Assessment of dental students' knowledge and performance of master gutta-percha cone selection and fitting during root canal treatment: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Misconceptions should be detected early in dental students' training to improve their clinical performance. Accordingly, this study aimed to assess undergraduate dental students' knowledge and performance of master gutta-percha (GP) cone selection and fitting during clinical endodontic courses at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University. METHODS: Ninety-nine undergraduate dental students completed an online survey about their knowledge of master GP cone selection. Forty-five of these students were observed by faculty members in clinical endodontic courses while they fitted master GP cones during root canal treatments. The observers recorded the details of each student's cone-fitting techniques. The data were analysed using t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, and chi-square tests (p < 0.05). Inter- and intra-observer reliability were tested using Fliess' Kappa. RESULTS SURVEY: All participants had good knowledge of over-extended cone management, while 80.8% knew how to properly manage a short cone. The proper flaring assessment method was selected by 86.9% of the female and 34.2% of the male students, and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.0001). OBSERVATION: The students labelled the working length on the master GP cone with an indentation in 64.4% of the cases and by bending the cone 35.6% of the time. Of all students, 84.4% encountered an apical stop, and this rate correlated significantly with the length of the cone on the master apical cone radiograph (p = 0.001). Improper shaping of the canal was the most common cause of ill-fitting cones (83.3%), while 16.7% of the students chose the wrong cone size. The final obturation length was adequate in 80% of the cases; 57.8% of the students were helped by instructors. CONCLUSIONS: Most students had the basic knowledge required to solve problems related to the selection of master GP cones. However, in the clinical setting, more than half of the students required the assistance of an instructor to adjust their cone's fit. The presence of an apical stop had the most significant effect on the length of the fitted master GP cone on radiography. The most common cause of ill-fitting master cones was improper shaping of the canal.

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Mimicking Lichenoid Reaction After Implant Placement: A Case Report.

The early detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) poses significant challenges, especially if it mimics a benign condition. This report presents a case of a 79-year-old nonsmoker Saudi male patient with an alveolar lesion that initially resembled an implant-induced reaction but upon biopsy revealed dysplastic squamous epithelium indicative of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This case highlights that lesion mimicry, the absence of pain, and low cancer awareness can cause diagnostic delays. Treatment options for OSCC include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, with surgery being the primary treatment modality. This case emphasizes the need for heightened vigilance among healthcare providers, regular follow-ups, and enhanced cancer awareness to promote early detection and intervention. Recognizing the diverse clinical presentations of OSCC remains essential for effective management and improved patient outcomes, despite the complexities of its etiology and diagnostic challenges.