Comparison of fracture resistance of simulated immature teeth using four different commercially available apexification materials - An in vitro study.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the fracture resistance of simulated immature teeth using four different apical plug materials, i.e. Pro- Root MTA, Neo- MTA Plus, Biodentine, and Bioactive Glass. Materials and Methods: 80 extracted human maxillary anterior teeth were divided into 4 groups for this study. They were prepared using Peeso reamers to simulate immature teeth and to mimic Cvek's stage 3 of root development. A 5 mm apical barrier was placed using different materials. The remaining canal was obturated using gutta-percha and AH plus sealer. The final samples were stored at 37°C and 100% humidity for 4 weeks. Fracture resistance of the teeth was measured in Newtons using a universal testing machine. The comparison of fracture resistance between the four groups was done using Kruskal Walis ANOVA followed by post hoc Mann Whitney U test for pairwise comparison. Results: Biodentine group showed the highest fracture resistance as compared to the other three groups and the difference was highly significant (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Biodentine can be advocated over MTA as an effective material for the management of teeth with wide open apex. Bioactive glass also has shown promising results in increasing the fracture resistance of simulated immature teeth.

Rickets - A case report.

Rickets is a disorder caused by a lack of vitamin D, calcium or phosphate. It leads to softening and weakening of the bones. Dental manifestation of rickets includes enamel hypoplasia and delayed tooth eruption. The most important oral findings are characterised by spontaneous gingival and dental abscesses occurring without a history of trauma or caries. Radiographic examination revealed large pulp chambers, short roots, poorly defined lamina dura and hypoplastic alveolar ridge. These dental abscesses are common, and therefore, extraction and pulpectomy are the treatment of choice. Oral manifestations of rickets should be diagnosed early by both physicians and dentists to prevent severe dental complications. This article aims to report a case of rickets in a 3-year-old girl, describing the dental findings and the treatment to be performed in these cases.