RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to compare the in vivo accuracy and precision of 3 electronic apex locators (EALs) in determining the position of the major foramen using micro-computed tomographic (micro-CT) technology. METHODS: After access preparation of 23 necrotic or vital teeth from 5 patients, canals were negotiated, and hand files were used to determine the position of the foramen with 3 EALs: Propex Pixi (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland), Woodpex III (Woodpecker Medical Instrument Co, Guilin, China), and Root ZX II (J Morita, Tokyo, Japan). After fixing the silicon stop to the file, teeth were extracted and scanned in a micro-CT device with and without the instrument inserted into the canal. Data sets were coregistered, and the accuracy and precision of the EALs were determined at a tolerance level of ±0.5 mm by measuring the distance from the tip of the instruments to a tangential line crossing the margins of the foramen. Statistical comparisons were performed using Friedman with post hoc related samples sign and Spearman tests (α = 5%). RESULTS: A significant difference was detected comparing the accuracy of Root ZX II (100%), Woodpex III (86.96%), and Propex Pixi (52.17%) (P < .05). There was a lack of significance in the relationship between the pulp status and the accuracy of the tested EALs (P > .05). Propex Pixi was significantly less precise than Root ZX II (P < .05), whereas no difference was found between Woodpex III and Root ZX II or Propex Pixi (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: EALs presented similar precision, but Woodpex III and Root ZX II showed better accuracy to determine the position of the apical major foramen than Propex Pixi.
Assuntos
Cavidade Pulpar , Preparo de Canal Radicular , Humanos , Cavidade Pulpar/diagnóstico por imagem , Odontometria , Ápice Dentário/diagnóstico por imagem , EletrônicaRESUMO
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of photodynamic therapy (PDT) after root canal preparation on pain relief in posterior teeth presenting with symptomatic apical periodontitis (SAP). A visual analog scale (VAS) was completed by the patients which registered their pain perception as none (0), mild (1-3), moderate (4-7), or severe (8-10). Only patients who registered moderate or severe pain were included. Seventy patients were allocated to two groups (n=35): a control group (CG) without the PDT application and an intervention group with PDT application (PG). The same chemo-mechanical preparation was achieved in both groups. In the PG, 150 µM methylene blue (MB)Please remove the underline was placed inside the canal for 2 minutes and a 660 nm wavelength laser was applied through a fiber for 3 minutes (100 mW, 600 J/cm², total 18J). The patients were asked to register their pain perception in the VAS document after 24-h, 72-h, and 1-week intervals. The number of tablets taken for pain relief was also recorded. The Mann-Whitney, Students T-test and Fisher´s exact tests were used for statistical analysis (P < .05). After 1 week, 32 patients in the CG and 33 in the PG returned their VAS cards. The PG resulted in lower pain levels after the 24-hour interval (median 0) than the CG (median 2); there was no difference between both groups at 72-h and 1-week intervals. The decrease in pain was higher in the PG at all time-intervals when compared to the CG. There was no difference in the mean number of tablets taken for pain relief (P > .05). Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that PDT was efficient in decreasing pain in teeth presenting with SAP. There was no difference observed after 72 hours and there was no impact on the intake of pain relief medication.