RESUMEN
Introduction Root canal morphology tends to be complicated by nature and dealing with this intricacy can be challenging because it makes it difficult to completely disinfect the root canal space. The success of root canal therapy is also determined by the biomechanical preparation of the canal with the application of instruments and irrigating solutions. Due to the fact that the root dentin surface continues to interact with the irrigating solution during preparation, it's critical to evaluate the mechanical characteristics and smear layer removal. Though sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is the most commonly used irrigant due to its tissue-dissolving abilities, it has certain drawbacks which include the inability to remove the smear layer and also affects the mechanical properties of root dentin. To overcome these limitations, a variety of herbal substitutes like Punica granatum and Emblica officinalis which possess anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties can be used as endodontic irrigants. Several studies on the anti-bacterial properties of natural irrigants of pomegranate and amla were reported. However, the mechanical properties and smear layer removal of Punica granatum and Emblica officinalis have not been explored in the field of endodontics. Aim The main aim of this in vitro study is to compare and evaluate microhardness, smear layer removal efficacy and depth of penetration of herbal and conventional irrigants. Materials and methods Thirty-six palatal roots of maxillary molars were decoronated and instrumented up to F3. These roots were sectioned longitudinally and divided into three test groups: Group 1: 12.5% Punica granatum; Group 2: 6.25% Emblica officinalis; control: Group 3: 2.5% NaOCl. All specimens were irrigated with 5ml of each irrigant for 5 minutes. Microhardness of root dentin was measured using a Vickers diamond intender, smear layer removal using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and depth of penetration using a stereomicroscope. The data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the inter-group comparison using Tukey's post hoc test. Results Statistical analysis was done using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc test using SPSS software version 17.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago ). The highest microhardness was seen in Group 1 (cervical: 53.8375 ± 1.35956, middle: 53.9875 ± 1.01761, apical: 53.6875 ± 1.63133) while Group 2 (cervical: 43.2750 ± 1.73596, middle: 43.3125 ± 1.17648, apical: 43.8000 ± âââââââ1.32665) and Group 3 (cervical: 42.7250 ±âââââââ 2.93391, middle: 41.9625 ±âââââââ 1.66985, apical: 42.0250 ±âââââââ 2.21085) showed significant reduction in root dentin hardness. Regarding smear layer removal Group 1 (1.3750 ±âââââââ 0.51755), and Group 2 (1.2500 ±âââââââ 0.46291) reveals greater smear removal in the middle third of the root dentin compared with Group 3 (2.3750 ±âââââââ 0.51755), which showed the least smear layer removal. A greater depth of penetration was seen in Group 1 (0.5488 ± 0.05222) and Group 2 (0.5263 ±âââââââ 0.05181) than in Group 3 (0.3087 ±âââââââ 0.05743). Conclusion The present study reveals that the least reduction of microhardness was seen in Punica granatum followed by Emblica officinalis and NaOCl. The smear layer removal efficacy and depth of penetration were greater in Punica granatum and Emblica officinalis than in NaOCl. It was concluded that as these herbal irrigants are biocompatible agents, they can be considered for future use in root canal treatment.
RESUMEN
Arsenic poisoning through groundwater is the world's greatest normal groundwater catastrophe which got an immense effect on worldwide general wellbeing. India is confronting the outcomes of arsenic poisoning in the zone of Ganga Brahmaputra alluvial plains. In Bihar, out of 38 districts, 18 districts are exceptionally influenced with groundwater arsenic defilement. In the present study, we have assessed the current situation of arsenic exposure in Sabalpur village of Saran district of Bihar after reporting of breast, renal, skin and thyroid cancer cases from this village along with typical symptoms of arsenicosis. Such cancer patients were identified at our institute and were taken for the study. The present investigation deals with the quantification of arsenic in groundwater, hair and nail samples of subjects as well as the survey of entire village to know the overall health status of the village people. A total of n=128 household handpump water samples as well as n=128 human hair and nail samples were collected from over n=520 households. Using the graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer (GF-AAS), all the samples were analysed. The investigation resulted that the 61% of the analysed samples particularly the groundwater had the arsenic levels more than the permissible limit of WHO (> 10 µg/L) with 244.20 µg/L as the highest arsenic contamination in one of the handpump water sample. The exposure effect of hair sample was worst as 88% of all the collected samples were having high arsenic levels more than the permissible limit (> 0.2 mg/Kg). In case of nail samples, 92% of the samples were having high arsenic concentration more than the permissible limit (> 0.5 mg/Kg). The health survey study revealed high magnitude of disease burden in the exposed population with symptoms such as asthma, anaemia, hepatomegaly, diabetes, cardiac problem, skin fungal infections, breathlessness and mental disability. Few cancer cases of renal, skin, breast and cervix were also found among the exposed population of this village. The percentage of cancer cases in this village was 0.94% that was low, but it would be an aggravated situation in the near future if people will continue drinking arsenic-contaminated water. Therefore, a mitigation intervention was carried out in March 2020 by installing an arsenic filter plant. The health situation in the village in the present scenario is hope to improve in the coming years. However, motivation and awareness among the village population are still required.