José António Capelas

Outcome of Er,Cr:YSGG laser-assisted treatment of teeth with apical periodontitis: a blind randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE As clinical studies conducted to explore the safety and efficacy of new procedures are considered an important focus in endodontic research, the aim of this controlled clinical study was to compare a laser-assisted endodontic treatment using an erbium, chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser and radial firing tips (RFT) versus the conventional use of 3% sodium hypochlorite and interim calcium hydroxide paste, in teeth with chronic apical periodontitis. METHODS Forty-three single-rooted and premolar teeth were randomly assigned. In group 1, teeth were prepared and irrigated with 3% sodium hypochlorite and calcium hydroxide inter-appointment dressing was applied; in group 2 teeth were prepared with saline solution and irradiated with Er,Cr:YSGG laser using RFT2 (140 μs, 37.5 mJ, 20 Hz) and RFT3 (140 μs, 62.5 mJ, 20 Hz) at the first and second appointments, respectively, four times each, moving at 2 mm/sec(-1) from apical to coronal. The primary outcome measure was change in apical bone density at 12 months, using the periapical index (PAI) for blind radiographic assessment. RESULTS Thirty teeth were examined and subjected to statistical analysis, 12 in the control group and 18 in the test group. There were two treatment failures in the control group that were not included for analysis; both groups exhibited statistically significant decreases in PAI scores. CONCLUSIONS The present findings suggest that for single-rooted and premolar teeth, this laser-assisted protocol can achieve predictable endodontic outcomes, comparable to conventional strategies in 1 year of follow-up.

Studying the topographic changes in ProTaper Next endodontic rotary file by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

NiTi endodontic files are prone to fracture without any visible defect being noticed. Their fracture occurs frequently by cyclic fatigue or torsional stress while they are being used in root canals [1]. The potential difficulty in removing fractured pieces of the canals, which may compromise the outcome of endodontic treatment, makes imperative the knowledge of the behavior in service of these instruments. Although many researchers have studied different aspects of failure of NiTi materials (for a review see, for instance [2]), the fracture behavior is not yet fully understood. The characterization of topographic changes and microdefects are also essential to identify the fracture mechanisms.

Glossário de Termos Endodônticos

The existence of a glossary of contemporary endodontic terminology was long felt need for everyone with a particular focus on this area of knowledge, who want and need to communicate, and therefore feeling the necessity that the terminology has a precise meaning and simultaneously that it will be understood by others, even from different schools. The fast technological and scientific development of Endodontics has determined a permanent evolution of the used lexicon, and so any glossary must be perceived as something dynamic, evolving constantly, something that it will be updated regularly and will not stay fossilized in time. This is the second of three papers, which are our contribution to the Glossary of Endodontic terminology Key-words: Glossary; Endodontics; Terminology (Capelas JA, Albuquerque B, Paulo S, Ferreira MM, Ginjeira A. Glossário de Termos Endodônticos Parte II. Rev Port Estomatol Cir Maxilofac 2008;49:57-62) *Médico Dentista, Professor Associado de Endodôncia da FMDUP ** Médico Dentista, docente voluntário de Endodôncia da FMUC *** Médico Dentista, Assistente de Endodôncia da FMUC ****Médico Dentista, Assistente de Endodontia da FMDUL Continuamos nesta II parte a nossa contribuição para um glossário de termos endodônticos. Esperamos vir a contar com as contribuições dos colegas interessados no tema, de forma a manter o nosso léxico sempre actualizado. • Galvanismo (electrogalvanismo) – fluxo de corrente eléctrica directa entre dois ou mais metais não similares; pode ocorrer na cavidade oral, quando restaurações com materiais metálicos de diferentes composições entram em contacto, resultando em sensações de vários graus. • Geminação – distúrbio durante a odontogenese no qual ocorre clivagem do gérmen dentário resultando num dente com uma “dupla coroa”. Usualmente estas coroas não estão completamente separadas e partilham uma mesma raiz e espaço pulpar. • Gluteraldeído – óleo tóxico (C5H8O2) solúvel na água, comummente utilizado numa solução de 2% para desinfecção, esterilização e fixação de tecidos. • Granuloma – massa tumoral delimitada, composta por elementos inflamatórios, resultante de uma irritação crónica, como restaurações mal adaptadas, espículas ósseas, introdução de substâncias químicas ou causas bacterianas. É constituído por elementos angioblásticos, células inflamatórias e elementos fibroblásticos. • Granuloma de reabsorção interna – destruição de dentina à volta da câmara pulpar ou canal radicular, pela acção de teciINTRODUÇÃO Glossário de Termos Endodônticos

Glossário de Termos Endodônticos: Parte III☆

Resumo A existencia de um glossario de termos endodonticos era uma necessidade sentida desde ha muito por todos aqueles que se dedicam mais a esta area da Medicina Dentaria, e que querem e precisam de comunicar entre si, sendo fundamental que a terminologia tenha significado preciso e facilmente perceptivel por colegas oriundos de escolas diferentes. O rapido desenvolvimento tecnologico e cientifico da Endodontia tem determinado uma evolucao constante do lexico utilizado, e nessa conformidade qualquer glossario deve ser encarado como algo dinâmico, em constante evolucao, pretendendo-se que nao cristalize no tempo, mas antes se actualize permanentemente. Este e o terceiro e ultimo de tres artigos, que sao a nossa contribuicao para um Glossario de Termos Endodonticos em Portugues.