Evaluation of Sealing Potential of Different Repair Materials in Furcation Perforations Using Dye Penetration: An In Vitro Study.

AIM: The present study aimed to assess the sealing ability of various repair materials in furcation perforations using dye penetration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 80 human first molars from mandible with unbroken enamel surfaces, which were extracted completely for periodontal reasons, were chosen. All extracted teeth were kept in a sterile solution up until further use. Endo-access bur was used to prepare endodontic access cavity, and a high-speed long shank round bur was used to create a planned perforation on the floor of pulp. All the specimens were randomly grouped (20 teeth in each group): Group I: control; group II: Pro-Root MTA; group III: resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (RM GIC); and group IV: Biodentin. After placement of repair materials in perforated furcation, the chamber of each tooth was accessed with 2% methylene blue dye. Later, a diamond disk was used to split the teeth buccolingually. A stereomicroscope (10×) was used to visualize the highest dye penetration. RESULTS: The least penetration was seen in teeth repaired by Biodentin group (0.88 ± 0.02), next by Pro-Root MTA group (1.24 ± 0.13) and resin-modified glass ionomer cement group (3.62 ± 0.46). A statistically significant difference was seen among different perforation repair materials by analysis of variance. A statistically significant difference (p value < 0.05) was found between each group, excluding group II v/s group IV. CONCLUSION: This study concluded that reduced dye penetration in perforation repair along the furcations and improved sealing ability are shown by biodentine group in comparison to Pro-Root MTA and resin-modified glass-ionomer cement group. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Root perforations along the furcation that develop due to the endodontic procedures have a remarkable damaging effect on prognosis and frequently result in loss of secondary periodontal attachment, thus resulting in early loss of the involved tooth. Therefore, the selection of biocompatible repair material aids to enhance the treatment prognosis.

Canal transportation and centering ability of root canals prepared using rotary and reciprocating systems with and without PathFiles in cone-beam computed tomography-based three-dimensional molar prototypes.

BACKGROUND: It is important to use instruments that cause minimal changes in the canal path for root canal preparation. There is inadequate literature comparing rotary and reciprocating systems and hand files. No study used three-dimensional printed models to compare rotary, reciprocating, and hand files. AIMS: We aimed to assess the canal transportation and centering ability of WaveOne Gold, ProTaper Gold, and NiTi Flex K-file systems with and without glide path preparation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-nine resin models were randomly divided into Group I A - WaveOne Gold with WaveOne Gold Glider and Group I B - WaveOne Gold without glide path; Group II A - ProTaper Gold with ProGlider and Group II B - ProTaper Gold without glide path; and Group III A - NiTi Flex K-files with no. 10 stainless steel K-file and Group III B - NiTi Flex K-files without glide path. Pre- and postinstrumentation cross-sectional images at levels 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 mm were compared. RESULTS: WaveOne Gold caused the least canal transportation and improved centering ability (P < 0.05). NiTi Flex K-files transported the canal more than others in the apical levels (3, 5 mm). Glide path creation reduced canal transportation and improved canal-centering ability. CONCLUSIONS: WaveOne Gold system has better centering ability and lesser canal transportation than ProTaper Gold and NiTi Flex K-file. Glide path creation reduced canal transportation and improved canal-centering ability.

Comparative Evaluation of Hair, Fingernails, and Toenails as Biomarkers of Fluoride Exposure: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: The increased prevalence of fluorosis has led to a search for biomarkers of fluoride exposure. Among the biomarkers of sub-chronic exposure to fluoride, hair, fingernails, and toenails have the advantage of being noninvasively collected, easily transported, and stored. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to comparatively evaluate coronal hair, fingernails, and toenails as biomarkers of fluoride exposure from drinking water; the study was designed as a population-based observational cross-sectional study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A population-based observational cross-sectional study was conducted in 60 children (20 subjects per group) of ages 12-17 years in three villages of Nilakottai block, Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu, India (Thomaspuram, Bangalapatti, and Singampatti). The fluoride concentration in the household drinking water was analyzed and compared with the fluoride content in the coronal hair, fingernail, and toenail clippings, which was estimated by potentiometric method (fluoride-ion-selective electrode) and expressed in ppm (parts per million). A two-tailed probability value of P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The mean fluoride concentration in drinking water was 0.63ppm in Thomaspuram, 1.63ppm in Bangalapatti, and 2.92ppm in Singampatti. The mean fluoride content in hair samples was 2.84ppm, 4.67ppm, and 6.53ppm; fingernail clippings was 2.99ppm, 4.94ppm, and 6.84ppm; and toenail clippings was estimated as 3.13ppm, 5.10ppm, and 7.24ppm in Thomaspuram, Bangalapatti, and Singampatti residents, respectively. The mean fluoride content in the hair, fingernails, and toenails was significantly higher as compared to the mean fluoride content in the drinking water (viz., toenail fluoride > fingernail fluoride > hair fluoride). CONCLUSION: Coronal hair, fingernails, and toenails are useful biomarkers for both sub-chronic and chronic fluoride exposure from drinking water. Due to ample sample availability and the highest fluoride content, toenails are the most suitable biomarkers of fluoride exposure from drinking water.

Evaluation and comparison on the wettability of three root canal sealers after three different irrigant activation techniques: An in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Wettability of root canal sealers to the root canal wall plays a significant role in the attainment of a fluid-tight seal. AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the wettability of three different root canal sealers on the root canal walls after three different irrigant activation techniques using the contact angle meter. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty-six single-rooted mandibular premolars after decoronation and cleaning and shaping up to size #35 were randomly divided into three groups with 12 samples in each group (n = 12) based on the different activation techniques: Group I (passive irrigation with side-vented needle), Group II (manual dynamic agitation), and Group III (passive ultrasonic irrigation). Root segments were split longitudinally and were subdivided into three subgroups based on the root canal sealers tested with four samples in each subgroup (n = 4): Subgroup A (Tubliseal EWT), Subgroup B (AH Plus), and Subgroup C (Endosequence BC sealer). A controlled volume droplet of sealer was placed on each specimen and was subjected to the contact angle meter. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were statistically analyzed using the one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test at a significance level of 0.05 (P < 0.05). RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was seen among all the groups and subgroups with the highest contact angle value for Group III and Subgroup C and the least value for Group I and Subgroup A. CONCLUSIONS: Passive irrigation with side-vented needle and Tubli-Seal EWT showed better wettability on dentin.