Micro-computed tomography evaluation of dentinal microcracks following canal preparation with thermomechanically heat-treated engine-driven files

Shaping Efficiency of Rotary and Reciprocating Kinematics of Engine-driven Nickel-Titanium Instruments in Moderate and Severely curved Root Canals Using Microcomputed Tomography: A Systematic Review of Ex Vivo Studies

INTRODUCTION

This systematic review aimed to compare reciprocating with continuous rotary instrumentation kinematics, by means of microcomputed tomography evaluations, in extracted human permanent teeth with moderate and severe canal curvatures.

METHODS

The research protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews and given the reference number CRD42023404035. An electronic search was undertaken in MEDLINE (PubMed), EBSCO, Scopus, Web of Science databases until December 2021. Manual screening of issues in endodontic journals and references of relevant articles were assessed individually. The risk of bias (RoB) of the included articles was evaluated with the QUIN tool (Quality Assessment Tool for In Vitro Studies).

RESULTS

Among 1640 retrieved articles, 49 were included in the qualitative synthesis. Fifteen articles had low RoB, 33 articles had medium RoB, and only 1 study was at high RoB. Continuous rotary systems had better centering ability in both moderate and severe canal curvatures and resulted in less apical transportation in severely curved root canals. None of the kinematic systems was capable of instrumenting the entire canal surface area. Reciprocating kinematics systems tended to provide higher increase in surface area of severely curved canals and produced fewer dentinal microcracks in moderately curved canals.

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence presented in this review suggests that continuous rotary system seems to be better than reciprocating system in solving the major issues encountered during root canal instrumentation of extracted teeth with moderate and severe curvatures.

The impact of long-term storage conditions on the development of experimental dentinal microcracks

This study evaluated the impact of long-term storage conditions (medium and time) on the development of experimental dentinal microcracks through micro-computed tomography. Sixty freshly extracted premolars were stored in formalin, water, or dry conditions (n = 20) and scanned after 72 h, 30 days, 6 months and 3 years of extraction. The effect of the storage medium and time on the occurrence of dentinal defects was statistically evaluated. A total of 211 000 images were screened revealing the existence of 11 519 slices with dentinal defects. Dry conditions significantly contributed to the development of new defects in all time points. During the 3-year follow-up period, no new defects were detected in the teeth that were stored in water and, in a single tooth, in the formalin group, after 6 months of storage.

Influence of Different Glide Path Techniques on Microcrack Formation after Two Different Root Canal Preparation Treatments: Micro Computed Tomography Analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of WaveOne Glider (WOGG) with Waveone Gold (WOG) primary reciprocation systems on root dentine microcrack formation and to know the effect of TruNatomy Glider (TRNG) with TruNatomy (TRN) prime rotary systems on root dentine microcrack formation.

METHODS

In this study, 40 extracted mandibular first molar roots were selected and divided randomly into four groups (n=10). Group MWOG: a manual glide path was performed + WOG primary. Group MTRN: manual glide path performed+TRN prime. Additionally, group WOGG: glide path preparation with WOGG+WOG primary. Finally, for group TRNG, the glide path preparation was performed with TRNG+TRN prime. Micro-CT was used for pre and post-instrumentation image analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal- Wallis test (p<0.05) with Two-way ANOVA.

RESULTS

The Kruskal-Wallis test showed no significant differences among all groups in all thirds for pre and post-instrumentation regarding the crack formation. The Two-way ANOVA showed no significant difference or interaction between the ways of glide path preparation, whether manual or reciprocal WOGG, or between the rotary TRNG and the motion used in root canal preparation (rotary TRN or reciprocal WOG) regarding the crack formation and propagation.

CONCLUSION

Microcrack formation and propagation occurred independently of using different glide path techniques (manual, rotary, or reciprocal).

A critical analysis of research methods and experimental models to study dentinal microcracks

The purpose of this narrative review was to discuss the scientific milestones that led to the current understanding of the root dentinal microcrack phenomenon based on the interplay between the usage of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) as an analytical tool alongside a close-to-mouth experimental model. In 2009, reports on the development of dentinal microcracks in extracted teeth after root canal preparation triggered an awareness of the potential for vertical root fractures (VRFs) of endodontically treated teeth could be developed from defects created by the mechanical stress of nickel-titanium preparation systems on dentine. This assumption was taken for granted, even though no cause-effect relationship had been scientifically demonstrated. Since then, several studies using the sectioning method with extracted teeth have been published and the large discrepancy amongst their outcomes soon become evident. Moreover, the high frequency of reported dentinal microcracks largely contrasted with the clinical incidence of VRFs, raising doubts on their methodological reliability. Using micro-CT technology, it was demonstrated by several studies that, in extracted teeth, dentinal defects already existed before the endodontic procedures, indicating that the initial reports framed a non-existing cause-effect relationship between canal preparation and dentinal microcracks. Although these new findings contributed to a better comprehension of this phenomenon, the misconception that microcracks were the starting point for VRFs was only surpassed with a new in situ approach using fresh cadavers. Surprisingly, microcracks were not identified in sound teeth. As a conclusion, dentinal microcracks in extracted teeth can be considered a non-natural occurrence observed only in a laboratory set-up as a consequence of dehydration and storage conditions. Thus, dentinal microcracks shall not be considered as the starting point for VRFs as they do not manifest in non-extracted teeth. Identifying dentinal microcracks as a laboratory phenomenon highlights the impact of recent scientific developments to disclaim the clinical relevance of laboratory-obtained outcomes.