A comparative evaluation of effect of modern-curing lights and curing modes on conventional and novel-resin monomers.

AIM: The aim of this study is to compare and to evaluate effect of curing light and curing modes on the nanohybrid composite resins with conventional Bis-GMA and novel tricyclodecane (TCD) monomers. METHODOLOGY: Two nanohybrid composites, IPS empress direct and charisma diamond were used in this study. Light-emitting diode (LED)-curing unit and quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH)-curing unit which were operated into two different modes: continuous and soft start. Based on the composite resin, curing lights, and mode of curing used, the samples were divided into 8 groups. After polymerization, the samples were stored for 48 h in complete darkness at 37°C and 100% humidity. The Vickers hardness (VK) of the surface was determined with Vickers indenter by the application of 200 g for 15 s. Three VK readings were recorded for each sample surface both on top and bottom surfaces. For all the specimens, the three hardness values for each surface were averaged and reported as a single value. The mean VK and hardness ratio were calculated. The depth of cure was assessed based on the hardness ratio. RESULTS: Comparison of mean hardness values and hardness ratios was done using ANOVA with post hoc Tukey's test. CONCLUSION: Both QTH- and LED-curing units had shown the adequate depth of cure. Soft-start-curing mode in both QTH- and LED-curing lights had effectively increased microhardness than the continuous mode of curing. TCD monomer had shown higher hardness values compared with conventional Bis-GMA-containing resin.

Knowledge Analysis of Pit and Fissure Sealants among the Dental Students of South India.

AIM: This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and attitudes for pit and fissure sealants among undergraduate Indian dental students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A modified questionnaire consisting of 24 items was distributed to 280 undergraduate dental students comprising males and females of different years at MNR Dental College, Sangareddy, India. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square/Fisher's exact tests were used for statistical analysis. The data were computationally tested using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20, IBM SPSS Statistics software for Windows, Armonk, NY, USA. RESULTS: With the response rate at 100%, most of the respondents, i.e., 70.4%, were females and the remaining 29.6% were male. Regarding the level of study, 20.8% were in 3rd year, 43.8% in the 4th year, and 16.8% were in 5th year (internship). The respondents showed a reasonable level of knowledge about sealants, mostly being good with the theoretical concepts of the sealants. On the other hand, respondents showed insufficient knowledge about sealants in the clinical practice. CONCLUSION: Although a high proportion of undergraduate dental students showed adequate knowledge about dental sealants, there is a lag in putting that knowledge into work during the clinical practice. These findings suggest an urgent need of dental schools to include and/or update their curriculum regarding fissure sealants to reflect modern dental education that concentrates on evidence-based practice in pediatric dentistry and improve the dental health among the future generations by reducing the incidence of caries.

Comparison of Penetration of Irrigant Activated by Traditional Methods with A Novel Technique.

INTRODUCTION: The effectiveness of irrigation depends upon various irrigation activation methods & devices used. AIM: To compare and evaluate the penetration of irrigant upto working length and into simulated lateral canals using four different irrigation activation techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The root canals of 60 single-rooted teeth were instrumented using the proTaper rotary system. After decalcification of each sample tooth, three simulated lateral canals were created at 2mm, 4mm and 6mm levels from the root apex using a 06-size C+ file. After clearing the samples they were randomly assigned into four experimental groups (n=15) and 1ml of Irrigating Contrast Solution (ICS) was delivered into all samples and then it is activated with 4 different methods Group I-Conventional syringe and needle, Group II - Sonic activation with Endo activator, Group III - Ultrasonic activation with ultrasonic tips and Group IV - Activation using reciprocation movement. All the samples were examined under a stereomicroscope and irrigant penetration was evaluated by means of penetration of ICS. RESULTS: Group III and Group IV resulted in better penetration of ICS into lateral canals at 2mm and 4mm depth (p<0.001), when compared with Group I and II. At lateral canals 6mm all the groups except Group I, had shown 100 % penetration. CONCLUSION: The activation of irrigant using reciprocation was able to achieve penetration of irrigating contrast solution both up to the working length and into lateral canals. Hence the clinical significance of this method of irrigant activation is that it can be used for effective penetration of irrigants both upto working length and into lateral canals.

Anaesthetic Efficacy of Topical Benzocaine Gel Combined with Hyaluronidase for Supplemental Intrapulpal Injection in Teeth with Irreversible Pulpitis- A Double Blinded Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Intrapulpal injection technique is one of the most commonly employed method to achieve profound pulpal anaesthesia during an endodontic procedure. To determine if the topical application of benzocaine gel along with hyaluronidase to the pulp chamber could reduce the pain felt with the intrapulpal injection technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred patients with chronic irreversible pulpitis undergoing endodontic treatment for mandibular first molars in which the primary anaesthetic technique failed were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups. In the control group intrapulpal injection was administered with backpressure. In the experimental group topical application of 20% benzocaine gel mixed with hyaluronidase was done over the exposed pulp following which intrapulpal injection was administered with backpressure. Pain assessment was done on a visual analogue scale. RESULTS: There was statistically significant difference (p<0.001) between the two groups. The mean value in the control group corresponded to the pain perception "strong", whereas that of the experimental group corresponded to the pain perception "weak". CONCLUSION: Topical application of 20% benzocaine gel mixed with hyaluronidase to the exposed pulp reduces the pain encountered with the intrapulpal injection.

A comparative evaluation of microleakage in class v composite restorations.

Aim. To compare and evaluate the microleakage in class V lesions restored with composite resin with and without liner and injectable nanohybrid composite resin. Materials and Methodology. 60 class V cavities were prepared in 30 freshly extracted teeth. After etching and application of bonding agents these cavities were divided into three groups: Group A (n = 20)-restored with composite resin, Group B (n = 20)-flowable composite resin liner + composite resin, and Group C (n = 20)-restored with injectable composite resin. After curing all the specimens were subjected to thermocycling and cyclic loading. Specimens were stained with 0.5% basic fuchsin and evaluated for dye penetration. Results. Results are subjected to Kruskal Wallis and Wilcoxon test. Conclusion. Within the limitations of this study, none of the three materials were free from microleakage. All the three materials showed more microleakage at gingival margins compared to occlusal margins. Among all the groups G-ænial Flo showed the least microleakage at the gingival wall.