The evaluation of three electronic apex locators in teeth with simulated incomplete oblique root fractures

Traumatic injuries to the tooth may lead to a dilemma in the treatment plan specially in teeth with fractured roots with displacement. The treatment plan for teeth with root fractured with displaced apical segment is to implement root canal therapy up to the fractured line leaving the apical segment untreated. Determining the working length of the coronal segment may be difficult by radiograph, so we tested the accuracy of three electronic apex locators (EALs) to locate the apical limit in teeth with simulated oblique root fractures. An oblique incomplete root fracture was simulated on 15 freshly extracted maxillary anterior teeth by means of a notch made on the vestibular root plane 8 mm from the anatomic apex. The EALs investigated were the ProPex (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland), Root ZX (J.Morita Co, Kyoto, Japan). Dentaport ZX ( J. Morita Co., Kyoto, Japan). The electronic measurements were compared with the real "working length." The accuracy obtained was of 86.6% (n _ 13) with Root ZX , 66.6% (n _ 10) with the ProPex, and 60% (n _ 09) with Dentaport ZX. When tolerances of 0.5-mm and 1.0-mm tolerance were, respectively, allowed. The analysis of variance (p _ 0.05) and chi-square test (0.5 mm/p _ 0.47 and 1.0 mm/p _ 0.63 tolerances) showed no statistical significant differences between the EALs at either tolerance level

Effects of alkaline biocides on enterococcus faecalis - An in vitro study

The purpose of this study was to do a comparative microbial assessment of disinfecting potential of Calcium hydroxide and Bioactive glass against Enterococcus faecalis when used as an intracanal medicament. Thirty single rooted premolars undergoing extraction for orthodontic treatment were selected. Root canals of teeth with fully formed apices were instrumented using size 40 K file 1 mm short of canal length and irrigated with 2.5 % sodium hypochloride and EDTA. Teeth were then suspended in tryptic soya broth (TSB) and autoclaved. Positive control and study teeth, were inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis for two weeks in tryptic soya broth. Subsequently teeth were dressed with Calcium hydroxide or Bioactive glass (BAG) suspension for 10 days. Dentin samples were obtained from teeth using ISO size 45 H file to working length, cultured in tryptic soya agar and transferred to TSB for detection of growth by checking the turbidity of broth. Unpaired t test and ANOVA test were used for statistical analysis. Both the alkaline biocides did not show complete elimination of Enterococcus faecalis. Calcium hydroxide had a stronger antibacterial effect than Bioactive glass. Calcium hydroxide was an effective disinfectant

Comparative Evaluation of Microleakage of Flowable Composite Resin Using Etch and Rinse, Self-Etch Adhesive Systems, and Self-Adhesive Flowable Composite Resin in Class V Cavities: Confocal Laser Microscopic Study

The essential factor in determining the preservation of restoration is the marginal seal. Restoring cervical lesions with a resin composite has always been a challenge. Composite resins with various viscosities and different bonding systems are being researched to reduce the microleakage. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) is the latest non-destructive technique for visualizing the microleakage. Objectives: To evaluate and compare the microleakage of Universal Flo composite resin (G-aenial) using etch and rinse adhesive system ER-2 steps (Adper Single Bond 2), self-etch adhesive system SE-1 step (G-Bond), and self-adhesive flowable composite resin (Constic) in Class V cavities using a confocal laser scanning microscope. Materials and Method: Class V cavities were prepared on 27 caries-free human extracted premolar teeth on the buccal and lingual surfaces with standardized dimensions of 2 mm height, width 4 mm, and a depth of 2 mm. After the cavity preparation, all teeth were randomly divided into three groups, namely Group-I: G-aenial Universal Flo with Single Bond 2 (n = 9 teeth); Group-II: G- aenial Universal Flo with G-Bond (n = 9 teeth), and Group-III: Constic (n = 9 teeth). The prepared and restored specimens were then subjected to thermocycling for 500 cycles in a water bath at 5 °C and 55 °C with a dwelling time of 30 s. The specimens were placed in 0.6% aqueous rhodamine dye for 48 h. Sectioning was carried out bucco-lingually and specimens were evaluated for microleakage under a confocal laser scanning microscope. Results: There was a significant difference (p = 0.009) in microleakage when comparing total etch and rinse, specifically between Adper Single Bond 2 ER-2 steps (fifth generation) and self-adhesive flowable composite resin, which is Constic. There was more microleakage in the self-etch bonding agent, particularly G-Bond, SE-1 step (seventh generation), when compared to ER-2 steps (fifth generation bonding agent); however, the results were not statistically significant (p = 0.468). The self-adhesive flowable composite resin showed more microleakage than SE-1 step and ER-2 steps. Conclusions: None of the adhesive systems tested were free from microleakage. However, less microleakage was observed in the total etch and rinse, especially Adper Single Bond 2 (ER-2 steps), than the self-etch adhesive system SE-1 step and self-adhesive flowable composite resin. Clinical significance: Constant research and technological advancements are taking place in dentin adhesives to improve the marginal seal. This has led to the evolution of total acid-etching dentin bonding agents termed as etch and rinse (ER)-2 steps (fifth generation dentin bonding agents) and self-etching (SE) 2 steps, and SE-1 step dentin bonding agents termed as the sixth and seventh generation bonding agents, respectively