Development of photo conductive cones for the obturation of canals with photopolymerizable obturating material

• Grant number: 00/13636-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: November 01, 2001
• End date: July 31, 2002
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Endodontics
• Principal Investigator: Luis Augusto Lupato Conrado
• Grantee: Luis Augusto Lupato Conrado
• Company: Goen3 Indústria e Comércio de Artigos para a Saúde Ltda
• City: São Paulo

Abstract

Root obturation aims at the complete sealing with materials which, through their own properties, aid the repair process. In view of the large number of endodontic failures, various studies have been carried out aiming to optimize the sealing of the root canal. Gutta-perch cone is the solid material most commonly used nowadays for this purpose. This material, however, is unable to fill all the voids previously occupied by the pulp, requiring professionals in the field to use various cements and pastes to cure this problem. Owing to the fact that the endodontic cements used present polymerization by chemical reaction, paste-paste, or even dust-liquid, a mechanical contraction can be observed with consequent infiltration next to the wall of the root canal. On the other hand, photopolymerized cements display qualities superior to those chemically activated, but they are not indicated for endodontics owing to the difficulty of guiding the light to the apical region. The possibility of guiding laser light by optical fiber to the apice permits the testing of the apical sealant using photopolymerizable cements. Faced with the difficulties imposed by a common optical fiber for this type of application, a solution adapted to this kind of optical device was sought. It involves the design for creating a photoconductive cone capable of distributing optical radiation along the whole length of the root canal. For the construction of this device the characteristics of different biocompatible polymeric materials will be studied, for subsequent development of the process of obtaining the cone. The implementation of this device will enable the complete sealing of the root canal with the help of photopolymerizable cements, allowing for the replacement of the traditional gutta-perch cone. (AU)