Introduction The aim of this study was to evaluate using SEM analysis the effectiveness of a new instrument XP-endo Finisher in cleaning root canal walls after instrumentation with BioRaCe NiTi rotary instruments. Material and Methods This in vitro study was conducted on 30 extracted single rooted teeth divided in two groups. Instrumentation of all canals was done using basic BioRaCe NiTi rotary instruments with copious irrigation of 2% NaOCl. In the first group, after complete instrumentation smear layer was removed using XP-endo Finisher, while the other group served as negative control. The roots were then after longitudinally cut and SEM analysis was performed. The presence of smear layer in the coronal, middle and apical third was assessed. The data were statistically analyzed using Mann-Whitney U-test (p<0.05). Results The results showed that average value of smear layer on the canal walls in the XP-endo Finisher group was significantly lower than in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion XP-endo Finisher after canal instrumentation with NiTi rotary instruments effectively cleaned canal walls and removed smear layer.

Summary Dental anxiety might be the cause of serious health problems. Avoiding dental visits can lead to complications with functional, esthetic and sociological consequences. In order to have a simple and efficient dental procedure, it is very important to diagnose dental anxiety and to react adequately. The aim of this paper is using available literature to present most frequent causes, consequences as well as treatment options for dental anxiety. Treating dental anxiety and choosing the right treatment is not always easy, however, it is important for dental practitioners to be able to assess patient’s behavior, possible causes of such behavior and select adequate therapy methods. Individual approach is very important as well as timely recognition and gradation of dental anxiety in order to apply adequate and successful dental treatment.

Introduction/Objective The application of nickel-titanium (NiTi) instruments in cleaning and shaping of the root canal system is a standard and a precondition for the success of endodontic treatment. The objective of this study was to use scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis in order to examine the efficiency of cleaning the apical third of the root canal system using two different NiTi systems with reciprocating movements. Methods The study included 20 single-rooted teeth (premolars) divided into two groups. In group 1, the canal preparation was realized with a single file UNICONE with reciprocating movements (MEDIN, Inc., Nové Město na Moravě, Czech Republic), and in group 2, with а RECIPROC BLUE instrument with reciprocating movements (VDW GmbH, Munich, Germany). The same quantities of 2% NaOCl solution and 17% EDTA solution were used as irrigation solutions. The samples prepared for SEM analysis of the smear layer in the apical third were evaluated on a scale of 1-5 and at a magnification of 1,000×. Results SEM analysis pointed to mostly clean canal walls in the apical segment in both tested groups. Slightly cleaner walls were observed after the application of the UNICONE file (78%) compared to the samples of the second group, where the instrumentation was realized by the RECIPROC BLUE file (76%), but without statistically significant differences. Conclusion Single-file reciprocating systems do not remove the smear layer completely, but provide efficient cleaning of the apical region of the canal.

Introduction The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of new rotary NiTi instrument XP endo SHAPER (XPS) used with conventional irrigation protocol on the root canal cleaning in the apical area. Material and methods The research was conducted in vitro on 40 extracted single-rooted teeth divided into the four groups. Instrumentation in the first group was performed using iRa Ce NiTi rotary instruments, in the second group the same instruments were used plus XP endo FINISHER (XPF) for smear layer removal. In the third group, canal instrumentation was done using new instrument XPS, and in the fourth XPS instruments plus XPF was used. During the instrumentation 2% NaOCl solution was used for rinsing canals. The SEM analysis of the cleaning quality in the apical third of the canal was performed on longitudinal root cross-sections and standardized microphotography with a 2000x magnification. Results The thickest smear layer in the apical third was recorded in the first group (iRa Ce) NiTi instruments (2.12), and somewhat less in the group with the new XPS instrument (1.95). An identical and somewhat smaller amount of smear layer was registered in the second and fourth groups where XPF was used with the final irrigant (1.64) (p<0.001). Conclusion The application of only one instrument (XPS) in the canal enabled efficient cleaning of a very complex apical third. Cleaning was more efficient when XPF was used with final irrigant after the canal instrumentation.

Introduction/Objective The objective of this study is to use scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to analyze working surfaces of new manual and rotary endodontic instruments and to check possible existence of manufacture dirt particles or defects on the working surface. Methods In this study, we used three sets of new manual instruments: K-File, KF (Dentsply Maillefer, Switzerland) and Hedstorm Files, HF (SybronEndo Co, USA) and three sets of mechanical Ni-Ti instruments-type K3 (SybronEndo Co, USA) and BioRaCe (FKG DENTAIRE Swiss Dental Products, Switzerland). The instruments were analyzed using SEM method at 170 × magnification while semi-quantitative energy dispersive x-ray analysis was used to determine chemical composition of dirt particles. Fisher test (p < 0.05) was applied in statistical analysis. Results Results showed that none of the instruments were defect-free. The most common defect type was the presence of metal strips, which were noticed at the surface of all tested instruments. Debris was present on all manual and only one type of mechanical instruments, K3 (39% in the apical and 33% in the middle third). Fretting was noticed in all manual KF and all mechanical instruments of the K3 group. Pitting was common in all manual instruments, KF (33% in the apical and 39% in the middle third) and HF (11% in the apical and 6% in the middle third). Corrosion of the working surface, metal flash, and disruption of the cutting edge were marked only in the KF group. Conclusion Manufacture defects were noticed in all instruments and the most common type of irregularity were metal strips. Electropolished surface of BioRaCe instruments showed no debris of organic origin.