Raghad Abdulrazzaq Alhashimi

Background: Fractures of endodontic files are one of the serious concerns affecting root canal treatment prognosis. Recently, countless innovations have been presented to optimize their microstructure and flexibility, reflected in different commercial brands. However, their performance has not been evaluated in complex root canals. Aim: To evaluate and compare the resistance to cyclic fatigue of three rotary endodontic files utilizing artificial canals designed with different angles and radii of curvature. Materials and Methods: sixty rotary instruments of the following types were used. Group I: Edge endo X7; Group II: Luster dent pliancy total solution; and Group III: Race Evo FKG. Instruments in each group were constrained into two subgroups (n=20) to be examined in artificial canals having a single curvature or a double curvature. The cyclic fatigue resistance of each rotary file was tested, where the number of cycles to fracture (NCF) and the fractured segment length (FL) were recorded. Results: In both single and double curvature canals, the Edge endo X7 files (9162.50 ± 441.14 and 2210.00 ± 341.07, respectively) demonstrated significantly higher resistance to cyclic fatigue than did the Race Evo FK (3866.66 ± 410.99 and 1825.00 ± 230.17, respectively) and Luster dent pliancy total solution (7077.77 ± 1001.84 and 1257.77 ± 126.95, respectively). However, in the double canal tests, the Luster dent pliancy total solution had a greater mean NCF than the Race Evo FK. In relation to the FL, there was no statistically significant difference between any of the groups, and only the edge of the Endo X7 file was significantly different between single- and double-curvature canals (P = 0.058). Conclusion: The Edge Endo X7 rotary file demonstrated greater cyclic fatigue resistance than did the Race Evo FKG and Luster dent pliancy total solution.

The current study calculated and compared the percentage of remnant volume (PRV) after reinstrumentation using Reciproc Blue files and assessed the effect of ultrasonic activation. A total 40 palatal roots of maxillary first molars randomly assigned to four groups of 10. The samples were sectioned to a consistent 12 mm length and prepared using ProTaper Next (PTN) file system, then obturated with gutta-percha (GP) and sealer (MTA FILLAPEX or One-Fil BC). Reinstrumentation was performed using a reciprocation program with Reciproc Blue files. Irrigation time was standard, and samples were divided based on whether Ultra-X activation of the irrigant was used. A Planmeca ProMax CBCT machine was used to acquire images both before and after canal reinstrumentation. The volume of the primary obturation and the remnants after reinstrumentation were calculated by using Mimics and 3-Matic Medical program. The PRV was made for the entire canal as well as for the coronal, middle, and apical thirds independently. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical analysis, with a significance threshold of p < 0.05. There was statistically significant difference between MTA and BC, with BC materials showing significantly more remnants than MTA, particularly when using the needle irrigation technique (p < 0.05). The Ultra-X groups showed statistically significant difference than the needle groups, especially in the apical and middle thirds for both BC and MTA. Apical sections retained the highest amount of remnants across all groups, and BC materials resulted in significantly more remnants than MTA. Ultra-X activation was more effective overall than the needle method, especially in reducing the apical and middle remnants for both BC and MTA. The removal of sealer is essential for the success of endodontic retreatment procedure. This study assesses two types of sealer removability and also the effect of ultrasonic activation during the reinstrumentation. How to cite this article: Dawod KM, Al-Hashimi RA. Assessing Volume of Two Sealers' Remnants after Reinstrumentation Using 3D Imaging Technology: An In Vitro Comparative Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2025;26(8):743-751.

Background: Post obturation discoloration, is an undesirable outcome of endodontic treatment and is particularly burdensome on clinicians managing anterior teeth. Objectives: This review examines the discoloration potential of a plethora of historical and currently used endodontic sealers with the aim of providing clinicians with a guide on material selection, with the most minimal esthetic impact. Method: A PICO framework was employed to identify relevant data, focusing on discoloration associated with different sealers. A literature search was conducted across PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Relevant studies published between January 2000 and January 2024 were selected based on pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The findings revealed that most of the included studies were ex vivo and in vitro, with limited in vivo evidence available. Insufficient long-term follow-up was noted and direct comparisons between the various sealer brands was limited. Conclusion: Zinc oxide-based sealers should be avoided by the clinician in areas of high esthetic concern. The strict confinement of the sealers to the canal space, is the best strategy to minimize discoloration. There is a need for improved materials, and more robust long-term studies to generate evidence-based guidelines as it relates to sealers.

The purpose of endodontic treatment is to eliminate all germs, microbial by-products, and vital tissues from the root canal system. Root canals can be mechanically and chemically used for this purpose. The needs and details of the irrigation solutions are described in this article. Because of its wide range of antibacterial activities and its ability to dissolve organic tissues, sodium hypochlorite is suggested as the main irrigation. On the contrary, chelation solutions are recommended as supplemental treatments to either eliminate the smear layer or prevent it from forming on the dentin surface. Data: Only articles that were published electronically were searched within the review. Sources: ‘Google Scholar’ and "Pub-med" websites were used to search data, The most papers related to the topic were chosen, specifically original articles , including only articles from 1999 to 2023.Journal papers that weren't published in a highly regarded publication, irrelevant studies, editorials, personal viewpoints, and social media sources were all disqualified from consideration. 98 articles were retained after the filtering procedure. In conclusion, this article reviews many types of new irrigations that may be used in endodontic practice in the future.

Aim: To investigate the cytotoxic effects of modified bioactive and antimicrobial gutta percha on the fibroblast cells. Methods: The cytotoxic effects of modified bioactive and antimicrobial gutta percha on the fibroblast cells were investigated using Methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assays at different times 24, 48 and 72 hours. Results: there is no significant difference between controle and new modified gutta percha at first 24 hrs. while with time at 48 and 72 hrs. there were significant difference. Conclusion: Bioactive bioglass BG45S5 and chitosan showed in vitro cytotoxic effects when mixing with gutta percha in fibroblast cells as demonstrated by MTT assays, although toxic effect was observed mostly as the same to control gutta percha.

The dynamic thermomechanical properties, sealing ability, and voids formation of an experimental obturation hydroxyapatite‐reinforced polyethylene (HA/PE) composite/carrier system were investigated and compared with those of a commercial system [GuttaCore (GC)]. The HA/PE system was specifically designed using a melt‐extrusion process. The viscoelastic properties of HA/PE were determined using a dynamic thermomechanical analyser. Human single‐rooted teeth were endodontically instrumented and obturated using HA/PE or GC systems, and then sealing ability was assessed using a fluid filtration system. In addition, micro‐computed tomography (μCT) was used to quantify apparent voids within the root‐canal space. The data were statistically analysed using one‐way anova and post hoc tests. The HA/PE composite exhibited important modulus and damping changes with an increase of temperature. The HA/PE system was more flexible than GC as the modulus of GC appeared to be significantly higher than that of HA/PE as a result of the high positive glass transition temperature (T_g). However, HA/PE and GC presented similar sealing abilities. In conclusion, because sealing ability and voids formation were comparable between the tested materials, the experimental HA/PE system may be considered a suitable alternative material for root‐canal obturation. Moreover, HA/PE possesses specific viscoelastic behaviour and lower melting points, which may facilitate root‐canal retreatments.

The first aim of this paper was to evaluate the push-out bond strength of the gutta-percha coating of Thermafil and GuttaCore and compare it with that of gutta-percha used to coat an experimental hydroxyapatite/polyethylene (HA/PE) obturator. The second aim was to assess the thickness of gutta-percha around the carriers of GuttaCore and HA/PE obturators using microcomputed tomography (μCT). Ten (size 30) 1 mm thick samples of each group (Thermafil, GuttaCore, and HA/PE) were prepared. An orthodontic wire with a diameter of 0.5 mm was attached to the plunger of an Instron machine in order to allow the push-out testing of the gutta-percha coating. Five samples of (GuttaCore and HA/PE) were scanned using μCT. The data obtained were analysed with one-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc test. HA/PE obturators exhibited significantly higher push-out bond strength () determined at 6.84 ± 0.96 than those of Guttacore around 3.75 ± 0.75 and Thermafil at 1.5 ± 0.63. GuttaCore demonstrated significantly higher bond strength than Thermafil (). μCT imaging revealed that the thickness of gutta-percha around the experimental HA/PE carrier was homogeneously distributed. The bondability and thickness of gutta-percha coating around HA/PE carriers were superior to those of GuttaCore and Thermafil obturators.

Aim: To develop a low‐density polyethylene–hydroxyapatite (HA‐PE) composite with properties tailored to function as a potential root canal filling material.Methodology: Hydroxyapatite and polyethylene mixed with strontium oxide as a radiopacifier were extruded from a single screw extruder fitted with an appropriate die to form fibres. The composition of the composite was optimized with clinical handling and placement in the canal being the prime consideration. The fibres were characterized using infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and their thermal properties determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The tensile strength and elastic modulus of the composite fibres and gutta‐percha were compared, dry and after 1 month storage in simulated body fluid (SBF), using a universal testing machine. The radiopacity of the fibres was determined using digital radiography. The interaction of the composites with eugenol was evaluated and compared with gutta‐percha. Data of the tensile test were submitted to two‐way anova and Bonferroni tests (P < 0.05).Results: The endothermic peaks obtained from the DSC studies showed that the melting point of the HA/PE composites ranged between 110.5 and 111.2 °C, whereas gutta‐percha exhibited a melting point at 52 °C. The tensile strength and elastic modulus of the silanated HA/PE composites were significantly higher than those of gutta‐percha (P < 0.0001) under dry conditions and 1 month storage in SBF. The gutta‐percha in eugenol showed a significant increase in the polymer molar mass, whereas the silanated HA/PE composites were unchanged. Radiological evaluations demonstrated that silanated HA/PE fibres were sufficiently radiopaque.Conclusion: Promising materials for endodontic applications have been developed, offering relevant benefits over the traditional materials in terms of mechanical and chemical properties.