Revised guidelines for the endodontic education of dentistry students in Australia and New Zealand (FEBRUARY 2021).

These revised guidelines for contemporary endodontic education in Australia and New Zealand (version 2021) propose the minimum criteria for the training of dentistry students. The document contains a definition of endodontics and a description of the scope of endodontics. It proposes a general outline for education programmes in endodontics as part of general dental practice.

Revised guidelines for educational requirements for specialisation in endodontics in Australia and New Zealand (July 2020).

These revised guidelines developed by the Australian Society of Endodontology Inc. and the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Endodontists for educational requirements for specialisation in endodontics in Australia and New Zealand (version 2020) propose minimum criteria for training specialists in our field. The document contains a definition of endodontics and a description of the scope of endodontics. It proposes criteria for selection of the students and describes the proposed main features and a general outline of the education programme.

The effect of different sealer removal protocols on the bond strength of AH plus-contaminated dentine to a bulk-fill composite.

The integrity of composite bonding for post-endodontic restorations may be compromised by sealer contamination. This study assessed the effect of different sealer removal regimes on the bond strength of dentine to composite resin. Dentine surfaces were contaminated with AH Plus sealer (Dentsply DeTrey, Konstanz, Germany), followed by removal with either dry cotton pellets, cotton pellets saturated with 95% ethanol, AH Plus cleaner or external surface preparation. Dentine surfaces were not contaminated in a positive control group. A bulk-fill composite (SDR; Dentsply) was bonded with Prime&Bond active universal adhesive (Dentsply) onto the prepared surface. Composite resin-dentine beams were produced, and tensile bond strength was determined using a universal testing machine. Using an etch-and-rinse adhesive, bond strengths varied from 21.34 to 29.11 MPa with no statistical differences among removal protocols. In conclusion, contamination by AH Plus sealer does not appear to substantially interfere with bond strength between dentine and a bulk-fill composite/etch-and-rinse system.

Guidelines for the Management of Traumatic Dental Injuries: 1. Fractures and Luxations of Permanent Teeth.

Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) of permanent teeth occur frequently in children and young adults. Crown fractures and luxations are the most commonly occurring of all dental injuries. Proper diagnosis, treatment planning and followup are important for improving a favorable outcome. Guidelines should assist dentists and patients in decision making and for providing the best care effectively and efficiently. The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) has developed a consensus statement after a review of the dental literature and group discussions. Experienced researchers and clinicians from various specialties were included in the group. In cases where the data did not appear conclusive, recommendations were based on the consensus opinion of the IADT board members. The guidelines represent the best current evidence based on literature search and professional opinion. The primary goal of these guidelines is to delineate an approach for the immediate or urgent care of TDIs. In this first article, the IADT Guidelines for management of fractures and luxations of permanent teeth will be presented.

Guidelines for the Management of Traumatic Dental Injuries: 2. Avulsion of Permanent Teeth.

Avulsion of permanent teeth is one of the most serious dental injuries, and a prompt and correct emergency management is very important for the prognosis. The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) has developed a consensus statement after a review of the dental literature and group discussions. Experienced researchers and clinicians from various specialties were included in the task group. The guidelines represent the current best evidence and practice based on literature research and professionals' opinion. In cases where the data did not appear conclusive, recommendations were based on the consensus opinion or majority decision of the task group. Finally, the IADT board members were giving their opinion and approval. The primary goal of these guidelines is to delineate an approach for the immediate orurgent care of avulsed permanent teeth.

Guidelines for the Management of Traumatic Dental Injuries: 3. Injuries in the Primary Dentition.

Traumatic injuries to the primary dentition present special problems and the management is often different as compared with the permanent dentition. The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) has developed a consensus statement after a review of the dental literature and group discussions. Experienced researchers and clinicians from various specialities were included in the task group. In cases where the data did not appear conclusive, recommendations were based on the consensus opinion or majority decision of the task group. Finally, the IADT board members were giving their opinion and approval. The primary goal of these guidelines is to delineate an approach for the immediate or urgent care for management of primary teeth injuries. The IADT cannot and does not guarantee favorable outcomes from strict adherence to the guidelines, but believe that their application can maximize the chances of a positive outcome.

Treatment of Cracked Teeth.

Although many options are proposed for the treatment of cracked posterior teeth, most treatment decisions are not evidence based. Thus, considerable individual variation can occur regarding treatment recommendations for the same scenario. To our knowledge, there are no studies in the literature assessing practitioners' attitudes toward the treatment of cracked teeth. This research recorded variations between general practitioners and specialist groups regarding the treatment approaches of cracked teeth. In a cross-sectional structured questionnaire survey, 32 prosthodontists, 34 endodontists, and 29 general practitioners working in public and private dental health services in Kuwait were assessed regarding their treatment approach to 5 different clinical cracked tooth scenarios. Chosen treatment options varied greatly. Within each scenario, there was a wide range in treatment preferences across all groups and within each group, especially with respect to asymptomatic cracked teeth. Overall, treatment approaches did not relate to specialty training. Statistically significant differences were noticed between endodontists and general practitioners, in case of crowning teeth, in scenario 3 (P = .032), and in extracting teeth for scenario 5 (P = .048). This study highlights that, despite suggested guidelines, there are large differences in the approach to treatment planning for cracked teeth by practitioners and specialists, both as a whole and within each group. Further multicountry studies involving larger dental populations are needed to determine factors that influence practitioners' treatment choices and/or whether better or more widely accepted guidelines need to be established. More prospective well-controlled clinical case-based research with long-term follow-ups is required.

Free Active Chlorine in Sodium Hypochlorite Solutions Admixed with Octenidine, SmearOFF, Chlorhexidine, and EDTA.

INTRODUCTION: The therapeutic effects of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solutions are dependent on the levels of free available chlorine (FAC). Mixing these solutions with irrigants can result in significant reductions in FAC. Although the effect of some irrigants on FAC is known, the effect of other commonly used irrigants is not. Thus, the therapeutic ramifications of the concurrent use of these on the efficiency of NaOCl solutions is not known. METHODS: Aliquots of 5.2% (w/v) NaOCl solutions were admixed in proportions of 90:10, 80:20, and 50:50 with the following irrigants: octenidine dihydrochloride (OCT); SmearOFF (Vista Dental Products, Racine, WI), 17% EDTA; and 0.2%, 2%, and 5% chlorhexidine (CHX) solutions. Changes in FAC were measured by iodometric titration. Statistical differences between means were determined using a post hoc Tukey analysis test after an analysis of variance. RESULTS: OCT appeared not to affect FAC and was significantly different than all other irrigants, except for 90:10 and 80:20 mixtures of low concentration (0.2%) CHX. CHX solutions showed a marked concentration- and mixture proportion-dependent detrimental effect on FAC. The reduction of FAC between different concentrations of CHX was statistically significant in 80:20 and 50:50 proportions, with 50:50 mixtures of 5% CHX having the greatest influence. Mixtures containing even small proportions of SmearOFF or EDTA exhibited significant losses in FAC. CONCLUSIONS: OCT has little effect on FAC and can be used concurrently with NaOCl solutions. Higher concentrations of CHX significantly affect FAC. Their combined use with NaOCl solutions should be avoided. EDTA and SmearOFF should not be mixed with NaOCl solutions.

Guidelines for the Management of Traumatic Dental Injuries: 1. Fractures and Luxations of Permanent Teeth.

Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) of permanent teeth occur frequently in children and young adults. Crown fractures and luxations are the most commonly occurring of all dental injuries. Proper diagnosis, treatment planning and followup are important for improving a favorable outcome. Guidelines should assist dentists and patients in decision making and for providing the best care effectively and efficiently. The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) has developed a consensus statement after a review of the dental literature and group discussions. Experienced researchers and clinicians from various specialties were included in the group. In cases where the data did not appear conclusive, recommendations were based on the consensus opinion of the IADT board members. The guidelines represent the best current evidence based on literature search and professional opinion. The primary goal of these guidelines is to delineate an approach for the immediate or urgent care of TDIs. In this first article, the IADT Guidelines for management of fractures and luxations of permanent teeth will be presented.

Guidelines for the Management of Traumatic Dental Injuries: 2. Avulsion of Permanent Teeth.

Avulsion of permanent teeth is one of the most serious dental injuries, and a prompt and correct emergency management is very important for the prognosis. The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) has developed a consensus statement after a review of the dental literature and group discussions. Experienced researchers and clinicians from various specialties were included in the task group. The guidelines represent the current best evidence and practice based on literature research and professionals' opinion. In cases where the data did not appear conclusive, recommendations were based on the consensus opinion or majority decision of the task group. Finally, the IADT board members were giving their opinion and approval. The primary goal of these guidelines is to delineate an approach for the immediate orurgent care of avulsed permanent teeth.

Guidelines for the Management of Traumatic Dental Injuries: 3. Injuries in the Primary Dentition.

Traumatic injuries to the primary dentition present special problems and the management is often different as compared with the permanent dentition. The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) has developed a consensus statement after a review of the dental literature and group discussions. Experienced researchers and clinicians from various specialities were included in the task group. In cases where the data did not appear conclusive, recommendations were based on the consensus opinion or majority decision of the task group. Finally, the IADT board members were giving their opinion and approval. The primary goal of these guidelines is to delineate an approach for the immediate or urgent care for management of primary teeth injuries. The IADT cannot and does not guarantee favorable outcomes from strict adherence to the guidelines, but believe that their application can maximize the chances of a positive outcome.

Cone beam CT assisted re-treatment of class 3 invasive cervical resorption.

Invasive cervical root resorption is an uncommon external root resorption which initiates at the cervical aspect of the tooth. This case report involves a case of cervical root resorption which was initially misdiagnosed and managed as cervical root caries. It was later diagnosed with cone beam CT and the lesion microsurgically removed and restored with resin modified glass ionomer cement. The importance of increasing awareness of this uncommon pathology and the role of cone beam CT in mapping the extent of the lesion is emphasised.

Cone beam CT as an aid to diagnosing mixed radiopaque radiolucent lesions in the mandibular incisor region.

We present two cases where the identities of mixed radiopaque radiolucent lesions in the lower incisor region were unclear, although the position of the lesions and positive pulp sensitivity tests were suggestive of periapical osseous dysplasia. In the first case, the lesion presented as a solitary round mixed radiopaque radiolucent periapical lesion, suggestive in some images as periapical osseous dysplasia. Cone beam CT (CBCT) provided clear images, which confirmed the diagnosis and, additionally, the images showed evidence of initial lesions associated with other anterior teeth and some destruction of the labial plate, not evident on the conventional radiographs. In the second case, radiopacities were identified within the lesion on conventional radiographs, but CBCT imaging also showed extensive and unexpected perforation of the lingual plate. Such destruction of cortical plates may be a feature of periapical osseous dysplasia, which is not visible in conventional radiography.

The effect of surfactant on the dissolution of porcine pulpal tissue by sodium hypochlorite solutions.

INTRODUCTION: A previous study of the relative dental pulp-dissolving abilities of Milton brand of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and other surfactant-containing NaOCl solutions produced specifically for endodontic treatment showed a markedly better performance of the surfactant-containing product that was not explained by differences in active chlorine content. This study investigated whether the presence of surfactant in the NaOCl solutions was responsible for the difference in dissolution times seen in the previous study. METHODS: Circular samples 2.5 mm in diameter were punched out of the pulps of mandibular incisor teeth from young pigs. The 4 NaOCl solutions tested were Hypochlor 1% and Hypochlor 4% forte, which contained surfactant, and 2 identical solutions without surfactant. Twenty pulp specimens were immersed in 20 individual 25-mL aliquots of each of the 4 NaOCl solutions and observed while stirring until dissolution was complete. The time to dissolution of each sample was determined by stopwatch. Dissolution times for each solution were averaged and compared statistically in R (version 2.12.0) by using multiple regression with nominal active chlorine content as a covariate. RESULTS: No statistical difference was detected between the dissolution times for either of the Hypochlor solutions with and without surfactant. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of surfactant alone does not appear to improve the abilities of NaOCl to dissolve dental pulp tissue.

International Association of Dental Traumatology guidelines for the management of traumatic dental injuries: 3. Injuries in the primary dentition.

Traumatic injuries to the primary dentition present special problems and the management is often different as compared with the permanent dentition. The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) has developed a consensus statement after a review of the dental literature and group discussions. Experienced researchers and clinicians from various specialities were included in the task group. In cases where the data did not appear conclusive, recommendations were based on the consensus opinion or majority decision of the task group. Finally, the IADT board members were giving their opinion and approval. The primary goal of these guidelines is to delineate an approach for the immediate or urgent care for management of primary teeth injuries. The IADT cannot and does not guarantee favorable outcomes from strict adherence to the guidelines, but believe that their application can maximize the chances of a positive outcome.

International Association of Dental Traumatology guidelines for the management of traumatic dental injuries: 2. Avulsion of permanent teeth.

Avulsion of permanent teeth is one of the most serious dental injuries, and a prompt and correct emergency management is very important for the prognosis. The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) has developed a consensus statement after a review of the dental literature and group discussions. Experienced researchers and clinicians from various specialties were included in the task group. The guidelines represent the current best evidence and practice based on literature research and professionals' opinion. In cases where the data did not appear conclusive, recommendations were based on the consensus opinion or majority decision of the task group. Finally, the IADT board members were giving their opinion and approval. The primary goal of these guidelines is to delineate an approach for the immediate or urgent care of avulsed permanent teeth.

International Association of Dental Traumatology guidelines for the management of traumatic dental injuries: 1. Fractures and luxations of permanent teeth.

Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) of permanent teeth occur frequently in children and young adults. Crown fractures and luxations are the most commonly occurring of all dental injuries. Proper diagnosis, treatment planning and followup are important for improving a favorable outcome. Guidelines should assist dentists and patients in decision making and for providing the best care effectively and efficiently. The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) has developed a consensus statement after a review of the dental literature and group discussions. Experienced researchers and clinicians from various specialties were included in the group. In cases where the data did not appear conclusive, recommendations were based on the consensus opinion of the IADT board members. The guidelines represent the best current evidence based on literature search and professional opinion. The primary goal of these guidelines is to delineate an approach for the immediate or urgent care of TDIs. In this first article, the IADT Guidelines for management of fractures and luxations of permanent teeth will be presented.

Influence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on the active chlorine content of sodium hypochlorite solutions when mixed in various proportions.

INTRODUCTION: This study documented the time-related effect on active chlorine content of NaOCl solutions of different concentrations after dilution with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in various proportions. METHODS: Five NaOCl solutions (Milton, Black and Gold domestic bleach, and the surfactant containing products, White King and Hypochlor 1% and 4% forte) were mixed with EDTA in the following proportions: 90:10, 75:25, and 50:50. Changes in active chlorine content were determined at intervals between 5 and 18 minutes. RESULTS: Results were analyzed statistically by using general linear statistical models in SPSS. With the exception of White King solutions, EDTA substantially and rapidly reduced available chlorine even in small proportions, with loss being extreme at first and then more gradual. The reaction was exothermic. Results showed that White King mixed 90:10 lost on average only 8% of its active chlorine at its first measurement (approximately 5 minutes) but lost 36% of its active chlorine when mixed 75:25. The Hypochlor products at 90:10 dilution lost on average 27%-31% active chlorine during this time period. Mixing EDTA with NaOCl caused a dramatic loss of active chlorine for all solutions mixed 50:50. NaOCl solutions containing surfactant had less active chlorine loss for the 75:25 and 90:10 admixtures. CONCLUSIONS: NaOCl and EDTA should not be present in the root canal at the same time if the therapeutic benefits of NaOCl are to be realized, but the order in which they should be used for endodontic irrigation remains a matter of debate.

Minor traumatic injuries to the permanent dentition.

Treatment of traumatized teeth generally occurs in two phases: short-term emergency treatment and stabilization followed by endodontic management and review. These authors recently reviewed the endodontic considerations in the treatment of traumatized permanent anterior teeth, and in this article review the early management of traumatized permanent teeth. Preoperative assessment and emergency management are emphasized, as is the treatment of immature teeth for which continued development of the root system must be encouraged. Factors influencing long-term prognosis are discussed and the influence of various management strategies evaluated.

Variability of master gutta-percha cones.

The common technique to hermetically fill prepared root canals involves the use of "standardised" gutta-percha cones that are selected to fit the apical portion of the prepared canal space. These gutta-percha cones are manufactured to conform to a standard size and taper which should correspond to the size and taper of standard root canal instruments. Clinical observation of commercially available gutta-percha cones seemed to indicate that there is wide variation in the diameter and taper of "standardised" gutta-percha cones within the size range 25-35. The present study was undertaken to determine how closely current commercially available gutta-percha cones sizes 25, 30 and 35 conformed to the current ISO standard, and was initiated by the above clinical observation. It was not the purpose of this study to compare the results from different brands or manufacturers, but rather to establish whether commercially available gutta-percha cones collectively conformed to expected standardised sizes. One phial of cones for each of the sizes 25, 30 and 35 of eight different brands was selected for examination. The diameter of each of ten cones for each size from each brand was measured at two points, at 1 mm and at 6 mm from the tip of the cone. The results obtained for each size and each brand were tabulated and compared with ISO 6877:1995 for dental root canal obturating cones. This study demonstrated wide variability for cones from all brands, for all sizes, when individual cones of the same size were compared. While collectively the arithmetic means showed a closer correlation to the ISO Standard, irrespective of the brand size of the cone, or whether the cone was measured at 1 mm or 6 mm, many individual cones showed a great variation from the ideal. The need for less variability is discussed. It is concluded that ISO standard 6877:1995 is inappropriate- and allows for too much variation in the size of "standardised" gutta-percha cones.