Bacterial penetration into filled root canals exposed to different pressures and to the oral environment-in vivo analysis.

Objectives: The study aims to correlate the depth of bacterial penetration into filled root canals with the time of exposure to the oral environment and different pressures.

Materials And Methods: One-hundred and twenty-two root canals of male Beagle dog teeth were prepared and filled. The root canals were distributed into three groups, according to the pressure applied: (A) no pressure, (B) 30 kPa, and (C) 60 kPa.

Assessment of pulp blood flow in primary and permanent teeth using pulse oximetry.

Pulse oximetry (PO) is a well-accepted non-invasive method for assessing vascular health, based on oxygen saturation (SaO(2) ) measurements. The objectives of this study were to design and build a custom-made PO dental sensor holder, to evaluate the effectiveness of PO in determining pulp blood flow in primary and permanent teeth, and to compare the SaO(2) levels obtained in teeth and on the little finger of patients. The PO sensor adapted to the custom-made sensor holder is termed as a device to position and hold the PO sensor.

SEM evaluation of the apical external root surface of teeth with chronic periapical lesion.

The aim is to verify, under scanning electron microscopy, the occurrence of apical root resorption in anterior and posterior teeth with chronic and radiographically visible periapical lesions. Thirty-two teeth were extracted, the apical thirds (n = 39) were removed, and prepared to analyse the external apical root surface. All specimens presented irregular areas of root resorption with different depths, located mainly around the apical foramen.