The change in self-efficacy of novice dentists in Endodontics within the first year following graduation from Aarhus University or the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam.

AIM: To understand whether the self-efficacy of novice dentists in Endodontics changes within the first year following their graduation, and to reveal factors related to a possible change. METHODOLOGY: Data were obtained from dental graduates from Aarhus University, Denmark or from the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The 60 participants filled out the Endodontic General Self-Efficacy Scale questionnaire close to their graduation (baseline) and 1 year following their graduation (follow-up). Additionally, data on their experience in Endodontics within the first year following graduation were gathered, as well as data on their work environment, their referral behaviour and the postgraduation education they attended. For comparisons, chi-square tests, Fisher's exact tests, Mann-Whitney tests, and t-tests were used. Referral behaviour and the change in self-efficacy were studied by multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: Most participants showed an increase in self-efficacy after graduation. The increase in self-efficacy was higher for those whose baseline self-efficacy was lower, and lower for those whose baseline self-efficacy was higher. Self-efficacy increased with experience in performing root canal treatments within the first year following graduation. Participants with higher average self-efficacy (i.e. mean of baseline and follow-up self-efficacy) referred patients for endodontic surgery more often than participants with lower average self-efficacy did. CONCLUSIONS: The self-efficacy of novice dentists in Endodontics generally increased within the first year following their graduation. The increase in self-efficacy was greater for those who had low self-efficacy at graduation than for those who already had high self-efficacy. Performing root canal treatments was an important factor in increasing self-efficacy.

The mycobiome of root canal infections is correlated to the bacteriome.

OBJECTIVES: Bacterial infection of the root canal system causes apical periodontitis. Less is known about the role of fungi in these infections. This study aimed to assess the fungal prevalence, abundance, and diversity of root canal infections, as well as the relation between fungi and bacteria present in different parts of the root canal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six teeth with primary apical periodontitis were extracted, split in apical and coronal root segments, and cryo-pulverized. Bacteriome profiles of 23 teeth were analyzed based on the V3-V4 hypervariable region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Mycobiome profiles of six teeth were analyzed based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1 or ITS2 region. Samples were sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform. RESULTS: A total of 338 bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs), 28 ITS1 OTUs, and 24 ITS2 OTUs were identified. Candida and Malassezia were the most frequently identified fungi. No differences could be found between the bacteriome and mycobiome profiles of the apical and coronal root segments. The bacteriome of fungi-positive root segments contained more Actinomyces, Bifidobacterium, four different Lactobacillus OTUs, Propionibacterium, and Streptococcus. A Spearman correlation matrix between bacteriomes and mycobiomes identified no correlations, but separate clusters could be observed. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable proportion of the root canal infections contain fungi, although fungal diversity is limited. However, when fungi are present, the composition of the bacteriome is clearly different. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Interaction between bacteria and fungi in root canal infections may complicate the infection and require alternative treatment strategies.

Sealing ability of a new polydimethylsiloxane-based root canal filling material.

We tested the null hypothesis that there is no difference in the sealing ability of GuttaFlow, RoekoSeal, and AH26 in root canals. Sixty extracted mandibular premolars were filled with AH26 (lateral compaction), RoekoSeal, or GuttaFlow (modified single-cone). The sealing ability of the root canal fillings was measured weekly (4 weeks) by using a glucose penetration model. Kruskal-Wallis test revealed significant differences in glucose penetration between the experimental groups at weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4. Whereas GuttaFlow showed the highest amount of leakage at all times, AH26 showed the lowest. There was no significant difference between RoekoSeal-filled and AH26-filled root canals throughout the experimental period. AH26 showed better sealing ability in root canals than GuttaFlow.

Effect of dentin perfusion on the sealing ability and microtensile bond strengths of a total-etch versus an all-in-one adhesive.

OBJECTIVES: To test the null hypothesis that perfusion of dentin has no effect on the sealing or bond strength in Class V resin composite restorations using a two-step total-etch (Scotchbond 1), or a one-step self-etch (all-in-one) (Prompt L-Pop) adhesive. METHODS: Dentin permeability in Class V cavity preparations cut into extracted human third molars was measured in a fluid transport setup. Resin composites were placed using either Scotchbond 1, or Prompt L-Pop with or without dentin perfusion at 1.47 kPa. Permeability was re-measured, and the reduction in permeability was calculated as a percentage of the initial value. Additionally, microtensile bond strength (microTBS) to dentin was measured. RESULTS: Whereas the ability of Scotchbond 1 to seal dentin was significantly decreased due to dentin perfusion (p = 0.00025), that of Prompt L-Pop was not affected (p = 0.099). Scotchbond 1 produced significantly less dentinal seal than Prompt L-Pop only in the restorations carried out with perfusion (p = 0.0003), in the absence of perfusion, however, the difference was not significant (p = 0.343). Dentin perfusion significantly decreased the microTBS of Scotchbond 1 to dentin (p = 0.001). Due to excessive premature failure during sectioning, microTBS test could not be performed with Prompt L-Pop. SIGNIFICANCE: Dentinal fluid flow may have detrimental effects on the sealing ability of dental adhesives depending on the type of adhesive used. Studies aiming to rank adhesives in relation to their sealing ability in vitro should not disregard dentin perfusion.