Biomedical subjects

T Alaçam

Publications and source records attributed to T Alaçam.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Short-term antibacterial activity of root canal sealers towards Enterococcus faecalis.

AIM: To investigate the antimicrobial activity of root canal sealers on Enterococcus faecalis, either allowing or avoiding direct contact between sealers and bacteria. METHODOLOGY: Filter paper discs were immersed in standardized E. faecalis suspensions and exposed to freshly mixed sealers (MCS, AH Plus, Grossman's sealer, Sealapex, Apexit) in teflon wells for 30 min, with or without a filter membrane placed between filter paper discs and sealers (membrane-restricted contact test and direct contact test, respectively). After exposure, the filter paper discs were transferred to vials containing phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and glass beads, and vigorously vortexed. PBS with resuspended bacterial cells was serially diluted and 25 microL droplets were seeded on TSA plates. The plates were incubated in air at 37 degrees C for 24 h and colony-forming units were counted. Using alpha = 0.05 as level for statistical significance, the data obtained were analysed using Student's t-test. RESULTS: In the direct contact test, MCS and AH Plus killed the bacteria to a level below the detection limit. They were followed in decreasing order of efficacy by Grossman's sealer, Sealapex and Apexit. In the membrane-restricted contact test, the sealers ranked: MCS, AH Plus, Grossman's sealer, Apexit and Sealapex, in descending order of antibacterial potency. MCS, AH Plus and Grossman's sealer significantly reduced the number of viable bacteria in both tests. Sealapex and Apexit were not statistically different from control. CONCLUSIONS: MCS, AH Plus and Grossman's sealer were effective in reducing the number of cultivable cells of E. faecalis. Calcium hydroxide-based sealers, Sealapex and Apexit were ineffective in this short-term experiment.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗

PubMed2002

A simple model to demonstrate the electronic apex locator.

AIM: To describe and evaluate a newly developed model for demonstrating and teaching the use of electronic apex locators. SUMMARY: A phantom model, master jaw model and extracted human teeth were used to construct the demonstration model with alginate impression material as the periapical conductive medium. The model was validated in a series of length determinations with apical foramina enlarged to 0.20, 0.30 and 0.45 mm diameter, and the stability of the model was evaluated up to 45 h after construction. All evaluations were conducted with the Root ZX apex locator with 2.65 and 5.25% NaOCl in the canals. Most length measurements were within 1 mm of actual root length (range: -2.2 to +0.21 mm) and did not change significantly over 45 h for teeth with foramina of 0.3 mm or less. Measurements for teeth with wide (0.45 mm) apices were stable up to 28 h. NaOCl concentration did not significantly affect the readings. KEY LEARNING POINTS: A simple, inexpensive model can be manufactured from plastic dental jaws, natural teeth and alginate impression material to demonstrate electronic working length measurement. The model is stable for many hours and provides consistent results with different concentrations of NaOCl in the canal and various apical diameters. The model is a useful teaching aid but needs further evaluation and refinement before use in research applications.

Alginates↗

PubMed1998

Analysis of stress distribution in a maxillary central incisor subjected to various post and core applications.

In this study, stress distribution in a maxillary central incisor that was subjected to endodontic treatment and various post and core applications was determined by using a three-dimensional finite-element method. Cast gold post and gold core and different combinations of prefabricated stainless steel post, or a prefabricated titanium post with amalgam or composite cores were considered. In all cases, the tooth was assumed to have a porcelain crown. The primary purpose of the study was to evaluate the stress distribution due to simulated biting forces and thus investigate the reliability of different post and core applications. It was found that, within the limitations of the study, the cast gold post and gold core application yielded the best result. The second purpose of the study was to highlight the importance of using a unique stress value, which contains the effects of all the possible stress components existing upon loading in the determination of a possible failure. A resultant stress value and all the constituent components were shown in detail, and it was proved that an estimation independently based on an individual component might lead to erroneous results.

Composite Resins↗

PubMed1998

Dentin penetration of 2 calcium hydroxide combinations.

OBJECTIVE: Calcium hydroxide is a common intracanal medicament. The powder can be mixed with different vehicles for placement in canals. This study examines pH changes in dentin with 2 different calcium hydroxide preparations. STUDY DESIGN: The combinations used were calcium hydroxide + distilled water and calcium hydroxide + glycerin (1/7 distilled water). One hundred forty extracted teeth with single canals were used. pH changes in dentin after the intracanal placement of these combinations were evaluated at different dentin thicknesses by measuring the pH of the external environment. RESULTS: For all dentin thicknesses and at all time periods, the calcium hydroxide + glycerin combination showed significantly higher pH values than the calcium hydroxide + distilled water combination. CONCLUSIONS: Considering pH elevations, we propose the use of a calcium hydroxide + glycerin combination.

Calcium Hydroxide↗

PubMed1996

Lactate dehydrogenase activity in periodontal ligament cells stored in different transport media.

BACKGROUND: Maintaining viability of periodontal ligament cells is important after an avulsion injury occurs. OBJECTIVE: This study examined cell death and compared different transport media at varying times. Lactate dehydrogenase (LD) measurements were made on root surfaces of extracted teeth for evaluating the results of breakdown and necrosis of periodontal ligament cells. STUDY DESIGN: Teeth were divided into three groups. Each was immersed in one of the following storage media: Hanks balanced salt solution, Custodiol solution (an organ storage medium), or sterile saline solution. I.D. measurements (an indicator of cell death) were made at 2, 6, 24, 72, and 168 hours after extraction. RESULTS: When the LD levels were compared according to the time periods, a progressive increase of cell death was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001). However, when the effects of both time periods and the kind of storage medium on the LD levels were examined, the LD levels of the saline solution storage medium were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that of the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both Hanks balanced salt solution and Custodiol appeared to be suitable transport media for maintaining cell viability, whereas saline solution was not.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1995

Analysis of stress distribution in a vertically condensed maxillary central incisor root canal.

In this study, the stress distribution in a maxillary central incisor subjected to an endodontic treatment was determined by using a three-dimensional finite-element method. The tooth had a variable root canal cross-sectional area, and the canal was assumed to be filled with vertical condensation. The Clinical practice was simulated by considering the obturation in successive stages. The main aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of fracture due to the obturation process. It was found that, within the limits of the study, the likelihood of a root fracture in such a process is a remote possibility.

Dental Pulp Cavity↗

PubMed1993

Cytotoxicity versus antibacterial activity of some antiseptics in vitro.

Through the development of new techniques for bacterial growth and isolation, obligate anaerobes have been shown to be more prevalent than previously thought in the pathogenesis of periapical and pulpal diseases. A follow-up study was conducted to examine the germicidal effect of 0.05% NaOCl, 10 mg/ml metronidazole and supernatant of Ca (OH)2 (0.025 ml) on four anaerobic microorganisms commonly found in root canals, and to compare the toxicity of these substances on cell cultures. In vitro testing revealed that 0.05% NaOCl and Ca (OH)2 were both equally effective on these anaerobes. Also, metronidazole was found to be germicidally effective against Bacteroides melaninogenicus, Bacteroides oralis and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, but ineffective against Veillonella alcalescens. Furthermore, it was found that NaOCl and Ca (OH)2 had a very destructive effect on cell cultures compared with their antimicrobial effect, whereas metronidazole was less toxic among the agents tested.

Bacillus subtilis↗

PubMed1990

Evaluation of diagnostic radiopaque contrast materials used with calcium hydroxide.

An evaluation of three different radiopaque materials used in combination with calcium hydroxide powder for diagnostic contrast was made. Diatrizoate meglumine (65%) and iothalamate meglumine (60%) compared favorably with barium sulfate (35%). Since barium sulfate has demonstrated problems by altering the manipulative properties of calcium hydroxide as well as demonstrating a residual radiopacity, there may be advantages to the use of resorbable diatrizoate or iothalamate compounds as alternatives. These soluble iodine compounds also make possible an excellent aqueous medium in which to mix calcium hydroxide.

Barium Sulfate↗

PubMed1987