Journal of Endodontics Research

M. Bernath & J. Szabo.
Department of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Pecs University, Pecs, Hungary.

Aim.
To analyse the type and degree of inflammatory reaction initiated by four sealers.

Conclusions.
The present study has demonstrated that sealers with different chemical compositions initiate different types of inflammatory reactions. The study revealed a good biocompatibility of Apexit and Grossman’s sealers and emphasized that root canal filling confined to the canal is an important factor in reducing periapical inflammation.

P. G. Satchell, J. L. Gutmann & D. E.Witherspoon.
Private Practice Limited to Endodontics, Houston, USA.
Private Practice Limited to Endodontics, Dallas, USA.
Private Practice Limited to Endodontics, Plano, Texas, USA.

Apoptosis plays an important role in many aspects of endodontics, yet there is a paucity of information in this regard in the endodontic literature. Apoptosis is a single deletion of scattered cells by fragmentation into membrane- bound particles that are phagocytosed by other cells. It is a key process in the embryological development of the tooth, periodontal ligament and supporting oral tissue in the progression of oral disease, bone resorption, immunological response and inflammation, and in wound healing and certain pharmacological effects. The understanding of the ability of clinical materials to induce or inhibit apoptosis and the investigation of apoptosis as it relates to the pathogenesis of pulpal and periradicular pathology may eventually lead to new treatment approaches for the endodontist. The purpose of this review is to familiarize the clinical endodontist with current knowledge on apoptosis as it relates to the pulp and periradicular tissues.

M. Aeinehchi, B.Eslami, M. Ghanbariha & A. S. Saffar
Department of Endodontics, Azad University School of Dentistry, Tehran, Iran.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Shahid Beheshti School of Dentistry, Tehran, Iran.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Isfahan School of Dentistry, Isfahan, Iran.
Shahid Beheshti School of Dentistry, Tehran, Iran.

Aim.
To compare mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) with calcium hydroxide when used as pulp-capping materials in human teeth.

Conclusions.
Although the results favour the use of MTA, more studies with larger samples and a longer follow up are suggested.

M.-K.Wu, L.W. M. van der Sluis & P. R.Wesselink
Department of Cariology, Endodontology, Pedodontology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Aim.
To evaluate the capability of two hand instrumentation techniques, namely balanced force and circumferential filing, to remove the inner layer of dentine in oval canals.

Conclusion.
In oval canals, both the balanced force and circumferential filing techniques left large portions of the canal wall uninstrumented.

E. Schafer & R. Schlingemann
Department of Operative Dentistry, University of Munster, Munster, Germany.

Aim.
To determine the cleaning effectiveness and the shaping ability of K3 nickel-titanium rotary instruments and stainless steel hand K-Flexofiles during the preparation of curved root canals in extracted human teeth.

Conclusions.
Under the conditions of this study, K-Flexofiles allowed significantly better removal of debris than K3 instruments. K3 files maintained the original curvature significantly better. A number of K3 instruments fractured.