Irrigation of human prepared root canal – ex vivo based computational fluid dynamics analysis

Abstract

AimTo analyze the influence of the needle type, insertion depth, and irrigant flow rate on irrigant flow pattern, flow velocity, and apical pressure by ex-vivo based endodontic irrigation computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis.MethodsHuman upper canine root canal was prepared using rotary files. Contrast fluid was introduced in the root canal and scanned by computed tomography (CT) providing a three-dimensional object that was exported to the computer-assisted design (CAD) software. Two probe points were established in the apical portion of the root canal model for flow velocity and pressure measurement. Three different CAD models of 27G irrigation needles (closed-end side-vented, notched open-end, and bevel open-end) were created and placed at 25, 50, 75, and 95% of the working length (WL). Flow rates of 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 mL/s were simulated. A total of 60 irrigation simulations were performed by CFD fluid flow solver.ResultsClosed-end side-vented needle required insertion depth closer to WL, regarding efficient irrigant replacement, compared to open-end irrigation needle types, which besides increased velocity produced increased irrigant apical pressure. For all irrigation needle types and needle insertion depths, the increase of flow rate was followed by an increased irrigant apical pressure.ConclusionsThe human root canal shape obtained by CT is applicable in the CFD analysis of endodontic irrigation. All the analyzed values –irrigant flow pattern, velocity, and pressure – were influenced by irrigation needle type, as well as needle insertion depth and irrigant flow rate.

Positive and negative pressure irrigation in oval root canals with apical ramifications: a computational fluid dynamics evaluation in micro‐CT scanned real teeth

“…Nonetheless, this characterization may be difficult and most techniques and methodologies both in vivo and in laboratory studies are not able to provide an extensive understanding of irrigation parameters. For this reason and in order to avoid human error, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has gained strength in the last decade (Gao et al , Boutsioukis et al , ,b,c, , Shen et al , Snjari et al ). Studies on CFD have analysed the influence of several factors during irrigation, such as the irrigation flow rate (Boutsioukis et al ), the type of needle (Gao et al ), taper and diameter of the root canal (Boutsioukis et al ) or the depth of needle insertion (Boutsioukis et al ).…”

Cementing an Implant Crown: A Novel Measurement System Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Approach

“…The files were exported to a commercial CFD software (STAR‐CCM+) for reprocessing. The STAR‐CCM+ software has already been used in dentistry, evaluating endodontic irrigation techniques . A polyhedral mesh was developed, utilizing the overset meshing technology available in STAR‐CCM+ software to simulate the motion of the crown over the implant .…”

“…The STAR-CCM+ software has already been used in dentistry, evaluating endodontic irrigation techniques. 22 A polyhedral mesh was developed, utilizing the overset meshing technology available in STAR-CCM+ software to simulate the motion of the crown over the implant. 28 The approach used allows for relative movement of implant and crown without requiring morphing of the mesh.…”

“…In medicine, these have been applied to the study of the cardiovascular system and enabled the evaluation of specific parameters, such as the velocity distribution of blood flow in the aorta, wall pressure, and wall shear stress on the aortic wall, which are very difficult to measure in vivo . Recently, CFD has been used to show turbulence in the root canal during irrigation with different injection velocities . No information of cement flow characteristics of cement‐retained implant crown system has been studied.…”

“…19 Recently, CFD has been used to show turbulence in the root canal during irrigation with different injection velocities. [20][21][22] No information of cement flow characteristics of cementretained implant crown system has been studied. The purpose of this study was to evaluate cement flow in a cement-retained implant system and modeled flow using three-dimensional multiphysics numerical simulation software (STAR-CCM+, CD-adapco, Melville, NY, USA).…”