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Background and objectives: Pulp stones are hard tissue structures formed in the pulp of permanent and deciduous teeth. Few studies have evaluated their morphology and chemical composition. However, their formation, composition, configuration and role played in overall health status are still unclear. Clinically, they may be symptomatic; technically, they impede access during endodontic therapy, increasing the risk of treatment errors. Thus, this study aimed to morphologically analyze pulp stones and present their chemical quantification, identifying their main chemical elements. It also correlates the results with their possible induction mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Seven pulp nodules were collected from molar teeth needing endodontic treatment. The morphology of the stones was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and their chemical composition was determined by X-ray dispersive energy spectroscopy (EDX). Results: These structures varied considerably in shape, size and topography. The site of the stones in the pulp cavity was the factor that most affected the morphology. The majority of the stones found in the pulp chambers presented nodular morphology, while those in the root canals presented a diffuse shape, resembling root canal anatomy. The topography of the nodules showed heterogeneous relief, revealing smooth and compact areas contrasting with the rugged and porous ones. The chemical composition varied depending on the location of the nodule in the pulp cavity and the relief of the analyzed area. Radicular stones presented considerably lower calcium and phosphorus content than coronary nodules. Conclusions: The high cellularity rate of the coronal pulp predisposes this region to nodular mineralizations around injured cells. The presence of larger caliber vascular bundles and higher collagen fiber content in radicular pulp determines a diffuse morphological pattern in this region. Understanding the morphology and chemical composition of the pulp stones allows future translational pathways towards the prevention or treatment of such conditions.

Introduction: Denticles are mineralized formations found in the dental pulp of deciduous and permanent dentition. Topographically, they can be classified as free, adjacent, or intratissular. Denticles rarely occur; however, their presence is considered clinically relevant due to the difficulties they cause during endodontic treatment.The aim of this study was to describe clinical cases of denticles located in the tooth pulp chamber. Various methods for their removal are also discussed. Emphasis was placed on the diverse appearance of pulp stones in microscope-captured images and on the necessity of maintaining appropriate clinical proceduresfor highly specialized endodontic treatment, such as working with rubber dams and magnification, to avoid serious complications.Materials and methods: Four cases of molar teeth with suspected intraventricular denticles were subjected to specialised endodontic treatment. Removal procedures were performed in aseptic conditions after dental dam placement and with the use of a dental operative microscope. To remove denticles, carbide long shank rose burs, Munce Discovery Burs, and an ultrasonic device with tips for finishing canal access and locating their orifices were used. Following preparation of a straight line access, the canals were chemically and mechanically cleaned and shaped according to accepted standards of modern endodontics. After obturation of the canal system, control radiographs were performed. Results: During all treatments, the denticles were removed completely, allowing further preparation and obturation of the entire canal system.Conclusions: Removal of denticles from the pulp chamber is a complicated, difficult procedure, requiring knowledge of the anatomy of the root canal system, professional operation skills, magnification of the operating site, and appropriate equipment. Such preparation allows clinicians to avoid potential complications such as perforation and/or excessive weakening of the tooth structure due to excessive removal of hard tissues.

Introduction. Successful endodontic treatment is affected by a number of factors associated with the disinfection and filling of the root canal. The chemical-mechanical root canal preparation consists in a thorough removal of any content from the pulp space, including inflamed pulp, bacteria, as well as canal filling materials. Aim. The aim of the study was to analyse the efficacy of the XP-endo Finisher and the Brush-Finisher on the removal of a calcium hydroxide dressing. Material and Methods. The study was conducted using extracted single-rooted human teeth prepared according to sample standardization. Calcium hydroxide with iodoform was inserted into the canals. After two weeks, canal cleaning was performed with the use of 2% sodium hypochlorite solution and both finisher files. A conventional endodontic needle and syringe (SNI) were used in the control group. Following rinsing activation, two projection radiographs were performed and uploaded to software developed specifically for the study. The graphic files were evaluated in terms of the remaining amount of dressing. In order to analyse whether the percentage of the canal area that remained untreated was statistically significant, the Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test with Dunn’s post-hoc test were employed. Results. The intracanal dressing was most effectively removed in the XP-endo Finisher group (in both projections 96.32% and 91.35%), and its removal was considerably better than that in the control group (p<0.0001), although not significantly different from the Brush-Finisher group (89.68% and 81.85%). Conclusions. Supplementary irrigant activation with either the XP-endo Finisher or the Brush-Finisher improved the removal of calcium hydroxide from the root canal walls.

The main aim of the article is presentation and operationalization of the concept of the places of the future in the context of seed banks. The future is understood here as a category of collective imagination, which means that the predicted future is an essential element of the present. The anticipated futures act reciprocally upon the social practices, both at the individual and the institution levels. Although, due to social, natural, civilizational and other reasons, the future is not fully predictable, it is semi-open, not-completely closed, it is recognized in the form of systemic thinking, which can be defined as closed. The analysis of the case of seed banks allowed revealing the inevitable gap between the future and systematic anticipation practices. The seed banks established in the face of the anticipated threat of global hunger are a tool for negotiating a possibly beneficial to people scenario for the future, conducted with non-human actors, whose actions are of probabilistic nature.