To assess whether access cavity design influences the fracture strength of endodontically treated and restored molars. Fifty human lower molars with standard crown dimensions were selected and assigned to the following groups: S – positive control (healthy tooth), ET – negative control (conventional endodontic access (CEA) and no restoration), NI – negative control (minimally invasive endodontic access (MEA) and no restoration), ETR (CEA + restoration with Bulkfill flow) and NIR (MEA + restoration with Bulkfill flow). The specimens were subjected to a compression test. The teeth were inspected for the site of fracture: either pulp floor or cusp. ANOVA, followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison test (α = 5%), was used for statistical analysis. The type of access cavity preparation did not increase the fracture strength of endodontically treated teeth. Even with the restoration, all teeth with endodontic access performed had a higher incidence of fractures at the pulp chamber floor level.

The presence of endotoxin inside the root canal has been associated with periapical inflammation, bone resorption and symptomatic conditions. Objectives To determine, in vitro, the effect of QMix® and other three root canal irrigants in reducing the endotoxin content in root canals.Material and Methods Root canals of single-rooted teeth were prepared. Samples were detoxified with Co-60 irradiation and inoculated with E. coli LPS (24 h, at 37°C). After that period, samples were divided into 4 groups, according to the irrigation solution tested: QMix®, 17% EDTA, 2% chlorhexidine solution (CHX), and 3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). LPS quantification was determined by Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay. The initial counting of endotoxins for all samples, and the determination of LPS levels in non-contaminated teeth and in contaminated teeth exposed only to non-pyrogenic water, were used as controls.Results QMix® reduced LPS levels, with a median value of 1.11 endotoxins units (EU)/mL (p<0.001). NaOCl (25.50 EU/mL), chlorhexidine (44.10 EU/mL) and positive control group (26.80 EU/mL) samples had similar results. Higher levels were found with EDTA (176.00 EU/mL) when compared to positive control (p<0.001). There was no significant difference among EDTA, NaOCl and CHX groups. Negative control group (0.005 EU/mL) had statistically significant lower levels of endotoxins when compared to all test groups (p<0.001).Conclusion QMix® decreased LPS levels when compared to the other groups (p<0.001). 3% NaOCl, 2% CHX and 17% EDTA were not able to significantly reduce the root canal endotoxins load.

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Objetivo: avaliar a ação antimicrobiana, pH e capacidade de dissolução tecidual promovida por hipoclorito de sódio (NaOCl) 2,5%, nas formas líquida e gel. Métodos: O gel de NaOCl 2,5% foi produzido a partir de base coloidal. Os grupos testes foram NaOCl 2,5% gel e solução e os grupos controle incluíram a base gel e água destilada. A ação antimicrobiana foi avaliada por meio de método de diluição em caldo, frente a Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) após 15 e 30 segundos, e também a 1, 5 e 10 minutos. Para o teste de diluição tecidual, 35 fragmentos de polpa bovina (sendo 10 para cada grupo teste e 5 para o grupo controle) foram pesadas antes e após a exposição aos auxiliares químicos. O percentual de massa final de cada fragmento foi calculada. O pH dos auxiliares químicos foi medido em pHmetro digital, em triplicata. Resultados: Valores de pH iguais a 13,08 e 9,75 foram observados para solução e para o gel de NaOCl, respectivamente. A ação antimicrobiana do NaOCl foi a mesma para o gel e a solução, em todos os períodos testados. Maior capacidade de dissolução tecidual foi obtida no grupo onde se utilizou a solução de NaOCl 2,5% (Testes de Kruskal-Wallis e Student-Newman-Keuls, P<0,0001). Conclusões: A apresentação na forma de gel ou de líquido do NaOCl 2,5% não modificou a ação antimicrobiana em qualquer um dos períodos testados. Porém, o gel de NaOCl 2,5% não demonstrou capacidade de dissolução tecidual.

Aim: To analyze the root canal organic tissue dissolution capacity promoted by irrigating solutions, with or without the use of different agitation techniques. Methods: Bovine pulp tissue fragments were initially weighed. The following irrigating solutions were tested: 2.5% sodium hypochlorite, 2% chlorhexidine digluconate solution, and distilled water. The irrigating protocols were: immersion, mechanical agitation with endodontic files, and ultrasonic or sonic systems (Endoactivactor® and Easy Clean®). At the end of the protocols, the pulps were weighed to determine their final weight. For comparison, the average percentage of tissue dissolution in relation to the groups was analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test complemented by multiple comparisons test. The significance level was set at 5%. Results: Among the irrigation solutions, 2.5% sodium hypochlorite showed a higher dissolving power than 2% chlorhexidine digluconate and distilled water. Furthermore, ultrasonic and sonic systems were more effective irrigating protocols than immersion and mechanical agitation with endodontic files. Conclusions: The combination of sodium hypochlorite with an agitation system promotes a greater degree of tissue degradation.