Comparison Of Two Intracanal Medicaments In Resolution Of Apical Radiolucency.

BACKGROUND: As a gold standard, calcium hydroxide has always been used as a root canal medicament against root canal pathogens but its combination with chlorhexidine is not being employed in routine despite its documented efficacy and results. The objective of the study is to compare calcium hydroxide and combination of calcium hydroxide with 2% CHX on the basis of radiographic evidence of resolution of periapical radiolucency when they are used as an interappointment dressing /intracanal medicament for 14 days.. METHODS: A total of 60 patients of either gender was included in the study. The age range was 15-60 years with the radiographic evidence of radiolucency of 2-4 mm in size. Both maxillary and mandibular teeth till first molar were selected. Teeth with previous endodontic treatment mentally handicapped and terminally ill patients were excluded. Selected patients were placed randomly into Group 1 (calcium hydroxide alone) and in Group 2 (calcium hydroxide in combination with 2% chlorhexidine gel). Obturation and permanent filling was done at 14th day. The patient was recalled after 90 days of obturation and a radiograph was taken. Final outcome was measured at the end of 90thday of obturation. RESULTS: The mean of percentage reduction in size of apical radiolucency at 3 months was 91.03% for group 1 and 97.26% for group 2 with p-value 0.13 (not significant). The results suggested equivalent results after medication with 2%chlorhexidine with calcium hydroxide but 2% chlorhexidine still showed better results than the group without CHX in terms of healing. CONCLUSIONS: This study concluded that calcium hydroxide in combination with 2% chlorhexidene as intracanal medicament results in better resolution of periapical radiolucency in terms of percentage resolution of periapical radiolucency.

Comparison of frequency of post-obturation pain of single versus multiple visit root canal treatment of necrotic teeth with infected root canals. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pain of single versus multiple visit endodontic treatment after obturation in teeth with necrotic pulps and infected canals. METHODS: The randomized controlled study was conducted from January to June 2016 at Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan. Dental patients aged 18-60 years of either gender were selected who were subjected to computer-generated randomisation. Both maxillary and mandibular single rooted teeth till second premolar were included. Single visit endodontic treatment to Group-I subjects was carried out by gaining access to canals, cleaning, shaping and obturation at same visit whereas in Group-II patients, who underwent multiple visits, cleaning and shaping was followed by placement of intra-canal medicament, while obturation was done 5 days later. Patients were recalled within 48 hours after obturation to record the pain score using visual analogue scale.. RESULTS: Of the 60 patients, 30(50%) were in each of the two groups. There was no significant difference in post-operative pain in the two groups (p=0.8). The frequency of post-operative pain was not significant either (p>0.05). The post-operative mean pain score was 2.23±1.736 in Group-I and 2.38±1.94 in Group-II (p=0.8).. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment carried out in single visit or multiple visits showed no difference in pain frequency.

Comparison of frequency of pain in root canal treatment using sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine as root canal irrigants.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the frequency of pain in root canal treatment using sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine as root canal irrigants. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was carried out from January to June 2016 at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, Pakistan, and comprised patients aged 18-40 years with irreversible pulpitis involving a posterior tooth. The patients were divided into two equal groups, with Group-I receiving 2% chlorhexidine, and Group-II receiving 5.25% sodium hypochlorite. Following the use of the irrigants, the selected teeth were evaluated for pain at 72 hours using Visual Analogue Scale. RESULTS: There were 60 patients divided into groups of 30(50%) each. The overall mean age was 27.97±5.9 years. There were 32 (53.3%) females and 28 (46.6%) males. The mean post-operative pain score was 1.70±1.9 in Group-I and 1.90 ± 2.3 in Group-II (p=0.5). In Group-I, 25(83.3%) patients had no pain while in Group-II, 20(66.7%) had no pain (p=0.1). CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in post-operative pain at 72 hours between 2% chlorhexidine and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite when used as irrigants.

Comparison Of Frequency Of Post Operative Sensitivity In Amalgam Restorations Using Copal Varnish And Dentin Adhesive Liner.

BACKGROUND: Micro leakage around the margins of a restoration is believed to be one of the main causes of postoperative sensitivity. Dental amalgam is a non-insulating material and has the potential to transfer heat and cold causing irritation of the pulp. Different dentin tubule sealers are used under amalgam restoration to compensate for this post-operative sensitivity. This study was conducted to compare the frequency of sensitivity in amalgam restorations using copal varnish and dentin adhesive liner (dentin bonding agent). METHODS: A total of 60 patients of either gender, aged 18-40 years having class 1 carries in posterior teeth were included. Teeth with restorations, dentinal sensitivity and patients taking analgesic drugs for chronic pain conditions were excluded. The selected patients were placed randomly into Group A (copal varnish) & Group B (dentin adhesive liner), by using computer generated table of random numbers. Restored teeth were evaluated 1-month post operatively for sensitivity. RESULTS: Mean age was 25.63±5.42 years. Out of 60 patients, 68.0% were females and 32.0% were males with a female to male ratio of 2:1. The mean post-operative pain score was 2.83±2.79 in Group A and in Group B, it was 1.43±2.14 with a p-value of 0.03. There was no pain on application of a cold stimulus in 14 (46.7%) patients in Group A (copal varnish) while in Group B (Dentin adhesive), no pain was seen in 23 (76.7%) patients with p-value of 0.02. CONCLUSIONS: This study concluded that dentin adhesive liner (dentin bonding agent) is better than copal varnish in reducing postoperative sensitivity in amalgam restorations.