Effects of ultrasonic root-end cavity preparation on the root apex

Hamid R Abedi,Bradley L Van Mierlo,Petra Wilder-Smith,Mahmoud Torabinejad

doi:10.1016/s1079-2104(05)80204-5

Abstract

This study determined the effect of bur and ultrasonic preparation on the root apex. After cleaning, shaping, and obturation of root canals of 47 single-rooted teeth and resection of their apexes were done, 24 root-end cavities were prepared with a bur, and the rest were prepared with ultrasonic tips attached to two different ultrasonic units. After photographs of the prepared root ends were taken, their resin replicas were prepared and examined with a scanning electron microscope. Photographs and scanning electron microscope photomicrographs were examined for the presence or absence of cracks. The results showed a significantly higher incidence of crack formation in the walls of root-end cavities prepared by ultrasonic tips compared with those made by the bur.

Highlights

This study determined the effect of bur and ultrasonic preparation on the root apex
The results showed a significantly higher incidence of crack formation in the walls of root-end cavities prepared by ultrasonic tips compared with those made by the bur. (ORALSURGORALMEOORAtPATHOLORALRADtOL ENDOD 1995;80:207-13)
One of the main goals of periradicular surgery is to form an apical seal at the root apex, thereby sealing the periradicular tissues from egress of antigens from infected root canals

Summary

The results showed a significantly higher incidence of crack formation in the walls of root-end cavities prepared by ultrasonic tips compared with those made by the bur. A root-end preparation should be parallel to the long axis of the root, 3 mm deep, and centered within the root.4Because of the complexity of the root aDepartment of Endodontics Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. To date no published report is available on the effect of ultrasonic vibration on the remaining tooth structure surrounding the root-end cavities The purpose of this investigation was to study the effects of ultrasonic root-end preparation on root-end cavity walls compared with burs with the use of a resin replica technique under light and scanning electron microscopes

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Findings

DISCUSSION