Periapical Status of Non-Root-Filled Teeth With Amalgam, Composite, or Crown Restorations: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the periapical status (PAS) of restored non-root-filled (RNRF) teeth amongst a group of patients attending dental teaching clinics at Jordan University of Science & Technology. It also aimed to assess the association of type and quality of coronal restorations and periapical disease. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. To be included, participants needed to have at least 1 non-root-filled tooth restored with either direct or indirect restoration. A sample of 491 participants was examined. Clinical examination and digital periapical radiographs were used to record material used and assess the quality of the restorations. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to analyse the association between PAS and gender, age, restoration material/type, and quality. RESULTS: Overall, 26.3% of the participants were diagnosed with apical periodontitis (AP) on 1 or more of the examined teeth. No significant differences in the prevalence of AP were observed when comparing amalgam to composite or indirect restorations (P = .386). Furthermore, no association was reported between AP and gender or age, while a significant association was observed with the restoration's quality (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of AP in the examined sample is of clinical concern and suggests that more attention should be directed towards dental health awareness in Jordan. Teeth restored with inadequate restorations were twice as likely to have AP.

Outcome of Regenerative Endodontic Procedures in Nonvital Immature Permanent Teeth Using 2 Intracanal Medications: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Study.

INTRODUCTION: This randomized clinical trial aimed to assess and compare the long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs) in treating nonvital immature permanent teeth using 2 intracanal medicaments. METHODS: Forty-five patients yielding a total of 50 anterior and posterior nonvital immature teeth were randomly divided into 2 groups. REPs using either nonsetting calcium hydroxide (Ca[OH]2) (n = 25) or modified triple antibiotic paste (TAP) (n = 25) as intracanal medicaments were performed. NeoMTA Plus (Avalon Biomed Inc) was applied for coronal sealing. Cases were followed up clinically and radiographically for 36 months. The survival rate, success rate, and clinical outcome measures were analyzed. Preoperative and recall radiographs were evaluated for dimensional changes in root length, dentin thickness, apical diameter, and periapical radiolucency. RESULTS: At the 36-month follow-up, the success and survival rates were 81.6% and 100%, respectively, in which 79.4% of cases showed complete resolution of periapical radiolucency with no significant difference between the nonsetting Ca(OH)2 and modified TAP groups (P > .050). The cumulative changes in root length, root dentin thickness, and apical diameter throughout the study period were observed in 47.9%, 77.1%, and 89.6% of cases, respectively, with no significant differences between groups (P ≥ .39). Intracanal calcifications were detected in 60% of cases with no significant difference between groups (P = .77). CONCLUSIONS: REPs, using either nonsetting Ca(OH)2 or modified TAP as the intracanal medicament, exhibited high success and survival rates over a follow-up period of 36 months with equally favorable clinical and radiographic outcome data.

A Case Report of a Maxillary Second Molar with Two Distinct Palatal Canals, Confirmed by CBCT.

Cases of unusual and complex root canal morphology could be difficult to diagnose and treat. This report describes the diagnosis and management of a rare maxillary right second molar (tooth #17) with two distinct palatal canals. The tooth was diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis and symptomatic apical periodontitis. Non-surgical root canal treatment was performed. Accurate diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of cases with unusual root canal morphology can be achieved by evaluation of periapical radiographs at different angulations, advanced magnification techniques, and the Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scanning. Clinicians should be aware that two separate palatal canals could exist in maxillary second molar teeth.

Root and canal morphology of third molar teeth.

Restorative and prosthetic considerations usually necessitates endodontic treatment of third molars in order to retain them as a functional component of the dental arch. However, the anatomy of third molars has been described as unpredictable. To date, there has been little published work on root and canal morphology of third molars, with an adequate sample size. The aim of this study was to investigate root and canal morphology of third molars. Maxillary and mandibular third molars were gathered from dental surgeries within north Jordan. Following access cavity preparation, pulp tissue was removed and root canals stained. Teeth were subject to examination after rendering them clear by immersion in methyl salicylate, and the following features evaluated: (1) number of roots; (2) number and type of root canals; (3) number and position of lateral canals; and (4) presence of inter-canal communications. Out of the examined 592 maxillary third molars, 69.9% had three roots, 10.81% had one, 9.79% had two, 9.12% had four, and 0.34% had five roots. Most had three (52.36%) and four canals (28.2%) with less frequency of two (11.48%), one (5.91%) and five canals (2.03%). Of the 639 mandibular third molars, 89.76% had two roots, 7.35% had three, 2.5% had one, and 0.47% had four roots. Most had three (55.71%) and two canals (29.42%) with less frequency of four (13.61%), one (1.09%) and five canals (0.15%). The majority of maxillary third molars had 3 roots, while the majority of mandibular third molars had two. Overall, nearly half of the maxillary and mandibular third molars had three canals. New canal configurations, not previously described in the literature nor included in Vertucci's classifications, were identified in both maxillary and mandibular third molars.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric patients with epilepsy in Jordan: The caregiver perspective.

OBJECTIVES: The recent COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted care systems around the world. We assessed the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on the care of pediatric patients with epilepsy in Jordan. Potential predictors for seizure control during COVID-19 outbreaks were investigated. METHODS: A cross- sectional survey was conducted on pediatric patients with epilepsy in Jordan, between January and February 2021, via online questionnaires. The collected data included demographic information, epilepsy-related characteristics, views of caregivers and changes in seizure control during COVID-19 outbreak. RESULTS: A total number of 672 subjects were screened, 276 were eligible, and 154 completed the questionnaire adequately. Two thirds of caregivers (66.2%) reported that the COVID -19 outbreaks prevented their child from getting proper epilepsy care and 28.6% reported difficulty giving the drugs to their child on time because of loss of daily routine. In addition, more than half (55.8%) reported difficulty obtaining antiseizure medicines (ASMs). On the other hand, 77.3% of caregivers reported that seizure status remained unchanged or improved for their children during the COVID-19 and 22.7% reported worsened seizure control. The number of antiseizure medicines taken by patients (p < 0.001), age (p = 0.032), residency area (p = 0.013) and the difficulty in giving the medicine during COVID-19 pandemic (p = 0.002) were the major factors influencing the seizure worsening experienced by patients. CONCLUSION: Almost one of every five patients reported worsened seizure control during the outbreak of COVID-19 in Jordan. Moreover, two thirds of caregivers reported poor epilepsy care. This finding highlights the need to implement organized and efficient telemedicine programs devoted to epilepsy care.

Mandibular first premolar apical morphology: A stereomicroscopic study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the size, shape and position of the physiological foramen and the relationship between the age and gender to the location and size of the apical foramen of mandibular first premolars. One hundred and one extracted human mandibular first premolar teeth were examined; age and gender of the patients were recorded. Apices of teeth were examined stereomicroscopically for number, size and shape of apical foramina; frequency and deviation of accessory foramina from the apex and the relation with age and gender. Sixty-four of the premolars had one foramen and 23% had two. The distances from the foramina openings to the apices ranged from 0.07 to 2.18 mm. In younger range irregular shape was dominant (41%), whilst in older range, round shape was dominant (45%). The shape of the apical foramen changed with age and the distance from the foramen to the anatomical apex increased with age.

Outcomes of Vital Pulp Therapy Using Mineral Trioxide Aggregate or Biodentine: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) has been used in pulp capping of cariously exposed mature permanent teeth with promising results. The search for alternative materials that seal better and set faster than MTA and do not stain is ongoing. Biodentine (Septodont, St Maur-des-Fossés, France) exhibits these advantages but has not been tested yet for a prolonged duration in mature teeth. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical performance of Biodentine and white MTA (Angelus, Londrina, Brazil) in cariously exposed mature permanent teeth. METHODS: This was a prospective longitudinal randomized controlled study of 68 vital permanent teeth with deep caries. Patients were randomly allocated into 2 study arms: Biodentine and MTA. Teeth were assessed clinically and radiographically before the procedure. Caries were excavated under local anesthesia; hemostasis was achieved after pulp exposure using sodium hypochlorite and capped with Biodentine or MTA. Clinical and radiographic follow-ups were performed by a blinded calibrated evaluator after 6 months and 1, 2, and 3 years. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the overall success rate between Biodentine and MTA; it was 93.3% (Biodentine = 93.1% and MTA = 93.5%) at 6 months. The overall success rate increased to 96.2% (Biodentine = 96.0% and MTA = 100%) at 1 year and to 100% at 2 years. At the 3-year follow-up, it decreased to 93.8% (Biodentine = 91.7% and MTA = 96.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Biodentine and MTA have favorable and comparable success rates when used as direct pulp capping or pulpotomy material in permanent mature teeth with carious exposure. The remaining tooth structure and durability of coronal restoration might affect significantly the long-term success of vital pulp therapy.

Relationship between impacts of removable prosthodontic rehabilitation on daily living, satisfaction and personality profiles.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate dental impacts on daily living and satisfaction with removable complete and partial prosthodontic rehabilitations, and to identify their relationship with personality profiles. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients (38 males and 30 females; mean age=53.2±11.8 years) received removable prostheses (32 complete dentures and 36 removable partial dentures). Clinical success of prostheses was assessed according specific criteria. The Dental Impact on Daily Living (DIDL) questionnaire was utilized to assess satisfaction with prostheses and impacts on daily living. NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) was utilized to assess patients' personality profiles. RESULTS: Participants' total satisfaction and satisfaction with appearance, pain tolerance, oral comfort, and eating improved after treatment (p<.05). Position of prosthesis and age had no significant relationships with satisfaction or personality scores (p>.05). Females were less satisfied with appearance (p<.05). Patients who received partial dentures were more satisfied with eating and scored higher total satisfaction scores than those who had complete dentures (p<.05). Before treatment; Neuroticism and Openness scores were associated with dental satisfaction and impacts (p<.05). After treatment, Conscientiousness and Extraversion scores were associated with dental satisfaction and impacts (p<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients satisfaction with oral condition improved following using removable prosthetic rehabilitation with RPD having better impacts than CD. Psychological profiles (e.g. Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness and Conscientiousness) might play a role and explain prosthetic impacts on daily living and patients' satisfaction with prostheses.

Root form and canal morphology of Jordanian maxillary first premolars.

This study was conducted to investigate root canal morphology of maxillary first premolars in a Jordanian population. Six hundred maxillary first premolars were collected, stained, and decalcified. Cleared teeth were examined and the following features were evaluated: (1) number of roots, (2) presence of furcation grooves, (3) location of apical foramina, (4) number and types of root canal, (5) number of lateral canals and isthmi, and (6) frequency of apical deltas. Of the six hundred maxillary first premolars 30.8% has one root, 63.2% has two, and 5.2% has bifid roots. Concerning root canal morphology, 79.7% had two canals with two separate apical foramina, whereas 3.3% of the teeth possessed type I canal systems. All two rooted maxillary first premolars showed furcation groove in the buccal roots. Maxillary first premolars are mainly two rooted and mostly have two canals. The presence of furcation groove should be kept in mind during both endodontic and prosthodontic procedures.