Frequency of dens evaginatus of permanent anterior teeth

To calculate the frequency of dens evaginatus in permanent teeth. Design: A descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry [AFID], Rawalpindi from April 2002 to April 2003. Subjects and A clinical and radiographic analysis of 5400 permanent anterior teeth was conducted to determine the occurrence of this developmental malformation. Dens evaginatus was found in about 2.4% of the permanent anterior dentition and was more frequent in the maxilla, particularly in the lateral incisor. This anomaly was less frequent in the mandible. This study shows that dens evaginatus of anterior teeth is more common in the permanent dentition particularly, the maxillary incisors. Furthermore, the frequency of dens evaginatus is high in males than females

Comparison of vertical with lateral condensation technique in obturation of root canal system

To compare vertical condensation with laterally condensed gutta-percha technique in obturation of root canal system. Design: A comparative study. Place and Duration of Study: The Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry [Operative Deptt], Rawalpindi. Subjects and Fifty six human permanent extracted teeth were collected from central incisor to second molar from the both arches and in vitro root canal procedure was carried out. Warm vertical technique resulted in a uniform smooth surface and least observable space between gutta percha and canal wall, especially in middle and apical region. Root canal obturation by warm vertical condensation is better than cold lateral condensation

Penetration depth of nickel titanium and stainless steel finger spreaders in curved root canals

To compare, radiographically, the differences in the penetration depths of nickel titanium and stainless steel finger spreaders in curved root canals. Design: A comparative study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from September 2001 to June 2002. Materials and Fifty patients with curved mesial canals of their mandibular first molars were randomly selected for the study. The angle of curvature for each root canal was radiographically determined before instrumentation. Canals were prepared by K flexo file using the step back preparation technique. The apical preparation was done upto no. 30 and cervical flaring upto no. 45. Gates Glidden drills nos. 2-4 were used in the cervical 2-3 mms of the canal. A no. 20 stainless steel and a fine medium nickel titanium finger spreader were inserted alternately into the same prepared canal and radiographed using the paralleling technique. The distance from the tip of the spreader to the apex of the root was measured radiographically by vernier calliper. Penetration of nickel-titanium finger spreader was significantly [p<0.05] deeper than the stainless steel spreader of comparable size. The ease of stainless steel penetration decreased with increasing angle of curvature of the canal. Nickel-titanium spreaders may give better results for lateral condensation in curved canals because of their deeper penetration

Autotransplantation of endodontically treated third molars

To determine the success rate in autotransplantation of endodontically treated third molars. Design: A descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry [AFID], Rawalpindi [Pakistan] from January 2002 to December 2002. Patients and A total of 50 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were selected who had their first or second molars in unrestorable condition with intact third molars. The donor teeth were extracted after the preparation of recipient site. After endodontically treated in vitro the donor teeth were carried to the recipient site and immobilized. Postoperative variables were recorded and analyzed on SPSS version 10. The overall success rate after six months of the transplantation of third molars was 88% with complete root formation after endodontic treatment. All the patients[12%] who had complaints were more than 35 years of age. Third molars are good substitute for the unrestorable first or second molars and would be as effective as endosseous implants. The procedure is likely to have complications in the advanced age group

Clinical evaluation of restorative materials in primary molars

To carry out clinical comparison of glass ionomer with amalgam in restoring primary dentition of deciduous teeth. Design: An innovative and observational study carried out on pediatric patients. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi. Subjects and Two hundred pediatric patients were randomly selected for the study. Each patient received one restoration of the glass ionomer and one of the amalgams regardless of the position occupied by the tooth in the jaw. After one-year review, results indicated that glass ionomer was viable, required less time in restoration, atraumatic and satisfactory alternate filling material to amalgam for restoring primary molars. The glass ionomer is a satisfactory alternate for predictable restoration of primary molar in pediatric patients, especially in compromised teeth with different grades of decay