Nakamura VC, Pinheiro ET, Prado LC, Silveira AC, Carvalho APL, Mayer MPA, Gavini G. Effect of ultrasonic activation on the reduction of bacteria and endotoxins in root canals: a randomized clinical trial. Journal, 51, e12-e22, 2018. Aim This randomized clinical trial aimed to compare the effectiveness of ultrasonic activation with that of nonactivated irrigation on the removal of bacteria and endotoxin from root canals. Methodology Fifty patients with necrotic pulps and asymptomatic apical periodontitis were randomly allocated into two groups according to the final irrigation protocol after root canal preparation: Group UIultrasonic irrigation (n = 25) and Group NI -needle irrigation (n = 25). The root canals were medicated with calcium hydroxide for 14 days. Microbiological sampling was performed before (S1) and after the root canal preparation (S2), after the irrigation protocols (S3) and after the removal of the intracanal medication (S4). Total bacteria counts were determined by qPCR and the endotoxin levels by the limulus amebocyte lysate assay. Intragroup analyses were performed using the Wilcoxon test for related samples, whereas intergroup analyses were performed using the MannWhitney U-test (P < 0.05). Results All S1 samples were positive for bacteria, with median numbers of 1.49 9 10 6 and 8.55 9 10 5 bacterial cells for the UI and NI groups, respectively. This number significantly decreased in S2 samples (UI: 1.41 9 10 4 ; NI: 3.53 9 10 4 ; both with P < 0.001). After final irrigation protocols, there was a significant decrease in bacterial load from S2 to S3 samples in both groups (UI: 4.29 9 10 3 ; NI: International Endodontic1.08 9 10 4 ; P < 0.01). Intergroup analysis revealed a significant difference between irrigation methods regarding bacterial counts in S3 samples (P < 0.05). In contrast, no significant differences were observed between groups for endotoxin levels (P > 0.05). Conclusions Ultrasonic activation was more effective than nonactivated irrigation for reducing the number of bacteria but not the endotoxin levels in root canals of teeth with apical periodontitis.

New tools for activating endodontic irrigants have evolved, yet their impact on root canal disinfection, in comparison to the passive placing of an inter-visit medication, have not yet been fully elucidated. The use of DNA- and rRNA-based methods may cast some new light on this issue, as they allow a comparison to be made between microbial presence and activity. Therefore, the aim of this single-arm intervention trial is to evaluate the antibacterial effect of endodontic procedures using both molecular methods. Root canal samples were obtained from 20 patients with asymptomatic apical periodontitis after each treatment step: access cavity, chemo-mechanical preparation, adjunctive procedures (XP-endo Finisher file and passive ultrasonic irrigation), calcium hydroxide medication, and 2nd-visit root canal preparation. DNA and cDNA from the samples were subjected to quantitative polymerase chain reaction with universal primers for the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Chemo-mechanical preparation promoted a drastic reduction in bacterial levels and activity, whereas the adjunctive procedures did not make a significant contribution to further disinfection. At the 2nd visit, bacteria were active after the use of calcium hydroxide medication; however, they were significantly reduced after a 2nd-visit preparation. Consequently, the lowest bacterial levels were found at the end of the treatment. This clinical trial, which used an rRNA and rDNA combined approach, confirmed previous studies showing that root canal preparation represents the main strategy for root canal disinfection.

This study evaluated pH and release of calcium, sodium and phosphate ions from different medications in human dentin. Fifty premolars were prepared and randomly divided into groups: (CHX) - 2% chlorhexidine gel; (CHX + CH) - CHX + calcium hydroxide PA; (CH) - CH + propylene glycol 600; (NPBG) - experimental niobium phosphate bioactive glass + distilled water; (BG) - bioactive glass (Bio-Gran) + distilled water. The specimens were immersed in deionized water and the pH variations were measured. The quantification of ions in the solutions was made by inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP/AES) at 10 min, 24 h, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days. The results were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey`s test, with a significance level of 5%. CH had the highest level of calcium ions release at 30 days, while CHX and BG released more sodium ions. BG, NPBG and CHX released a higher amount of phosphate ions. The pH of CH was significantly higher compared with the other groups. CH favored the greatest increase of pH and calcium ions release. The bioactive glasses released more sodium and phosphate ions and presented an alkaline pH immediately and after 30 days.

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Objectives. To evaluate the influence of dentine on the pH of different medications in standardized simulated canals. Materials and Methods. Forty resin blocks were divided into groups with and without dentine powder, as follows: 2% chlorhexidine gel; 2% chlorhexidine gel associated with calcium hydroxide PA; calcium hydroxide PA delivered in propylene glycol 600; and NPG delivered in distilled water. The dentine powder was obtained from the root dentine of bovine teeth and added to the medications. The simulated canals were placed in containers with 1.5 mL of deionized water and pH was monitored in multiple intervals, up to 30 days. The mean pH values were calculated and submitted to statistical analysis using paired Student's t-test and ANOVA complemented by the Tukey test (p < 0.05). Results. There was no statistical difference between the groups with and without dentine powder (p > 0.05). The pH values of calcium hydroxide were significantly higher than those of NPG in the first 24 hours (p < 0.05). After 7 days, both behaved in a similar manner. Conclusion. The addition of dentine powder to the medications evaluated did not alter the pH of the external solution in any of the time points tested.