Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth filled with gutta percha and Resilon. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 freshly extracted single rooted teeth are selected and their anatomical crown removed at the CEJ. All samples were instrumented with the Step-back technique. Samples were randomly divided into three groups of 20 samples each: Group A obturated by lateral condensation with gutta percha and AH plus sealer, Group B obturated by lateral condensation with Resilon; Group C recieved no filling. Restored teeth were subjected to compressive loading in a universal testing machine. The results of fracture resistance recorded and statistical analysis done. Results: The mean and SD values for the groups are as follows: Group A-536.555 ± 128.816, Group B- 885.943 ± 194.410 and Group C- 591.066 ± 68.97. It was seen that samples of Group B showed the highest fracture resistance followed by Group C. Group A showed the least fracture resistance. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that filling the canals with Resilon increased the in vitro resistance to fracture of endodontically treated single canal teeth when compared with gutta percha.

Aim: To compare the optical densities (OD) of calcium hydroxide (CH) and glass ionomer cement with the same thicknesses of the dental structures. Materials and Methods: Eighteen specimens of each material, with thicknesses of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 mm were made in a Teflon matrix. To compare the radiopacity of the materials with the dental structures, dental cuts of the first molars, increasing in thickness from 0.5 to 3.0 mm, were obtained. To standardize the radiographs, a transparent acrylic matrix (Standardizing Device) was developed and used. Thirty radiographs were taken, five for each tested material. Results: Statistical analysis (Two-way ANOVA - Bonferroni, P < 0.05) demonstrated that when the materials were compared, there was statistically significant difference between the ODs, only for the thickness of 1.0 mm (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The thickness of the material contributed to its radiopacity, and these materials had to be used in a thickness between 1.5 and 2.0 mm.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effect of saliva contamination on the shear bond strength of two self-etch dentine bonding systems and also investigate the effect of decontamination procedure on the recovery of bond strength. Materials and Methods: Sixty premolars extracted for orthodontic reason were obtained and the buccal surfaces of teeth were reduced to create a flat dentine surface. The samples were randomly divided into three sub-groups for AdheSE (ASE) (Ivoclar - Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) and three sub-groups for Adper Prompt Self-Etch Adhesive (ADP) (3M ESPE, St Paul, MN, USA) of 10 each. For AdheSE (ASE); ASE-I was the control group (primer applied to fresh dentine surface), ASE-II was the contamination group (primer applied, followed by saliva contamination and then air dried) and ASE-III was the decontamination group (primer applied, followed by saliva contamination, air dried and then primer reapplied). For Adper Prompt (ADP); ADP-I was the control group (self-etch adhesive applied to fresh dentine surface), ADP-II was the contamination group (self-etch adhesive applied, followed by saliva contamination and then air dried) and ADP-III was the decontamination group (self-etch adhesive applied, followed by saliva contamination, air dried and then self-etch adhesive reapplied). Followed by the bonding procedure, a 5 mm composite resin block with Filtek P-60 (3M ESPE, St Paul, MN, USA) was built on the substrate. Shear bond strength (SBS) was tested with Instron Universal testing machine (Instron Corporation, Canton, MA, USA) with a cross head speed of 1 mm per minute. Data obtained was subjected to one way ANOVA test, while the inter group comparison was made using Tukey's multiple comparison and Unpaired t-test. Results: In AdhSE group (ASE), the sub-group ASE-II (contamination group) [5.4 ± 2.2 MPa] showed lower SBS than ASE-I [11.8 ± 2.6 MPa] and ASE-III [8.9 ± 3.3 MPa], which was statistically significant. There was no significant difference in the bond strength between the ASE-I (control group) and ASE-III (decontamination group). In Adper Prompt group (ADP), there was a severe decrease of bond strength in ADP-II (contamination group) [4.6 ± 1.1 MPa] when compared to ADP-I (control group) [7.4 ΁ 1.4 MPa] and ADP-III (decontamination subgroup) [14.1 ± 2.2 MPa] which was statistically significant. The bond strength of ADP-III wherein Adper Prompt bonding agent was reapplied after salivary contamination was found to be statistically significant than ADP-I and ADP-II. Conclusion: Saliva contamination reduces the dentine bond strength of both the self-etch systems; AdheSE and Adper Prompt. Re-application of the primer for the AdheSE and re-application of the adhesive for the Adper Prompt after air drying the saliva off can recover the dentine bond strength. In the Adper Prompt group, the added application of adhesives to decontaminate saliva not only recovered the bond strength but also improved it significantly.

Background: Teeth when subjected to bleaching bring about the desiccation of the enamel, making it more susceptible to stain absorption. While subjecting the freshly bleached enamel surface to various surface treatments of Fluoride and Casein Phosphopeptide - Amorphous Calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) brought about the reduction in stain absorption, which is assessed in this study. Aims: The study aims to evaluate the tea stain absorption on freshly bleached enamel surface of extracted human teeth with varied surface treatment. The stain absorption was evaluated at the end of one hour and 24 hours post bleaching. Materials and Methods: Forty extracted human permanent maxillary central incisors were subjected to bleaching with 10% carbamide peroxide for eight days. They were divided into four groups of 10 each. Group I was control group. Group II was immersed in tea solution without surface treatment, while Group III and IV were immersed in tea solution with surface treatment of topical Fluoride and CPP-ACP respectively. Spectrophotometer was used for color analysis. Results: Surface treatment with CPP-ACP and topical fluoride on freshly beached enamel surface, significantly reduced the stain absorption. Conclusion: Remineralizing agents reduce stain absorption after tooth bleaching.

Aim: This study evaluated and compared the role of newer dental adhesives to bond composite resin to the resin modified glass ionomer (RMGIC) liner. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six specimens were prepared on acrylic blocks, with wells prepared in it by drilling holes, to retain the RMGIC. The specimens were randomly divided into three groups of 12 specimens each. In group I, a thin layer of an adhesive, which was a Total-etch type (Adper Single bond-2), was applied between RMGIC and the composite resin. Ingroup II, a Self-Etch adhesive (Adper prompt-L pop) was applied, and in group III there was no application of any adhesive between RMGIC and the composite resin. After curing all the specimens, the shear bond strength was measured using an Instron universal testing machine. Results: The results were drawn and tabulated using ANOVA-fishers and Tukey's statistical tests. The maximum shear bond strength values were recorded in group II specimens with the self-etch adhesive (Adper prompt-L pop), showing a mean value of 5.826 when compared to the group I adhesive-Total-etch type with a mean shear bond strength of 4.6380, while group III specimens, where no adhesive was used, showed a minimum mean shear bond strength of 2.8385. There was a great and significant difference between group I and group II (P value 0.003), whereas, both group I and group II showed a vast and significant difference from group III (P value 0 - 001). Conclusion: Hence, this present study concludes that application of Self-Etch adhesive (Adper prompt-L pop) in between RMGIC and composite resin increases the shear bond strength between RMGIC and the resin composites, as compared to the Total-etch type adhesives (Adper Single Bond 2), as well as, without application of the adhesive agent.

Aim: This study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of an experimental Nd:YAG laser fiberoptic delivery system compared with conventional methods for its ability to cleanse and shape the root canal space in vitro. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two teeth were divided into two groups. In the first group, the canals were instrumented with k files, in the second the initial preparation was done with a K file and completed with a laser beam. Results: Scanning electron microscopic evaluations showed that preparation with a laser beam is possible and results in an improvement in the cleanliness of the canal walls when compared with conventional techniques. Conclusion: Root canal preparation using Nd:YAG laser results in cleaner dentin walls when compared to conventional methods.

Aim: The aim of this in vitro research is to evaluate the debris present on the dentinal walls after instrumentation in mesiobuccal root of maxillary molar with Hand Protapers, Hand Profiles, Hand Hero Shapers, and finishing the dentinal walls with and without rotary plastic files using stereomicroscope. Materials and Methods: Sixty freshly extracted human maxillary first molar teeth were divided into two groups of 30 teeth each (group A and B). Both the groups were divided into three subgroups of 10 teeth each (group A had subgroups A1, A2, and A3) and (group B had subgroups B1, B2 and B3). In group A, all the 30 canals were subjected to cleaning and shaping with three different instruments system and kept unfinished. This group was named as unfinished group. In group B, all the 30 canals were subjected to cleaning and shaping with three different instruments system followed by finishing with plastic files. This group was named as finished group. The crown of each tooth was sectioned at the cementoenamel junction. Canals were prepared following conventional principles of crown down technique. After splitting the roots longitudinally, the dentinal debris of each root canal was evaluated in three areas (coronal, middle and apical thirds of the root) by means of numerical evaluation scale, using a stereomicroscope. Results: Stereomicroscopic evaluations showed that there was no significant difference in the debris scores between the subgroups when the canals were instrumented with hand Protaper, hand Profile and hand Hero Shaper in all the thirds. There was no significant difference in scores between the unfinished group and the finished group in the coronal third but significant differences were seen in middle third and apical third. Conclusions: After instrumentation with different hand instruments, the use of plastic finishing files showed cleaner canal walls.

We report a clinical case of maxillary right second molar with two palatal root canals. The morphology is atypical because it is characterized by two palatal roots with two canals with widely separated orifices and canals. Modifications to the normal access opening and examination of the pulpal floor for additional canals are stressed.

"Stripping" is lateral perforation is caused by overinstrumentation through a thin wall in the root and is most likely to occur at the inside wall of a curved canal, such as the distal wall of the mesial roots in mandibular first molars. In the past, poor prognosis for strip and furcation perforations was probably due to bacterial leakage or lack of biocompatibility of repair materials. However, the recent development in the techniques and materials such as mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) has enhanced the prognosis for such cases. There is limited literature on use of MTA as an obturating material in the treatment of strip perforation. This study presents two cases of strip perforation that are successfully repaired nonsurgically using MTA with 2-year follow up. Cases suggest that MTA can be used as an alternative root canal obturation material for the treatment of strip perforation. The property differences between gray and white MTA are reviewed.

This report describes a step-by-step sequence for preparation for a posterior partial veneered restoration for a space closure using a Maryland bridge-design veneered with a heat-cured composite resin. The modality provides sound posterior occlusal function, combined with a psychological satisfaction to the patient of regaining a missing tooth. The preparation takes into account the design for resin-bonded prostheses. This article presents the preparation and build-up method for a metal reinforced posterior partial veneered restoration through a conservative palatal approach for a highly aesthetic result.

Immature teeth with necrotic pulp and large periapical lesion are difficult to treat via conventional endodontic therapy. The role of materials such as calcium hydroxide and mineral trioxide aggregate in apexification is indispensable. This case report presents the successful healing and apexification with combined use of white mineral trioxide aggregate and demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft.

In traumatized, young, permanent teeth, pulpotomy is classically undertaken to promote apexogenesis. The objective is to promote root development and apical closure. Once root end development and apical closure is achieved, the root canal treatment is completed. However, it has been suggested that mere pulp exposure does not cause pulpitis in the absence of bacteria. Recent studies have proposed that as long as a good seal is ensured, root canal treatment may not be necessary following pulpotomy.In this article we report two cases of traumatized, fully matured, maxillary permanent central incisors, which have been treated with mineral trioxide aggregate following partial pulpotomy, with a two-year follow-up.