PA 1% with a low concentration of hydrogen peroxide yielded a lower amount of smear layer and a larger number of open dentin tubules in the dentin of the post space when compared with PA 1% with a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide, despite maintaining a similar oxygen concentration in these dentin residues.

Desensitizers promote dentin obliteration, however, may affect dentin bonding.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects when acid etching on the dentin surface was immediately performed (I) or 7 days (D) after calcium silicate-based sealer (MTA Fillapex) removal, using 95% ethanol (E) or xylol (X). First study, 60 bovine incisor dentin specimens were impregnated with sealer and divided into six groups (n = 10): (EI), E + I; (XI), X + I; (ED), E + D; (XD), X + D, (UN), untreated and (MR), mechanical removal of sealer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images (500×) were obtained from each specimen and scores assessed the sealer residues persistence. Second study, 60 specimens were similarly treated; however, the specimens were restored with composite resin after the removal protocols. Hybrid layer formation was evaluated using confocal laser microscopy (1,024×). Third study, 60 specimens were similarly obtained and subjected to micro-shear test to evaluate the effects of removal protocols on the bond strength of etch-and- rinse adhesive system to dentin. XI showed the highest persistence of sealer residues (p < .05), similar to MR (p > .05). EI showed the greatest hybrid layer extension, except in relation to UN (p < .05). XI and MR presented the lowest bond strength adhesive system to dentin (p < .05). Acid etching immediately after calcium silicate-based endodontic sealer removal using xylol presented the highest residues persistence and negatively affected the adhesive interface between dentin and etch-and-rinse adhesive system.

SUMMARY Objective: To evaluate the effects of mechanical versus chemical cleaning protocols for cleaning the root dentin surface before cementation of fiberglass posts for their effect on the bond strength, failure mode, and dentinal penetration of the cementing agent using an etch-and-rinse adhesive system on dentin prepared to receive a fiberglass post. Methods: Forty roots of bovine teeth were endodontically treated and prepared for fiber post cementation. The specimens were randomized into 4 groups of 10: Control group (CO) - irrigation with 2.5% NaOCl; DW group- irrigation with distilled water; RB group - rotating brush for cleaning root canals, and CUI group - continuous ultrasonic irrigation. The fiberglass posts were cemented, and the specimens were immersed in distilled water for 6 months. A push-out test was performed on the cervical, middle, and apical thirds of the samples. Dentinal penetration of the cementing agent and the fracture pattern were evaluated by laser confocal microscopy. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc Tukey tests (α=0.05). Results: The RB and CUI groups showed significantly higher bond strength values when compared to the Control and DW groups (p&lt;0.05). In addition, in the control and DW groups, the apical third presented lower bond strength values when compared to middle and cervical thirds. Conclusion: While DW showed the highest incidence of adhesive type failure, CUI resulted in the highest dentinal penetration of the cementing agent (p&lt;0.05). RB and CUI resulted in the highest bond strength between cementation system and root dentin. In addition, CUI favored greater dentinal penetration of fiberglass post cementing agent.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced the routine of healthcare workers. This study investigated the impact of the pandemic on dental practice and dentists’ feelings in Latin America. Methods: A survey was conducted with dentists from 11 Spanish-speaking Latin American countries in September–December 2020. Professionals were invited by email and via an open campaign promoted on social media. The questions investigated dental care routines, practice changes, and feelings about the pandemic. Descriptive statistics were used to identify frequencies and distributions of variables. Proportions were compared using chi-square tests. Results A total of 2127 responses were collected from a sample with diverse demographic, sex, work, and education characteristics. The impact of COVID-19 was considered high/very high by 60% of respondents. The volume of patients assisted weekly was lower compared with the pre-pandemic period (mean reduction = 14 ± 15 patients). A high rate of fear to contracting the COVID-19 at work was observed (85%); 4.9% of participants had a positive COVID-19 test. The main professional challenges faced by respondents were reduction in the number of patients or financial gain (35%), fear of contracting COVID-19 (34%), and burden with or difficulty in purchasing new personal protective equipment (22%). The fear to contracting COVID-19 was influenced by the number of weekly appointments. A positive test by the dentists was associated with their reports of having assisted COVID-19 patients. The most cited feelings about the pandemic were uncertainty, fear, worry, anxiety, and stress. Negative feelings were more prevalent for professionals who did not receive training for COVID-19 preventive measures and those reporting higher levels of fear to contract the disease. Conclusion This multi-country survey indicated a high impact of the pandemic on dental care routines in Latin America. A massive prevalence of bad feelings was associated with the pandemic.

Aim:This study aimed to evaluate the cleaning protocol of dentin impregnated with epoxy resin-based sealer (AH Plus) and the effects on the adhesive interface using 95% ethanol (E) or formamide solution (F) associated with microabrasion with glass microparticles (M).Methodology:Forty dentin specimens were impregnated with sealer (AH Plus). Specimens were cleansed according to the following protocols (n = 10): G1 (E); G2 (F); G3 (E = M); and G4 (F = M). No treatment was performed in G5 (control). Specimens were subjected to standard error of the mean to evaluate the residues persistence (×500) and open dentinal tubules counting (×2000). Another fifty specimens were subjected to similar procedures and cleaning protocols. Seven days later, composite-resin-made specimens were performed on dentin using etch-and-rinse adhesive system, then submitted to microshear test.Results:G2 and G4 showed higher residues' persistence and lower incidence of open dentinal tubules than G1 and G3 (P < 0.05). No difference was found between G1 and G3 or G2 and G4 (P > 0.05). Adhesive system bond strength was similar in all groups (P > 0.05).Conclusions:Microabrasion negatively affected the epoxy resin-based sealer residues' removal protocols' action; all groups presented residues on the dentin surface. However, 7 days later, the protocols did not affect the bond strength of adhesive system to sealer-impregnated dentin.

El objetivo de esta revisión, fue describir de una manera sencilla las principales características de la Fibrina Rica en Plaquetas (FRP), su composición, propiedades y aplicación clínica. La FRP, biomaterial autógeno y concen- trado plaquetario de segunda generación, es una matriz de fibrina que contiene leucocitos, plaquetas y factores de crecimiento, que son necesarios para los procesos de cicatrización, lo que brinda a este biomaterial, una gran utilidad en diversas áreas de la salud, incluyendo la odontología. Con esta revisión concluimos que la FRP es una alternativa real para mejorar la cicatrización de procedimientos quirúrgicos y potenciar otros biomateriales regenerativos en diversas áreas de la odontología, además de su accesibilidad y bajo costo.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of cleansing protocols to remove sealer residues using different cleaning strategies and the effect of bond strength of two universal adhesives to dentin impregnated with epoxy resinbased sealer.Materials and Methods: Fifty bovine dentin specimens were impregnated with epoxy resin-based sealer containing calcium hydroxide (Sealer Plus) and submitted to cleansing protocols (n = 10): negative control (NC), positive control (PC), 95% ethanol (ET), xylol (XI), and amyl acetate (AA). Specimens were evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Other 100 specimens were submitted to the same protocols (n = 20). Each protocol was divided into subgroups (n = 10) according to the universal adhesive system used: Scotchbond Universal (SU); Ambar Universal (AU). Bond strength was evaluated by micro-shear bond test (μSBT). Persistence of residues data were assessed with Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's tests. μSBT data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA (α = 5%).Results: ET presented higher persistence of residues compared to AA and XI (p < 0.05). AA and XI were similar from each other (p > 0.05). AU and SU presented similar μSBT values, regardless of the cleansing solution (p > 0.05). SU-NC presented the highest μSBT among all conditions (p < 0.05). Conclusion:The bond strength of universal adhesives was not affected by different amounts of sealer residues after different cleaning protocols.Clinical Significance: Non-polar substances such as amyl acetate and xylol are effective for removing residues from epoxy resin-based endodontic sealers.