Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plays a major role in stimulating the synthesis and release of the principal osteoclast-activating cytokines, namely, interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor-α from immune cells. Although monocytes/macrophages are the main producers of these cytokines, recent evidence has indicated that polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) have the ability to release IL-1 and TNF-α. Calcium hydroxide has been shown to be an effective medicament in root canal infections, reducing the microbial titre within the canal. It has been proposed that the therapeutic effect of Ca(OH)₂ may also be the result of direct inactivation of LPS. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether treatment of Porphyromonas endodontalis LPS with calcium hydroxide alters its biological action as measured by human PMN secretion of IL-1 and TNF-α, and it was compared with Escherichia coli LPS.

P. endodontalis ATCC 35406 was cultured in anaerobic condition, and LPS was extracted using the hot-phenol water extraction method and purified. Purchased E. coli LPS was also purified. 100 µg/ml of each LPS in pyrogen free water were incubated with 25mg/ml Ca(OH)₂ at 37℃ for 7 days. The supernatants were subjected to ultrafiltration, and the isolates were lyophilized and weighed. PMNs were obtained from peripheral blood by centrifugation layered over Lymphoprep. The cells were resuspended (4×10⁶ cells/ml) in RPMI 1640 followed by treatment with various concentrations of LPS (0, 0.1, 1, 10µg/ml) for 24 hours at 37℃ in 5% CO₂ incubator. The supernatants of cells were collected and the levels of IL-1α, IL-1β and TNF-α were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

The results were as follows;

1. The levels of IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF-α from PMN treated with each LPS were significantly higher than those released from unstimulated PMN of the control group (p<0.05).

2. The levels of all three cytokines released from PMN stimulated with each calcium hydroxide treated LPS were significantly lower than those released from PMN stimulated with each untreated LPS (p<0.05), while they were not significantly different from those released from unstimulated PMN of the control group (p>0.05).

3. The levels of secretion for all three cytokines were affected in a dose-dependent manner in PMN stimulated with each LPS (p<0.05), but not in PMN stimulated with each calcium hydroxide treated LPS (p>0.05).

4. The levels of all three cytokines released from PMN stimulated with P. endodontalis LPS were significantly lower than those released from PMN stimulated with E. coli LPS (p<0.05).

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of plasma arc curing (PAC) unit for composite and compomer curing. To compare its effectiveness with conventional quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) light curing unit, the polymerization shrinkage rates and amounts of three composites (Z100, Z250, Synergy Duo Shade) and one compomer, that had been light cured by PAC unit or QTH unit, was compared using a custome made linometer. The measurement of polymerization shrinkage was performed after polymerization with either QTH unit or PAC unit. In case of curing with the PAC unit, the composite was light cured with Apollo 95E for 6s, the power density of which was recorded as 1350 mW/cm² by Coltolux Light Meter. For light curing with QTH unit, the composite was light cured for 30s with the XL2500, the power density of which was recorded as 800 mW/cm² by Coltolux Light Meter. The amount of linear polymerization shrinkage was recorded in the computer every 0.5s for 60s. Ten measurements were made for each material. The amount of linear polymerization shrinkage for each material in 10s and 60s which were cured with PAC or QTH unit were compared with t test. The amount of polymerization shrinkage in the tested materials were compared with 1way ANOVA with Duncan's multiple range test.

As for the amounts of polymerization shrinkage in 60s, there was no difference between PAC unit and QTH unit in Z250 and Synergy Duo Shade. In Z100 and Dyract AP, it was lower when it was cured with PAC unit than when it was cured with QTH unit (p<0.05).

As for the amounts of polymerization shrinkage in 10s, there was no difference between PAC unit and QTH unit in Z100 and Dyract AP. The amounts of polymerization shrinkage was significantly higher when it was cured with PAC unit in Z250 and Synergy Duo Shade (p<0.05). The amounts of polymerization shrinkage in the tested materials when they were cured with QTH unit were Z250 (6.6um) < Z100 (9.3um), Dyract AP (9.7um) < Synergy Duo Shade (11.2um) (p<0.05). The amount of polymerization shrinkage when the materials were cured with PAC unit were Dyract AP (5.6um) < Z100 (8.1um), Z250(7.0um) < Synergy Duo Shade (11.2um) (p<0.05).

This study evaluated the microleakage performance of four self-etcing primer adhesives(Clearfil SE Bond, Clearfil Liner Bond 2, UniFil Bond, and FL Bond) and one self-etching adhesive(Prompt L-Pop). Class V cavity preparations with occlusal margins in enamel and gingival margins in dentin were prepared on both buccal and lingual surfaces of 50 extracted human molar teeth. Prepared teeth were randomly divided into five groups and restored using one of five adhesives and composite resins: Prompt L-Pop/Filtek Z 250(Group 1), Clearfil SE Bond/Clearfil AP-X(Group 2), Clearfil Liner Bond 2/Clearfil AP-X(Group 3), UniFil Bond/UniFil F(Group 4), and FL Bond/Filtek Z 250(Group 5).

Following one day storage in room temperature water, the restored teeth were thermocycled for 500 cycles between 5℃ and 55℃. Marginal microleakage was assessed by dye penetration using 2% methylene blue dye. After 24 hours, the teeth were sectioned longitudinally and evaluated for microleakage under steromicroscope. The data were statistically analysed by Kruskal-Wallis Test, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon signed ranked tests.

The results of this study were as follows;

1. The microleakges at both enamel and dentinal margins were the lowest in group 4, increasing among groups in the following order: group 2, follwed by group 5, follwed by group 1, and the highest in group 3.

2. At the enamel margins, the microleakage of group 3 was significantly higher than those of groups 2, 4 and 5(p<0.05), and also the microleakage of group 1 was statistically higher than those of groups 2 and 5(p<0.05).

3. At the dentinal margins, microleakage of group 3 was significantly higher than microleakages of groups 1, 2, 4 and 5(p<0.05).

4. Compared with microleakages between the enamel and dentinal margins of each group, groups 1, 4 and 5 at enamel margin and group 2 and group 3 at dentinal margin were higher microleakage. But there was no significant difference between enamel and dentinal microleakages of each group(p>0.05).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the marginal adaptation of direct class II sandwich restoration with packable composites(P-60), resin modified glass ionomer cement(Fuji-II LC), flowable compomer(Dyract Flow), flowable composites(Filtek Flow) in comparison with total bond restorations. In addition, for sandwich restorations, influence of different sandwich techniques was also evaluated.

Large butt-joint box typed class II cavites with cervical margins 1mm below the cemento-enamel junction were cut into 70 extracted human molars. The cavities(7 groups, n=10) were filled using a closed/open sandwich restoration or total bond restoration technique with materials according to the manufacturer's recommandation using the single-component bonding agent for each system. Teeth were thermocycled 500 times between 5℃ and 55℃ with 30-second dwell time. The teeth were then coated with nail polish 1mm short of the restoration, placed in a 2% methylene blue for 24 hours, and sectioned with diamond wheel. Sections were examined with a stereoscope to determine the extent of microleakage. Dentine/Cementum margins were analyzed for microleakage on scale of 0(no leakage) to 4(entire axial wall) and interface between materials, on scale of 0(no leakage) to 3(axial wall). Results were evaluated with Kruskal Wallis Test, corrected for ties, to determine whether there were statistically significant differences among the seven groups. Pairs of groups were analyzed using the Student-Newman-Keuls Method and Dunn s Method.

The results were as follows:

1. All groups showed some micoleakage in cervical portion. But there were no microleakage in interface between materials.

2. Closed sandwich restorations with Fuji-II LC and Filtek Flow had significantly lower leakage rating than total restorations with only P-60. However, open sandwich restorations with Dyract Flow showed significantly higher (P<0.05).

3. Closed sandwich restorations had significantly lower leakage rating than total restorations. However open sandwich restoration s showed significantly higher (P<0.05).

4. Sandwich restorations with Fuji-II LC were lower leakage than only P-60, Filtek Flow, Dyract Flow. But there were no statistically differences among the materials.

From the results above, it could be concluded, closed sandwich restorations was effective in reducing microleakage of class II restorations. The best results showing the least microleakage were for the closed sandwich technique with Fuji-II LC and Filtek Flow.

The purpose of this study was to compare the shaping time of two shaping methods and the leakage of three different obturation techniques. Ninty three canaled human molar teeth were used, which were randomly divided into two groups of forty teeth each and ten control teeth. After working length determination, the one group was prepared crown-down technique using rotary root canal instruments of GT rotary files .12/20, .10/20, .08/20 and .06/20 taper(Maillefer Instrument SA. Switzerland). The other group was instrumented with Gates Glidden burs(#1, #2, and #3) to coronal preparation and GT rotary files .08/20 and .06/20 taper to apical preparation. Shaping time was measured.

After root canals were instrumented, they were divided to three subgroups and obturated as follows: Subgroup 1, obturated with single cone method : Subgroup 2, obturated with lateral condensation : Subgroup 3, obturated with continuous wave technique. Three subgroups were obturated using non-standardized gutta-percha cone(Diadent, Korea, .06 or .08 taper) and AH-26(Dentsply DeTrey, Germany) as a root canal cement.

Ten unobturated teeth served as positive and negative controls. After immersion in 2% methylene blue solution for 1 month, the teeth were washed during 24h. The teeth were demineralized in 10% nitric acid and dehydrated by immersion in 80, 90 and 100% ethyl alcohol. The teeth were finally cleared and stored in 100%methylsalicylate, and apical dye penetration was evaluated under stereomicroscope(Leica M420, LC, U.S.A)at ×8.75 magnification.

Liner measurement of dye penetration was assessed with the use of digitalized image analysing system (analySIS, GmbH, Germany). The data were analysed statistically using independent T-test and Two-way ANOVA and Tukey test. The result were as follows:

In canal prepared with GT™rotary file, shaphing time taked more than the group of using Gates Glidden drill to coronal preparation without statistical significance (p>0.05).

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of EDTA irrigant according to application time and temperature.

31 human mature extracted teeth with a single canal were sectioned with microtome in 3mm thickness and gained 62 samples of root canals. They were distributed randomly into 6 groups of 10 specimens each and control group of 2 specimens. Each specimen was prepared with GT rotary file (Dentsply, Maillefer Co., Swiss) and irrigated with 3 ml sodium hypochlorite every minute. Then smear layer was removed with EDTA solution (PULPDENT®, PULPDENT Co., USA.) except two control specimens. Specimens of each group were irrigated with 17% EDTA.

The time and temperature of application were as follows:

All specimens were split longitudinally and prepared for examination by scanning electron microscopy. A set of reference micrographs was used to award a debris score as follows: 0 = no smear layer, all tubules clean and open; 1 = no superficial smear layer, tubule openings visible, but some contain debris plug or soft tissue remnants; 2 = moderate smear layer, some tubules open and others closed; 3 = heavy smear layer, most/all tubule openings obscured. Results were evaluated with Kruskal-Wallis test to determine whether there was statistically significant difference among six groups. Pairs of groups were analyzed using the Student-Newman-Keuls Method and Mann-Whitney test.

The results were as follows:

1. Control specimens showed heavy smear layer at the canal walls.

2. Among the groups applied with EDTA for 2 minutes, group 1 showed the heaviest smear layer, and there was statistically significant difference between group 1 and the other groups(p<0.05).

3. Among the groups applied with EDTA for 5 minutes, group 4 and group 6 showed smear layer, but there was no significant difference between them.

4. Among the groups applied with EDTA for the same temperature, group 1 showed heavier smear layer than group 4, and there was statistically significant difference(p<0.05).

5. Among the groups applied with EDTA for the same temperature, group 2 showed heavier smear layer than group 5 and group 3 showed heavier smear layer than group 6. But there was no statistically significant difference among them.

From the results above, it could be concluded, EDTA solution is effective in removing of smear layer when it is applied for 5 minutes. If EDTA is applied for 2 minutes, it should be applied above room temperature.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a small molecule (mol. wt. 30 Da) and oxidative free radical. It is uncharged and can therefore diffuse freely within and between cells across membrane. Such characteristics make it a biologically important messenger in physiologic processes such as neurotransmission and the control of vascular tone. NO is also highly toxic and is known to acts as a mediator of cytotoxicity during host defense.

NO is synthesized by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) through L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway which is a dioxygenation process. NO synthesis involves several participants, three co-substrates, five electrons, five co-factors and two prosthetic groups.

Under normal condition, low levels of NO are synthesized by type I and III NOS for a short period of time and mediates many physiologic processes. Under condition of oxidant stress, high levels of NO are synthesized by type II NOS and inhibits a variety of metabolic processes and can also cause direct damage to DNA. Such interaction result in cytostasis, energy depletion and ultimately cell death. NO has the potential to interact with a variety of intercellular targets producing diverse array of metabolic effects.

It is known that NO is involved in hemodynamic regulation, neurogenic inflammation, re-innervation, management of dentin hypersensitivity on teeth. Under basal condition of pulpal blood flow, NO provides constant vasodilator tone acting against sympathetic vasoconstriction. Substance P, a well known vasodilator, was reported to be mediated partly by NO, while calcitonin-gene related peptide has provided no evidence of its relation with NO.

This review describes the roles of NO in dental pulp in addition to the known general roles of it.