Egill L. Jacobsen

A comparison of five irrigating solutions: A scanning electron microscopic study

Twenty-five extracted human anterior teeth having one root canal and straight roots were used in this study. The teeth were subjected to routine biomechanical instrumentation and irrigated with one of five irrigating solutions: Salvizol, NaOCl, Gly-Oxide in combination with NaOCl, REDTA, and sterile saline as control. After the experimental procedure, the roots were split and examined in a scanning electron microscope. The results, based on statistical analysis of variance, were that Salvizol, NaOCl, Gly-Oxide with NaOCl, and saline failed to remove the smeared layer. REDTA was the most efficient irrigation solution in removing the smeared layer.

Mandibular first molars with multiple mesial canals

Three clinical cases are presented in which the mandibular first molars proved to contain an extra canal in the mesial root.

An evaluation of two newly formulated calcium hydroxide cements: A leakage study

One-hundred extracted human single-rooted teethwere biomechanically instrumented. Sixty teeth were obturated with gutta-percha and three types of root canal cements, which were Roth Root Canal Cement, Calciobiotic Root Canal Sealer, and Sealapex. None of the remaining 40 teeth (controls) were obturated; however, 20 had their apical foramina sealed and the other 20 had patent foramina. Five microliters of [ 3 H]uridine were deposited into the prepared root canal of each tooth, and radioisotope counts were obtained at various intervals postoperatively (2 to 60 days). The results showed that there was no statistical difference in leakage between the obturated groups and the sealed control group; however, when compared with the control group with patent foramina there was a significant difference.

National survey of endodontists and selected patient samples: Infectious diseases and attitudes toward infection control☆

A survey was conducted of 591 patients from endodontic practices located in six large municipalities in the United States. A comparison was made between the self-reported incidence of transmissible diseases from patients medical histories to national statistics for the incidence of hepatitis B, herpes, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. A national survey of 422 endodontists was also conducted. This survey was used to determine the beliefs and attitudes of practicing endodontists toward infection control techniques and infectious diseases. Compared with previous surveys, a trend toward increasing use of the hepatitis B vaccine, gloves, and greater acceptance of medically compromised patients was found.

The effectiveness of apical dentin plugs in sealing endodontically treated teeth

Forty extracted human anterior teeth were biomechanically chanically instrumented. In 20 of the teeth, apical dentin plugs were created. In the other 20, no plugs were formed. Within each of the two groups of teeth, 15 were obturated with gutta-percha. The remaining teeth were not obturated. All of the teeth were placed in methylene blue dye for 72 h, and the extent of leakage through the apical foramina was measured. An additional group of 10 teeth was prepared with apical plugs for viewing in a scanning electron microscope. Apical leakage occurred to a greater extent in the teeth where plugs had been created. The SEM examination showed numerous empty spaces both at the interface between the plugs and the dentin walls and in the core of the plugs. The statistical evaluation showed a significant difference at the p

The apical sealing efficacy of two reverse filling techniques versus cold-burnished gutta-percha

The apical seal produced by the cold-burnished gutta-percha method and two amalgam reverse filling techniques was investigated in an in vitro study using 36 extracted human single-rooted teeth. Following root canal obturation, 27 teeth were divided into three experimental groups and each group was subjected to one of the three following filling techniques: (a) cold-burnishing of gutta-percha; (b) amalgam reverse filling; and (c) amalgam reverse filling in conjunction with cavity varnish. The remaining nine teeth served as controls (4). The teeth were placed in methylene blue dye for a period of 1 wk, after which they were retrieved, washed, sectioned, and the apical dye penetration measured. The results showed that amalgam with cavity varnish demonstrated less dye penetration than the other experimental groups. The difference was statistically significant (p less than 0.0001).

Long-Term Sealing Efficacy of Four Root Surface Sealing Materials Used in Endodontic Leakage Studies

Fifty extracted human maxillary anterior teeth were biomechanically instrumented and divided into five equal groups, four experimental and a control. The teeth in the experimental groups had their root surface coated with one of four sealants; epoxy, casting resin, sticky wax, or nail polish. The roots of the remaining teeth were not coated and served as controls. All of the teeth were mounted in the caps of scintillation vials. Five microliters of [3H]uridine were deposited in the root canal space and disintegration counts were obtained over time periods of 1, 4, 8, 12, and 36 wk. At the conclusion of the experiment, sticky wax was demonstrated to provide a superior seal (p < 0.0001).

The sealing efficacy of a zinc oxide-eugenol cement, a cyanoacrylate, and a cavity varnish used as root canal cements

Forty single-rooted human central incisor teeth were biomechanically instrumented. Thirty teeth were divided into three groups of 10 and obturated with laterally condensed gutta-percha and one of three cementing mediums. These were zinc oxide-eugenol root canal cement, cyanoacrylate, and cavity varnish. The remaining 10 teeth were not obturated and served as a control. All of the teeth were suspended in a 1% methylene blue dye for 1 wk. Following sectioning the apical dye penetration was measured, and the leakage values were subjected to statistical analysis. The results showed that the teeth obturated with zinc oxide-eugenol and cyanoacrylate, in conjunction with gutta-percha, exhibited less leakage than the cavity varnish and control groups. This finding was statistically significant (p less than 0.0001). There was, however, no significant difference detected between the zinc oxide-eugenol and cyanoacrylate groups.

Endodontic patient recall procedures: a national survey of endodontic practices.

A survey was conducted to measure the extent of patient recall procedures and perceived success and failure in treatment from a sample of endodontists. A comparison to the accepted Quality Assurance Guidelines set forth by the American Association of Endodontists was conducted. Three hundred surveys were mailed to as many active members of the American Association of Endodontics. Two hundred thirty-three responses were returned for a response rate of 77.6%. The only statistically significant finding was that military practitioners in general do not have an active recall system. This was significant at the p < 0.008 level.

Clinical aid: Adapting the master gutta-percha cone for apical snugness

During biomechanical instrumentation, an essentially circular preparation of the root canals is attained. Both the commercially available root canal instruments and filling material (gutta-percha) are evidence of this. Frequently, the master gutta-percha point which usually corresponds in size to the final root canal instrument does not fit the apical portion of the prepared canal snugly. Resistance to withdrawal at working length is absent. In order to obtain improved apical fit, 1 mm is removed from the tip of the cone at a time with a pair of scissors (Fig. 1, top ). As can be seen the tip of the cone is distorted. This may explain why at times proper seating of master guttapercha cones at working length is not always possible. This distortion can be avoided by adjusting the apical fit with a sharp surgical instrument (e.g. B-P#15). By rolling the master cone back and forth on a sterile glass plate and applying gentle pressure with the surgical blade, a relatively undistrubed cut is obtained and the original roundness of the gutta-percha is maintained (Fig. 1, bottom ).