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Aim: To evaluate the influence of various endodontic access cavity designs and the use of an operating microscope (OM) with or without ultrasonic troughing to detect middle mesial canals (MMCs) in extracted mandibular first molars. Methodology: Sixty extracted mandibular first molars were evaluated by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in order to detect the presence of MMCs and then divided into two groups (n = 30) with an equal proportion of 1 molar with MMC for each 3 molars. A specific access cavity design was performed for each group, either a conservative access cavity (CAC) or a traditional access cavity (TAC). Root canals were detected in three assessment stages: (i) no magnification, (ii) using an OM and (iii) using an OM together with ultrasonic troughing. Evaluations were performed on a mannequin head in an ergonomic working position. The confidence obtained in the assessment stages was portrayed by sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, calculated by the area under the ROC curve. The difference in the proportion of correct diagnoses in identifying the MMC using either CAC or TAC preparation, at each of the three stages, was checked using Cochran's Q tests. Binomial tests were performed at each stage to investigate whether there was a difference between the types of endodontic access designs to detect MMCs. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Accuracy increased at each assessment stage. At the third stage, both groups provided perfect accuracy (1.00). Cochran's Q tests indicated that the confidence of MMC detection for both TAC and CAC groups (P < 0.05) increased significantly at each stage. Binomial tests demonstrated that there was no significant difference between the TAC and CAC groups, when evaluation was performed without magnification (P > 0.05), with OM (P > 0.05), or with OM associated with ultrasonic troughing (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The access cavity design did not significantly affect detection of middle mesial canals in extracted mandibular first molars placed in a mannequin. However, the use of OM increased the accuracy of the MMC identification, especially when associated with ultrasonic troughing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frozoni M, Balic A, Sagomonyants K, Zaia AA, Line SRP, Mina M. A feasibility study for the analysis of reparative dentinogenesis in pOBCol3.6GFPtpz transgenic mice. International Endodontic Journal, 45, 907-914, 2012. Abstract Aim To examine the feasibility of using the pOBCol3.6GFPtpz [3.6-green fluorescent protein (GFP)] transgenic mice as an in vivo model for studying the biological sequence of events during pulp healing and reparative dentinogenesis. Methodology Pulp exposures were created in the first maxillary molar of 12-16-week-old 3.6-GFP transgenic mice with CD1 and C57/Bl6 genetic background. Direct pulp capping on exposed teeth was performed using mineral trioxide aggregate followed by restoration with a light-cured adhesive system (AS) and composite resin. In control teeth, the AS was placed in direct contact with the pulp. Animals were euthanized at various time points after pulp exposure and capping. The maxillary arch was isolated, fixed and processed for histological and epifluorescence analysis to examine reparative dentinogenesis. Results Analysis of teeth immediately after pulp exposure revealed absence of odontoblasts expressing 3.6-GFP at the injury site. Evidence of reparative dentinogenesis was apparent at 4 weeks in 3.6-GFP mice in CD1 background and at 8 weeks in 3.6-GFP mice with C57/Bl6 background. The reparative dentine with both groups contained newly formed atubular-mineralized tissue resembling a dentine bridge and/or osteodentine that was lined by cells expressing 3.6-GFP as well as 3.6-GFP expressing cells embedded within the atubular matrix. Conclusion This study was conducted in a few animals and did not allow statistical analysis. The results revealed that the 3.6-GFP transgenic animals provide a unique model for direct analysis of cellular and molecular mechanisms of pulp repair and tertiary dentinogenesis in vivo. The study also shows the effects of the capping material and the genetic background of the mice in the sequence and timing of reparative dentinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]