Biomedical subjects

Francesco Somma

Publications and source records attributed to Francesco Somma.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Flexural properties of endodontic posts and human root dentin.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the flexural modulus and flexural strength of different types of endodontic post in comparison with human root dentin. METHODS: Three different types of fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) posts and three metal posts each comprising 10 specimens (n=10) and 20 dentin bars were loaded to failure in a three-point bending test to determine the flexural modulus (GPa) and the flexural strength (MPa). Three randomly selected fiber posts of each group were evaluated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to illustrate the differences in mode of fracture. Data were subjected to a one-way ANOVA to determine significant differences between groups and the Bonferroni t-test multiple comparison was applied to investigate which mean values differed from one another with significance levels of P<0.05. RESULTS: The flexural modulus recorded for the dentin bars was 17.5+/-3.8 GPa. The values for posts ranged from 24.4+/-3.8 GPa for silica fiber posts to 108.6+/-10.7 GPa for stainless steel posts. The flexural strength for dentin was 212.9+/-41.9 MPa, while the posts ranged from 879.1+/-66.2 MPa for silica fiber posts to 1545.3+/-135.9 MPa for cast gold posts. The ANOVA test analysis revealed significant differences between groups (P<0.05) for flexural modulus and flexural strength mean values. SIGNIFICANCE: FRC posts have an elastic modulus that more closely approaches that of dentin while that for metal posts was much higher. The flexural strength of fiber and metal posts was respectively four and seven times higher than root dentin.

Carbon↗

PubMed2006

Cross-sectional analysis of root canals prepared with NiTi rotary instruments and stainless steel reciprocating files.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the shaping of oval-shaped root canals using 2 different preparation techniques resulted in significant morphologic differences. STUDY DESIGN: Forty lower premolars with oval-shaped root canals were divided into group A, instrumented with the Anatomic Endodontic Technology (AET) system, and group B, treated with ProTaper instruments. A modified Bramante technique was used to analyze changes in root canal diameters (DeltaD), changes in surface area (DeltaA), and the change in buccolingual and mesiodistal ratio (DeltaR). The data were subjected to a Student t test at a significance level of P < 0.05. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found between the 2 groups at coronal and middle levels. There was no statistically significant difference at the apical level. CONCLUSIONS: The 2 techniques produced a significant difference in the ultimate shape of the coronal and middle portions of oval-shaped root canals, with the AET system removing more tooth structure at these levels. However, no differences were observed at the apical third.

Dental Pulp Cavity↗

PubMed2006

Interaction between EDTA and sodium hypochlorite: a nuclear magnetic resonance analysis.

Recent studies detected erosion of the dentinal walls following the use of EDTA as a final flush. Several authors have studied degradation of EDTA and it appears to be caused by an oxidation reaction. The objective of this paper was to verify through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis if the oxidizing property of sodium hypochlorite inactivates EDTA. Solutions of sodium hypochlorite and EDTA were analyzed. EDTA tracing and the appearance of new signals indicative of by-products of the reaction, were studied at different time intervals with a NMR analysis. The tracings of NMR analysis confirmed that the reaction between sodium hypochlorite and EDTA lead to a very slow but progressive degradation of this compound. Mindful of the limitations of an in vitro study, the results of this study nevertheless demonstrated that a final flush with sodium hypochlorite cannot limit the chelating effects of EDTA in a clinically realistic time period.

Chelating Agents↗

PubMed2006

Three-dimensional imaging using microcomputed tomography for studying tooth macromorphology.

BACKGROUND: The authors conducted a study to demonstrate potential applications of microcomputed tomography (microCT) in the analysis of tooth morphology. METHODS: The authors selected for microCT analysis five maxillary first molars with a second canal in the mesiobuccal (MB) root, five mandibular first molars with a mesial root possessing a considerable curvature and five single-canal premolars with complicated apical anatomy. The hardware device used in this study was a desktop X-ray microfocus CT scanner (SkyScan 1072, SkyScan bvba, Aartselaar, Belgium). RESULTS: The authors obtained a three-dimensional image from each of the 15 teeth. In three cases, the MB canals coalesced into one canal, while in the other two molars the canals were separate. Four of the five mandibular molars exhibited a single canal in the mesial root, which had a broad, flat appearance in a mesiodistal dimension. In the premolar teeth, the canals were independent; however, the apical delta and ramifications of the root canals were obvious, yet intricate. CONCLUSIONS: MicroCT offers a reproducible technique for 3-D noninvasive assessment of root canal systems. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: While this technique is not suitable for clinical use, it can be applied to improve preclinical training and analysis of fundamental procedures in endodontic and restorative treatment.

Humans↗

PubMed2006

Adapting fiber-reinforced composite root canal posts for use in noncircular-shaped canals.

Post placement in oval-shaped root canals implies the sacrifice of sound dental tissue to adapt the canal shape to fit the post, which can result in one of several significant complications. A semidirect, single-visit, chairside procedure is proposed, which permits the use of an almost anatomically shaped post, starting from a preformed fiber-reinforced composite root canal post of the largest size commercially available. The utilization of this post capitalizes on the advantages of both the fiber post and the anatomical post in oval- and ribbon-shaped canals to provide restoration of endodontically treated teeth.

Acrylic Resins↗