Evaluation of the antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of TotalFill and NeoSEALER flo bioceramic sealers.

Aim: Evaluation of the antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of TotalFill and NeoSEALER Flo bioceramic sealers compared to AH Plus resin sealer. Materials and Methods: Modified direct contact test was used on three sets of sealers: Freshly mixed sealers, sealers that were 1-day old, and sealers that were 7-day old. After 24 h of incubation, the colony-forming units were digitally counted using Promega Colony Counter after 30 and 60 min of exposure to Enterococcus faecalis. For cytotoxic effect evaluation, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2-5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was performed at three different time points: 24 h, 48 h, and 120 h after adding the sealer eluates to human gingival fibroblasts, to assess cell viability. Data were analyzed using mixed model analysis of variance followed by post hoc test. Results: TotalFill bioceramic sealer showed the highest bacterial reduction against E. faecalis throughout all intervals. AH Plus showed great antibacterial activity initially which reduced drastically after 7 days. All the sealers showed a reduction in their antibacterial activity with time. TotalFill and NeoSEALER Flo showed very high cell viability in contrast to AH Plus. Conclusion: TotalFill and NeoSEALER Flo demonstrate superior antimicrobial properties against E. faecalis which reduces with time. TotalFill and NeoSEALER Flo demonstrate acceptable biocompatibility against human gingival fibroblasts, which decreased over time.

Cross-sectional study of attitudes toward online continuing dental education in Libya during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many educational institutions switched to e-learning educational platforms. This approach was essential but raised challenges, particularly in training practitioners for medical emergencies. This approach not only led to global challenges and a need for rapid adaptation, but also raised inequities across countries, with some facing far more technical challenges than others. In Libya, low investment in education technology and unpredictable internet connectivity limited its integration into schools and universities even before the pandemic. The current study reports feedback from an online continuing dental education (CDE) course for dental practitioners that was developed emergently during the pandemic and aimed to address the challenges posed by Libya's internet environment. Participants were recruited through social media and received an 8-hour online CDE course consisting of three modules. Participants were invited to complete a pre-course demographic/informational survey on a Google form. After passing all modules, students were prompted to complete a post-course survey consisting of 23, five-point Likert scale questions. Respondents included 43 females (74.1%) and 15 males (25.9%). For ~50% of the cohort (n = 32), this was their first online clinical course. 87.9% of post-course participants rated the course as a positive learning experience, while 90.9% agreed their learning outcomes had been achieved. Most participants (97%) agreed the course instructor explained all concepts clearly. In total, 81.8% agreed that the technology effectively supported their learning. Most agreed that a clear demarcation between each course module existed and that the language and depth of the material were adequate. Some students reported technical difficulties, and 33.3% saw repetitions in the modules. However, all post-course respondents said they would recommend the online course to colleagues. Libyan dental practitioners showed high satisfaction levels towards the e-learning process, course content, instructors' attitudes, and overall e-learning experience despite the inherent e-learning challenges posed in this country.

Quality of Root Canals Performed by the Inaugural Class of Dental Students at Libyan International Medical University.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to radiographically evaluate technical quality of root canal fillings performed by dental undergraduates at Libyan International Medical University in Libya. Methods. Root canal cases were treated at university dental clinic from the fall of 2012 to the fall of 2013 by the fourth and fifth year dental students. Students used step-back preparation and cold lateral compaction in the treatment. Radiographs were reviewed over a two-year period from initial procedure to final restoration. Radiographs were evaluated for adequacy or inadequacy by length, density, and taper. Length inadequacy was classified as short or overextended. Overall quality was considered "adequate" based on all three variables. Chi-square tested differences between teeth groupings and adequacy classification. Significant p value results were adjusted by Bonferroni correction. Results. Adequate length of root canal fillings were observed in roughly half of all samples (48.6%). Density was adequate in 75.8% of the samples. Taper was observed as adequate in 68.8%. Higher quality was evident in anterior teeth (plus premolars) versus molars (65.6% versus 43.3%, resp.; p < 0.04). Conclusion. Overall quality of endodontic treatment performed by undergraduate dental students was adequate in 53.9% of the cases. Significant opportunity exists to improve the quality of root canals provided by dental students.

Evaluating Transportation by Comparing Several uses of Rotary Endodontic Files.

AIM: To evaluate the frequent use of ProTaper Next (PTN; Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) systems on shaping ability of root canal utilizing Solidworks (2014, Dassault Systemes) software. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six root canals in clear resin blocks (Dentsply-Maillefer) were allocated into six experimental groups (n = 36). Six new sets of PTN instruments (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) were used six times to shape the resin blocks. A #15 K-file was inserted to the working length (WL), followed by ProGlider (PG) to create a glide path. Sequential use of PTN instrumentation in a crown-down technique was used to reach size (30/07) apically. Macroscopic photos of the blocks were taken before and after instrumentation, layered by Paint Shop Pro 9 from JascSoftware, and then canal transportation was measured using Solidwork 2014. The data were analyzed by SPSS software version 22. Multivariate statistical analysis general linear model (GLM) was also applied. Bonferroni correction test was used in multiple comparisons and the statistical significance was set to 0.05. RESULTS: There was no difference in canal transportation resulted from utilizing PTN files after six multiple uses; in addition, the PTN files showed ability to maintain the original canal anatomy, especially in the apical level, where lowest total mean value of canal center displacement was seen (3 mm level) (0.019 ± 0.017). CONCLUSION: ProTaper Next files can be used to prepare single and multiple canals in a single furcated tooth. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: ProTaper Next nickel-titanium (NiTi) file system is a safe instrument that respects the canal shape, allows practitioners to treat difficult cases with good results, and low risk of separation.