Root Canal Disinfection, Rotary Instrument Mechanics, and Laser-Assisted Endodontic Therapy
This community investigates the chemical and mechanical processes used to clean and shape tooth root canals, focusing on the efficacy of irrigants, the durability of rotary instruments, and the application of laser technologies for antimicrobial control.
The research centers on the performance of sodium hypochlorite and calcium hydroxide as disinfecting agents, frequently evaluated against Enterococcus faecalis biofilms. A significant portion of the work examines the cyclic fatigue resistance and shaping ability of nickel-titanium rotary instruments, often using finite element analysis to model stress distribution. Concurrently, the community explores the antimicrobial efficacy of various laser systems, including diode, YAG, and Er:YAG lasers, often in combination with photodynamic therapy or laser-activated irrigation protocols. Studies regularly assess the removal of the smear layer and the bond strength of restorative materials, utilizing randomized controlled trials and systematic meta-analyses to validate clinical outcomes.
The largest share of the community's output is found in titanium research, accounting for 0.6% of all titanium research, and 339 papers here. Nickel research follows with 0.8% of its total output and 298 papers, while chlorine research represents 1.3% of its field with 271 papers.
The community comprises 1,958 papers, published primarily in the Journal of Endodontics, Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy, and Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery.
Recent work continues to focus on the integration of photodynamic therapy with sodium hypochlorite irrigation and the mechanical performance of nickel-titanium rotary systems in complex canal geometries.