Roberta Barcelos

To avoid failure of endodontic treatment, it is important to properly seal the root canals after chemomechanical preparation in order to avoid microleakage. Typically, sealing involves the use of gutta‐percha and sealing cement, the latter of which adheres to the dentin and fills the spaces between the gutta‐percha and the dentin walls. Laboratory studies have been performed to detect microleakage of endodontic sealers based on various criteria, including microbiological ones; however, none guaranteed that the leakage occurred through the root canal space and not through other pathways. This article proposes a new laboratory assay to evaluate bacterial microleakage in endodontic sealers, ensuring visualization of the correct inoculum infiltration pathway. Furthermore, we present the main critical parameters and provide suggestions on how to manage them. These protocols allow the detection of bacterial microleakage in bovine teeth filled with endodontic sealer and inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis . © 2026 The Author(s). Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1 : Bovine teeth selection and cleaning Basic Protocol 2 : Bovine teeth inclusion Basic Protocol 3 : Tooth standardization Basic Protocol 4 : Set preparation Basic Protocol 5 : Inoculum preparation Basic Protocol 6 : Canal inoculation Basic Protocol 7 : Set incubation

To compare clinical and radiographical pulpectomy outcomes in primary teeth filled with different pastes.

This is a double-blind, split-mouth, randomized clinical study that aims to evaluate the influence of bulk-fill composite packaging presented in syringes (BSy) and capsules (BCa), and the effect of selective enamel etching (SEE) on the clinical performance of class I and II bulk-fill resin composite restorations after 24 months. A total of 295 class I or class II restorations were performed on 70 patients. One universal adhesive was applied in all restorations. SEE was used in 148 restorations and self-etching mode (SET) in 147 restorations. After the adhesive application, cavities were restored with Filtek Bulk-fill Posterior Restorative in syringes (BSy), Filtek One Bulk-fill in capsules (BCa), or Filtek Supreme Ultra in syringes with the incremental technique (In). All restorations were evaluated using the FDI criteria after one week and after six, 12, and 24 months. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Pearson's Chi-square test were used (α=0.05) for statistical analysis. After 24 months, 62 patients were evaluated and four restorations were lost due to fracture (one for SEEBSy, two for SEEIn, and one for SETIn). No significant differences in the fracture and retention rate were found between groups (p>0.05). SEE showed significantly fewer marginal adaptation defects than SET (p<0.05). BCa and BSy groups showed fewer marginal discrepancies compared to In (p<0.05). Restorations performed with BCa showed less color mismatch than BSy or In (p<0.05). Although all restorations exhibited satisfactory clinical performance after 24 months of clinical service, the clinical behavior of class I and II restorations' improved when performed with a bulk-fill composite in capsules, mainly when associated with a universal adhesive applied with SEE.

Objectives: This systematic review aimed to compare the cytotoxicity of root canal filling materials (RCFMs) assessed using tetrazolium salt‐based tests (TSBT), including the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, with those obtained using other cell viability assays.Methods: A search was performed on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and OpenGrey up to March 2019, followed by a manual search. According to the Participants, Exposure, Comparator and Outcomes (PECO) criteria, in vitro studies that evaluated the cytotoxic effect of RCFMss on animal and/or human cells through TSBT and at least one other viability assay were compared. The methodological quality of selected papers was assessed using ToxRTool^® and SciRAP^®. Data were analysed using Wilcoxon’s signed‐rank test for paired samples and linear weighting kappa.Results: A total of 230 non‐duplicated records were identified. After applying the eligibility criteria, 55 studies were selected for methodological evaluation, seven were selected by manual searching, 22 were excluded for methodological reasons, and 40 were included. A total of 410 comparisons were performed between TSBT and distinct cell viability tests (DCVT). MTT had moderate concordance with DCVT using human cells (n = 138 samples) (P = 0.507; k = 0.4225) and animal cells (n = 122 samples) (P = 0.124; k = 0.5775). XTT had good concordance using human (n = 110 samples) (P = 0.507; k = 0.6336) and animal cells (n = 12 samples) (P = 0.564; k = 0.6604). MTT, XTT, WST and MTS assays showed moderate concordance with DCVT (n = 410 samples) (P = 0.375; k = 0.5138) and complete agreement in 226 samples.Discussion: The included studies had methodological heterogeneity that was minimized by the systematic review methodology.Conclusions: MTT and XTT do not cause over‐ or underestimation of cell viability during cytotoxicity screening of root canal filling materials, implying that these assays can be considered reliable for this purpose. Nonetheless, the development of protocols for the cytotoxic screening of these materials on 3D tissue‐like cultures aiming to improve their predictability in the clinical scenario is suggested.

The objectives of this double-blind randomized clinical trial were to compare (a) the clinical times and (b) the occurrence and severity of postoperative sensitivity, of posterior restoration that used a universal adhesive, in a self-etch or selective enamel-etching technique, along with incremental or bulk-fill composites (presented in syringes or capsules). A total of 295 posterior restorations were placed according to the following groups: SETB – self-etch/bulk-fill in syringe; SETC – self-etch/bulk-fill in capsules; SETI – self-etch/incremental; SEEB – selective enamel-etching/bulk-fill in syringe; SEEC – selective enamel-etching/bulk-fill in capsules; and SEEI – selective enamel-etching/incremental. Clinical time was assessed by a reason (s/mm³) between the total volume of resin inserted and the total time required to perform the restorations. Postoperative sensitivity was evaluated using two scales (Numeric Rating Scale and Visual Analogue Scale). Mean clinical time results, analyzed by Wald’s Chi-square, showed significant statistical differences among all groups (p<0.001), indicating that the restorative strategy affected the time required for the restoration. A generalized estimating equation model statistical analysis, performed to compare postoperative sensitivity, showed that neither the restorative technique, the adhesive strategy nor the presentation mode of the bulk-fill composite affected the overall risk of postoperative sensitivity (4.06 [2.22–6.81]). The use of bulk-fill composite, presented in capsules or syringes, is less time consuming and does not increase the risk or intensity of postoperative sensitivity relative to the traditional incremental technique.

Objetivo: o objetivo deste estudo foi apresentar a versatilidade do compósito de resina de fluxo a granel e composto de resina regular utilizado para restaurar a perda de espaço mesio-distal de um paciente pediátrico apresentando lesões de cárie nos elementos dentários 74 e 75. Relato de Caso: após tratamento planejamento, procedimentos restauradores com massa composta e adesivo universal foram realizados em duas visitas, precedidas do uso de anéis elásticos ortodônticos para abrir o espaço interdentário entre os dentes para recuperar o espaço necessário. Conclusão: a recuperação do espaço afetado pela cárie é de difícil execução e requer múltiplas consultas odontológicas. No entanto, quando o tratamento é corretamente conduzido em associação com o novo realizado e aliado às novas tecnologias, garante-se o restabelecimento do comprimento do arco minimizando as sequelas da doença cárie.

Aim: To present the report of a female patient, 10 years old, referred for treatment in the Dentistry Clinic of a Brazilian public university. Case report: The patient's oral health condition was unfavorable with biofilm accumulation, pain report and chewing difficulty. After anamnesis, clinical and radiographic examination, the treatment plan included removal of infectious foci (54, 55, 64, 65, 74, 75, 85, 16, 36 and 46) followed by prosthetic rehabilitation. At this stage, the functional restoration of the lower arch was restricted by the imminent eruption of the premolars. In the upper arch, the maintenance of the mesio-distal diameters aims to guarantee the chronological sequence of successors irruption and establishment of normal occlusion. During the monthly follow-up consultations the patient presents a more spontaneous smile, although she still needs constant reinforcement in oral hygiene habits. Conclusions: The rehabilitation of patients with loss of permanent teeth during the mixed dentition phase should consider the peculiarities of this period for the restoration of health without altering the normal pattern of occlusal development.

Objective: This study investigated the presence of Enterococcus faecalis in primary teeth with primary root canal infections and related to the possible failure of pulpectomy outcome after 36 months. Material and methods: Root canal samples were obtained from 25 out of 244 patients using the sterile paper cone method. The identification of E. faecalis was done with culture and molecular tests using species-specific 16S rRNA gene-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR). After 36 months, the pulpectomy outcome was evaluated. Results: Enterococcus faecalis was found in five (20%) samples, and dental caries were the cause of primary infection in all of them. Pulpectomy outcome was evaluated only in teeth that completed the entire clinical protocol and were followed up to 36 months (n = 8). From these, 75% (n = 6) were successful and 25% (n = 2) failed. E. faecalis was present in 50% of both successful and failed cases. Conclusions: Enterococcus faecalis was not related to the failure of endodontic treatment of primary teeth.

This paper aims to report the case of a 9-year-old male patient presented to the Pain Clinic at the education institution with a severe complaint of headache and clenching. During clinical examination, facets of tooth wear and accentuated overjet were observed. There were no joint and / or muscle anomalies. Therapy adopted was an occlusal splint with occlusal adjustments in centric performed every fifteen days in order not to impair bone growth and eruption of permanent teeth. After one month of treatment, the patient showed pain remission and remained in monitoring of dental and psychological care.