Comparison of Accuracy in Determining the Root Canal Working Length by Using Two Generations of Apex Locators – An In Vitro Study

AIM: The present in-vitro study aims to compare the accuracy of root canal working length determination between the third generation and fourth generation electronic apex locators. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty extracted single-rooted single canal teeth were selected for the study, and a definite coronal plane was prepared. Actual working length (AL) was measured using a stereomicroscope under 8X magnification. Electronic working length measurements were recorded using Root ZX (EL1) and Elements Diagnostic Unit (EL2) apex locators. One-way ANOVA test was carried out to analyse the data among the experimental groups. RESULTS: The results of the one-way ANOVA test showed that difference in the working length determined by either apex locators (EL1 and EL2) and actual length determined under a stereomicroscope (AL) was statistically not significant. The independent ‘t’ test comparing between groups EL1 and AL; and EL2 and AL showed that working length determined by either of the apex locators (EL1 and EL2) and actual length determined under a stereomicroscope (AL) was statistically not significant. CONCLUSION: In this in vitro study, the Root ZX and Elements Diagnostic Unit apex locators are equally accurate for determination of working length when compared to actual working length

Periodontal Treatment Practice and Referral Profile of General Dentists – A Cross-sectional Questionnaire Survey

BACKGROUND: Because of medical advancement, the mean age of the general population is increasing gradually. This increase in the mean age of patients has led to its implications on oral health. Hence, it is logical to assume an increase in the figure of referrals to specialists and the complexity of treatments provided. AIM: The aim of the survey was to assess the current status of periodontal treatment provided, awareness of referral profile, and criteria taken into consideration for the referral to the periodontist by general dentists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among 318 general dentists. The relevant work related to the status of periodontal procedures provided by dentists and their referral relationships were studied. The questionnaire consisting of six questions was designed. Descriptive statistics, including frequency distributions and measures of central tendency and Chi-square test, were used. RESULTS: The study showed that majority of the general dentists do non-surgical procedures by their own. However, around 85% of respondents did not provide surgical periodontal treatment by themselves. About 25% of the responding general dentists thought that they had inadequate education and experience in the field of periodontics which was a major reason for the referral to specialists. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the general dentists are comfortable in carrying out the non-surgical procedures, but they had some reservations about the periodontal surgical procedures. Inadequate experience and facilities were the major reasons for the referral to periodontists. More of this type of study should be conducted to know the basic level of periodontal practices carried out among the general dentists and about the referral to the specialists

Literature Review of Omicron: A Grim Reality Amidst COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) first emerged in Wuhan city in December 2019, and became a grave global concern due to its highly infectious nature. The Severe Acute Respiratory Coronavirus-2, with its predecessors (i.e., MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV) belong to the family of Coronaviridae. Reportedly, COVID-19 has infected 344,710,576 people around the globe and killed nearly 5,598,511 persons in the short span of two years. On November 24, 2021, B.1.1.529 strain, later named Omicron, was classified as a Variant of Concern (VOC). SARS-CoV-2 has continuously undergone a series of unprecedented mutations and evolved to exhibit varying characteristics. These mutations have largely occurred in the spike (S) protein (site for antibody binding), which attribute high infectivity and transmissibility characteristics to the Omicron strain. Although many studies have attempted to understand this new challenge in the COVID-19 strains race, there is still a lot to be demystified. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to summarize the structural or virologic characteristics, burden, and epidemiology of the Omicron variant and its potential to evade the immune response

The expression of BMP4 and FGF2 in Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) post application of gourami fish (Osphronemus goramy) collagen

Background: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the periodontal tissue that is characterized by alveolar bone resorption. This occurs due to an imbalance of osteoblast and osteoclast during the bone formation and resorption processes. In order to obtain complete regeneration of periodontal tissue, bone grafting is frequently used in periodontal surgical therapy. Although each material has disadvantages, safe graft materials derived from animal sources can be employed as an alternative to bone graft materials. Osteoblast, osteoclast, calcified bone matrix, type I collagen, osteonectin, and hydroxyapatite can all be found in gourami scales, a form of food waste. BMP4 has osteoinduction functions, which are important in bone metabolism. Through angiogenic activity, FGF2 also contributes to periodontal regeneration. Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the expression of BMP4 and FGF2 after the treatment group had been given gourami fish scale extract. Methods: Thirty-two experimental three-month-old male Wistar rats (150-200g) were randomly divided into four groups: a seven-day control group, a seven-day treatment group, a 14-day control group, and a 14-day treatment group. One mandibular incisor was extracted from each Wistar rat. The post-extraction socket was filled with blood for the control group and collagen extract for the treatment. Results: The one-way ANOVA test showed a significance level of 0.000 (p = <0.05). Conclusion: The expression of BMP4 and FGF2 increased after the application of collagen extract from gourami scales

Stylopine: A potential natural metabolite to block vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in osteosarcoma therapy

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signals cell survival, cell migration, osteogenesis, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and vascular permeability by binding to VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2). Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone cancer, majorly affects young adults. Activation of VEGFR-2 signaling is a therapeutic target for osteosarcoma. The present study aimed to evaluate the potency of stylopine in regulation of the VEGFR-2 signaling pathway and its anti-tumour effect human MG-63 osteosarcoma cells. The in silico study on benzylisoquinoline alkaloids was carried out for analyzing and shortlisting of compounds using a virtual screening, Lipinski’s rule, bioavailability graphical RADAR plot, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and molecular docking studies. Among the benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, stylopine was selected and subjected to in-vitro studies against human MG-63 osteosarcoma cells. Various experiments such as MTT assay, EtBr/AO staining, mitochondrial membrane potential assessment, transwell migration assay, gene expression analysis by a quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) method, SDS-PAGE followed by immunoblotting were performed to evaluate its anti-tumour effect as compared to standard axitinib. The MTT assay indicates that stylopine inhibits cell proliferation in MG-63 cells. Similarly, as confirmed by the EtBr/Ao staining method, the MMP assay indicates that stylopine induces mitochondrial membrane damage and apoptosis as compared to axitinib. Moreover, stylopine inhibits the VEGF-165 induced MG-63 cell migration by a trans-well migration assay. The immunoblotting and qRT-PCR analysis showed that stylopine inhibits the VEGF-165 induced VEGFR2 expression in MG-63 cells. It is concluded that stylopine has potential to regulate VEGFR2 and can inhibit osteosarcoma cells to offer a new drug candidate for the treatment of bone cancer in future

Effect of Common Mouthwashes on Mechanical Properties of Suture Materials Used in Dental Surgeries: A Laboratory Experiment

Background: Sutures play a pivotal role in promoting healing in any surgical procedure. However, the versatile nature of the oral environment entails additional properties in the suture materials to assure uneventful healing. A surgeon needs to understand these delicate intricacies in the immediate postoperative phase and needs some kind of algorithm in the selection of sutures that suits the different surgical scenarios. Therefore, a study was designed to observe the effect of four different types of mouthwash, viz. Avohex, Aloedent, Parodontax and Betadine, on the mechanical properties of Vicryl (polyglactin 910), PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), Prolene (polypropylene) and Mersilk. Methods: A total of 288 suture samples were divided in four equal groups (72 = each group) and used for the experiments. Tensile load, tensile strength as well as percentage elongation of the suture materials were evaluated in the various stated media at 3rd, 7th, 10th and 14th days, which were compared with the controls. The results were analyzed statistically and inferences were drawn. Results: Mersilk in (Avohex, Parodontax and Betadine) solutions showed a statistically significant decrease in tensile load over time. All the sutures had the highest tensile strength in Parodontax and had the lowest in Betadine solution. Vicryl and PTFE presented significant percentage elongation over time as compared to Prolene and Mersilk. Conclusion: The author has given certain recommendations but also states that there is no standard rule for the use of a particular suture material in all clinical situations. However, the selection of the suture material should be based on the type of surgery and preferences of the surgeon

Black seed assisted synthesis, characterization, free radical scavenging, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity of iron oxide nanoparticles

Abstract Iron nanoparticles comprise a significant class of inorganic nanoparticles, which discover applications in various zones by prudence of their few exciting properties. This study achieved the green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) by black cumin seed (Nigella sativa) extract, which acts as a reducing and capping agent. The iron nanoparticles and black cumin extract were synthesized in three different concentrations: (01:01, 02:04,01:04). UV-visible spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR, and AFM characterized the synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles. UV-visible spectra show the maximum absorbance peak of 01:01 concentration at 380 nm. The other concentrations, such as 02:04, peaked at 400 nm and 01:04 at 680 nm, confirming the formation of iron oxide nanoparticles. AFM analysis reveals the spherical shape of iron oxide nanoparticles. The XRD spectra reveal the (fcc) cubic crystal structure of the iron oxide nanoparticles. The FTIR analysis’s peaks at 457.13, 455.20, and 457.13 cm-1 depict the characteristic iron nanoparticle synthesis. The black cumin extract-mediated iron oxide nanoparticles show substantial antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in a dose-dependent manner

Paralleling technique for frenectomy and oral hygiene evaluation after frenectomy

Background: High frenum attachment is a very common problem in the population. Various conventional techniques are available which has certain disadvantages; in addition to that high frenum also hinders oral hygiene maintenance. This study aims to evaluate patient's response to two different frenectomy technique, and oral hygiene maintenance before and after frenectomy. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with high labial frenum were randomly selected from the outpatient department. Patients were divided into two groups according to the technique used. Each group contained ten patients. One group was treated by “conventional scalpel technique” and other group by “new paralleling technique”. To evaluate patients response, visual analogue scale for pain and speech were taken at first postoperative day, 1-week and 1-month. In other part of the study the oral hygiene maintenance was evaluated by using plaque and gingival bleeding index at baseline before frenectomy, 1-week and 1-month after frenectomy. Results: Results showed that new paralleling technique for frenectomy causes less postoperative discomfort and also there was significant improvement in the oral hygiene maintenance by the patient after frenectomy. Conclusion: High maxillary frenum causes hindrance in oral hygiene maintenance. Paralleling technique for frenectomy causes less discomfort to the patient during healing phase when compared with the conventional technique