Depth of penetration of four resin sealers into radicular dentinal tubules: a confocal microscopic study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the depth of penetration of 4 different endodontic resin sealers into the radicular dentinal tubules with the aid of confocal microscopy. METHODS: Eighty single-rooted teeth were instrumented and divided into 4 groups composed of 20 teeth each. The samples were obturated with AH Plus, RealSeal, EndoRez, and RoekoSeal resin sealers, respectively. The core material in all the groups was Resilon. The teeth were sectioned at the coronal, middle, and apical thirds and viewed under confocal microscope to determine the depth of penetration of the sealer into the dentinal tubules. RESULTS: The results showed that the maximum penetration was exhibited by RealSeal resin sealer, followed by AH Plus, RoekoSeal, and EndoRez. The coronal third showed the maximum penetration, followed by middle third and least at the apical third. CONCLUSION: Under the parameter of this study, RealSeal resin sealer exhibited the maximum penetration.

Prevalence of radix entomolaris in mandibular permanent first molars: a study in a South Indian population.

OBJECTIVE: Anatomical racial variations are an acknowledged characteristic in permanent molars. Generally, mandibular first molars have 2 roots; however, the presence of a third root, radix entomolaris (RE), is a major anatomic variant among many population groups. This study evaluated the prevalence of permanent mandibular first molars featuring a distolingual root in a South Indian population. STUDY DESIGN: Five hundred patients of South Indian origin possessing bilateral mandibular first molars were selected. The radiographs of these patients were evaluated under optimal conditions. A total of 1000 mandibular first molars were screened and the incidence of 3-rooted mandibular first molars and the correlation between left and right side occurrence and between either gender was recorded. RESULTS: The prevalence of 3-rooted mandibular first molars was 18.6% of the patients examined and 13.3% of the teeth examined. There was no statistically significant difference between genders or side of occurrence (P > .05). The bilateral incidence of a symmetric distribution was 43.01%. CONCLUSIONS: RE is considered an Asiatic trait. The occurrence of this macrostructure in the South Indian population was 13.3%, which was lower than that of other patients of Mongoloid origin. The clinician must thoroughly examine the radiograph before initiation of endodontic therapy.

Endodontic management of a mandibular first molar with three distal canals confirmed with the aid of spiral computerized tomography: a case report.

Identification and treatment of extra canals is the cornerstone to successful endodontic practice. Over the years, many diagnostic aids have evolved to facilitate the clinician in detection of hidden canals and to familiarize with the internal radicular anatomy. This case report highlights the rare incidence of 3 canals in the distal root of a permanent mandibular first molar. A spiral computerized tomography scan was used as a noninvasive diagnostic tool to confirm the diagnosis.