Application of bioceramic endodontic sealers in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the attitude of dental medicine practitioners towards the usage of bioceramic endodontic sealers in their clinical practice. METHODS: The survey-based study was conducted from March 2019 to February 2020 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, after approval from the ethics review committee of the Medical University of Plovdiv, and comprised dentists of either gender who attended in person events organised by the Bulgarian Dental Association. Data was collected using a self-reporting 20-item questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS 26. RESULTS: Of the 200 forms distributed, 164(82%) were duly filled; 52(32%) from males and 112(68%) from females. The overall median age was 46.50 years (interquartile range: 21 years). Mean work experience was 23.68±11.43 years. Significant differences were found between the application of bioceramic sealers and the type of acquired specialty, the endodontic obturation technique and the final irrigation solution (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Majority of the respondents did not feel the need to change the endodontic obturation technique in order to adopt the usage of bioceramic sealers.

Micromorphology and analysis of dentin surfaces after preparation with Er:YAG laser and application of self-etch adhesive system with 10-MDP. A confocal laser scanning microscope study.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the micromorphology of the hybrid layer and the dentinal surface when the dentin was prepared with an Er:YAG laser or burs, and to find if there was any difference if the time of application of the self-etching primer on the dentin prepared with an Er:YAG laser was doubled.

Definition and Classification of Bioceramic Endodontic Sealers.

INTRODUCTION: The term "bioceramic" is used in endodontics to describe various products and is often used in general terms for mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and other hydroscopic dental cements (HDC), which creates confusion in the terminology. AIM: The aim of the study is to present a definition and an original classification of bioceramic endodontic sealers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 123 articles were found by the PubMed search engine using the key phrase "bioceramic endodontic sealers". Of these 123 articles, we analyzed 20 articles that contain information about the composition, properties, definition, and classification of bioceramic endodontic sealers. RESULTS: In accordance with the collected data on the composition and the delivery form of calcium silicate endodontic sealers, we propose a new definition of bioceramic endodontic sealers that clarifies the specificities of these materials. In the new classification they are divided by two criteria: source of calcium silicate and form of delivery. It also contains the particular products' names in order to aid their usage in the clinical practice. Conclusions: The new definition of bioceramic endodontic sealers clears out the confusion in the terminology, which promotes the classification of these products and helps understanding their clinical application.

Detoxification potential and rehabilitation of activated sludge after shock loading of Sofia's wastewater treatment plant 'Kubratovo' with mazut.

The shock loading of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) with toxic pollutants remains a critical problem with crucial significance for the technologies. On 5 November 2014, 30 tons of mazut were emitted in Sofia's WWTP 'Kubratovo', passing through equipment and damaging the functioning of the technological modules. The rehabilitation of activated sludge (AS) after shock loading as well as the development of detoxification activity were investigated. The hydrocarbon index of petroleum products, filamentous index (FI), sludge biotic index, sludge volume index (SVI), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), oxygenases and succinate dehydrogenase activities were analyzed for a period of two weeks. The results show that independently from prolonged rehabilitation period, AS remained with filamentous bulking (SVI over 200 ml/g and FI over 1.107 µm/mg). At the same time, the detoxification potential of the AS was developed. Although the morphological and functional structure was still not fully recovered, the AS developed two adaptive mechanisms. First, activation of shorter, more effective ways for benzene ring cleavage, operated by catechol 2,3-dioxygenase; second, strong increase of succinate dehydrogenase activity, which is consistent with the activation of the degradation of trivial substrates for energy generating to overcome the intoxication and synthesis of oxygenases.

Perceived sources of stress in fifth year dental students--a comparative study.

INTRODUCTION: The term "stress" refers to the effect of certain external factors (physical or mental) on the individual's physical and psychological health. Stress is very high in dental medicine. It may well be generated by the process of training in dentistry. During their training dental students express high levels of stress and considerable stress-related symptoms such as physical problems, depression, obsessive-compulsive and personality disorders. The perceived stress can be dependent on socio-cultural factors. The type of personality, gender, emotional intelligence and other individual characteristics may also influence the stress effects. AIM: To determine the main sources of stress in students during their dental training and compare the level of stress fifth-year dental students experience in the Faculty of Dental Medicine, Plovdiv, Bulgaria and the Faculty of Dentistry in Montpellier, France. METHODS: We recruited in the study fifth-year students from the Faculty of Dental Medicine in Plovdiv, Bulgaria and the Faculty of Dentistry in Montpellier, France. The modified Dental Environment Stress (DES) questionnaire was used to assess the effect of the various stressors. The questionnaire survey was conducted between February and March 2008. RESULTS: The living arrangements domain indicates higher levels of stress in Bulgarian students compared to their French counterparts with significant statistical difference for all factors. In personal factors the highest levels of stress were found with respect to the reduced holidays during school year and financial problems. Exams were the highest stressor in academic work domain and for the survey as a whole. In educational environment factors the stressors with the highest significance were the interactions with patients, academic environment (for French students) and risk of cross transmitted infections (for Bulgarian students). The high stress during clinical work is related to completing the assigned clinical workload quota and the shortage of time for clinical work. CONCLUSIONS: The students from both faculties report the highest mean levels of stress are related to examinations and clinical factors. Bulgarian students experienced higher mean levels of stress compared to their French colleges. The differences in mean stress levels are associated with socio-cultural factors and variations in educational curriculums at both dental faculties.