Antibacterial effectiveness of a final rinse with MTAD and intracanal medication with 2% chlorhexidine gel in teeth with apical periodontitis

This randomized-controlled and double-blinded clinical study assessed the antibacterial efficacy of (1) final rinse with BioPure™MTAD™, and (2) intracanal-medication with 2% chlorhexidine gel (CHX) in teeth with apical periodontitis in consenting humans. Thirty teeth were chemomechanically prepared using NaOCl, then rinsed with MTAD, or coloured saline. Bacteriological samples were obtained from canals before preparation (IA), after preparation (1B), and after the final rinse (1C). After 7d medication with CHX canals were flushed, sampled (2A), further irrigated and re-sampled (2B). Bacteria were enumerated by colony-forming-unit (CFU) counts after 14d incubation and epifluorescence-microscopy. High counts in 1A samples were >99% lower in 1B samples. Lower counts in 1B, 1C, 2A and 2B samples were not significantly different from each other. Microscopic counts were higher than CFU counts. A final rinse with MTAD and intracanal-medication with CHX did not reduce bacterial counts in infected canals beyond levels achieved by chemomechanical preparation using NaOCl.M.Sc

A systematic review of computer-assisted learning in endodontics education

Results of the efficacy and time efficiency of computer-assisted learning (CAL) in endodontics education are mixed in the literature. The objectives of this study were to compare the efficacy and time efficiency of CAL with traditional learning methods or no instruction. The search strategy included electronic and manual searches of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) completed in English up to June 2009. The intervention comprised any method of CAL, while the control group consisted of all traditional methods of instruction including no further instructions. Various outcome measures of CAL efficacy were considered and were categorized using Kirkpatrick’s four-level model of evaluation: reaction, learning, behavior, results, with the addition of return on investment as a fifth level. The time efficiency of CAL was measured by the time spent on the learning material and the number of cases covered in a unit period. Seven RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Overall, students’ attitudes were varied towards CAL. Results from the knowledge gain outcome were mixed. No conclusions can be made about students’ performance on clinical procedures or cost-effectiveness of CAL. Better time efficiency was achieved using CAL compared to traditional methods. CAL is as efficacious as traditional methods in improving knowledge. There is some evidence to suggest that CAL is time efficient compared to traditional methods. Overall, the number of studies included in this review was small, thus warranting the need for more studies in this area and the exploration of various CAL techniques.Thikriat S. Al-Jewair, Akram F. Qutub, Gevik Malkhassian, Laura J. Dempste