Rita Noites

Synergistic Antimicrobial Action of Chlorhexidine and Ozone in Endodontic Treatment

Objectives. The aim of this study was to determine whether irrigation with sodium hypochlorite, chlorhexidine, and ozone gas, alone or in combination, were effective against Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans; these are microorganisms frequently isolated from teeth with periapical lesions resistant to endodontic treatment. Material and Methods. 220 single root teeth, recently extracted, were inoculated with Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis. The formulations tested were sodium hypochlorite at 1, 3, and 5% chlorhexidine at 0.2% and 2% and ozone gas applied for different periods of time. The combination of sodium hypochlorite at 5% and chlorhexidine at 2%, with gaseous ozone, were also assessed. For the most active treatments the mechanism of action was assessed through flow cytometry. Results. Sodium hypochlorite, chlorhexidine, and gaseous ozone alone were ineffective in completely eliminating the microorganisms. The association of chlorhexidine at 2% followed by ozone gas for 24 seconds promoted the complete elimination of Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis. Flow cytometry shows that ozone and chlorhexidine act differently, which could explain its synergic activity. Conclusions. This new disinfection protocol, combining irrigation with chlorhexidine at 2% and ozone gas for 24 seconds, may be advantageous when treating infected root canals.

Dental Dam Application for Endodontics in Dogs—A Novel Clamp Kit:

Although rubber dams are widely used in endodontic treatment in humans with well-known advantages, their use in veterinary medicine is uncommon. The use of a dental rubber dam provides better control of cross-infection, prevents soft tissue contact of chemicals, and improves treatment efficiency. The purpose of this article is to describe a new line of clamps specifically designed for dogs and to review the procedure and materials used for isolating the operative field in endodontic patients. This new design of clamps, better adapted to canine tooth anatomy with different sizes and conformations, has been successfully used in dogs by the authors with good clinical results. The clamps allow for better adaptation to the tooth without injuring the gingiva or the furcation and provide increased retention of the dam for more effective isolation. Given the proven benefits in humans, the authors expect that the widespread use of a rubber dam with clamps specifically designed for canine dental anatomy will improve clinical outcomes in endodontics.

Complicações que podem surgir durante o Uso do Hipoclorito de Sódio no Tratamento Endodôntico

Resumo A solucao de hipoclorito de sodio, em diferentes concentracoes, e o irrigante mais utilizado durante o tratamento endodontico. Embora a sua utilizacao seja geralmente segura, sequelas graves podem ocorrer quando da sua extrusao para alem do apex do canal radicular, afectando os tecidos periapicais. Neste artigo procura-se alertar o Medico Dentista (e outros profissionais de Saude Oral) para os principais acidentes que podem ocorrer com o uso do hipoclorito de sodio durante o tratamento endodontico.