A scanning electron microscopic study of in vivo ultrasonic root-end preparations

Comparison of crack formation induced by ultrasonic tips and burs during root-end preparation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction The main objective of root canal treatment is to achieve apical seal. Crack formation during root-end preparation promotes bacterial penetration, thereby leading to failure. This systematic review aims to examine the literature and summarise studies that compare the crack formation induced by ultrasonic tips and burs during root-end preparation.Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis were reported and conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. The online databases PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were used for data search. In vitro and ex vivo studies conducted up to March 2021 in the English language were included in the review. The risk of bias in the present study was assessed using a customised tool. A random-effects model was used for meta-analysis, χ² values and I² values were used to assess statistical heterogeneity. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan software Version 5.4.Results A total of 317 records were found from all of the databases and one article was added following hand-searching. Twelve articles were included in the study after the application of the eligibility criteria of which ten articles were included for the meta-analysis. Nine studies showed a medium risk of bias while three studies showed a high risk of bias. The analysis of the crack formation showed a statistically significant difference between the ultrasonic tip and the bur (P = 0.0002). The odds ratio was 2.72 (1.60, 4.65) with a confidence interval of 95% suggesting higher odds of crack formation in the ultrasonic group.Conclusion This review concludes that ultrasonic root-end preparation resulted in higher crack formation than burs.

Occurrence of Vertical Root Fractures after Apical Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Vertical root fractures (VRFs) are among the most frequent causes of tooth loss, mainly of endodontically treated teeth. However, very few data is available about the occurrence of VRFs following apical surgery.

METHODS

Patient charts from 864 patients with 1058 teeth treated with apical surgery (September 1999 to December 2018) were retrospectively evaluated, if a VRF had occurred after surgery. The following, possibly influencing factors were analyzed: sex and age, type of treated tooth, primary versus resurgery, technique of root-end preparation, and timepoint of VRF diagnosis. Endpoints were either tooth extraction or the last follow-up.

RESULTS

The study cohort (55% women, 45% men) had a mean age of 52.00 ± 13.97 years (range 9-93 years). The overall rate of VRFs after apical surgery was 4% (42 of 1058 teeth). Among these 42 teeth, 33.3% were mandibular first molars and 26.2% were maxillary second premolars. The most frequently affected root was the mesial root of mandibular first molars (28.6%). With regard to the study parameters, significant differences of VRF rates were observed only for the type of tooth treated.

CONCLUSIONS

A low VRF rate of 4% was observed in this study. VRFs commonly occurred in maxillary premolars and mandibular molars, with the mesial root of mandibular first molars affected most frequently. This is in line with previous reports about VRFs in endodontically treated teeth without additional apical surgery.

Endoscopic Evaluation of Cut Root Faces and Histologic Analysis of Removed Apices Following Root Resection: A Clinical Study

Objective:

To evaluate the resection plane after root-end resection during apical surgery using endoscopy.

Methods:

Following apicectomy of 69 roots, the cut root faces were inspected with a rigid endoscope for the presence of unfilled areas of the root canal space, gaps between the obturated root canal and dentinal wall, isthmi, ‘opaque’ dentine and cracks. Endoscopic pictures were captured and assessed using a 12-sectorn transparent grid for determination of location of the studied elements. Furthermore, the removed apices were examined histologically (n=47). The surfaces of the removed apices opposite the cut root faces were histologically analysed for the same outcome measures.

Results:

Endoscopy revealed the following findings: opaque dentine in 84.1%, unfilled parts of the root canal system in 59.4%, gaps between the existing root canal filling and dentinal walls in 49.3%, and cracks in 10.1% of cases. With regard to isthmi, histology of the removed apices demonstrated an isthmus in two-thirds of those seen with endoscopy at the root end. Ramifications were histologically observed only in 6 root apices.

Conclusion:

The studied elements may cause failure of the root canal treatment, and conventional root canal retreatment or apical surgery may be indicated. The clinical significance of opaque dentine with regard to tooth prognosis after apical surgery remains unclear and warrants further research.

Periapical microsurgery: the effect of root dentinal defects on short- and long-term outcome

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of endodontic microsurgery on roots exhibiting the presence or absence of dentinal defects at 1-year and 3-year follow-up period.

METHODS

One hundred fifty-five teeth were treated with periapical microsurgery using a modern microsurgical protocol in a private practice setting. The root apices were resected and inspected for dentinal defects with a surgical operating microscope and a 0.8-mm head diameter light-emitting diode microscope diagnostic probe light. After inspection, root-end preparations were performed using ultrasonic tips, and root-end fillings were placed. Follow-up visits occurred at 1 year and 3 years postoperatively. The primary outcome measure used was the change in the radiographic apical bone density, and the secondary outcome measure used was the absence of clinical symptoms.

RESULTS

Of the 155 treated teeth, a total of 134 teeth were assessed at the 1-year follow-up and 127 teeth at the 3-year evaluation. In the "intact" group, 94.8% healed at 1 year, and 97.3% healed at 3 years. In the "dentinal defect" group, 29.8% healed at 1 year, and 31.5% healed at 3 years. The baseline root condition of either "dentinal defect" or "intact" showed a statistical difference in the healing outcome at both 1 and 3 years.

CONCLUSIONS

This prospective periapical microsurgery study showed a significant superior clinical outcome for intact roots when compared with roots with dentinal defects at both 1 year and at 3 years postoperatively.

Evaluation of apical preparations performed with ultrasonic diamond and stainless steel tips at different intensities using a scanning electron microscope in endodontic surgery

Objective: The objective of our study is to analyse (with the help of scanning electron microscopes) the quality of the dental root surface and the appearance of dental cracks after performing apical preparations using two diffe-rent types of ultrasonic tips. Study design: We used 32 single-rooted teeth that underwent a root canal and apical resection. Afterwards, the teeth were divided into 4 groups of 8 teeth each, with preparations of the apical cavities in the following manner: Group 1: stainless steel ultrasonic tip at 33KHz. Group 2: stainless steel ultrasonic tip at 30KHz. Group 3: diamond ultrasonic tip at 30KHz. Group 4: diamond ultrasonic tip at 33 KHz. The quality of the root surface and the presence of cracks were evaluated by one single observer using a scanning electron microscope. Results: All of the teeth in our study had cracks after the apical preparations. The mean number of cracks per tooth ranged between 6.1±1.9 (group 1) and 3.5±2.4 (group 4), with a significantly higher number found in the groups that used stainless steel tips (P=.03). The types of cracks produced involved: 8 complete cracks (4.5%), 167 incomplete cracks (94.4%), and 2 intradentinal cracks (1.1%), with no significant differences observed between the different frequencies used for each group. Conclusions: Stainless steel ultrasonic tips provoked a larger number of cracks than diamond tips. The frequency of vibration used did not have any effect on the number of cracks found.

Key words:Apicoectomy, scanning electron microscope, therapeutic ultrasound, endodontic surgery, dentinal crack.

Apical surgery: A review of current techniques and outcome

Apical surgery is considered a standard oral surgical procedure. It is often a last resort to surgically maintain a tooth with a periapical lesion that cannot be managed with conventional endodontic (re-)treatment. The main goal of apical surgery is to prevent bacterial leakage from the root-canal system into the periradicular tissues by placing a tight root-end filling following root-end resection. Clinicians are advised to utilize a surgical microscope to perform apical surgery to benefit from magnification and illumination. In addition, the application of microsurgical techniques in apical surgery, i.e., gentle incision and flap elevation, production of a small osteotomy, and the use of sonic- or ultrasonic driven microtips, will result in less trauma to the patient and faster postsurgical healing. A major step in apical surgery is to identify possible leakage areas at the cut root face and subsequently to ensure adequate root-end filling. Only a tight and persistent apical obturation will allow periapical healing with good long-term prognosis. The present paper describes current indications, techniques and outcome of apical surgery.

Comparison of microleakage with three different thicknesses of mineral trioxide aggregate as root-end filling material

The aim of this study was to compare the microleakage at three different thicknesses of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as a root-end filling material. Ninety extracted human maxillary incisor teeth were selected and the root canals of the teeth were cleaned, shaped and obturated with gutta percha and AH-plus sealer. Teeth were randomly divided into 3 groups each containing 20 experimental samples, and 5 positive and 5 negative controls. In the first, second and third experimental groups, cavities of 1 mm, 2 mm and 3 mm in depth, respectively, were prepared and filled with MTA. Leakage was determined by the dye penetration method using India ink, and a stereomicroscope at x16 magnifications and 0.1 mm accuracy. The microleakage in the 3-mm and 2-mm root-end cavities was less than at 1 mm depth, but analysis of variance revealed no significant differences among the three different thicknesses.

Evaluation of Apical Cavity Preparation With a New Type of Ultrasonic Diamond Tip

This study evaluated the time, occurrence of fracture, and quality of apical cavity preparation with three different ultrasonic diamond tips: Satelec, Trinity, and a new type, CVD (chemical vapor deposition), using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Thirty human single-rooted premolars were selected, submitted to apicectomy, and prepared with ultrasonic tips; impressions were then obtained. The presence of fractures was evaluated on the impressions, and the quality of preparation was evaluated by SEM analysis of teeth and scoring by two examiners. The group prepared with the CVD tips exhibited the shorter preparation time and did not present fractures. There was no statistically significant difference in the quality of preparation for the three tips. The three brands of ultrasonic tips produced adequate grinding without altering the morphology of the apical foramen.

Modern Endodontic Surgery Concepts and Practice: A Review

Endodontic surgery has now evolved into endodontic microsurgery. By using state-of-the-art equipment, instruments and materials that match biological concepts with clinical practice, we believe that microsurgical approaches produce predictable outcomes in the healing of lesions of endodontic origin. In this review we attempted to provide the most current concepts, techniques, instruments and materials with the aim of demonstrating how far we have come. Our ultimate goal is to assertively teach the future generation of graduate students and also train our colleagues to incorporate these techniques and concepts into everyday practice.

Effect of Waterlase laser retrograde root-end cavity preparation on the integrity of root apices of extracted teeth as demonstrated by light microscopy

Most endodontists use ultrasonic instruments for retrograde root-end cavity preparations even though they have been found to produce cracks. In this laboratory study, thirty-six randomly chosen roots had root-end cavity preparations made with the Waterlase laser and only one questionable intra-canal crack was found. It was concluded that the Waterlase laser when used to make endodontic root-end cavity preparations produces either no cracks, or a very low percentage (2.8%) of cracks.

Surgical endodontics

Root canal treatment usually fails because infection remains within the root canal. An orthograde attempt at re-treatment should always be considered first. However, when surgery is indicated, modern microtechniques coupled with surgical magnification will lead to a better prognosis. Careful management of the hard and soft tissues is essential, specially designed ultrasonic tips should be used for root end preparation which should ideally be sealed with MTA. All cases should be followed up until healing is seen, or failure accepted, and should form a part of clinical audit.

Evaluation of different methods for the root-end cavity preparation

OBJECTIVE

The dentinal walls of root-end cavities were examined for the presence of cracks and debris in correlation with the area of the root surfaces that remained after the resection.

STUDY DESIGN

One hundred extracted single-rooted teeth were endodontically treated, mounted in acrylic resin blocks, and the apical 2 mm of the root-apex was resected. According to the resected root surface area the teeth were divided into 2 groups having large (>2 mm(2)) or small (<2 mm(2)) surface area. For retrograde cavity preparation 4 devices were used: slow-speed handpiece, diamond coated stainless steel ultrasonic tip, smooth stainless steel ultrasonic tips, and sonic diamond-coated tips. Teeth were examined under a videomicroscope for the presence of fractures, dentin chips, and gutta-percha remnants on cavity walls. Preparation time was also recorded.

RESULTS

Preparation with smooth stainless steel ultrasonic tips produced few intradentin cracks. Dentin debris was more frequently seen in rotary preparations whereas gutta-percha remnants were seen mainly at ultrasonically prepared teeth.

CONCLUSIONS

Sonic and ultrasonic devices produced cleaner, well-centered, and more conservative root-end cavities than the rotary instrumentation. Cracks do not correlate directly with the surface area of the root-end surfaces but rather with the type of retrotip used to prepare the root-end cavity.

Diagnostic accuracy of endoscopy in periradicular surgery - a comparison with scanning electron microscopy

AIM

To compare the accuracy of endoscopic diagnostics with the scanning electron microscope (SEM) in evaluating elements of periradicular surgery.

METHODOLOGY

The material consisted of 22 extracted human molars, which were subjected to the following treatments: orthograde root-canal obturation, root-end resection and root-end cavity preparation with diamond-coated sonic microtips. After each step, the cut root face was inspected with an endoscope, and subsequently, the roots were duplicated for SEM evaluation. Endoscope findings were compared to those obtained with SEM serving as the 'gold standard' with a blinded observer. The presence of the following structures was assessed including specificity and sensitivity: isthmuses, accessory canals, obturation gaps, microfractures and chipping of cavity margins.

RESULTS

The specificity and sensitivity of the identification of isthmuses or accessory canals was 100% each for the endoscope compared to SEM. The sensitivity of identification of obturation gaps, crack formation or chipping ranged between 73 and 95% (except intradentine cracks with only 36% sensitivity). The specificity of the same parameters ranged between 77 and 100% for the endoscope compared to SEM.

CONCLUSIONS

With the exception of intradentine cracks, the endoscope accurately identified microstructures following root-end resection and root-end preparation. The endoscope could be considered for use during intraoperative diagnostics in periradicular surgery.

Investigation of the marginal adaptation of root-end filling materials in root-end cavities prepared with ultrasonic tips

AIM

To compare the surface topography of root apices following ultrasonic root-end preparation, and again after root-end fillings submitted to three different finishing techniques.

METHODOLOGY

Eighty-one root-end cavities prepared ultrasonically in human canines, were divided at random into three test groups of 27 each. The cavities were filled with Super-EBA, IRM, or ProRoot-MTA and finished by ball burnishing. Eighteen roots from each group received a final finish with either a 30-fluted tungsten carbide finishing bur, or a Zekrya carbide 28 mm bur after storage in water at 37 degrees C for 24 h. The root-end surface topographies were reproduced by means of polyvinylsiloxane impressions and epoxy resin replicas. Scanning electron micrography (SEM) images of each replica were taken prior to and after root-end filling. An image analysis system was used to compare the alteration of the marginal chipping areas and to calculate the gaps located in the dentine/root-end filling interface.

RESULTS

When a bur was used to finish the set materials, a significant (P < 0.05) area of marginal chipping was eliminated. The finishing technique did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect the incidence of gaps in groups root-end filled with MTA or IRM. Super-EBA and IRM retrofillings finished with a ball burnisher or a Zekrya bur displayed a significantly (P < 0.05) larger calculated gap area than roots filled with MTA.

CONCLUSION

Under this in vitro study, the marginal adaptation of MTA was good with or without finishing procedures. Applying a finishing bur over the condensed and set IRM and Super-EBA created better marginal adaptation.

Periapical endodontic surgery: a 3-year follow-up study

AIM

To monitor the outcome of periradicular surgery in a group of teeth treated with microsurgical technology and ultrasonic root-end preparation.

METHODOLOGY

One hundred and twenty-eight teeth with failed conventional root canal treatment were included. The surgical procedure was completed using ultrasonic retrotips and a zinc oxide-EBA (Super Seal, Ogna Pharmaceuticals. Milan, Italy)-reinforced material was used to seal the root end cavities. Lesions were examined radiologically at 1. 3. 6. 12, 24 and 36-month intervals. Radiographs were independently analysed according to a previously published classification.

RESULTS

Eight teeth were extracted due to fracture or perforations undetected radiologically: these cases were excluded from the study. Of the 120 teeth examined. the overall success rate was 92.5%; 94 healed with complete bone filling of the surgical cavity, 17 were considered to have healed by apical scar formation, four demonstrated uncertain healing and five were considered failures. Eighty of 120 teeth examined had successfully healed from a radiological point of view within 12 months. No differences in outcome occurred between anterior, premolar and molar teeth. Although all failures occurred in teeth with posts, no statistically significant difference was noted (Mann-Whitney U-test, P = 0.37).

CONCLUSION

Modern surgical endodontic procedures associated and ERA (Super Seal, Ogna Pharmaceuticals, Milan, Italy) root end fillings were successful over 3 years in 92.5% of cases.

Effect of sonic and ultrasonic retrograde cavity preparation on the integrity of root apices of freshly extracted human teeth: scanning electron microscopy analysis

Sonic and ultrasonic root-end preparation devices permit the preparation of conservative and straight cavities. However, microfractures and marginal chipping can occur due to the vibratory action of such instruments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of retrograde preparations by using sonic and ultrasonic tips on the integrity of root-end surfaces. Eighty, human anterior teeth were grouped according to size and treated as follows: treatment 1: root-end resection (RR) and root-end cavity preparation (RP) with KIS ultrasonic retrotip; treatment 2: RR and RP with Satelec S12/90 (no diamond coating) ultrasonic retrotip; treatment 3: RR and RP with a diamond-coated retrotip attached to a sonic device (Sonics); treatment 4: RR and RP with Satelec S12/90D (diamond coated) ultrasonic retrotip. The root-end surface topographies were assayed by means of polyvinylsiloxane impressions and epoxy resin replicas. SEM pictures of each sample were taken before and after preparation, and the images were evaluated by using an image processing and analysis system. The parameters evaluated were shape quality, presence of cracks, and marginal chipping. The results showed no statistically significant differences among anatomic groups, treatments, or tooth sizes (p > 0.05). Because treatment 3 removed more dental structure than the others did, its use on small teeth is inadvisable.