The Efficacy of Buccal Infiltration of 4% Articaine and PSA Injection of 2% Lidocaine on Anesthesia of Maxillary Second Molars

Introduction: During the early mixed dentition period, the location of the deciduous maxillary second molar results in ineffectiveness of the infiltration technique in this area. In such cases, administration of posterior superior alveolar (PSA) nerve block is recommended; however, such a technique has some complications. The present study was undertaken to compare the effects of buccal infiltration of 4% Articaine and PSA technique with 2% Lidocaine on the success of anesthesia of maxillary deciduous second molars in 6 to 9-year old children. Methods and Materials: In the present double-blind randomized clinical trial, 56 children aged 6-9 years requiring vital pulp therapy of deciduous maxillary second molar were included. In group 1, 4% Articaine was injected using a buccal infiltration technique. In group 2, 2% Lidocaine was injected using the PSA nerve block technique. After 10 min, the caries was removed and access cavity preparation was instituted. The patients were asked to report the presence or absence of pain during the procedure. Therefore, the existence of pain was measured by the patient's self-report. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistical methods and the chi-squared test. Results: Pain was reported by 6 (21.4%) and 9 (32.1%) subjects in the Articaine and Lidocaine groups, respectively. Chi-squared test did not reveal any significant differences between the two groups (P=0.54). Conclusion: Under the limitations of the present study, there was no significant differences between the results of Articaine buccal infiltration and Lidocaine PSA technique, so Articaine buccal infiltration can be used as a substitute for the PSA technique.Keywords: Articaine; Buccal Infiltration Technique; Deciduous Second Molar; Lidocaine; Posterior Superior Alveolar Nerve Bloc

In vitro comparison of apical microleakage following canal obturation with lateral and thermoplasticized gutta-percha compaction techniques

The purpose of this study was to compare apical microleakage following canal obturation with lateral and thermoplasticized gutta-percha compaction techniques. Ninety extracted single-rooted maxillary teeth were used in this study. Seventy teeth were randomly divided into two groups: One group was obturated by lateral compaction technique and the other was obturated by Obtura II (thermoplasticized gutta-percha compaction technique); 5 teeth were positive controls (without obturation) and 5 teeth were negative controls (with obturation) in each group. The specimens were placed in India ink for 48 h and then divided into two halves. The amount of dye penetration was observed under a stereomicroscope at ×16 magnification and 0.1 mm accuracy. In this study, there was apical leakage in the two experimental groups but the amount of microleakage was not significant. According to the results of independent samples test, there was no significant difference between the two experimental groups.Key words: Apical seal, gutta-percha, lateral compaction, microleakage, Obtura II

Evaluation of last-year dental students’ skill at the Tabriz Faculty of Dentistry about principles of writing prescriptions

Background: Inattention to the principles of writing prescriptions might give rise to ineffective or hazardous treatment and inflict injuries to the patient. The aim of this study was to evaluate the last-year dental students’ skill in writing prescription at the Tabriz Faculty of Dentistry in 2016-2017. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all last-year dental students (92 students) at the Tabriz Faculty of Dentistry were asked to write separate prescription for 3 patients. The level of compliance with the principles of writing prescriptions was evaluated based on the WHO checklist, which consists of the following items: patient’s name, gender and age; date of prescription; Rx symbol; the form and name of the drug; the dose of the medication; the number of the drugs to be filled; administration interval; the strength of the drug; route of administration; the signature and seal of the physician; and the refill order. Each correct item was given a positive score and each incorrect item received no score (score range: 0-45). Results: 10.9%, 43.5% and 45.6% of the students exhibited high, moderate and low skill. The mean score was 27.75 (SD 8.75) of a total possible score of 45. There were no significant differences between male and female students (P = 0.7, CI = -4.5 to 3.2, effect size = -0.035). Conclusion: Overall, final-year dental students’ skill in writing prescriptions was at a moderate level and no student fully observed all the principles for the correct method of writing prescriptions

Simvastatin versus Calcium Hydroxide Direct Pulp Capping of Human Primary Molars: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background and aims. The aim of present study was to investigate pulp-dentin complex reactions following direct pulp capping (DPC) with calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] and simvastatin as pulp-capping materials in the primary human molars. Materials and methods. 120 primary molar teeth which had to be extracted for orthodontic reasons were randomly allocated into four groups. Group Ι as a control, underwent DPC with calcium hydroxide. The dental pulp in group ІІ, ІІІ and ІV were directly capped with simvastatin-based materials at concentrations of 1, 5 and 10 µM, respectively. All of the teeth were restored with stainless steel crown. After a mean period of 7.41 months teeth were extracted and processed for histological examination and categorized in terms of hard tissue formation and pulp inflammation. Results. Teeth in group I had statistically favorable outcomes in hard tissue formation and pulp inflammation than did the groups ІІ, ІІІ and ІV (P < 0.001). Considering three different concentrations of simvastatin, the result showed a dose dependent trend. Teeth in group ІV showed significantly lower rates of hard tissue formation and higher rates of pulp inflammation and necrosis compared to those of groups ІІ (P < 0.05). Conclusion. The findings of this study depicted that healing with no inflammation and hard tissue formation following statin treatment occurs with a lower rate than that with the calcium hydroxide