Journal of Endodontics Research

S. Huumonen, M. Lenander-Lumikari, A. Sigurdsson & D. Orstavik
NIOM, Scandinavian Institute of Dental Materials, Haslum, Norway. University of Turku, Finland.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA.

Aim.
To assess the treatment results up to 1 year after endodontic treatment of apical periodontitis using a silicone-based sealer in comparison with Grossman’s sealer, and to compare the results at 3 months after treatment with the 12-month follow-up to assess the prognostic value of a 3-month control.

Results and conclusions.
Average PAI scores decreased from 3.43 at start to 2.21 at 12 months for Grossman’s sealer and from 3.40 to 2.26 for the silicon based material. No significant difference between the groups at start or any of the follow ups was seen. The 3-monthcontrolwas adequate in establishing significant healing in both groups. The improvement of the periapical condition continued at the12-monthexamination.

B. Martin, G. Zelada, P.Varela, J. G. Bahillo, F. Magaan, S. Ahn & C. Rodriguez
Division of Dental Pathology and Therapeutics, Department of Stomatology, School of Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Department of Computation, Faculty of Computer Science, University of A Coruna, Spain.

Aim.
To evaluate the effect of rotational speed and the angle and radius of curvature of root canals on the fracture of two types of nickel-titanium rotary instruments: K3 and ProTaper.

Conclusions.
Instrument fracture was associated with rotational speed and the angle of curvature of the canal.

M. Bernath & J. Szabo.
Department of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Pecs University, Pecs, Hungary.

Aim.
To analyse the type and degree of inflammatory reaction initiated by four sealers.

Conclusions.
The present study has demonstrated that sealers with different chemical compositions initiate different types of inflammatory reactions. The study revealed a good biocompatibility of Apexit and Grossman’s sealers and emphasized that root canal filling confined to the canal is an important factor in reducing periapical inflammation.

P. G. Satchell, J. L. Gutmann & D. E.Witherspoon.
Private Practice Limited to Endodontics, Houston, USA.
Private Practice Limited to Endodontics, Dallas, USA.
Private Practice Limited to Endodontics, Plano, Texas, USA.

Apoptosis plays an important role in many aspects of endodontics, yet there is a paucity of information in this regard in the endodontic literature. Apoptosis is a single deletion of scattered cells by fragmentation into membrane- bound particles that are phagocytosed by other cells. It is a key process in the embryological development of the tooth, periodontal ligament and supporting oral tissue in the progression of oral disease, bone resorption, immunological response and inflammation, and in wound healing and certain pharmacological effects. The understanding of the ability of clinical materials to induce or inhibit apoptosis and the investigation of apoptosis as it relates to the pathogenesis of pulpal and periradicular pathology may eventually lead to new treatment approaches for the endodontist. The purpose of this review is to familiarize the clinical endodontist with current knowledge on apoptosis as it relates to the pulp and periradicular tissues.

M. Aeinehchi, B.Eslami, M. Ghanbariha & A. S. Saffar
Department of Endodontics, Azad University School of Dentistry, Tehran, Iran.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Shahid Beheshti School of Dentistry, Tehran, Iran.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Isfahan School of Dentistry, Isfahan, Iran.
Shahid Beheshti School of Dentistry, Tehran, Iran.

Aim.
To compare mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) with calcium hydroxide when used as pulp-capping materials in human teeth.

Conclusions.
Although the results favour the use of MTA, more studies with larger samples and a longer follow up are suggested.