title: MTA obturation of pulpless teeth with open apices: bacterial leakage as detected by polymerase chain reaction assay.
abstract: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by reverse dot blot was used to detect Enterococcus faecalis leakage through mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) apical obturations of pulpless teeth with open apices. Prepared root canals of 34 extracted teeth were given a standard apical foramen opening and received orthograde apical obturation with MTA; three groups had 1-, 2-, or 3-mm thickness. Sterilized specimens were inoculated with E. faecalis and incubated in sterile medium. DNA extracted from the specimens was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, which yielded a specific segment of E. faecalis 16S rDNA. On day 10 of incubation, no specimens were contaminated. On day 50, almost 17% of specimens were contaminated, with no statistically significant difference between groups (Chi-square = 0.48; df = 2; p = 0.787). Therefore, MTA provides an adequate seal even in cases of orthograde apical obturation of pulpless teeth with open apices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Metello Leiss
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: de Leimburg
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Angeretti
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ceruti
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lendini
authors.forename: Damiano
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pasqualini
authors.forename: Elio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Berutti
mesh_terms: D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D017610:Calcium Compounds; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000032:analysis; D003763:Dental Leakage / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004338:Drug Combinations; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D010087:Oxides; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000379:methods*; D017640:Silicates; D019227:Tooth Apex; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital
chemical_list: D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D017610:Calcium Compounds; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D004338:Drug Combinations; D010087:Oxides; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D017640:Silicates; C086631:mineral trioxide aggregate