A Comparative Evaluation of Antibacterial Efficacy of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract, Octenidine Dihydrochloride, and Sodium Hypochlorite as Intracanal Irrigants against Enterococcus faecalis: An In Vitro Study.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate and compare the microbial efficacy of Moringa oleifera leaf extract, octenidine dihydrochloride (OCT), NaOCl, and their combinations as intracanal irrigants against Enterococcus faecalis. Materials and Methods: Sixty single-rooted mandibular premolars were decoronated followed by root canal preparation. Each root specimen was autoclaved, inoculated with E. faecalis, and incubated at 37°C for 48 hr. Then, the specimens were divided into six groups based on the irrigation solution used: 2.5% NaOCl (Group 1), 0.1% OCT (Group 2), M. oleifera leaves extract (Group 3), a combination of M. oleifera extract and 1.25% NaOCl (Group 4), a combination of M. oleifera extract and OCT (Group 5) and normal saline (Group 6). Microbial samples were taken from each root canal before (S1) and after (S2) irrigation and the bacterial viability was assessed using colony-forming units (CFU) on bile esculin agar plates. Results: Comparing the number of CFU/ml before and after irrigation showed a significant reduction (P < 0.001) in all studied groups. Comparison between the CFU/ml after irrigation by NaOCl and each of the combination groups showed a significant difference. Conclusion: M. oleifera leaves extract and 0.1% OCT solutions have antibacterial effect against E. faecalis comparable to 2.5% NaOCl and might be used as root canal irrigants. The combination groups showed better antimicrobial activities than individual irrigants. However, further studies are required to investigate the biocompatibility and possible toxic effects of the tested irrigants.

Impact of Nanoparticles Additions on the Strength of Dental Composite Resin.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of nanoparticles, zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and silicon dioxide (SiO2), on flexural strength (FS), hardness, and wear resistance of light cured dental composite resin. Materials and Methods: 210 rectangular and disc-shaped composite resin specimens were fabricated with dimensions (25 × 2 × 2 ± 0.03 mm) and (6×4 ± 0.03 mm) for FS, hardness, and wear resistance, respectively (70/test). Specimens of each test were divided according to nanofillers into four groups, unmodified as control, ZrO2 (Z), TiO2 (T), and SiO2 (S) groups; each one was further subdivided into two subgroups according to nanoparticles concentration, 3wt.% and 7wt.% (Z3, Z7, T3, T7, S3, and S7), 10 specimens of each subgroup. A3-point bending test and Vickers hardness test were used for FS and hardness measurements, respectively. Wear resistance was evaluated by the differences in surface roughness of tested specimens before and after wear test. Two-way and 1-way ANOVA and Bonferroni's post hoc tests were done for data analysis (α = 0.05). Results: Two-way ANOVA for FS and wear resistance showed that there was a significant interaction between type of nanoparticles and concentration of nanoparticles (p < 0.001) while two-way ANOVA for hardness showed that both type of nanoparticles and concentration of nanoparticles had a significant effect (p < 0.001), while the effect of their interaction was not statistically significant (p=0.142). 1-way-ANOVA test showed significant increase in FS and wear resistance for all tested groups (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) except T7 and S7. Also, there was a significant enhancement in hardness for all tested groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Modification of light cured composite resin with certain amounts of nanoparticles (3% and 7% of ZrO2 and 3% of TiO2 and SiO2) can be beneficial in improving flexural strength and wear resistance while hardness of composite resin was increased with all NPs additions.

Radiographic Investigation of Root Canal Morphology of Permanent Mandibular Molars in Makkah Population (Saudi Arabia) Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography.

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the root canal morphology of first and second permanent mandibular molars among Makkah population by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: CBCT images of two hundred eight patients were obtained from the Faculty of Dentistry, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. In all images, mandibular first and second molars were evaluated for the number of roots and their morphology, number of root canals, canal configuration in each root according to Vertucci's classification, and the presence of a C-shaped canal. Results: Most of the mandibular first molars had two roots (96.5%) and three root canals (77.7%). Type IV canal configuration prevailed (75.6%) in the mesial roots, and type I canal configuration prevailed (71.7%) in the distal roots. For the mandibular second molars, the majority had two roots (96.3%) and three root canals (82.7%). Type IV canal configuration prevailed (48%) in the mesial roots and type I (99.1%) in the distal roots. C-shaped canals were detected in 5.7% of the mandibular first molars and 4% of the mandibular second molars. There was no statistical difference between the mandibular first and second molars (P > 0.05) in the shape of the roots and the presence of the C-shaped canals. Conclusion: Most of the mandibular molars in Makkah population presented with two roots and three root canals. The incidence of three-rooted mandibular molars was low, and it was higher in the first molars than second molars. The type IV root canal system prevailed in mesial roots and type I in distal roots.

Effect of posterior span length on the trueness and precision of 3 intraoral digital scanners: A comparative 3-dimensional in vitro study.

PURPOSE: This in vitro study measured and compared 3 intraoral scanners' accuracy (trueness and precision) with different span lengths. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three master casts were prepared to simulate 3 different span lengths (fixed partial dentures with 3, 4, and 5 units). Each master cast was scanned once with an E3 lab scanner and 10 times with each of the 3 intraoral scanners (Trios 3, Planmeca Emerald, and Primescan AC). Data were stored as Standard Tessellation Language (STL) files. The differences between measurements were compared 3-dimensionally using metrology software. Data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance with post hoc analysis by the Tukey honest significant difference test for trueness and precision. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found between the 3 intraoral scanners in trueness and precision (P<0.05). Primescan AC showed the lowest trueness and precision values (36.8 µm and 42.0 µm; (39.4 µm and 51.2 µm; and 54.9 µm and 52.7 µm) followed by Trios 3 (38.9 µm and 53.5 µm; 49.9 µm and 59.1 µm; and 58.1 µm and 64.5 µm) and Planmeca Emerald (60.4 µm and 63.6 µm; 61.3 µm and 69.0 µm; and 70.8 µm and 74.3 µm) for the 3-unit, 4-unit, and 5-unit fixed partial dentures, respectively. CONCLUSION: Primescan AC had the best trueness and precision, followed by Trios 3 and Planmeca Emerald. Increasing span length reduced the trueness and precession of the 3 scanners; however, their values were within the accepted successful ranges.