal (13 mm from tip) under applied loads of 30 and 50 g. The depth of cut produced by each file was measured using light microscopy. The #15 and #25 were similar in their pattern of dentine removal. The #20 file produced a large variation in its cutting ability and was also susceptible to fracture. The tip of the files was prone to constraint at higher loading with the thicker part of the file producing more cutting. It was concluded that the pattern of dentine removal of endosonic files was affected by the amount of load applied. The displacement amplitudes of endosonic files in air would not appear to be a good indicator of file cutting ability.

Effect of air inlet ring opening on sonic handpiece performance

This study investigated the effect of air inlet ring opening on the oscillatory pattern of the MM 1500 sonic handpiece and files. The oscillatory pattern of the driver head and files in air and under load was determined microscopically. The results showed that a critical opening of the air inlet ring was necessary to elicit oscillation of the driver head and sonic file. The driver oscillated in an elliptical manner, the displacement of which varied with air inlet ring opening. When operated in air the file exhibited an elliptical movement which was influenced by different design, length and thickness. This action was constrained under load and replaced by a longitudinal action of the same dimension for all files which appeared to have an efficient cutting action. This work shows that air inlet ring opening increases oscillation of the driver head once a critical opening has been reached and that clinical loading does not constrain the cutting action of the file.

Comparison of the quality of obturation following endosonic versus hand instrumentation

This study was undertaken to compare the quality of root canal obturation following preparation by endosonic or hand instrumentation. Forty single-canal, extracted lower premolar teeth were selected. One group of 20 teeth was prepared using a standard step-back technique, the other 20 teeth were prepared with an ultrasonic machine. The groups were subdivided, with two operators preparing 10 teeth of each group. The teeth were obturated by a third operator using cold laterally condensed gutta percha. The root apices were then immersed in methylene blue dye for 48 h and the teeth sectioned longitudinally. Image analysis recorded the amount of sealer and void within the obturated canal. The linear distance of dye penetration was measured to provide an indication of apical seal. Examination of the root canal shape resulting from the different preparation techniques used was also undertaken. No significant difference was noted in the percentage of sealer and void present in the root canals obturated after endosonic or hand instrumentation. There was a slightly greater although not significant increase in the degree of linear penetration of dye in canals prepared endosonically. The endosonic technique used in this study appeared to produce a canal preparation of slightly less continuous taper than that obtained with hand preparation.

Cleaning of oval canals using ultrasonic or sonic instrumentation

This study investigated the effect of direction of file oscillation on the amount of debris and smear remaining within oval canals. Sixty-five lower premolars were allocated to six experimental groups (n = 10) and one control group (n = 5). Canals were prepared using Gates Glidden burs and hand instruments. Preparations were completed using either an ultrasonic size 15 K file or a sonic size 15 shaper file. Three preparation techniques were used: (a) file oscillation toward oval recesses within the canal, (b) file oscillation at right angles to the recesses, and (c) rotational movement of handpiece. Canals were examined under the scanning electron microscope and blindly scored for debris and smear layer. Log linear analysis revealed no significant difference (p > 0.05) between sonic or ultrasonic instrumentation as to debris or smear layer remaining. File oscillation directed toward oval recesses left the least amount of debris (p < 0.05). Smear layer remained unaffected by all techniques.

Effect of precurving on the performance of endosonic K files

This study compared the performance of precurved and straight endosonic files. Size 15, 20, and 25 endosonic K files were precurved to different degrees (20 to 90 degrees) and the resultant oscillatory pattern showed no significant difference compared with corresponding straight files. Endovue blocks were prepared with either a #15, 20, or 25 endosonic file which was either straight or precurved. Those blocks prepared with precurved files had a continuous taper while blocks prepared with straight files had constrictions along their lengths. Finally, a curved root of a human natural tooth had windows prepared along its length so that the oscillatory pattern of the file could be observed. The precurved file oscillated more freely than a straight file as observed by the presence of antinodes along the file and the accumulation of dentin chips within the canal. The results of this study suggest that it is advantageous to precurve endosonic files before using them in curved canals.

Streaming patterns produced around endosonic files

Acoustic microstreaming is known to be an important phenomenon associated with the use of clinically available endosonic systems. However, it has proved difficult to calibrate its pattern and effectiveness around the oscillating file. An in-vitro model system consisting of slow setting plaster was developed to demonstrate the activity of streaming around both ultrasonically and sonically activated files. For ultrasonic files, streaming occurred mainly in front of and behind the file, in contrast to the sonic file, where the plaster was disturbed evenly around it. With both types of file most activity occurred around the file tip, and became reduced towards the driver. Streaming patterns associated with the ultrasonic device were found to be dependent on the power setting of the instrument and whether the side of the file was constrained or lightly touched. The sonic device produced a large disturbance around the freely oscillating tip. Under load this streaming occurred along the whole length of the file, and was unaffected by constraint. This investigation demonstrated that streaming does occur with the instruments currently available, although it is dependent on their operating conditions. Clinical users of such equipment should be aware of the characteristic three-dimensional patterns of streaming that occur around these endosonic files, in order to maximize their efficiency.

Dentine-removing characteristics of an ultrasonically energized K-file

This in vitro study evaluated the pattern of dentine removal when an ultrasonically energized file (Cavi-Endo-size 25 file) was applied to flat surfaces of dentine under standardized conditions. The influences of power setting, interfacial force between file and dentine, direction of file oscillation and operator-assisted movement were examined. Impressions of the instrumented surfaces revealed characteristic patterns consisting of a series of oblique crests, each one parallel to the next and separated by a constant distance along the line of contact with the file. Determination of height, width and separation of these crests with a Reflex microscope aided objective assessment. The simplest pattern was formed when the energized file was held against the dentine (power setting = 1; interfacial force = 30 g). Increasing the power setting to 8 caused deeper troughs over the apical 5 mm. The width of the crests corresponded to the taper of the file except at the apical tip where the crests were relatively wider. However, increasing the interfacial force to 60 g reduced the efficiency of the apical part of the file. The superimposition of operator-induced movement greatly increased the extent of dentine removal, resulting in a tapering groove with a persistent crestal pattern. Oscillation of the file perpendicular to the dentine surface had a significantly greater influence on dentine removal, producing a deeper groove than was obtained with oscillation parallel to the surface. These findings may be of relevance in aiding controlled root canal preparation when using the Cavi-Endo instrument.

Sealing root canals with low-viscosity resins in vitro: a scanning electron microscopy study of canal cleansing and resin adaption

Low-viscosity resins of the fissure sealant type have been suggested in the literature as having potential for use as root canal filling materials. A low-viscosity resin may seal a root canal by flowing into clean dentinal tubules after smear layer removal. This investigation with scanning electron microscopy examines the efficacy of two methods of root canal preparation and the effectiveness of different chemicals on smear layer removal. Ultrasonic preparation with 0.25% sodium hypochlorite solution and final agitation with 50% citric acid solution were found to produce a very clean canal wall, free of smear layer in coronal and middle parts. However, low-viscosity resin used in conditions that aimed to simulate in vivo conditions failed to penetrate open dentinal tubules to a significant extent. On the basis of these observations made with scanning electron microscopy, low-viscosity resins would not seem suitable as root canal filling materials, because they are unlikely to form a satisfactory adaption to the canal wall. In addition, if treatment fails, these resins are impossible to remove from a root canal without much destruction of tooth substance.

Effects of constraint on the oscillatory pattern of endosonic files

When operated in air, the transverse oscillation of the endosonic file exhibits a series of nodes and antinodes along its length with the greatest displacement amplitude occurring at the unconstrained tip. Endosonic files of varying design, length, and thickness exhibit differences in their oscillation. Preliminary work has revealed that the endosonic file is susceptible to constraint when working within the root canal and a model system was designed to investigate this problem. The constraining influence was found to be greatest when it was applied at those antinodes nearest the tip. This effect was further enhanced if the file was angled. Furthermore, constraint applied at the nodes also influenced the file oscillation. Such results may explain in situ observations on the occasional inefficiency of the system, especially when negotiating the apical third of a curved root canal. Clinical techniques utilizing an endosonic file may require reappraisal in order to minimize such constraint.

Oscillatory pattern of sonically powered endodontic files

When operated in air, the sonic endodontic instrument produced a movement at the driver head which resulted in a large elliptical oscillation of the file. This motion had similar properties to ultrasonically operated files in that there was a distinct variability in the magnitude of the vibratory motion between files of different design, length and thickness. When the sonic file was loaded, the elliptical motion was eliminated leaving a pure longitudinal file oscillation. This mode of vibration was particularly efficient as it was largely unaffected by loading, with the displacement amplitude being similar for different types of file used. The oscillatory pattern of the sonic file may offer a useful mode of mechanically assisted root canal preparation.