Purpose. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the quality of four root canal obturation techniques using microcomputed tomography (micro-CT). Materials and Methods. A total of 36 mandibular first premolars with mostly round canals were decoronated, then instrumented up to a size F3 rotary file, and dressed with an epoxy resin-based sealer. Subsequently, they were divided into 4 different groups ( ) based on the method of obturation: lateral condensation using 0.02 tapered master cone (LC2), lateral condensation using 0.04 tapered master cone (LC4), matched single-cone technique (MS), and matched single cone-mediated ultrasonic activation (MSUA). All the teeth were scanned using micro-CT (resolution of 19 μm), and the percentage volume of voids was calculated. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey test were used to analyze the data ( ). Results. The total percentage volume of voids was significantly lower in the MSUA group compared to all other groups ( ). The total percentage volume of voids was significantly lower in the MS group compared to the LC4 ( ) and LC2 ( ) groups. However, there was no significant difference between the LC2 and LC4 groups ( ). Conclusions. MSUA, significantly, showed the least root canal filling voids amongst all the obturation techniques studied. MSUA can be considered an effective method for the filling of the round root canals. In general, lateral condensation using either 0.02 or 0.04 tapered master cones had significantly the highest volume percentage of voids amongst the experimental groups.

Background: This study assessed the antimicrobial activity of Biodentine, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), and calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement against Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus mutans, and Candida albicans. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, microbial suspensions were inoculated onto agar plates. The antimicrobial effects of MTA, Biodentine and CEM cement were assessed against E. faecalis, S. mutans, and C. albicans by the agar diffusion test. In each experimental group, 7 plates containing 3 wells were prepared and immediately filled with freshly mixed cements. Positive and negative control plates were prepared with/without the bacterial suspension, respectively. After 2 h of preincubation at room temperature, the plates were incubated at 37°C for 24 h. The diameter of growth inhibition zones was measured after 24 h. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). Results: Biodentine showed strong antimicrobial activity against all three microorganisms with an average inhibition zone of 9.10 mm. The inhibitory effect of Biodentine on E. faecalis and C. albicans was significantly superior to that of the other two cements (P < 0.05). MTA and CEM cement showed significantly higher antimicrobial activity against S. mutans (P < 0.05). The antimicrobial effects of Biodentine on S. mutans and E. faecalis were significantly greater than on C. albicans (P < 0.05). Conclusion: All cements revealed antimicrobial properties against the tested microbial strains. Biodentine had stronger antimicrobial effects against E. faecalis and C. albicans compared with MTA and CEM cement. Furthermore, the largest inhibition zones around all three cements belonged to S. mutans.

Calcium hydroxide (CH) is the gold-standard intracanal dressing for teeth subjected to traumatic avulsion. A common complication after the replantation of avulsed teeth is root resorption (RR). The current review was conducted to compare the effect of CH with that of other intracanal medications and filling materials on inflammatory RR and replacement RR (ankylosis) in replanted teeth. The PubMed and Scopus databases were searched through June 2018 using specific keywords related to the title of the present article. The materials that were compared to CH were in 2 categories: 1) mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and endodontic sealers as permanent filling materials for single-visit treatment, and 2) Ledermix, bisphosphonates, acetazolamide, indomethacin, gallium nitrate, and enamel matrix-derived protein (Emdogain) as intracanal medicaments for multiple-visit management of avulsed teeth prior to the final obturation. MTA can be used as a single-visit root filling material; however, there are limited data on its efficacy due to a lack of clinical trials. Ledermix and acetazolamide were comparable to CH in reducing RR. Emdogain seems to be an interesting material, but the data supporting its use as an intracanal medication remain very limited. The conclusions drawn in this study were limited by the insufficiency of clinical trials.

Various materials are used for vital pulp capping and the bond strength of restorative materials to these pulp-capping agents significantly affects the success rate of vital pulp therapy. The aim of this study was to determine the shear bond strength of a flowable composite resin and a single-component glass-ionomer to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement and BiodentineTM as pulp-capping agents. Seventy-two cylindrical acrylic resin blocks, with a central hole 4 mm × 2 mm, were prepared. Mineral trioxide aggregate, CEM cement and Biodentine were placed in the cavities (n = 24 in each group) and incubated for 24 h. The blocks were subdivided into the composite resin and glassionomer subgroups. Cylindrical plastic molds, measuring 3 mm in height and diameter, were used to place the restorative materials on the samples. The shear bond strength test was performed at a strain rate of 1 mm/min in a universal testing machine. The samples were evaluated under a stereomicroscope at ×25 magnification for fracture modes. The data was analyzed with the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey tests. The maximum and minimum mean shear bond strength values were recorded in the Biodentinecomposite resin (4.77 MPa) and MTA-glass-ionomer (2.20 MPa) groups, respectively. There were significant differences in the mean shear bond strength values of MTA, CEM cement and Biodentine to the composite resin and glass-ionomer (p < 0.001). A composite material may be preferable for definitive filling after pulp capping with Biodentine.

To orthodontic purposes of patients between 15 and 25 years of age. A group of 5 was separated randomly as the negative control. The remaining teeth were randomly divided into three experimental groups of 12 after mechanical exposure of the pulp by bur in high-speed handpiece under air and water spray. The exposed areas were capped with MTA, Biodentine, or propolis. Glass ionomer was applied as base over the cap. The teeth were restored with composite resin. Patients were recalled in 2 months for clinical and radiographic examinations and also pulp vitality test. Teeth were then extracted. Slides were prepared and tissue sections were evaluated for the presence and severity of inflammation, dentinal bridge, and continuity. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. Results: The clinical success rate was 100% in the MTA and 91.7% in both the propolis and Biodentine groups. The presence and severity of pulpal inflammation and dentinal bridge formation were similar in all the experimental groups (P > 0.05). Dentinal bridge formation was similar in the MTA and Biodentine groups and was higher than in the propolis group. Continuation of dentinal bridge in the MTA group was significantly higher than that in the Biodentine and propolis groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion: MTA, Biodentine, and propolis are equally effective for DPC....

This study evaluated and compared colony forming units (CFUs) and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of calcium hydroxide and propolis as intracanal medicaments. Eighty human single-root and caries-free teeth were selected and divided into five groups. Crowns were removed. Root canals were then prepared in a step-back manner. The samples were then inoculated by Enterococcus (E.) faecalis and incubated for 21 days. Intracanal medications were applied including, calcium hydroxide (n=20), propolis (n=20), and ethanol (n=20). Two groups of 10 teeth were also used as the positive and negative controls. Microbiological sampling was performed utilizing a piezo-reamer drill after one week of incubation. The samples were plated and CFUs were counted after 48 hours. MICs of calcium hydroxide and propolis were measured by serial dilution and agar dilution methods, respectively. The statistical tests of ANOVA and Duncan post-hoc were used to compare different medications. MICs and CFUs of propolis were dramatically less than calcium hydroxide. The difference between the groups was statistically significant (P<0.001). Our results reveal that propolis is an effective antimicrobial intracanal agent.