Endodontic teaching in Philippine dental schools.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of undergraduate endodontic teaching in Philippine dental schools. METHODOLOGY: Data were gathered by sending questionnaires to the deans of the 23 dental schools in the country to determine details of the teaching of root canal treatment in permanent teeth. The covering letter requested that endodontic staff complete the questionnaire. RESULTS: Twenty of 23 dental schools returned completed questionnaires. Similarities were observed in the timing of undergraduate endodontic teaching, working length determination, and root canal preparation technique. Irrigating fluids recommended included one or a combination of the following: sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, distilled water and EDTA. The root canal medicaments popularly employed were CMCP and eugenol. Most schools used slow-setting zinc oxide eugenol cement as sealer. Differences between schools were noted in the laboratory component of the course. The time allotted for the laboratory exercises, as well as the number of teeth used, differed greatly between each school. An inadequate tutor to student ratio was noted in the majority of schools. Teaching aids were limited and, in most instances, produced by faculty members. Most faculty members teaching endodontics had no specialist training. CONCLUSION: The results of this study have demonstrated that there is a need to review endodontic teaching in the majority of the Philippine dental schools to ensure that the course content and curriculum employed by all schools meet specified standards and that appropriate measures should be considered to enhance the learning experience of students.

A laboratory study of coronal microleakage using four temporary restorative materials.

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the sealing abilities of Fermin and Canseal with the more popular temporary coronal filling materials, Cavit and Caviton. METHODOLOGY: Standardized access cavities were prepared in 160 intact human permanent molar teeth. They were divided into five groups consisting of 32 samples. The teeth were restored using one of the temporary filling materials, namely: Fermin, Canseal at two powder to liquid ratios, Caviton and Cavit. Thermal cycling and/or load cycling were applied on the samples. Assessment of microleakage utilized methylene blue dye penetration. Grading of the microleakage pattern was from 1 to 3, with 3 providing the best seal. Results were analyzed using two-way anova and by Fisher's PLSD post hoc test (P < 0.05). RESULT: Microleakage along Fermin, Caviton and Cavit samples did not go beyond Leakage Grade 2. Dye penetration into these materials was noted. This was not observed in the two groups of Canseal tested. However, the two groups of Canseal exhibited total leakage notably after being subjected to thermal cycling. There was a statistically significant difference in the microleakage scores obtained between the materials and conditions tested (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Fermin was found to exhibit the best seal amongst the four materials tested followed by Caviton, and Cavit. Thermal cycling influenced the seal of certain types of temporary filling materials more than load cycling.

Penetration of propylene glycol into dentine.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate penetration of propylene glycol into root dentine. METHODOLOGY: Safranin O in propylene glycol and in distilled water were introduced into root canals with and without artificial smear layer. Dye diffusion through dentinal tubules was determined spectrophotometrically. The time required for dye to exit through the apical foramen using propylene glycol and distilled water as vehicles was also determined. The extent and areas of dye penetration on the split surfaces of roots were assessed using Adobe Photoshop and NIH Image Software. RESULTS: Propylene glycol allowed dye to exit faster through the apical foramen. The area and depth of dye penetration with propylene glycol was significantly greater than with distilled water (P < 0.0001). Smear layer significantly delayed the penetration of dye. CONCLUSION: Propylene glycol delivered dye through the root canal system rapidly and more effectively indicating its potential use in delivering intracanal medicaments.

Endodontic treatment of primary teeth using a combination of antibacterial drugs.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical outcome of 'Lesion Sterilization and Tissue Repair' (LSTR) therapy for endodontic treatment of primary teeth. METHODOLOGY: A mixture of metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, and minocycline (3Mix) in ointment (macrogol mixed with propylene glycol: MP) or in a root canal sealer was used to disinfect infected root canals of 56 patients aged 4-18 years. Out of a total of 87 primary teeth, 81 cases had physiologic root resorption. A total of 54 radiolucent periradicular lesions were present. The root canals were not prepared before or after disinfection. 3Mix medicament (3Mix-MP/3Mix-sealer) was placed at orifices of root canals or on the bottom of pulp chambers, and then sealed with glass-ionomer cement and further reinforced by a composite resin inlay prepared using a direct method and cemented with resin. RESULTS: In all cases, clinical symptoms such as gingival swelling (52 cases), sinus tracts (22 cases), induced dull pain (3 cases), spontaneous dull pain (26 cases), and pain on biting (46 cases) disappeared after treatment, although in four cases clinical signs and symptoms were finally resolved only after retreatment using the same procedures. Thus, gingival abscesses and fistulae, if present, disappeared after a few days. Successor permanent teeth erupted without any disorders, or were found radiographically to be normal and in the process of eruption. All the cases were evaluated as successful. The mean function time of the primary teeth was 680 days (range: 68-2390 days), except for one case in which the successor permanent tooth was congenitally missing. CONCLUSION: Primary teeth with periradicular lesions with or without physiologic root resorption were treated successfully by the LSTR endodontic therapy.

A comparative study: classical, Akinosi, and Gow-Gates techniques of mandibular nerve block.

This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness and the degree of patient acceptability of the three techniques of mandibular nerve block, namely the classical, the Akinosi and the Gow-Gates. Forty five patients with mandibular posterior tooth/teeth indicated for extraction were chosen and divided equally into three groups to represent the three techniques of mandibular nerve block. Following the administration of the local anesthetic, the patients were evaluated using the evaluation sheet prepared for the study. Tabulation and analysis of the collected data followed. Results show that the Gow-Gates technique was the most effective in inducing anesthesia while the Akinosi technique appeared to be the most acceptable among the patients.