Aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate, by means of the push-out test, the effect of the anatomical customization of the fiber post on the bond strength of a self-adhesive resin cement. Methods. Twelve endodontically treated, human, upper central incisors were randomly divided into two groups (n=6): control (glass fiber posts cemented with Relyx® U200) and customized (glass fiber posts anatomically customized with translucent composite resin cemented with Relyx U200). The roots were sectioned into three slices, cervical, middle, and apical, and photographed with a digital camera attached to a stereomicroscopic loupe. The images were analyzed by software, for evaluation of the cement line. The slices were subsequently submitted to the push-out test until the post had completely extruded, and the fracture mode was analyzed with a stereomicroscopic loupe. Results. The results showed significant differences between the groups in the different root thirds in relation to the area occupied by air bubbles (p<0.05). Bond strength, when all the thirds are considered, was 8.77 ± 4.89 MPa for the control group and 16.96 ± 4.85 MPa for the customized group. Conclusion. The customized group showed greater bond resistance than the control group and a more uniform cement layer.

This study investigated the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) and its association with endodontically treated teeth in residents of São Luís, MA, Brazil. Two-hundred complete series of periapical radiographs taken over a 10-year period (1993-2003) were retrieved from the files of four prosthesists and five periodontists. The Periapical Index (PAI) was used and the age range, sex, tooth groups, location and association with endodontic treatment (ET) were also analyzed. The Cohen Kappa and Chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis. Out of 200 patients, 135 presented at least one case of AP, which corresponds to a prevalence of 67.5%. Of the 5008 teeth examined, 296 had AP and 553 had ET. Therefore, considering the total number of teeth, AP and ET prevalences were 5.9% and 11%, respectively. Of the 553 endodontically treated teeth, 235 (42.5%) were associated with AP. Chi-square test showed a strong correlation between AP and ET (p<0.05). The 40-year-old age group was significantly the most prevalent (p0.05). The maxillary incisors were the most affected group of teeth (p<0.05). AP had predilection for the maxilla and was strongly associated with endodontically treated teeth (p<0.05). The prevalence of apical periodontitis and endodontically treated teeth with AP was high and similar to the results of studies performed in other countries.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of surface treatment and different types of composite resin on the microshear bond strength of repairs. Materials and methods: Seventy-two specimens (n=72) were prepared using a nanoparticle resin and stored in artificial saliva at 37 ± 1°C for 24 h. After this period, the specimens (n=24) were restored with microhybrid resin P60 (3M ESPE), nanoparticle resin Filtek Z350 (3M ESPE), and Bulk Fill Surefil SDR Flow (Dentsply) composite resins. Previously, the surfaces of the samples were treated, forming the following subgroups (n=12): (A) conditioned with 37% phosphoric acid for 30 s, and (B) abrasioned with a diamond tip for 3 s and conditioned with 37% phosphoric acid. In all groups, before insertion of the composite resin, the adhesive system Adper Single Bond 2 was actively applied and photopolymerized for 20 s. Results: The microshear test was executed to assess bond strength. Kruskal–Wallis (p<0.05) and Mann–Whitney statistical tests showed significant statistical difference considering that the bulk-fill resin turned out to have a lower bond strength than the conventional nanoparticle and microhybrid composites. With regard to the technique, the roughening with diamond bur followed by the application of phosphoric acid exhibited values higher than the exclusive use of acid. Conclusion: The microshear bond strength of the composite resin repairs varies in accordance with the type of composite resin utilized, and roughening the surface increased the bond strength of these materials.