Signs and symptoms were correlated with microorganisms. Endodontic treatment was effective in reducing bacteria and endotoxins but was not capable of completely removing them from the root canal.

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Objective:This clinical study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of passive ultrasonic activation (PUA) in eliminating microorganisms in primary endodontic infection (PEI) after instrumentation of root canals using microbiological culture and checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization.Methodology:Twenty root canals with PEI and apical periodontitis were selected. The root canals were instrumented and then randomly divided into 2 groups, according to the irrigation method: PUA and conventional needle irrigation (CNI). Microbiological samples were collected before instrumentation (S1), after instrumentation (S2) and after irrigation with 17% EDTA (S3). The samples were subjected to anaerobic culture technique and checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization analysis.Results:A statistically significant difference was found between CNI (23.56%) and PUA (98.37%) regarding the median percentage values for culturable bacteria reduction (p<0.05). In the initial samples, the most frequently detected species was S. constellatus (50%), and after root canal treatment was E. faecalis (50%).Conclusion:Both treatments significantly decreased the number of bacterial species compared with the initial sample. However, no statistical difference in the total microbial load between PUA and CNI groups was detected. The number of cultivable anaerobic bacteria reduced significantly using PUA, and the bacterial composition and number of bacterial species after using either CNI or PUA was similar.

Aim To investigate the presence of resolvins E1 (RvE1) and D2 (RvD2) in teeth with primary endodontic infections and apical periodontitis, and to assess the influence of calcium hydroxide medication [Ca(OH) 2 ], in association with 2% chlorhexidine gel (2% CHX gel), and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on the levels of RvE1 and RvD2 in periapical tissues. Methodology Thirty-six single-rooted teeth with primary endodontic infections and apical periodontitis were selected and randomly divided into three groups according to the medication: [Ca(OH) 2 ] + saline solution (SSL) [Ca(OH) 2 + SSL group] (n = 12), Ca (OH) 2 + 2% chlorhexidine gel [Ca(OH) 2 + 2% CHX gel group] (n = 12) and NAC [NAC group] (n = 12). Samples were collected from the periapical interstitial fluid at two different sampling times: before (S1) and after 14 days of intracanal medications (S2). Resolvins were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analysed using paired t-test, Wilcoxon test and Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Dunn's post hoc test; all statistical tests were performed at a significance level of 5%. Results RvE1 and RvD2 were detected in 100% of the samples (36/36) at S1 and S2. Ca(OH) 2 medication did not increase the levels of RvE1 or RvD2 (both P > 0.05); however, NAC significantly increased the levels of RvE1 and RvD2 after 14 days of treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusions RvE1 and RvD2 were detected in periapical tissues from teeth with root canal infections. Moreover, calcium hydroxide medication did not increase the levels of resolvins in apical periodontitis. In contrast, the use of NAC intracanal medication significantly increased the levels of RvE1 and RvD2 after 14 days of treatment.

This study aimed at evaluating the volume of gaps and voids, and the total porosity percentage of three calcium‐silicate‐based materials in mandibular molars apicoectomy by Micro‐CT analysis. Thirty‐three mesial roots of extracted human mandibular molars were instrumented and obturated. The apical 3mm of each root was resected and prepared. Root‐end cavities were filled with EndoSequence BC Putty (BC); ProRoot MTA (MTA) and Biodentine (BIO). Samples were scanned using a Micro‐CT scanner and the tridimensional images reconstructed. Percentage of gaps (VG%) and of voids (VV%) were obtained. Porosity percentage (Po%) was also assessed. Data were analysed using Student’s t‐test (P < 0.05). All materials presented gaps and voids. VG% was 2.006 (BC), 1.882 (MTA) and 1.450 (BIO), and VV% was 0.039 (BC), 0.021 (MTA) and 0.024 (BIO) with no statistical difference. Po% were 56.73 (BC), 51.94 (MTA) and 50.45 (BIO), with BC being statistically (P > 0.05) more porous.

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This study aimed at evaluating volumetrically gaps and voids of calcium-silicate based materials of different generations and handling properties (BC—Endosequence BC RRM-Fast Set Condensable Putty, MTA—ProRoot MTA, and BIO—Biodentine) in simulated furcal perforations in an ex vivo setup by microcomputed tomography (Micro-CT) analysis. Thirty-six extracted human mandibular molars with sound furcation areas were selected. Standardized perforations were created in the furcation area of the pulp chamber using #4 diamond burs. The specimens were randomly assigned to three groups (BC, MTA and BIO; n = 12). Samples were then scanned (SkyScan 1172; Bruker-microCT, Kontich, Belgium), and three-dimensional (3D) images reconstructed. The relative volume of gaps (VG%) and voids (VV%) present on each material was calculated. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s HSD test (p < 0.05). Mean VG% for BC, MTA, and BIO groups were, respectively, 0.513%, 1.128%, 1.460%, with BC presenting statistically (p < 0.05) fewer gaps formation than the other groups. Mean VV% were, respectively, 0.018%, 0.037%, and 0.065%. The was no statistical difference regarding VV%. There were no gap-free and void-free samples. BC group had the lowest VG% among the groups with a significant statistical difference (p < 0.05).