Periapical tissue responses to dentin and vitreous carbon plugs in apical perforations of dogs' teeth

Dental Stem Cell Migration on Pulp Ceiling Cavities Filled with MTA, Dentin Chips, or Bio-Oss

MTA, Bio-Oss, and dentin chips have been successfully used in endodontics. The aim of this study was to assess the adhesion and migration of dental stem cells on human pulp ceiling cavities filled with these endodontic materials in an experimental model, which mimics the clinical conditions of regenerative endodontics. Cavities were formed, by a homemade mold, on untouched third molars, filled with endodontic materials, and observed with electron microscopy. Cells were seeded on cavities' surface and their morphology and number were analysed. The phenomenon of tropism was assessed in a migration assay. All three materials demonstrated appropriate microstructures for cell attachment. Cells grew on all reagents, but they showed a differential morphology. Moreover, variations were observed when comparing cells numbers on cavity's filling versus the surrounding dentine disc. The highest number of cells was recorded on dentin chips whereas the opposite was true for Bio-Oss. This was confirmed in the migration assay where a statistically significant lower number of cells migrated towards Bio-Oss as compared to MTA and dentin chips. This study highlights that MTA and dentin chips have a greater potential compared to Bio-Oss regarding the attraction of dental stem cells and are good candidates for bioengineered pulp regeneration.

The effect of maintaining apical patency on periapical extrusion

Thirty-three human maxillary incisors were secured in the openings of a glass vial. Root canals were instrumented to the apical constriction with a step-back technique and a patency file was not used throughout the root canal preparation. The irrigant, 1% NaOCl, was delivered by means of a plastic syringe with a 23-gauge needle and the overflow was suctioned with an aspirator. The total volume of irrigant used was 10 ml. Apically extruded debris and NaOCl were measured. The apical constriction was then deliberately enlarged. With a step-back technique a new 'apical constriction' was created, coronally to the original one. A patency file was again not used, and irrigation was identical to the that used during the initial root canal preparation. Extruded debris and NaOCl in each bottle were again measured. Results indicated that there was significant difference in the amounts of extruded material before and after the enlargement of the apical constriction with greater extrusion when the constriction remained intact.