Apical Extrusion of Debris after Canal Preparation with Hand-Files Used Manually or Installed on Reciprocating Air-Driven Handpiece in Straight and Curved Canals

Comparison of Apical Transportation with the Use of Rotary System and Reciprocating Handpiece with Precurved Hand Files: An In Vitro Study

Introduction:

Success of root canal treatment depends on several factors; among which, maintaining the original canal path during mechanical preparation is extremely important. This in vitro study aimed to compare apical transportation using RaCe NiTi rotary system and precurved stainless steel (SS) hand files in a reciprocating handpiece.

Methods and Materials:

Mesiobuccal canals of 40 extracted human mandibular first and second molars with 20 to 45^° curvatures and 3 to 7 mm curve radius were chosen for this study. After working length determination, the teeth were divided into two groups (n=20). Root canals were prepared with RaCe in group 1 and NSK handpiece and precurved SS hand files in group 2 up to #30 with 2% taper in both groups. Radiographs were taken of teeth before and after instrumentation from buccolingual and mesiodistal directions. The images were superimposed using Adobe Photoshop CS3 software. Degree of straightening and amount of apical transportation at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 mm levels short of the working length were determined using digital subtraction radiography. The student’s t test was used to compare the degree of straightening and Mann Whitney test was applied to compare apical transportation (millimeters) between the two groups.

Results:

No significant difference was noted between the two groups on buccolingual or mesiodistal views in degree of straightening and apical transportation on buccolingual view (P>0.05). However, on mesiodistal view, NSK reciprocating handpiece caused greater apical transportation at 0. 0.5 and 1 mm levels (P<0.05).

Conclusion:

The RaCe system and precurved SS files in reciprocating handpiece were highly similar in terms of degree of straightening and apical transportation. Thus, engine-driven NSK reciprocating handpiece can be used as an efficient adjunct for root canal preparation.

Evaluation of Apically Extruded Debris during Root Canal Retreatment Using ProTaper Next and Reciproc in Severely Curved Canals

INTRODUCTION

To compare the apical extrusion of debris produced during root obturating material removal from severely curved root canals using either Reciproc (REC) or ProTaper Next (PTN) systems.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Twenty-six mesial canals of lower molars were instrumented, filled and allocated into two groups (n=13). Micro-computed tomographic images were performed to determine the root canal configuration (Vertucci's type IV) and initial volume of obturation. One Eppendorf tube was assigned per canal and weighed (10^-4g) before and after removal of the obturating material. The difference between the initial and final weights was calculated and statistically evaluated.

RESULTS

Apical extrusion of debris was confirmed in all samples, and the mean amount of apical extrusion was similar between both groups (0.061±0.014 g in PTN vs. 0.065±0.016 g in REC samples) (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Both systems caused apical extrusion of debris with no differences between PTN and REC systems.

Biocompatibility of Portland Cement Modified with Titanium Oxide and Calcium Chloride in a Rat Model

Introduction:

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of two modified formulations of Portland cement (PC) mixed with either titanium oxide or both titanium oxide and calcium chloride.

Methods and Materials:

Polyethylene tubes were filled with modified PCs or Angelus MTA as the control; the tubes were then implanted in 28 Wistar rats subcutaneously. One tube was left empty as a negative control in each rat. Histologic samples were taken after 7, 15, 30 and 60 days. Sections were assessed histologically for inflammatory responses and presence of fibrous capsule and granulation tissue formation. Data were analyzed using the Fisher’s exact and Kruskal-Wallis tests.

Result:

PC mixed with titanium oxide showed the highest mean scores of inflammation compared with others. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean inflammatory grades between all groups in each of the understudy time intervals.

Conclusion:

The results showed favorable biocompatibility of these modified PC mixed with calcium chloride and titanium oxide.