Orlando Aguirre Guedes

Influence of Length of Root Canal Obturation on Apical Periodontitis Detected by Periapical Radiography and Cone Beam Computed Tomography

INTRODUCTION The verification of the best length of root canal instrumentation and obturation still is controversial theme in endodontics. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of length of root canal obturation on apical periodontitis (AP) detected by periapical radiography and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS A total of 503 root canal obturations were evaluated by using periapical radiography and CBCT. Distances from the radiographic apex to the tip of filling material were measured and classified as close to 2 mm, 1 mm short or beyond apex, and at the apex. Obturations at the apex were associated with AP. Odds ratio, confidence intervals, and chi(2) test were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS Periapical radiographs showed that root canal obturations were 1-2 mm short of the apex in 88%, 89.3%, and 95% of the anterior teeth, premolars, and molars, respectively. CBCT images showed obturations had the same length in 70%, 73.7%, and 79% of anterior teeth, premolars, and molars, respectively. The frequency of AP was significantly greater in molars than in the other tooth groups, regardless of diagnostic method. AP was detected more frequently when CBCT was used. CONCLUSIONS AP was detected at all lengths of root canal obturation. The analyses of diagnostic methods showed that AP was detected more frequently when CBCT was used.

Diagnostic and clinical factors associated with pulpal and periapical pain

A retrospective survey was designed to identify diagnostic subgroups and clinical factors associated with odontogenic pain and discomfort in dental urgency patients. A consecutive sample of 1,765 patients seeking treatment for dental pain at the Urgency Service of the Dental School of the Federal University of Goiás, Brazil, was selected. Inclusion criteria were pulpal or periapical pain that occurred before dental treatment (minimum 6 months after the last dental appointment), and the exclusion criteria were teeth with odontogenic developmental anomalies and missing information or incomplete records. Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed to assess clinical presentation of pain complaints including origin, duration, frequency and location of pain, palpation, percussion and vitality tests, radiographic features, endodontic diagnosis and characteristics of teeth. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression were used to analyze association between pulpal and periapical pain and independent variables. The most frequent endodontic diagnosis of pulpal pain were symptomatic pulpitis (28.3%) and hyperreactive pulpalgia (14.4%), and the most frequent periapical pain was symptomatic apical periodontitis of infectious origin (26.4%). Regression analysis revealed that closed pulp chamber and caries were highly associated with pulpal pain and, conversely, open pulp chamber was associated with periapical pain (p<0.001). Endodontic diagnosis and local factors associated with pulpal and periapical pain suggest that the important clinical factor of pulpal pain was closed pulp chamber and caries, and of periapical pain was open pulp chamber.

A retrospective study of Traumatic Dental Injuries in a Brazilian dental urgency service

Epidemiologic aspects of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) were evaluated in the permanent dentition in a sample of 847 patients treated at the Dental Urgency Service of the Dental School of the Federal University of Goiás, Brazil, between May 2000 and May 2008. The statistical treatment analyzed data from frequency distribution and chi-square test. The level of significance was set at 5% for all analyses. The results showed a higher incident among males (610; 72.01%) with mean age of 6-10 year-old. Uncomplicated crown fracture (without pulp exposure) (502; 26.95%), avulsion (341; 18.30%) and complicated crown fracture (with pulp exposure) (330; 17.71%) were the most prevalent TDI. The prevalence of trauma throughout the years showed proportionality, being observed a larger number of cases between July and September (249; 29.39%). The most affected teeth were the maxillary central incisors (65.65%), followed by the maxillary left lateral incisors (19.67%). In 311 participants (18.25%), only one tooth was involved, while in most patients (536; 81.75%), TDI occurred in more than one tooth. Significant proportion (82.27%) of traumatized teeth presented completely formed root apex. The main etiologic factors involved in TDI were falls (51.71%), traffic accidents (22.90%) and violence (5.67%). Based on the obtained data, it may be concluded that accurate policies of TDI prevention must be established, capable of stimulating the exposure of appropriate protocols for management of these lesions. The prevalence of TDI in Goiânia subpopulation is compared to the prevalence reported in epidemiological studies in others populations.

Characterization of calcium oxide in root perforation sealer materials

Root perforation represents an undesirable complication that may lead to an unfavorable prognosis. The aims of this study were to characterize and to compare the presence of calcium oxide (CaO) on the chemical composition of materials used for root perforation therapy: gray and white mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Portland cement (PC), gray MTA+5%CaO and gray MTA+10%CaO. The last two materials were analyzed to evaluate the increase of CaO in the final sample. CaO alone was used as a standard. Eighteen polyethylene tubes with an internal diameter of 3 mm and 3 mm in length were prepared, filled and then transferred to a chamber with 95% relative humidity and a temperature of 37ºC. The chemical compounds (particularly CaO) and the main components were analyzed by energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX). EDX revealed the following concentrations of CaO: gray MTA: 59.28%, white MTA: 63.09%; PC: 72.51%; gray MTA+5%CaO: 63.48% and gray MTA+10%CaO: 67.55%. The tested materials presented different concentrations of CaO. Even with an increase of 5 and 10% CaO in gray MTA, the CaO levels found in the MTA samples were lower than those found in PC.

10-Year Follow-up of Calcifying Odontogenic Cyst in the Periapical Region of Vital Maxillary Central Incisor

INTRODUCTION Radiographic images may lead to misinterpretations of lesions of endodontic and nonendodontic origin. This report describes a case of a 10-year follow-up of a calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) in the periapical region of a vital maxillary central incisor in a 9-year-old boy. METHODS The patient revealed a history of a swelling in the periapical area of tooth #9. The patient denied any dental trauma or history of pain. Clinical examination revealed no mobility, but there was discrete discomfort when horizontal pressure was applied. Pulp vitality was present in all maxillary anterior teeth. Radiographs revealed an oval radiolucent lesion in the periapical region of maxillary central incisor. The therapeutic option was enucleation of the periapical lesion and histologic examination of the specimen. Microscopic findings suggested the diagnosis of a COC. RESULTS At a follow-up visit 10 years after surgery, panoramic and periapical radiographs showed new bone formation; the patient did not have any pain, and pulp vitality was maintained in all teeth in this area. CONCLUSIONS A COC should be part of the differential diagnosis of other jaw lesions, such as apical periodontitis. The definitive diagnosis of a COC can only be made after microscopic evaluation of the specimen. The follow-up is a helpful reference because it confirms the survival of pulp tissue and no recurrence of the COC.

Alterações dimensionais do côndilo mandibular em indivíduos de 3 a 20 anos de idade usando tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico: um estudo preliminar

Introduction: Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) imaging provides an excellent representation of the temporomandibular joint bone tissues. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate morphological changes of the mandibular condyle from childhood to adulthood using CBCT. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 36 condyles of 18 subjects from 3 to 20 years of age. Condyles were scanned with the i-CAT Cone-Beam 3D imaging system and linear dimensions were measured with a specific i-CAT software function for temporomandibular joint, which permitted slices perpendicular to the condylar head, with individual correction in function of angular differences for each condyle. The greatest distances in lateral and frontal sections were considered on both left and right mandibular condyles. Results: The linear dimension of the mandibular condyle on the lateral section varied little with growth and seemed to be established early, while the dimension of the frontal section increased. Small asymmetries between left and right condyles were common but without statistical significance for both lateral (P=0.815) and frontal (P=0.374) dimensions. Conclusions: The condyles were symmetric in size and only the frontal dimension enlarged during growth. These preliminary data suggest that CBCT is a useful tool to measure and evaluate the condylar dimensions.

Study of Anatomical Relationship between Posterior Teeth and Maxillary Sinus Floor in a Subpopulation of the Brazilian Central Region Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography - Part 2

This study evaluated the anatomical relationship between posterior teeth root apices and maxillary sinus floor (MSF) on 202 cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) exams. The distance between the root apices and the MSF, as well as the MSF thickness of the cortical bone closest to root apices and furcation regions were measured. The vertical and horizontal relationships of the MSF with the molar roots were classified into categories adapted from the criteria proposed by Kwak et al. (14). The shortest distances between MSF and the root apices were observed in the mesiobuccal root of the second molar (0.36±1.17 mm) and the palatal root of the first molar (0.45±1.10 mm) and the widest in buccal roots of the first premolars (5.47±4.43 mm). Significant differences were observed between the distance of MSF to the root apices of single-rooted first and second premolars. The cortical thickness ranged from 0.65±0.41 mm over the mesiobuccal root of the second molar to 1.28±0.42 mm over the buccal root of the first premolar. The most observed vertical and horizontal relationships were type II and 2H, respectively. The maxillary molar roots showed greater proximity to the MSF. The thickness of the MSF cortical bone closest to the apices and furcation regions was found to be similar only for premolars.

Identification of Apical and Cervical Curvature Radius of Human Molars

To determine the frequency of apical and cervical curvatures in human molars using the radius method and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Four hundred images of mandibular and maxillary first and second molars were selected from a database of CBCT exams. The radius of curvature of curved root canals was measured using a circumcenter based on three mathematical points. Radii were classified according to the following scores: 0 - straight line; 1 - large radius (r > 8 mm, mild curvature); 2 - intermediate radius (r > 4 and r < 8 mm, moderate curvature); and 3 - small radius (r ≤ 4 mm, severe curvature). The frequency of curved root canals was analyzed according to root canal, root thirds, and coronal and sagittal planes, and assessed using the chi-square test (significance at α = 0.05). Of the 1,200 evaluated root canals, 92.75% presented curved root canals in the apical third and 73.25% in the cervical third on coronal plane images; sagittal plane analysis yielded 89.75% of curved canals in the apical third and 77% in the cervical third. Root canals with a large radius were significantly more frequent when compared with the other categories, regardless of root third or plane. Most root canals of maxillary and mandibular first and second molars showed some degree of curvature in the apical and cervical thirds, regardless of the analyzed plane (coronal or sagittal).

Physicochemical Properties and Surfaces Morphologies Evaluation of MTA FillApex and AH Plus

The solubility, pH, electrical conductivity, and radiopacity of AH Plus and MTA FillApex were evaluated. In addition, the surfaces morphologies of the sealers were analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy. For pH test, the samples were immersed in distilled water at different periods of time. The same solution was used for electrical conductivity measurement. The solubility and radiopacity were evaluated according to ANSI/ADA. Statistical analyses were carried out at 5% level of significance. MTA FillApex presented higher mean value for solubility and electrical conductivity. No significant difference was observed in the mean values for pH reading. AH Plus presented higher radiopacity mean values. MTA FillApex presented an external surface with porosities and a wide range of sizes. In conclusion, the materials fulfill the ANSI/ADA requirements when considering the radiopacity and solubility. AH Plus revealed a compact and homogeneous surface with more regular aspects and equal particle sizes.

Comparative analysis of physicochemical properties of root perforation sealer materials

Objectives This study evaluated the solubility, dimensional alteration, pH, electrical conductivity, and radiopacity of root perforation sealer materials. Materials and Methods For the pH test, the samples were immersed in distilled water for different periods of time. Then, the samples were retained in plastic recipients, and the electrical conductivity of the solution was measured. The solubility, dimensional alteration, and radiopacity properties were evaluated according to Specification No. 57 of the American National Standards Institute/American Dental Association (ANSI/ADA). Statistical analyses were carried out using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukeys test at a significance level of 5%. When the sample distribution was not normal, a nonparametric ANOVA was performed with a Kruskal-Wallis test (α = 0.05). Results The results showed that white structural Portland cement (PC) had the highest solubility, while mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)-based cements, ProRoot MTA (Dentsply-Tulsa Dental) and MTA BIO (Ângelus Ind. Prod.), had the lowest values. MTA BIO showed the lowest dimensional alteration values and white PC presented the highest values. No differences among the tested materials were observed in the the pH and electrical conductivity analyses. Only the MTA-based cements met the ANSI/ADA recommendations regarding radiopacity, overcoming the three steps of the aluminum step wedge. Conclusions On the basis of these results, we concluded that the values of solubility and dimensional alteration of the materials were in accordance with the ANSI/ADA specifications. PCs did not fulfill the ANSI/ADA requirements regarding radiopacity. No differences were observed among the materials with respect to the pH and electrical conductivity analyses.