Roberto Alves dos Santos

Six root canals in maxillary first molar

In this clinical article we report an unusual anatomy that was detected in a maxillary first molar with 6 root canals. The possibility of 6 root canals in this tooth is quite small; however, it must be taken into account in clinical and radiographic evaluation during endodontic treatment. Many times their presence is noticed only after canal treatment, owing to continuing postoperative discomfort.

Anatomical Aspects of Permanent Geminate Superior Central Incisives

La geminacion dental es una alteracion morfologica que puede suceder durante el desarrollo dental del embrion, dando por resultado la formacion parcial o total de dos dientes que no esten separados totalmente. El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir un caso infrecuente de geminacion, a traves de la radiografia periapical en incisivos centrales superiores en la denticion permanente.

Ex vivo evaluation of coronal and apical microbial leakage of root canal--filled with gutta-percha or Resilon/Epiphany root canal filling material.

OBJECTIVE This ex vivo study compared coronal and apical microleakage of root canals filled with Resilon/Epiphany (RE) or gutta-percha/Grossman sealer (GP), using either lateral condensation (LC) or System B (SB) technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS Specimens in eight experimental groups were obturated using the following materials and techniques: Groups 1 and 3--GP and LC; groups 2 and 4--GP and SB; groups 5 and 7--RE and LC; groups 6 and 8--RE and SB. Apical and coronal leakages were tested using bacterial methods. For coronal analysis, the number of days required for complete contamination of the root canals was recorded according to observation of the brain heart infusion broth turbidity for 15 weeks. For apical analysis, the teeth were cleaved and the leakage was measured at 30 days. Data were collected for each sample and analyzed statistically with the Chi-square and ANOVA tests. RESULTS Leakage was found in all groups. The difference between filling materials, obturation techniques, and median time of leakage was not statistically significant for coronal ( P=0.847) and apical ( P=0.5789) leakages. CONCLUSION There were no differences between the different filling materials (gutta-percha/Grossman sealer and Resilon/Epiphany) and obturation techniques (lateral condensation and system B technique) in coronal or apical leakages.

Three root canals in the maxillary second premolar

In this study, we report an endodontic treatment of the maxillary second premolar with three root canals and distinct foramens. The possibility of three root canals in this tooth is quite small; however, it must be taken into account in clinical and radiographic evaluation during endodontic treatment. Many times, their presence is noticed only after canal treatment due to continuing post-operative discomfort.

Immunology of root resorption: A literature review

Root resorption seems to be related to a complex combination of mechanical factors and biological activity, which comprehends the role of immunologic structures including specialized cells. The aim of this research was to explain the development of the process--from mineralization to the destruction of hard tissues--and the possible relationship between root resorption and immunology, along with discussing current concepts described in the literature.

A maxillary central incisor with four root canals

The objective of the present study is to present a case report of endodontic treatment of a maxillary central incisor with 1 root and 4 root canals. The success of endodontic treatment requires knowledge of dental anatomy and its variations. This clinical article reports an unusual anatomy detected in a maxillary central incisor with 4 root canals with an associated periapical lesion. The incidence of 4 root canals in this tooth is rare. However, it must be taken into consideration, the clinical and radiographic evaluations during the endodontic treatment in order to enhance the diagnostic. Many times, the presence of a supernumerary canal is noticed only after canal treatment due to continuing post-operative discomfort or treatment failure.