Clinical Research Directory

Biomarkers in Apical Periodontitis

Aim: To evaluate the effects of three different irrigation activation techniques-conventional syringe irrigation (CSI), ultrasonic irrigation (UI), and SWEEPS (Shock Wave Enhanced Emission Photoacoustic Streaming)-on the levels of proinflammatory cytokines (Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β)) and proteolytic enzymes matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in teeth with chronic apical periodontitis. Methodology: Sixty-six male patients (aged 18-35) with single-rooted teeth, previous root canal treatment (at least 4 years ago), and periapical lesions (\<1 cm, PAI score 3 or 4) were included. Sample size was determined by G\*Power (Power=0.90, α=0.05). Following local anesthesia and rubber dam isolation, endodontic access was performed under a dental operating microscope. After removing old filling material and completing root canal preparation with Reciproc R25/R50 files, patients were randomly assigned into three groups (n=22 each): (1) CSI (30G needle), (2) UI (EMS miniPiezon), and (3) SWEEPS (Er:YAG laser, 2940 nm). Periapical exudate samples were collected using sterile paper points (2 mm beyond the apex for 60s) at the first visit (pre-treatment) and the second visit (one week post-medication with calcium hydroxide). Samples were analyzed via ELISA for TNF-α, IL-1β, and MMP-9 levels. Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 20. Percent changes in biomarker levels were evaluated using the Kruskal-Wallis test for inter-group comparisons and the Wilcoxon test for intra-group (pre- vs. post-treatment) comparisons. Linear regression was used to identify effective factors (group, age, gender, tooth type). Significance was set at (p \< 0.05). Keywords: Apical periodontitis, SWEEPS, Ultrasonic activation, Cytokines, MMP-9, Endodontics.

Effects of Irrigation Activation Systems on Postoperative Pain and Lesion Healing in Single-Visit Retreatment

In this superiority randomized clinical trial with a parallel design, 75 asymptomatic maxillary anterior teeth with 2-5 mm periapical lesions and a history of primary root canal treatment (PRCT) at least four years earlier were included. Patients were randomly assigned, using a randomization sequence generated on www.random.org, and divided into three groups. In all patients, existing canal fillings were removed using Remover rotary file (Coltene, MicroMega) and hand files. Working lengths were determined with an apex locator and canals reshaped using the step-back technique. For the final irrigation, side-vented needles were positioned 2 mm short of the working length. Activation was performed with Ultra X (Eighteeth) in the ultrasonic group, EDDY (VDW) in the sonic group, and an Er:YAG laser (LightWalker, Fotona) in SWEEPS mode (2940 nm, 5 μs, 20 mJ, 15 Hz) in the laser group. In all groups, each irrigant (EDTA followed by NaOCl) was activated in three cycles of 20 seconds. All canals were obturated with gutta-percha and a bioceramic sealer, and restored with composite. Pain levels were recorded using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours, and on day 7. The completed forms were collected by another independent investigator blinded to the group assignments. At the end of the treatment, periapical radiographs were obtained and recorded from all patients. Patients whose treatment was completed will be recalled at the 6th, 12th, and 24th months for follow-up periapical radiographs, and the comparison of healing among the groups will be evaluated as a secondary outcome based on changes in the PAI index.

Effect of Different Apex Locators on Postoperative Pain in Endodontic Retreatment of Single-Rooted Teeth: Prospective Randomized Clinical Study

Nonsurgical endodontic retreatment is a vital procedure that promotes periapical healing by eliminating previous root canal fillings, necrotic tissue, and residual microorganisms, thanks to the comprehensive cleaning of the root canal system \[1\]. The successful disinfection of intricate anatomical structures, such as dentinal tubules, lateral canals, and isthmuses, largely depends on the effective removal of obturation materials \[2\]. Even in the absence of coronal leakage or recurrent caries, persistent clinical symptoms or radiographic evidence of periapical pathology may indicate treatment failure, warranting retreatment \[3\]. Residual bacteria and remnants of root filling materials are known contributors to posttreatment disease \[4\]. A key factor in the success of both primary endodontic treatment and retreatment is the accurate determination of working length (WL), which dictates the apical extent of canal instrumentation and obturation \[5\]. Inadequate WL may result in over-instrumentation, leading to periapical irritation and postoperative pain \[6\]. WL is generally defined as the distance from a coronal reference point to the location where canal cleaning, shaping, and filling should ideally terminate, often coinciding with the apical constriction, and occasionally with the cementodentinal junction, where pulpal and periodontal tissues transition \[5\]. Although periapical radiographs are still commonly used for WL determination, they do not always provide definitive results due to certain limitations. Factors such as improper film placement, angular distortion, image magnification and distortion, patient exposure to ionizing radiation, and the superimposition of anatomical structures can compromise the accuracy of measurements \[7\]. As a result, electronic apex locators (EALs) have gained prominence as a dependable and objective tool for determining WL, offering real-time measurements less influenced by operator variability or anatomical distortions \[6\]. The initial generations of electronic apex locators (EALs) exhibited inconsistent readings and limited accuracy, particularly in the presence of irrigation solutions or tissue fluids. However, recent advancements have significantly enhanced the reliability and clinical performance of EALs. Modern EALs, such as the ProPex Pixi (Dentsply, Switzerland) and Root ZX (J. Morita, Japan) apex locators, utilize multiple-frequency impedance measurements to detect changes as the file approaches the minor apical foramen \[8\]. These devices are equipped with microprocessors that analyze real-time impedance variations, allowing for dynamic and accurate assessment of canal length during instrumentation. Thanks to these technological enhancements, contemporary EALs can precisely identify the apical constriction, even under challenging clinical conditions \[9\]. Recent studies have demonstrated that modern devices can achieve up to 90% accuracy in WL determination, making them indispensable tools in both primary and secondary endodontic procedures \[9, 10\]. Raypex (Raypex 6, VDW GmbH, Munich, Germany) is another widely used electronic apex locator (EAL). Aydın et al. \[11\] demonstrated that Raypex 6 showed success rates of 85% and 95% within ±0.5 mm and ±1 mm, respectively, in teeth with mature apices. Although apex locators function with the same principle, the areas detected by different devices may differ. These variations in apical measurements among different EALs may not only affect treatment accuracy but could also influence the extent of postoperative pain experienced by the patient. Postoperative pain is a significant concern in endodontics, with its incidence ranging from 3% to 58% \[12\]. Irritation of periradicular tissues during root canal treatment induces an acute inflammatory response, leading to the release of chemical mediators and changes in local pressure and tissue adaptation \[13\]. Accurate WL determination plays a critical role in minimizing postoperative pain \[14\]. Although the use of electronic EALs in WL determination during root canal treatment has been widely accepted, there are only a limited number of clinical studies investigating their effect on postoperative pain. Recent studies have explored the clinical performance and accuracy of different EALs; however, their focus was primarily on measurement precision rather than postoperative outcomes like pain or patient comfort \[7, 15\]. Despite the increasing use of EALs in endodontic procedures, there is currently no clinical study that examines the impact of using different apex locator devices on postoperative pain in the nonsurgical endodontic retreatment. Given the added complexity of retreatment cases, such as the need to remove previous obturation materials and the potential for greater periapical irritation, this represents a significant gap in the literature. The primary aim of this randomized clinical study is to evaluate and compare the effect of WL determination using different apex locator

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) Retreatment in Second-line Treatment of Advanced Gastric Cancer: a Retrospective, Real-world Study

This is a single-center, retrospective, observational, real-world study. We collected general and clinical data of patients with advanced gastric cancer who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2018 to July 2024.