Evaluation of pre-heated composite resins with soft-start polymerization and conventional composite restorations in class-I carious lesions - A randomized clinical trial.

Background: By increasing fluidity and conversion, pre-heated composites enhance adaptability and strength, while soft-start polymerization decreases internal stresses. Aim: Over a period of a year, this split-mouth design, randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) compared pre-heated composites with soft-start polymerization to conventional composites in class-I lesions, with the goal of improving restoration outcomes. Methods: and Findings: Immediately following ethical approval and registration with CTRI, 37 patients with in-formed permission who met specified inclusion and exclusion criteria for class-I lesions were chosen for enrollment. Using a 1:1 ratio, teeth were randomly assigned to Group-A (pre-heated composite with soft-start polymerization) or Group-B (traditional composite restoration). At three-time intervals, the evaluation was blinded and calibrated using Modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria: baseline, six-month, and one-year marks. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 21.0 and the Mann-Whitney U test for inter-group comparisons and the Friedman test for intra-group comparisons. Interpretation: Pre-heated composites with soft-start polymerization performed better in terms of marginal adaptation with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.019) and in terms of color match they performed better clinically (p = 0.062) at 12 months. Other variables like marginal discolouration, sec-ondary caries, anatomic form, post-operative sensitivity, surface texture and retention showed no statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Pre-heated composites with soft-start mode performed marginally better than nanofilled composites. However, both techniques can be used to successfully restore simple class-I carious lesions.

Three-dimensional printing: A revealing pathway to an unpredictable maze.

Three-dimensional (3D) technology has gained wide acceptance in dentistry. It has been used for treatment planning and surgical guidance. This case report presented a novel treatment approach to remove and preserve the cortical bone and root-end resection during periapical surgery with the help of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), computer-aided design, and 3D printing technology. A 22-year-old male patient presented with a large periapical lesion in the right maxillary central and lateral incisors was referred for endodontic surgery. The data acquired from a preoperative diagnostic CBCT scan and an intraoral scan were uploaded into surgical planning software and matched. A template that could be used to locate root ends and lesion areas was virtually designed based on the data and was fabricated using a 3D printer. With the guidance of the template, the overlying cortical bone was precisely removed and preserved, and apicectomy was performed. The patient was clinically asymptomatic at a 6-month follow-up review. Six months after the surgery, the lesion was healing well, and no periapical radiolucency was observed on radiographic examination. The digitally designed directional template worked in all aspects to facilitate the periapical surgery as anticipated. The root ends were accurately located and resected. The surgical procedure was simplified, and the treatment efficiency was improved. This technique minimized the damage and reduced iatrogenic injury.

Evaluation of Extrusion and Apical Seal of Thermafil™ Obturation with and without MTA as an Apical Barrier in Comparison with Lateral Condensation Technique: An In Vitro Study.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the apical sealing ability and periapical extrusion in the Thermafil™ obturation technique, with and without an apical barrier of MTA, with lateral condensation technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty freshly extracted human central incisors were instrumented with the crown down technique and divided into three experimental groups. Group I: lateral condensation technique obturation, group II: Thermafil obturation (DENTSPLY Tulsa), and group III: this group was obturated into two parts; first MTA (ProRoot) was placed in apical 3 mm and later the remaining canal was obturated with Thermafil™ obturation technique (DENTSPLY Tulsa). AH Plus sealer was used in all the groups. Specimens of all the groups were layered with nail paint excluding the apical 3 mm. Twenty-four hours later, all the teeth were suspended in Black India ink for 48 hours. Finally, all the teeth were decalcified, rendered transparent and linear dye leakage and periapical extrusion was measured using ×60 magnification of stereomicroscope with an in-built ruler. RESULTS: A Chi-square test done to evaluate periapical extrusion showed there was a significant difference found among all the groups (p < 0.05), whereas in case of linear apical dye leakage using a Student's "t" test showed there was no significant difference among all the groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Despite showing apical leakage, the thermo-plasticized gutta-percha obturation technique can be advantageous when used with MTA as an apical barrier since there is no scope for apical extrusion along with the benefit of three-dimensional obturation of the root canal system when compared with the lateral condensation technique. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Rao AS, Mathur R, Shah NC, et al. Evaluation of Extrusion and Apical Seal of Thermafil™ Obturation with and without MTA as an Apical Barrier in Comparison with Lateral Condensation Technique: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(S-1):S40-S44.

Herbal medicaments in endodontics - Current guidelines for in vivo studies in India.

Elimination of bacteria from infected root canal systems is a challenging task. Various techniques have been described to reduce the number of bacteria within the root canal system, which include chemomechanical instrumentation, use of various irrigants to remove or dissolve organic and inorganic debris, and to destroy bacteria. The intracanal medicament plays a key role in the success of root canal treatment. With the rise in bacterial resistance to antibiotics, there is considerable interest in the development of other classes of antimicrobials for the control of infection. Natural products are known to play an important role in human life. The use of herbal products as mouthwash has been tried and tested in the literature. However, the use of herbal intracanal medicament has been shown promising results when used under in vitro conditions, but in vivo studies are very scarce. This may be due to the limited supporting literature available to use it as intracanal medicament in patients due to the ethical concern. Hence, the purpose of this review is to highlight the current guidelines (laid by the drugs and cosmetics act as per the Gazette of India) regarding the use of herbal medicaments for the clinical trials in endodontics.

An in vitro comparative evaluation of commonly consumed catechu and catechu with lime on surface roughness and color stability of the conventional nano-hybrid composite.

AIM: Comparative evaluation of commonly consumed catechu and catechu with lime on surface roughness and color stability of the conventional nano-hybrid composite. METHODOLOGY: A total of 50 uniform cylindrical disks of 10-mm diameter and 2-mm thickness prepared from the nano-hybrid composite were used in the study. Each sample was randomly divided into three subgroups of 20 samples each in two experimental groups (catechu, catechu, and lime) and 10 samples in the control group (artificial saliva). The samples were immersed in each agent for 15 days. Surface roughness and color changes measurements were noted at the baseline and 15th day by two-dimensional profilometer and spectrophotometer, respectively. RESULTS: It was found that nano-hybrid composite resin showed more surface roughness and color change when immersed in catechu and catechu with lime as compared to the control group. Intergroup comparison showed statistical significant increase in surface roughness and color change in the catechu group followed by the catechu with the lime group and artificial saliva. CONCLUSION: Within the limits of the present study, it can be concluded that all experimental specimens showed discoloration. At the end of 15th day, among the groups, catechu showed more surface roughness and color change followed by the catechu and lime and the control group.

A 1-year comparative evaluation of clinical performance of nanohybrid composite with Activa™ bioactive composite in Class II carious lesion: A randomized control study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the clinical performance of nanohybrid composite with Activa™ bioactive composites in Class II carious lesion. METHODOLOGY: After ethical approval, patients were selected according to the inclusion-exclusion criteria with minimum of two carious lesions in a single patient. Lesions were randomly divided into two groups: Group A - nanohybrid composite and Group B - Activa™ bioactive composite. After administration of local anesthetic agent, Class II cavity preparation was done followed by rubber dam application. For deep lesion, pulp protection was done with light-cured calcium hydroxide. Then, the cavities were restored. Finishing and polishing were done. Evaluation of the restorations was done at 1 week, 6 months, and 1 year time interval by second-blinded examiner according to the modified USPHS criteria. The results of the study were tabulated, and statistical analysis was done. RESULTS: The results showed no statistically significant difference in the clinical performance of nanohybrid composite and Activa™ bioactive composites in Class II carious lesions at the end of 1 week, 6 months, and 1 year. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that both materials showed equal and acceptable clinical performance at the end of 1 year. Both materials can be successfully be used to restore Class II carious lesions.

Deducing a surgical dilemma using a novel three dimensional printing technique.

Persistent apical periodontitis even after nonsurgical retreatment demands for a surgical approach. This requires a thorough diagnosis and planning to eliminate the pathology and induce healing. This is sometimes challenging when the pathology is present in close relationship to the vital structures. In such cases, modern, sophisticated technology such as three-dimensional (3D) printing can come very handy in patient education as well as for planning and mock-up preparation of the surgery. In this case, a nonhealing persistent apical periodontitis in relation to 16 was surgically treated. However, the pathology was in close association with the maxillary sinus hence fused deposition modeling-based 3D printed models were fabricated for patient education and to locate and determine the extent of the lesion. This was followed by the surgical enucleation of the lesion and apicectomy of mesiobuccal and distobuccal roots and mineral trioxide aggregate retro-filling and as the symptoms subsided after the follow-up full coverage metal crown was fabricated and cemented. This technology has opened a new horizon for the use of 3D printing in conjugation with endodontic principles for more predictable endodontic success.