Kwang-Shik Bae

Lifespan of One Nickel-Titanium Rotary File with Reciprocating Motion in Curved Root Canals

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to examine the lifespan of one nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary file when used in reciprocating motion and to compare the time required for its preparation of a curved root canal using both reciprocating and continuous motion. METHODS One hundred twenty curved canals from 60 extracted maxillary and mandibular molars were selected for measuring the mean number of uses. Each canal was prepared with reciprocating motion until the ProTaper F2 single file (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) reached the working length. One file was used until it was fractured. Another 60 canals were divided into two groups. 30 canals in the continuous rotation motion (CM) group were prepared using continuous rotation following the sequence of ProTaper files, whereas the canals in the reciprocating motion (RM) group (n = 30) were prepared with reciprocating motion with the sole use of the ProTaper F2. The total root canal preparation time was measured until the F2 file finally reached the working length in both groups. RESULTS A total of 11 files were used in the preparation of 120 curved root canals. The average lifespan of one F2 file was 10.60 ± 4.35 canals with the longest lifespan of 21 canals. The total time for canal preparation was 46.42 ± 18.12 seconds and 21.15 ± 6.70 seconds in the CM and RM groups, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION Within the limitation of this study, one F2 file can be safely used to the working length of curved canals at least six times under reciprocating motion. Reciprocating preparation with only one F2 file was much faster than root canal instrumentation with continuous rotation.

Shaping Ability of Reciprocating Motion in Curved Root Canals: A Comparative Study with Micro–Computed Tomography

INTRODUCTION Recently, root canal shaping with reciprocating motion has been postulated to reduce the possibility of unexpected file fractures. However, there has been little information on the shaping capability of this reciprocating motion preparation technique. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the shaping ability of reciprocating motion when compared with continuous rotation motion in curved root canals. METHODS The mesiobuccal and distobuccal canals of 20 extracted maxillary molars with curvatures of 20-45 degrees were instrumented with a series of ProTaper rotary files. The canals in the continuous rotation motion (CM) group (n = 20) were prepared by using continuous rotation with pecking motion, whereas the canals in the reciprocating motion (RM) group (n = 20) were prepared with reciprocating motion (clockwise 140 degrees and counterclockwise 45 degrees). Basic geometric parameters such as curvature, root canal volume, surface area, and structure model index (SMI) before and after canal shaping were evaluated by using micro-computed tomography. The degrees and directions of transportation were also measured, and statistical analysis was carried out with one-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc tests. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in canal curvature, volume, surface area, and SMI categories measured before preparation (P > .05). Changes in curvature, root canal volume, surface area, and SMI were not affected by the instrumentation technique used (P > .05). There were no significant differences in the degrees and directions of transportation between CM and RM groups (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS The application of reciprocating motion during instrumentation did not result in increased apical transportation when compared with continuous rotation motion, even in the apical part of curved canals. Reciprocating motion might be an attractive alternative method to prevent procedural errors during root canal shaping.

Heavy Metal Analysis of Ortho MTA and ProRoot MTA

INTRODUCTION Recently, several kinds of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)-based products have been introduced in endodontics. Ortho MTA (BioMTA, Seoul, Republic of Korea) is one of those products, which was developed for retrograde filling, perforation repair, orthograde root canal obturation, and direct pulp capping. The inclusion of heavy metals in MTA-based materials is of concern because they come into direct contact with hard and soft tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the levels of arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), hexavalent chromium (Cr(6+)), and lead (Pb) in Ortho MTA and ProRoot MTA. METHODS One gram of each MTA was digested using a mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acids and filtered. The As, Cr, and Pb in the resulting filtrates were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. The level of Cr(6+) was measured by the methods suggested in the Korean Standard L 5221. The results were statistically analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS The concentration of As in ProRoot MTA was 1.16 ppm, but As was not detected in Ortho MTA. Cr(6+) and Pb were not detected in either MTA. Ortho MTA contained significantly less Cr than ProRoot MTA (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Ortho MTA and ProRoot MTA meet the ISO specification 9917-1 regarding the safety limits of As and Pb and are safe biomaterials when the purity of As, Cr(6+), and Pb is considered.

Black-pigmented bacteria in coronal and apical segments of infected root canals

Black-pigmented bacteria (BPB) have been associated with infections of endodontic origin. The purpose of this study was to culture and identify BPB from the apical and coronal segments of infected root canals to understand better their ecological relationships. Teeth with a periapical radiolucency were extracted and immediately placed in reduced transport fluid for transport to an anaerobic chamber. Of 18 sampled roots, 12 were positive for the growth of BPB. Eight of the 12 roots with BPB had a carious exposure of the pulp chamber. Seven roots had Prevotella nigrescens in both the apical and the coronal segments. Six of these seven teeth had carious exposures of the pulp chamber. Of the 12 roots infected with BPB, six roots had two different species of BPB, with P. nigrescens always being one of the species. P. nigrescens was the most often isolated BPB from both the coronal and apical segments of infected root canals.

Mesiobuccal root canal anatomy of Korean maxillary first and second molars by cone-beam computed tomography

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the types of canal configurations and the incidence of a second mesiobuccal (MB2) canal in Korean maxillary molar mesiobuccal (MB) roots by analyzing cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images. STUDY DESIGN Three-dimensional CBCT images of 458 maxillary first molars and 467 second molars from 276 Korean patients were analyzed to determine the incidence of an MB2 canal, the types of canal configurations, and the correlations between the incidence of an MB2 canal and age, gender, and tooth position. RESULTS The incidence of 2-canaled MB roots was 71.8% in first molars and 42.2% in second molars, with the most common configurations being Weine types III and II. The frequency of an MB2 canal decreased with age in both molars (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Types III and II canal configurations were the most prevalent in the 2-canaled MB roots of Korean maxillary molars.

A comparison of nickel-titanium rotary instruments manufactured using different methods and cross-sectional areas: ability to resist cyclic fatigue

OBJECTIVE This study examined the effect of the manufacturing methods (ground, electropolished, and twisted) and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments on their cyclic fatigue resistance. STUDY DESIGN A total of 80 NiTi rotary instruments (ISO 25/.06 taper) from 4 brands (K3, ProFile, RaCe, and TF) were rotated in a simulated root canal with pecking motion until fracture. The number of cycles to failure (NCF) was calculated. The CSA at 3 mm from the tip of new instruments of each brand was calculated. The correlation between the CSA and NCF was evaluated. All fractured surfaces were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope to determine the fracture mode. RESULTS The TF instruments were the most resistant to fatigue failure. The resistance to cyclic failure increased with decreasing CSA. All fractured surfaces showed the coexistence of ductile and brittle properties. CONCLUSION The CSA had a significant effect on the fatigue resistance of NiTi rotary instruments.

In vivo study on the biocompatibility of newly developed calcium phosphate-based root canal sealers.

This study compared the biocompatibility of two new calcium phosphate-based root canal sealers (CAPSEAL I, CAPSEAL II) with another type of commercially available calcium phosphate sealer (Apatite Root Sealer type I, Apatite Root Sealer type II) and a zinc oxide eugenol-based sealer (Pulp Canal Sealer EWT) after implanting them in the subcutaneous tissue of rats. After 1, 2, 4, and 12 weeks, the tubes were removed with the surrounding tissues. The tissue reactions were graded as being mild or 1, moderate or 2, and severe or 3 after a histopathological examination. The results were analyzed statistically with the Kruskal-Wallis test. The biocompatibility of the materials was interpreted according to the Federation Dentaire Internationale criteria (1980). The inflammatory reactions decreased with time. The new sealers showed a lower tissue response than any of the other sealers in all the experimental periods. All the tested sealers showed an acceptable biocompatibility.

Effect of final irrigation regimen on sealer penetration in curved root canals.

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different final irrigation regimens on the sealer penetration into dentinal tubules of curved root canals. METHODS The mesiobuccal canals from 45 extracted maxillary and mandibular molars were instrumented with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) irrigation. The samples were divided into 3 groups according to the final irrigation used: group N (control), 3.5% NaOCl; group E, 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); and group EN, 17% EDTA followed by 3.5% NaOCl. All teeth were obturated with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer labeled with fluorescent dye. Transverse sections at 2 mm (apical) and 5 mm (coronal) from root apex were examined by using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Then, total percentage and maximum depth of sealer penetration were measured. RESULTS The apical sections in each group showed significantly lower percentage and maximum depth of sealer penetration than the coronal sections (P < .05). In apical levels, group E and EN resulted in a higher percentage of sealer penetration than the control group (P < .05), but there was no significant difference of maximum depth between group E and the control group (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS In curved canal, final rinse with NaOCl after the use of EDTA had no additional effect on sealer penetration. Complete debridement with a 1-minute application of EDTA remains a challenge in the apical area of curved canals.

Human Periodontal Ligament Cell Response to a Newly Developed Calcium Phosphate–based Root Canal Sealer

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the cellular effects of newly developed calcium phosphate-based sealers (CAPSEAL I and II) using cultured human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLCs) compared with epoxy resin sealer (AH26; Dentsply, DeTrey, Konstanz, Germany), zinc oxide eugenol [ZOE] sealer (extended working time [EWT]; Kerr Corporation, Orange, CA), and CPC sealer (Sankin apatite sealer; Sankin-kogyo, Tokyo, Japan). METHODS Cell viability by -(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide assay, cell attachment by scanning electron microscopy, osteoblastic differentiation and inflammatory mediators by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and alizarin red staining were evaluated. RESULTS The cytotoxicities of CAPSEAL I and II were less than those of AH 26 and EWT after 1 and 14 days. Cells on CAPSEAL I and II were spread better as compared with those on other sealers. Mineralization after 14 days and the expression of osteoblastic differentiation markers such as alkaline phosphate and osteonectin messenger RNA increased in CAPSEAL I- and II-exposed HPDLCs after 1 and 3 days, whereas the production of inflammatory mediators, including cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthetase, and reactive oxygen species (ROS), were lower than in other sealers. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that both CAPSEAL I and II show less cytotoxicity and inflammatory mediators compared with other sealers and have the potential to promote bone regeneration as root canal sealers.

Scanning electron microscopy study of the adhesion of Prevotella nigrescens to the dentin of prepared root canals.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the presence or absence of amorphous, irregular smear layers on the adhesion of Prevotella nigrescens, to the dentin of the root canal by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Human incisors extracted within 7 days, with no cavities, no fractures, and no evidence of calcification of the canal, were selected. After cutting the crown portion at the CEJ, root canal preparation was undertaken by using a modified crown-down technique with Profile and Gates Glidden drills. Ten milliliters of physiologic saline solution (groups 1 and 4), 10 ml of 3.5% NaOCl (groups 2 and 5), or 10 ml of NaOCl and 10 ml of 0.5 M EDTA (groups 3 and 6) were used as irrigation solution while preparing the canal. After vertical sectioning and ethylene oxide gas sterilization, samples (groups 1, 2, and 3) were immersed in brain-heart infusion broth with yeast extract, hemin, and menadione, inoculated with P. nigrescens (ATCC 33563), and incubated for 3 h at 37 degrees C. All samples were prepared for and observed with SEM. The data were analyzed by using t test and one-way ANOVA. Smear layer was observed to cover the entire root canal surface after root canal preparation. Smear layer was removed and the entrances of dentinal tubules opened widely after applying 3.5% NaOCl and 0.5 M EDTA. A significantly greater number of bacteria were found to adhere to those teeth in which a smear layer was present (p < 0.05). Given that the smear layer produced during root canal preparation promoted adhesion and colonization of P. nigrescens to the dentin matrix, it might also increase the likelihood of canal reinfection.