An in vitro comparative evaluation of intraorifice barriers and bleaching agents on the fracture resistance of the endodontically treated anterior teeth.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the impact of different bleaching agents on the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth when using either GC Fuji type 2 glass ionomer cement (GIC) or Shofu Glass Ionomer RX EASE as intraorifice barriers (IOB). Materials and Methods: A total of 80 single-rooted human maxillary central incisors were prepared and obturated. Three millimeters of gutta-percha was then removed from the orifice. The specimens were divided into two primary groups based on the type of IOB material used: GC Fuji type 2 GIC and Shofu Glass Ionomer RX EASE (n = 40). Each group was further divided into four subgroups based on the bleaching agent used: Carbamide peroxide (CP) 37%, sodium perborate (SP), hydrogen peroxide (HP) 35%, and distilled water used as the control (n = 10). The teeth were subjected to fracture resistance testing. Results: The study found that the order of root fracture resistance was control > CP > SP > HP. There was no statistically significant difference in fracture resistance between GC Fuji type 2 GIC and Shofu Glass Ionomer RX EASE when used as IOB materials. Conclusion: The study concluded that the choice of bleaching agent significantly affects the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth. It was observed that fracture resistance is lowest with HP, followed by SP and CP. Both GC Fuji type 2 Glass Ionomer and Shofu Glass Ionomer RX EASE are effective as IOB.

Determining predictability and accuracy of thermal and electrical dental pulp tests: An in vivo study.

INTRODUCTION: Pulp sensitivity testing, even with its limitations and shortcomings, has been and still remains a very helpful aid in endodontic diagnosis. Pulp sensitivity tests extrapolate pulpal health from the sensory response. The aim of the present study was to identify the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (NPVs) of thermal and electrical tests of pulp sensitivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pulp tests studied were two cold and heat tests respectively and electrical test. A total of 330 teeth were tested: 198 teeth with vital pulp and 132 teeth with necrotic pulps (disease prevalence of 40%). The ideal standard was established by observing bleeding within the pulp chamber. RESULTS: Sensitivity values of the diagnostic tests were 0.89 and 0.94 for cold test, 0.84 and 0.87 for the heat tests, and 0.75 for electrical pulp test and the specificity values of the diagnostic tests were 0.91 and 0.93 for the cold tests, 0.86 and 0.84 for the heat tests, and 0.90 for electrical pulp test. The NPVs were 0.91 and 0.96 for the cold tests, 0.89 and 0.91 for the heat tests, and 0.84 for electrical pulp test. The positive predictive values were 0.89 and 0.90 for the cold tests, 0.80 and 0.79 for the heat tests and 0.88 for electrical pulp test. The highest accuracy (0.9393) was observed with cold test (icy spray). CONCLUSIONS: The cold test done with icy spray was the most accurate method for sensitivity testing.