Postoperative pain was significantly lower in patients undergoing root canal instrumentation with the Wave-One file compared with the ProTaper Universal and hand files.

The aim of the present study was to compare the antibacterial effect of calcium hydroxide (CH), triantibiotic mixture (TAM), and CH in combination with chlorhexidine (CHX), sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) or colchicine (COL) against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) in surface and deep dentinal tubules. Seventy five fresh single-rooted human teeth were infected and divided into five experimental groups (n=15). The experimental groups were treated with CH+distilled water, CH+CHX, CH+NaOCl, CH+COL+distilled water and TAM+distilled water. Dentin chips obtained from surface and deep dentin of these root canals were prepared and analyzed by counting the number of colony forming units. There was significant difference between groups in the surface dentin (p<0.05). TAM showed higher antibacterial activity compared to CH-containing groups. There was no significant difference between TAM and CH-containing groups in the deep dentin (p>0.05). CH-containing medications and TAM can be used as effective disinfectants in treatment of infected root canals.

PurposeThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the measurement accuracy of endodontic file length on periapical digital radiography after application of noise reduction digital enhancement.Materials and MethodsThirty-five human single-rooted permanent teeth with canals measuring 20-24 mm in length were selected. ISO #08 endodontic files were placed in the root canals of the teeth. The file lengths were measured with a digital caliper as the standard value. Standard periapical digital images were obtained using the Digora digital radiographic system and a dental X-ray unit. In order to produce the enhanced images, the noise reduction option was applied. Two blinded radiologists measured the file lengths on the original and enhanced images. The measurements were compared by repeated measures ANOVA and the Bonferroni test (α=0.05).ResultsBoth the original and enhanced digital images provided significantly longer measurements compared with the standard value (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the measurement accuracy of the original and enhanced images (P>0.05).ConclusionNoise reduction digital enhancement did not influence the measurement accuracy of the length of the thin endodontic files on the digital periapical radiographs despite the fact that noise reduction could result in the elimination of fine details of the images.

The aim of this ex vivo study was to evaluate the effect of using a patency file on apical transportation and curve straightening during canal instrumentation with the ProTaper rotary system. Seventy permanent mandibular first molars with mesiobuccal canals, measuring 18–23 mm in length and with a 25–40° curvature (according to the Schneider method), were selected. The working lengths were determined and the teeth were mounted and divided into two experimental groups: (A) prepared by the ProTaper system without using a patency file (n = 35) and (B) prepared by the ProTaper system using a patency file (n = 35). Radiographs taken before and after the preparation were imported into Photoshop software and the apical transportation, and curve straightening were measured. Data were analyzed using independent t-test. Partial correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between the initial curvature, transportation, and curve straightening (α = 0.05). Using a patency file during canal preparation significantly decreased both apical transportation and curve straightening (P < 0.001). There were significant relationships between the angle of curvature, transportation and curve straightening in pairs (P < 0.001). Apical patency is recommended during root canal preparation with the ProTaper rotary system.

Changing the injection site anteropos-teriorly did not influence the success rate of the AMSA nerve block injection.