• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2007

Purpose: To examine the danger zone of mesial root of mandibular first molar of patient without extraction using CBCT (cone-beam computed tomography) to avoid the risk of root perforation. Materials and Methods: 20 mandibular first molars without caries and restorations were collected, CT images were obtained by CBCT ($PSR9000N^{TM}$, Asahi Roentgen Co., Japan), reformed and analyzed by V-work 5.0 (CyberMed Inc., Korea), Distance between canal orifice and furcation was measured. In cross sectional images at 3, 4 and 5 mm below the canal orifice, distal wall thickness of mesiobuccal canal (MB-D), distal wall thickness of mesiolingual canal (ML-D), distal wall thickness of central part (C-D), mesial wall thickness of mesiobuccal canal (MB-M) and mesial wall thickness of mesiolingual canal (ML-M) were measured, Results: The mean distance between the canal orifice and the furcation of the roots is 2.40 mm, Distal wall is found to be thinner than mesial wall. Mean dentinal wall thickness of distal wall is about 1 mm, The wall thickness is thinner as the distance from the canal orifice is farther. But significant differences are not noted between 4 mm and 5 mm in MB-D and C-D, MB-D is thinner than ML-D although the differences is not significant. Conclusion: The present study confirmed the anatomical weakness of distal surface of the coronal part of the mesial roots of mandibular first molar by CBCT and provided an anatomical guide line of wall thickness during endodontic treatment.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2007

The purposes of this study were to examine the variability of adhesive thickness on the different site of the cavity wall when used total-etch system without filler and simplified self-etch system with filler and to evaluate the relationship between variable adhesive thickness and microtensile bond strength to the cavity wall. A class I cavity in six human molars was prepared to expose all dentinal walls. Three teeth were bonded with a filled adhesive, $Clearfil^{TM}$ SE bond ana the other three teeth were bonded with unfilled adhesives, $Scotchbond^{TM}$ Multi Purpose. Morphology and thickness of adhesive layer were examined using fluorescence microscope. Bonding agent thickness was measured at three points along the axial cavity wall edge of cavity margin (rim). halfway down each cavity wall (h1f), internal angle of the cavity (ang). After reproducing the adhesive thickness at rim, h1f and ang, micro-tensile bond strength were evaluated. For both bonding agents, adhesive thickness of ang was significantly thicker than that of rim and h1f (P <0.05). As reproduced the adhesive thickness, microtensile bond strength was increased as adhesive thickness was increased in two bonding agents. Adhesive thickness of internal angle of the cavity was significantly thicker than that of the cavity margin and the halfway cavity wall for both bonding agents. Microtensile bond strength of the thick adhesive layer at the internal angle of the cavity was higher than that of the thin adhesive layer at 1,he cavity margin and the halfway cavity in the two bonding systems.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.577-586
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• 2002

The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the effects of root canal cleanness following two Ni-Ti rotary instruments with different rake angle. Thirty-six sound, extracted human premolars with single root were randomly divided into three groups. The used rotary instruments were HEROShaper (Group 1, Micro-Mega, Besancon, France, n=12) and ProFile (Group 2, Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland, n=12). Control group (n=12) was only extirpated with barbed broach (Mani, Matsutani Seisakusho Co., Japan) Group 1 & 2 teeth were prepared to a #40/.04 taper at the apex followed by 1 mm using crown-down technique. After canal preparation and frequent irrigation with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, the roots split longitudinally into a bucco-lingual direction. Root halves were cross-sectioned in apical third portion again. All root specimens were processed for SEM investigation and photographed. Separate evaluations by one endodontist were undertaken for smear layer on prepared walls with a five score-index for each using reference photograph in root halves. The penetration depth of smear layer into dentinal tubules was also estimated in the other halves. Following results were obtained: 1. Smear layer was observed on all the prepared walls with two experimental groups except control group. 2. Smear layer characteristics in two experimental groups; 1) HEROShaper group showed snowy, dusty appearance and were shown open dentinal tubuli on the prepared walls of almost specimens, and the thickness of smear layer covering onto dentinal surfaces was within 1-2 ${\mu}m$ in a few specimens. 2) ProFile group showed shiny, burnished appearance and complete root canal wall covered by a homogenous smear layer with no open dentinal tubuli in all specimens. The penetration of smear layer into dentinal tubules was found in all specimens and the thickness was at 2-4 ${\mu}m$ in all specimens. These results demonstrated that a completely clean root canal could not be achieved regardless of positive or negative rake angle, which is in accordance with the majority of previous studies on root canal cleanliness In conclusion, through irrigation with antibacterial solutions or chelating agents is recommended to remove the smear layer on prepared canal wall in spite of Ni-Ti instrumentation.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2007

The C-shaped canal system is an anatomical variation mostly seen in mandibular second molars, although it can also occur in maxillary and other mandibular molars. The main anatomical feature of C-shaped canals is the presence of fins or web connecting the individual root canals. The complexity of C-shaped canals prevents these canals from being cleaned, shaped, and obturated effectively during root canal therapy, and sometimes it leads to an iatrogenic perforation from the extravagant preparation. The purpose of this study was to provide further knowledge of the anatomical configuration and the minimal thickness of dentinal wall according to the level of the root. Thirty extracted mandibular second molars with fused roots and longitudinal grooves on lingual or buccal surface of the root were collected from a native Korean population. The photo images and radiographs from buccal, lingual, apical direction were taken. After access cavity was prepared, teeth were placed in 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution for 2 hours to dissolve the organic tissue of the root surface and from the root canal system. After bench dried and all the teeth were embedded in a self-curing resin. Each block was sectioned using a microtome (Accutom-50, Struers, Denmark) at interval of 1 mm. The sectioned surface photograph was taken using a digital camera (Coolpix 995, Nikon, Japan) connected to the microscope. 197 images were evaluated for canal configurations and the minimal thickness of dentinal wall between canal and external wall using 'Root Thickness Gauge Program' designed with Visual Basic. The results were as follows : 1. At the orifice level of all teeth, the most frequent observed configuration was Melton's Type C I (73%), however the patterns were changed to type C II and C III when the sections were observed at the apical third. On the other hand, the type C III was observed at the orifice level of only 2 teeth but this type could be seen at apical region of the rest of the teeth. 2. The C-shaped canal showed continuous and semi-colon shape at the orifice level, but at the apical portion of the canal there was high possibility of having 2 or 3 canals 3. Lingual wall was thinner than buccal wall at coronal, middle, apical thirds of root but there was no statistical differences.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.457-464
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• 2005

The purpose of our study was to investigate whether the intrapulpal temperature during cavity preparation of enamel or dentin with Er:YAG laser still remained in range of safety for dental pulp protection when combined with appropriate water flow rate. The effect of different pulse repetition rates at the same pulse energy during ablation was evaluated as well. Caries-free, restoration-free extracted human molar teeth were prepared for the specimen and divided two experimental groups of enamel and dentin. Each group comprised 5 specimens and each of tooth specimens were embedded into a resin block each and measuring probe was placed on the irradiated pulpal walls. For experiments of dentin ablation, enamel layers were prepared to produce dentin specimen with a same dentin thickness of 2 mm. A pulse energy of Er:YAG laser was set to 300 mJ and three different pulse repetition rates of 20 Hz, 15 Hz and 10 Hz were employed. Laser beam was delivered with 3 seconds and less per application over enamel and dentin surfaces constant sized by $3\;mm{\times}2\;mm$ and water spray added during irradiation was a rate of 1.6 ml/min. Temperature change induced by Er:YAG laser irradiation was monitored and recorded While enamel was ablated, there was no significant difference of temperature related to pulse repetition rates(p=0.358) and temperature change at any pulse repetition rate was negligible. Significant statistical difference in temperature changes during cavity preparation in dentin existed among three different pulse groups(p=0.001). While temperature rise was noticeable when the dentinal wall was perforated, actual change of temperature due to Er:YAG laser irradiation was not enough to compromise safety of dental pulp when irradiation was conjugated with appropriate water spray. Conclusively, it can be said that cavity preparation on enamel or dentin with an Er:YAG laser is performed safely without pulp damage if appropriate volume of water is sprayed properly over the irradiated site.