Angelo Lizio

Tooth fragment reattachment technique on a pluri traumatized tooth.

This case report describes and analyses a tooth fragment reattachment technique used to resolve crown fractures of the anterior teeth. This treatment allows a conservative approach to traumatic coronal lesions offering a better possibility of maintaining aesthetics and function. The authors have illustrated here a clinical case of a fractured incisor. This case is characterized by several traumas on the same tooth that required different therapeutic solutions. We used an easy and ultra-conservative technique without any tooth preparation in the first and third traumatic injuries. In the second trauma, a direct restoration of the fractured tooth was performed. The adhesive reattachment is a simple system to achieve good aesthetic and functional results.Our clinical experiences demonstrated that, when tooth and fragment margins are intact, the reattachment technique without any tooth preparation is a simple and predictable procedure. Quality of adhesion is shown by the retention of the reattached fragment in the second trauma that caused only partial enamel fractures.

Flowable resin and marginal gap on tooth third medial cavity involving enamel and radicular cementum: A SEM evaluation of two restoration techniques

PURPOSE The aim of this study is to investigate the presence and the extent of a possible marginal gap after the interposition of a flowable composite between the composite restoration and the dental structures (enamel and cementum). This technique is also used to eliminate the infiltration in a zone of the cavity preparation that is frequently at a risk of secondary decay. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen human premolars extracted for orthodontic reasons were used for the study. A cavity with mesial and distal margin in enamel and cementum was realized in every tooth. The cavities were then restored with an adhesive system (ScotchBond 3MÔ) and composite (Filtek Supreme 3MÔ); and, a fine layer of flowable composite was applied in the distal margin of each cavity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in secondary electron imaging (S.E.I.) modality was used for the study and identifying the marginal gaps in the composite restorations. Data was investigated on the mesial and distal margin of each cavity at the restoration-enamel interface, and at the restoration-cementum interface. The interfaces were divided in four groups: Group A (enamel/composite); Group B (enamel/flow/composite); Group C (cementum/composite); and, Group D (cementum/flow/composite). RESULTS By the comparison of the gaps average width found in each group, it is evidenced that the average width of the gap increases when the interface moves from the coronal to the radicular end (Group A 0,1 ± 0,4 μm Vs Group C 12,3 ± 11,6 μm; Group B 0,2 ± 0,8 μm Vs Group D 2,8 ± 6,6 μm). Correlating the measurements of the marginal gaps average width among the Group A and Group B, no significant variations were obtained; and instead, on comparing Group C with Group D, the gaps average width decreases. CONCLUSION The interposition of a low elastic modulus composite between the adhesive layer and the composite resin allows an improvement of the cementum-restoration interface by the means of a lower shrinkage stress during polymerization.

Clinical and Spectrophotometric Evaluation of LED and Laser Activated Teeth Bleaching

Background: Auxiliary power sources (LED and laser) are used in in-office teeth bleaching techniques to accelerate the redox reaction of the whitening gel to increase ease of use, to improve comfort and safety, and to decrease the procedure time. Objective: The aim this study is to evaluate the efficiency of the teeth whitening procedures performed with hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, LED or Laser activated. Method: 18 patients, affected by exogenous dyschromia, were treated with a bleaching agent composed by 35% hydrogen peroxide and 10% carbamide peroxide. They were divided into two groups: in the first group the bleaching agent was activated by a LED lamp; in the second group it was activated by a Laser diode lamp. Both groups were subjected to 3 bleaching cycle of 15’ each. The chromatic evaluations were performed before and after one week from the treatment, using a chromatic scale and a spectrophotometer. The mean value of pre, post bleaching and follow-up were analyzed using a T-test, with results statistically significant for P<0,05. Results: Results showed that the variations in brightness, chroma and hue are significantly influenced by the interaction between the whitening agent and the original colour of the teeth. Laser-activation has marginally improved the bleaching effectiveness. All patients treated with laser activation complained an increase in dental sensitivity. Conclusion: The use of laser-activating systems did not improve the efficacy of bleaching.

The Effect of Different Cleaning Protocols on Post Space: A SEM Study

Aim. Purpose of the present paper is to analyze the efficiency of different post-space irrigation protocols. Methods. 28 single rooted teeth were endodontically treated. After post-space preparation every sample was assigned to one of three experimental groups and to one control group. In each group different irrigation protocols were performed as follows: EDTA (Group A), 37% orthophosphoric acid (Group B), and EDTA + 37% orthophosphoric acid with ultrasounds activation (Group C). In the control group (Group D) the irrigate association was not activated by ultrasounds. Three zones (coronal, middle, and apical) of each sample were analyzed by using Scan Electron Microscopy (SEM) without any metallization procedures. The presence of smear layer on the canal surface was qualitatively evaluated by applying Serafinos score with values included between 0 and 2. Results. The results of the research showed how Group C recorded the better results (0.81 ± 0.72). Group A and Group B showed lower mean scores (1.06 ± 0.69 and 1.08 ± 0.77); Group D showed the lowest mean score of 1.30 ± 0.69. The SEM observation analysis demonstrated how the smear layer presence decreased in the crown-apical direction. Conclusions. The different post-space treatments statistically determine significant differences on the dentinal surfaces cleansing. The absence of ultrasonic activation lowers the cleansing efficacy of endocanalar irrigants, showing sensible differences among each post-space zone.

The Horizontal Root Fractures. Diagnosis, Clinical Management and Three-Year Follow-Up

Objective: The aim of this retrospective analysis is to describe and to evaluate the middle third horizontal root fractures, long term clinical management results and to estimate the effect of treatments factors upon healing and survival rate. Methods: Our clinical study included 42 patients presenting a middle third horizontal root fracture in permanent dentition. For each patient at t0 the parameters recorded were: diastasis, mobility, sensibility, periodontal inflammation, pulpal pathology, associated fracture and dislocation of the coronal fragment. The follow-up was performed after 6 (t1), 12 (t2) and 36 (t3) months after the trauma, both clinically and radiologically. Clinical examination, vitality tests and a radiological evaluation (periapical x-ray) were performed. Results: At t0 it was observed: diastasis (14, 3%), mobility (28, 6%), thermal sensibility (61, 9%), periodontal inflammation (4, 8%), pulpal pathology (38, 1%) and dislocation of the coronal fragment (47, 6%) of the patients. The treatment plan started with the coronal fragment repositioning and the blockage (splint) with the adjacent teeth in 47, 6% of cases. A root canal treatment was performed at t0 in 52,4% of the fractured teeth. Statistical analysis showed the highest level of significance between pulpal lesions (t0) and associated fractures. The mobility, sensibility and pulpar lesions parameters, showed a reduction in relation to the follow up timing, with a main variation remarkably evident between t0 and t1. The ratio between observation time and the presence of diastasis was statistically significant. Conclusion: The analysis of the clinical results exhibits the high success rate of a conservative approach in the treatment of teeth fractured in the middle third of the root.

The IG- file use to Gauge the Apical Diameter in Endodontics: An In Vitro Study

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the IG-file, a new instrument designed for apical diameter gauging. Materials and Methods: After shaping with F1 Universal Protaper, 60 roots were randomly divided into two groups and assigned to two operators, One Expert in Endodontics (EO) and One Unexpert (UO). In each sample, after canal curvatures have been detected, the apical diameters were measured with the IG-file and the K-NiTi. The results were compared with the reference value obtained by retrograde apical gauging. The data were statistically analyzed. Results: Among 60 samples, 10% of errors were recorded when the IG-files were used; in the K-NiTi group the incorrect measurements were 70%. In both groups (expert and unexpert) the IG-file measurements were more accurate than the K-NiTi (90 vs 33 and 90 vs 26,7). The differences were statistically significant. In curved canals, the difference between measurement rates performed with both instruments was statistically significant (85,7% IG-file vs 28,6% K-NiTi) as well as for the samples without curvatures (92,3% IG file vs 30,8% NiTi file). In root canals without curvatures overestimation errors in K-NiTi file group are more frequent than underestimation errors. This difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: A proper gauging of the apical diameter has a key role in endodontic therapy; an incorrect measurement can lead to clinical failures. This “in vitro” study highlights that IG-file improves measurement accuracy independently from clinician experience. Furthermore, in curved canals, the IG-file is more accurate than K-NiTi.

Accuracy of Periapical Radiography and CBCT in Endodontic Evaluation

Introduction A radiological evaluation is essential in endodontics, for diagnostic purposes, planning and execution of the treatment, and evaluation of the success of therapy. The periapical radiography is nowadays the main radiographic investigations used but presents some limits as 3D anatomic alteration, geometric compression, and possible anatomical structures overlapping that can obscure the area of interest. CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) in endodontics allows a detailed assessment of the teeth and surrounding alveolar anatomy for endodontic diagnosis, treatment planning, and follow-up. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of CBCT in comparison with conventional intraoral radiographs used in endodontic procedures. Materials and Methods Statistical analysis was performed on 101 patients with previous endodontic treatments with the relative radiographic documentation (preoperative, postoperative, and follow-up intraoral X-ray) that had underwent at CBCT screening for surgical reasons. The CBCT scans were evaluated independently by two operators and compared with the corresponding periapical images. Results Our analysis shows that the two radiological investigations statistically agree in 100% of cases in the group of patients without any endodontic sign. In the group of patients with an endodontic pathology, detected with CBCT, endodontic under extended treatments (30.6%), MB2 canals in nontreated maxillary molars (20.7%), second canals in nontreated mandibular incisors (9%), root fractures (2.7%), and root resorption (2.7%) were not always visible in intraoral X-ray. Otherwise, positivity in the intraoral X-ray was always confirmed in CBCT. A radiolucent area was detected in CBCT exam in 46%, while the intraoral X-ray exam was positive only in 18%. Conclusions Our study shows that some important radiological signs acquired using CBCT are not always visible in periapical X-ray. Furthermore, CBCT is considered as a II level exam and could be used to solve diagnostic questions, essential to a proper management of the endodontic problems.