Evaluation of the Quality of Obturation with Obtura at Different Sizes of Apical Preparation Through Microleakage Testing.

INTRODUCTION: Obturation of the root canal system is required to prevent recontamination of the root canal after cleaning and shaping procedures and to seal the root canal completely, both the apical and coronal avenues of potential leakage and to maintain the disinfected status. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the microleakage by dye leakage method at 1mm, 3mm and 5mm short of the apex with different sizes of apical preparation, obturated by Obtura. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty freshly extracted human single rooted teeth were randomly distributed into six equal groups. Group I (control group) was obturated by lateral compaction technique. Group II to VI were experimental groups (apical preparations done upto ISO sizes 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 respectively), obturated by Obtura technique. After storing the samples at 100% humidity for seven days and one day in 2% methylene blue, the roots of the teeth were sectioned at 3mm short of the apex. They were observed under stereomicroscope at 20X magnification and the images were analysed for microleakage using the scoring criteria. The data obtained were analysed by One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey pair-wise multiple comparison test and p ≤ 0.05 was considered as the level of significance. RESULTS: The lowest mean microleakage score was seen in Group VI (0) and the highest mean leakage score was seen in Group II (1.5). There was statistically significant difference between Group II and Group V (p = 0.044), Group II and Group VI (p = 0.013). There was no significant difference between all the other groups (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION: Comparison of microleakage between different groups from ISO sizes 20-60 recommends a minimum apical preparation of ISO size 30.

Canal projection using gutta-percha points: A novel technique for pre-endodontic buildup of grossly destructed tooth.

The use of Projector Endodontic Instrument Guidance System (PEIGS) during endodontic treatment of grossly mutilated tooth facilitates projection of canal orifices from the floor of the pulp chamber to the cavosurface, providing direct visualization and access to the projected canals. Alternatives, such as hypodermic needles as sleeves, were tried successfully with similar outcome. The aim of this case report is to describe a simpler, easily available, economical, yet an effective alternative technique to conventional PEIGS during the pre-endodontic management of grossly destructed tooth. These case reports demonstrate the use of greater tapered gutta-percha points that are easily available and more economical than PEIGS for the successful management of a badly destructed tooth.

Role of yoga and physical activity in work-related musculoskeletal disorders among dentists.

BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal pain is one of the occupational hazards in dentists. AIMS: To find the prevalence and severity of musculoskeletal pain in dentists, to compare musculoskeletal pain among dentists practicing yoga, those practicing physical activities, and those without any physical activity, and also to know the effects of sex, age, and workload on musculoskeletal pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A self-reporting work-related questionnaire and the Nordic questionnaire for analysis of musculoskeletal disorders were given to graduated dentists attending Indian dental conference in Mumbai, to know the musculoskeletal pain experienced in the last 12 months and feedback was obtained from 220 dentists. RESULTS: The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in dentists was 34.5%. Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was 10.5%, 21.7%, and 45.6% in dentists with regular yoga practice, other physical activity, and no physical activity, respectively. There was statistically significant difference in the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among dentists who were practicing yoga when compared with those in no regular activity group. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the study, there was significant role of physical activity on the quality and quantity of work-related musculoskeletal disorders experienced by dentists. Yoga was found to be more effective than other modes of physical activities. More research is needed on musculoskeletal problems in dentists, with an emphasis on larger sample sizes and correlating other factors like age and sex of the dentists, duration of practice, years of practicing yoga, and working hours per week.

Reliability of gingival blood sample to screen diabetes in dental hospital.

BACKGROUND: Early detection and treatment of diabetes mellitus may reduce the burden of diabetes and its complications. Screening of undiagnosed diabetes with gingival blood sample in patients attending to the dental hospital and to check the reliability with standard method. METHODS: Five hundred and fifty new patients age ranged from 30 to 50 years were randomly selected. Of 550 patients examined, gingival blood samples of 454 patients were collected from bleeding site and analyzed with self-monitoring device. Blood glucose values were recorded. In addition, all the patients were advised for the second visit with overnight fasting for fasting Blood glucose assessment. Among them, 442 patients returned for fasting blood glucose assessment in laboratory with blood glucose analyzer. RESULTS: In the total of 454 patients gingival blood glucose assessment with self-monitoring device, 64 patients showed ≥200 mg/dL, which indicates diabetes, and the other 390 patients showed ≤200 mg/dL, which indicates patients are not diabetic. Whereas, the results of the laboratory blood glucose analysis, 24 (5.43%) patients showed ≥126 mg/dL, 36 (8.14%) patients showed 100-125 mg/dL and the other 382 patients are not diabetic. Comparison of blood glucose measurements by two methods showed sensitivity 96.66% and specificity 99.47%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study showed blood obtained from periodontal pocket probing is a reliable sample to screen diabetes in periodontal disease population. Early diagnosis of diabetes in the dental hospitals can help improve the patient's oral health and overall health status by helping patients avoid or reduce complications from diabetes.

Comparative evaluation of tensile strength of Gutta-percha cones with a herbal disinfectant.

AIM: To evaluate and compare the tensile strength values and influence of taper on the tensile strength of Gutta-percha (GP) cones after disinfection with sodium hypochlorite (SH) and Aloe vera gel (AV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty GP cones of size 110, 2% taper, 60 GP cones F3 ProTaper, and 60 GP of size 30, 6% taper were obtained from sealed packs as three different groups. Experimental groups were disinfected with 5.25% SH and 90% AV gel except the control group. Tensile strengths of GP were measured using the universal testing machine. RESULTS: The mean tensile strength values for Group IA, IIA and IIIA are 11.8 MPa, 8.69 MPa, and 9.24 MPa, respectively. Results were subjected to statistical analysis one-way analysis of variance test and Tukey post-hoc test. 5.25% SH solutions decreased the tensile strength of GP cones whereas with 90% AV gel it was not significantly altered. CONCLUSION: Ninety percent Aloe vera gel as a disinfectant does not alter the tensile strength of GP cones.

Salivaomics - A promising future in early diagnosis of dental diseases.

Human saliva plays an important role in the health of the oral cavity and of the body as a whole. Salivary diagnostics is a dynamic and emerging field in the diagnosis of oral and systemic diseases. Saliva reflects the physiologic state of the body, including emotional, endocrinal, nutritional, and metabolic variations. The collection of saliva samples is noninvasive, safe, and inexpensive. Traditional clinical criteria are insufficient for determining sites of active disease, for monitoring the response to therapy, or for measuring the degree of susceptibility to future disease progression. Salivaomics includes five diagnostic alphabets proteins, mRNAs, miRNAs, metabolic compounds, and microbes offering substantial advantages because disease states may be accompanied by detectable changes. Salivaomics, the future of saliva-based techniques for early diagnosis of dental diseases, is promising and may offer a robust alternative for clinicians to use in the near future to make clinical decisions.

Odontogenic myxoma of the mandible.

Odontogenic myxomas are benign but locally aggressive neoplasms found almost exclusively in the jaws and arise only occasionally in other bones. We present a rare case of odontogenic myxoma occurring in the mandible of a 19-year-old male patient with a brief review of clinical and radiological features, and diagnostic and operative dilemmas in managing the same.