The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of the AH-26 root canal sealer on the shear bond strength of composite resin to dentin.

One hundred and forty four (144) extracted, sound human molars were used. After embedding in a cylindrical mold, the occlusal part of the anatomical crown was cut away and trimmed in order to create a flat dentin surface. The teeth were randomly divided into three groups; the AH-26 sealer was applied to the AH-26 group, and zinc-oxide eugenol (ZOE) paste was applied to the ZOE group. The dentin surface of the control group did not receive any sealer.

A mount jig was placed against the surface of the teeth and the One-step dentin bonding agent was applied after acid etching. Charisma composite resin was packed into the mold and light cured. After polymerization, the alignment tube and mold were removed and the specimens were placed in distilled water at 37℃ for twenty four hours. The shear bond strength was measured by an Instron testing machine. The data for each group were subjected to one-way ANOVA and Tukey's studentized rank test so as to make comparisons between the groups.

The AH-26 group and the control group showed significantly higher shear bond strength than the ZOE group (p < 0.05).

There were no significant differences between the AH-26 group and the control one (p > 0.05).

Under the conditions of this study, the AH-26 root canal sealer did not seem to affect the shear bond strength of the composite resin to dentin while the ZOE sealer did. Therefore, there may be no decrease in bond strength when the composite resin core is built up immediately after a canal filling with AH-26 as a root canal sealer.

We investigated the secretion of Interleukin-8 (IL-8) from ginviva and periodontal ligament stimulated with Substance P (SP) and Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide (CGRP). Gingiva (GF), periodontal ligament (PDLF) and pulp (PF) tissues were collected from extracted intact 3rd molars.

Cultured cells were stimulated with different concentrations of SP for 4 hrs, and stimulated with SP, CGRP and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) for 8 hrs. Then RNase Protection Assay was carried out. ELISA was performed using supernatants of stimulated cells for quantitative analysis of IL-8. Results were assessed using student t-test with significance of P < 0.05.

According to this study, the results were as follows:

IL-8 mRNA was detected in all type of cells studied (PF, GF and PDLF).

Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide (CGRP) increased Interleukin-8 (IL-8) which plays an important role in chemotaxis of neutrophil in Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide (CGRP) gingival tissue, whereas Substance P increased the secretion of IL-8 from periodontal ligament.

During root canal preparation procedures, the potential for instrument separation is always present. Files, a lentulo, a Gates-Glidden (GG) bur or any manufactured obstruction can be left behind in the canal. Nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary files are in common usage in these days. Despite their undeniable advantages, there is a potential risk of separation within the canals. It is very rapid, unpredictable, and creates a great deal of stress for the practitioner.

When an endodontic instrument separates, the best option is to remove it. Ultrasonic instruments and microscopes have improved the success rate for removing separated instruments. But it is difficult and not always possible. Therefore prevention is the key.

In this case report, several management methods of separated file in the canal are presented.

This study was to verify that the combined application of NaOCl and EDTA was more effective in removal of smear layer than the application of NaOCl alone. Furthermore it was aimed to find out the optimal time for the application of EDTA.

Thirty five single rooted teeth were cleaned and shaped. NaOCl solution was used as an irrigant during instrumentation. After instrumentation, root canals of the control group were irrigated with 5 ml of NaOCl for 2 minutes. 30 sec, 1 min, and 2 min group were irrigated with 5 ml of 17% EDTA for 30 sec, 1 min, and 2 min respectively. Then the roots were examined with scanning electron microscopy for evaluating removal of smear layer and erosion of dentinal tubule.

The results were as follows;

The control group:

The smear layer was not removed at all.

The results suggest that 2 min application of 17% EDTA should be adequate to remove smear layer on both apical⅓ and middle⅓.

This study was conducted to evaluate canal configuration after shaping by ProTaper™ with various rotational speed in J-shaped simulated resin canals.

Forty simulated root canals were divided into 4 groups, and instrumented using by ProTaper™ at the rotational speed of 250, 300, 350 and 400 rpm. Pre-instrumented and post-instrumented images were taken by a scanner and those were superimposed. Outer canal width, inner canal width, total canal width, and amount of transportation from original axis were measured at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 mm from apex. Instrumentation time, instrument deformation and fracture were recorded. Data were analyzed by means of one-way ANOVA followed by Scheffe's test.

The results were as follows

Regardless of rotational speed, at the 1~2 mm from the apex, axis of canal was transported to outer side of a curvature, and at 3~6 mm from the apex, to inner side of a curvature. Amounts of transportation from original axis were not significantly different among experimental groups except at 5 and 6 mm from the apex.

In conclusion, the rotational speed of ProTaper™ files in the range of 250~400 rpm does not affect the change of canal configuration, and high rotational speed reduces the instrumentation time. However, appearance of separation and distortion of Ni-Ti rotary files can occur in high rotational speed.

This study evaluated the effect of two different calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) paste removal techniques on the apical leakage of canals obturated with gutta percha cones and sealer after removing a Ca(OH)₂ dressing using an electrochemical method.

Seventy extracted single-rooted teeth were instrumented on with Profile rotary files under NaOCl irrigation. Fifty-eight canals were filled with calcium hydroxide paste, which was then removed using one of the following two techniques. In group A, calcium hydroxide was removed using only NaOCl irrigation, and in group B, the canals were re-prepared with a Profile rotary files-one size larger than the previous instrument and were irrigated with NaOCl. In both groups, the root surfaces were coated twice with nail varnish from CEJ to an area 4 mm away from the apex after canal obturation. Apical leakage was measured using an electrochemical method for 24 days.

All the specimens showed leakage that increased markedly in the first three days. There was no significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). The effect of two calcium hydroxide paste removal techniques on the apical leakage was not different during a short period.

The purpose of this study was to examine the viability of PDL cells in rat molars by using in vivo MTT assay, which was used to compare fast cryopreservation group by liquid nitrogen (-196℃) with 4℃ cold preservation group.

A total of 74 Sprague-Dawley white female rats of 4 week-old with a body weight of 100 grams were used. The maxillary left and right, first and second molars were extracted as atraumatically as possible under ketamine anesthesia.

Ten teeth of each group were divided as six experimental groups depending upon the preservation. Cryopreservation groups were Group 1 (5% DMSO 6% HES in F medium), Group 2 (10% DMSO in F medium), Group 3 (5% DMSO 6% HES in Viaspan®), Group 4 (10% DMSO in Viaspan®) which were cryopreserved for 1 week and cold preservation groups were Group 5 (F medium), Group 6 (Viaspan®) at 4℃ for 1 week. Immediate extraction group was used as a control. After preservation and thawing, the in vivo MTT assay was processed. Two way ANOVA and Duncan's Multiple Range Test was performed at the 95% level of confidence. Another 2 teeth of each group were treated as the same manner and frozen sections 10 µm thick for microscopic observation.

The value of optical density obtained after in vivo MTT analysis was divided by the value of eosin staining for tissue volume standardization. Group 1, 2 had significantly higher optical density than Group 3 and 4 which had the lowest OD value. Group 6 had higher OD value than in Group 5 (P < 0.05). Histological findings of periodontal ligament cell, after being stained with MTT solution were consistent with the in vivo MTT assay results.

In this study, the groups which were frozen with DMSO as a cryoprotectant and the groups with F medium showed the best results.

Dental pulp is a loose, mesenchymal tissue almost entirely enclosed in the dentin. It consists of cells, ground substance, and neural and vascular supplies. Damage to the dental pulp by mechanical, chemical, thermal, and microbial irritants can provoke various types of inflammatory response. Pulpal inflammation leads to the tissue degradation, which is mediated in part by Matrix metalloproteinase leads to accelerate extracellular matrix degradation with pathological pathway. We have now investigated the induction of MMPs and inflammatory cytokines by Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) control of inflammatory mediators by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs).

Human dental pulp cells exposed to various concentrations of LPS (1-10 µg/ml) revealed elevated levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 at 24 hrs of culture. LPS also stimulated the production of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Adenovirus PPARγ (Ad/PPARγ) and PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone reduced the synthesis of MMPs, adhesion molecules and pro-inflammatory cytokines. The inhibitory effect of Ad/PPARγ was higher than that of PPARγ agonist.

These result offer new insights in regard to the anti-inflammatory potential of PPARγ in human dental pulp cell.