Özlem Tulunoğlu

Accuracy of two different apex locators in primary teeth with and without root resorption

The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy of two frequency apex locators, Root ZX (Morita, Kyoto, Japan) and Endex (Osada, Tokyo, Japan) in primary teeth with and without root resorption in vitro. For this study, 90 sound extracted primary teeth (60 molars and 30 incisors; 93 roots with visible resorption and 51 roots without) were selected. A total of 144 root canals were included. After access preparation, root canal lengths were measured visually. The teeth were embedded in an alginate model developed specifically for testing apex locators. Electronic length was determined with two different frequency apex locators, Root ZX (Morita, Kyoto, Japan) and Endex (Osada, Tokyo, Japan). Statistical evaluation was performed using Mann–Whitney U and Wilcoxon W tests (p < 0.05). Results revealed that both apex locator devices did not show similar values to visual length measurements with statistically significant differences in primary teeth with root resorption (p < 0.05). For the teeth without root resorption, Endex showed similar values to visual length measurements with no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05), but Root ZX values were different than visual length and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two apex locators considering the presence of root resorption. The two frequency apex locators can be recommended for use in root canal therapy for primary teeth with and without root resorption, only if electrical determination of root canal length is supported with other diagnostic measures.

Effects of topical Catalase application on dental pulp tissue: a histopathological evaluation

OBJECTIVES recently, the role of antioxidant enzymes in wound healing and their therapeutic potential has been a subject of interest in medical sciences. However there is restricted knowledge on the results of topical application, optimal therapeutic dosage and carrier types. The purpose of this study was to investigate the wound healing response of dental pulp after direct pulp capping with an antioxidant enzyme; Catalase (C-40). METHODS three mongrel dogs were used in this study. A total of 32 perforated Cl V preparations were treated with either 0.8mg (n=16) or 1.6mg (n=16) Catalase (C-40) which was incorporated in gelatin carriers whereas 16 control teeth had carriers without Catalase. One millimeter thick Teflon disks were placed over the gelatin pellets and the cavities restored with silver amalgam. Short term and long term histopathologic reactions were evaluated after 7 and 90 days. RESULTS there were no statistically significant differences between the inflammatory cell responses of control and either dosage groups of Catalase at the 7-day evaluation period. However, after 90 days, better tissue healing was observed in the teeth treated with Catalase, resulting in significant differences with the control group. CONCLUSIONS it can be concluded that the results of this study encourage the topical use of antioxidant Catalase as a pulp-capping agent. However, further studies are required to determine optimal antioxidant dosages.

SEM–EDX analysis of brushing abrasion of chitosan and propolis based toothpastes on sound and artificial carious primary enamel surfaces

PURPOSE The objective of this study was to assess the brushing abrasion effects of toothpastes containing chitosan and propolis on sound and demineralized primary tooth enamel. METHODS Pairs of enamel specimens were prepared from human extracted primary teeth, embedded in epoxy resin and polished. An artificial subsurface lesion was created in one specimen from each pair. All samples were divided into four groups (Chitodent, Aagaard propolis, Elmex, and Control) and brushed with slurry of toothpastes and artificial saliva in a brushing machine. The brushing abrasion depths were evaluated using computer-guided optical profilometry. RESULTS No significant differences existed in terms of brushing depths between artificial carious enamel and brushed sound enamel specimens (P>0.05). The abrasion values of the sound enamel samples brushed with Aagaard propolis and control samples were significantly lower than the Elmex group (P<0.05). The lowest brushing abrasion values of demineralized enamel specimens were observed in the Chitodent group (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The tested toothpastes exhibited similar effects in terms of brushing abrasion on both sound and artificially demineralized enamel. Based on mean values without statistical significance, the lowest brushing abrasion values in the demineralized brushed enamel samples were detected in the Chitodent group.

Endodontic and orthodontic treatment of fused maxillary central incisors: a case report

The purpose of this case report was to describe combined endodontic and orthodontic treatment of a patient who had permanent maxillary central incisors fused with supernumerary teeth. A severe esthetic problem and crowding in the maxillary arch were present clinically. Radiographic examination demonstrated two separate crowns, roots and pulpal canals on each side. The therapy was initiated with endodontic treatment. Six months after the completion of endodontic therapy, mesio-distal trimming was performed and the defects were restored with anterior resin composites in order to re-establish the esthetics. Orthodontic treatment was performed for the alignment of the upper arch. Follow-up at 4 years demonstrated that the teeth were asymptomatic and neither root nor alveolar bone resorption was found. In conclusion, instead of extracting the supernumerary teeth, the anomaly was treated successfully in a conservative way.

Penetration of radiocalcium at the margins of resin and glass ionomer dentine bonding agents in primary and permanent teeth

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to compare the leakage of three resin dentine bonding agents (Prime and Bond, Scotchbond Multi-Purpose, Probond) and a glass ionomer dentine bonding agent (GC Fujibond LC), in cervical cavities prepared in primary and permanent molar teeth restored with a hybrid composite resin (Tetric). METHODS Cervical cavities without a bevel at the cavo-surface margins were prepared in the buccal and lingual surfaces of extracted primary and permanent molar teeth. After being restored, the teeth were stored for 1 week in a saline solution at 37 degrees C and then thermally cycled between 5 and 55 degrees C. Marginal leakage was determined subsequently using a radioactive isotope containing 45Ca and an autoradiographic technique. RESULTS The results revealed that there were no statistically significant differences in microleakage of the bond between permanent and primary teeth dentine and Fuji Bond LC and Probond dentine bonding agents. The difference between permanent and primary teeth groups for gingival values of the Prime and Bond 2.1 group U=22.5, p=0.0355 and the Scotchbond Multipurpose group U=24.0, p=0.0406 were statistically significant. There were no significant differences between the occlusal and gingival microleakage values in either primary or permanent teeth with Prime and Bond 2.1, Fuji Bond LC and Probond except the difference at Scotchbond Multipurpose in primary teeth. For primary teeth gingival margins, none of the bonding systems were significantly different from the control group. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that although no statistically significant differences were found between test and control group values, the use of Fuji II LC in cervical cavities with cementum margins in primary teeth would provide the best resistance to microleakage among the test materials while the use of Scotchbond Multi-Purpose would provide the best resistance to microleakage in cervical cavities with cementum margins in permanent teeth.

Efficacy and Stability of Two in-Office Bleaching Agents in Adolescents: 12 Months Follow-Up

OBJECTIVE Although there are several clinical studies on in office vital bleaching in adults, there are no Randomized Clinical Trials for the efficacy of this application in adolescents. The aim the study was to evaluate the efficiency of two bleaching systems on adolescents for twelve-months follow-up. STUDY DESIGN Twenty-eight volunteers, aged between 13-18, randomly divided into two groups. Two commercial in-office bleaching systems were used: G1 (n=14): Zoom2 25 % HP with UV light and G2 (n=14): Beaming White 36% HP with LED light in a single 3 x 15 minute procedure. The color assessment was made with a spectrophometer; before and after bleaching; 48 hours; 1, 6 and 12 months later. Color enhancement and maintenance of two techniques over 12 months were compared by two ways ANOVA and Students t test. Sensitivity was evaluated on a scale with Wilcoxon test. RESULTS Both groups demonstrated similar and significant tooth color enhancement and did not reveal any statistically significant differences between them. However, a relapse of the tooth shade was observed with the low concentration agent/ultraviolet light system. No sensitivity was observed in any patients. CONCLUSION Two in-office bleaching systems can be used successfully on young permanent teeth. For long-term successful results, high concentration/LED light may be more effective.