The present study evaluated the in vitro effects of different application techniques of citric acid on dentin root surfaces. Ten freshly extracted, periodontally involved teeth were obtained and 4 dentin slabs, approximately 4 x 6 x 2 mm, were obtained from the roots of each tooth, for a total of 40 slabs. These slabs were identified by tooth and preserved in 1:1 anhydrous glycerol/absolute alcohol solution. Citric acid pH 1 was applied to 32 of the slabs for 5 minutes with one of 4 different techniques: 1) immersion; 2) placed with a saturated cotton pellet with no rubbing; 3) placed and burnished with a saturated cotton pellet; or 4) applied with a camel hair brush. The remaining 8 dentin slabs were used as negative control specimens, root-planed and non-acid treated. Following the various treatments, the slabs were fixed, dehydrated, critical point dried, and coated for scanning electron microscopic (SEM) evaluation. Scanning photomicrographs were obtained at 2,000, 6,000, and 40,000 magnifications. The surface characteristics of the treated dentin slabs were evaluated descriptively regarding the degree of fiber exposure; the number of exposed tubules and the surface area occupied by tubule orifices were also measured. Friedman's 2-way analysis for block designs was employed. Results demonstrated that root-planed, non-acid treated specimens had an amorphous, irregular surface which corresponded to a smear layer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different irrigation solutions used in photon-initiated photoacoustic streaming (PIPS) or conventional needle irrigation (CNI) for eradication of Enterococcus faecalis from artificial root canals. Altogether, 240 artificial root canal samples were included. The models were split and incubated for 2 days to allow formation of E. faecalis biofilm. The models were randomly divided into two groups (n = 120): CNI and laser-activated irrigation (LAI). Each group was divided into six subgroups according to different irrigation solutions: distilled water, 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2% NaOCl, 5.25% NaOCl, MTAD, and chlorhexidine, respectively. After irrigation, half of the samples (n = 10) were assessed immediately, and the other half of the samples (n = 10) were incubated for 6 hr. Bacterial suspensions were obtained from all samples before and after irrigation, and after incubation, and were quantified adenosine 5 0 -triphosphate (ATP) assay kit. The biofilms were examined using fluorescent microscopy and analyzed by Image Pro Plus software. Significant reduction of ATP, average fluorescence density after irrigation, and growth after incubation was obtained in LAI group than in CNI group (p < .05).LAI can improve bacteriostasis effect of 2% NaOCl (p < .05). PIPS improved the antibacterial effect of the 2% NaOCl used in root canal therapy.

Objective Regulated cell death is key in the pathogenesis of persistent apical periodontitis. Here, we investigated the mechanisms of regulated cell death in osteoblast‐like MG63 cells infected with Enterococcus faecalis OG1RF. Materials and methods MG63 cells were infected with live E. faecalis OG1RF at the indicated multiplicity of infection for the indicated infection time. We evaluated the cells by flow cytometry, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling assay and lactate dehydrogenase release analysis; measured the activity of caspase‐1/‐3/‐8/‐9 and the release of interleukin‐1β; and determined the expression of apoptosis‐associated proteins and gasdermin D by apoptosis antibody array and Western blotting. Results Enterococcus faecalis OG1RF reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential of the infected cells, increased the percentage of apoptotic and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling‐positive cells, and enhanced lactate dehydrogenase release. The expression of caspase‐3 and survivin and the activity of caspase‐3/‐8/‐9 were upregulated, while the expression of death receptor 6 was downregulated. The activity of caspase‐1/gasdermin D and the release of interleukin‐1β remained unaltered. Conclusion Enterococcus faecalis OG1RF induced both intrinsic and extrinsic MG63 cell apoptosis via caspase‐3/‐8/‐9 activation but did not activate the pyroptotic pathway regulated by caspase‐1/gasdermin D.