Assessing the Attitude and Practices of Dental Surgeons Towards Periodontal Health After the COVID-19 Outbreak

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the orientation of dental practitioners in understanding the probable relationship between COVID-19 and periodontal infection and the measures they took toward periodontal health during the pandemic. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted, including registered dentists in Moradabad. The questionnaire provided was a self-administered, closed-ended questionnaire with 26 questions, shared via an online survey link utilizing Google Forms. The data collected was tabulated and statistically evaluated. Results: The participants implemented many preventive measures in their daily lives against COVID-19, such as hand washing, frequent hand sanitization, face shields, mouth masks, social distancing not, being in overcrowded places, using HEPA filters and different combinations of protective measures against COVID-19. 82.23% of participants learned from the official websites of organizations like the Ministries of Health, WHO, and professional organizations about COVID-19. Conclusion: Most participants endorsed oral hygiene measures and the use of mouthwashes by their patients, yet a significant number of dental surgeons needed to be made aware of a probable correlation between COVID-19 infection and chronic periodontitis.

Comparative Evaluation of Push-Out Bond Strength of AH-Plus, MTA-Fillapex and Epiphany SE Root Canal Sealers: An Ex?Vivo Study

Background: A successful root canal (RC) treatment depends upon creation of a fluid impervious seal that is commonly built by using a RC sealer along with gutta?percha. The bond strength of the RC sealer is a hallmark as it will minimize the risk of treatment failure by reducing the possibility of filling detachment from dentin. Aim: To evaluate and compare the push?out bond strength of AH?Plus and MTA?Fillapex with Gutta?Percha and Epiphany Self Etch/Resilon system using the Universal Testing Machine. Materials and Method: About 60 mandibular premolars with single canals were prepared apically with Hyflex CM files upto size #30. Out of total, 20 teeth were obturated with AH?Plus/GP (group 1), 20 with MTA?Fillapex/GP (group 2), and other 20 with Epiphany Self Etch/Resilon system (group 3). Teeth were sectioned into three slices of 2 mm each and were subjected to Universal Testing Machine. Statistical Analysis: The data obtained were tabulated and statistically evaluated using SPSS version 21.0 statistical analysis software (IBM, Chicago, Illinois, USA). Results: The mean push?out bond strength was highest for AH–Plus (14.32 MPa) followed by MTA?Fillapex (12.18 MPa) and then Epiphany SE (8.44 MPa). The results were statistically significant. Conclusion: Significantly, higher push out bond strength was displayed by AH?Plus sealer than MTA?Fillapex and least being Epiphany SE sealer. The push out bond strength was significantly highest at apical third and lowest at coronal third