Sealing Ability of Gutta-percha in Apical Area and Degree of Tugback Sensation after Root Canal Preparation-In Vitro Study

Aims The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of tug-back after root canal preparation with respect to the gutta-percha-occupied area (GPOA). Materials and Methods Roots of 50 mandibular premolar teeth were prepared till size 35/0.04, then gutta-percha (GP) cones of same size and taper were adapted to root canals, and the degree of tug-back sensation was scored as loose, slight, adequate and strong. Root canals were filled with GP and AH26 sealer, and then sectioned horizontally 1 mm from the apical end at three levels. GPOA and its sum from the three levels sum of GPOA (sGPOA%) were calculated using stereomicroscope. Statistical Analysis At each sectioned level, GPOA% was compared with the score of tug-back sensation using one-way ANOVA [Analysis of variance] at a 5% significance level. Multiple pair wise comparisons were performed using Tukey test. Results Tug-back sensation was present in all canals, described as slight, adequate and strong in 4, 8 and 8 canals, respectively. Among the tug-back scores, quantitative analyses of GPOA% showed significant differences at 1-and 2-mm levels. The strong tug-back with sGPOA of 76.5 ± 11.1% was significantly higher than that of slight tug-back. Conclusions Under the conditions of this study, the tug-back scoring system can be applied to determine the amount of GP adaptation inside the root canal.

Odontogenic Keratocyst-A Case Report

Odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is a developmental, non-inflammatory chronic cyst that may be unilocular or multilocular. Histologic features of OKC are pathognomonic. A 41-year-old male patient presented for emergency evaluation of a buccal gingival swelling in the area of teeth 34 and 35. Incision and drainage were followed 3 weeks later by surgical curettage and guided tissue regeneration using allograft and resorbable membrane. Biopsy of the excised tissue revealed OKC. At 1-year follow-up, the patient was comfortable and complete resolution of the radiolucent pathology was evident. Periodic examination is required because of the high rate of recurrence of OKC.

Lasers in Operative Dentistry-A Review

Laser equipment represents surely one of the most captivating technologies in the practice of dental medicine. Over the last two decades, numerousscientific publications have emerged in literature, concerning laser equipments and their applications in the field of dental medicine. Presently, in accordancewith their specific wavelength, laser equipments are available on a large scale. This material reviews the most common, most current newly emerged applications of laser in dental medicine. The applications of laser therapy are presented on soft as well as hard tissues. Although laser cannot fully replace all the conventional techniques of dental medicine, the progress is obvious, and laser is expected to become an essential component of conservatory dental medicine.

Management of Crown Root Fracture by Multi-disciplinary Approach-A Case Report

Trauma to anterior tooth is a relatively common event. Crown-root fractures are often difficult to treat and are time consuming, which causes psychological trauma to the patient during that period. Fracture of tooth after trauma is distressing to a person because of the discomfort and pain due to pulpal injury. Crown root fractures of anterior teeth cause concomitant periodontal injury and there will be concern about appearance and aesthetics. Management of pulpal and periodontal tissue relieves pain and restoration of tooth form regains patient's confidence. Restoration of fractured tooth will be accepted readily if it is minimally invasive, less expensive, and aesthetically acceptable. Reattachment is an option for restoration of anterior teeth compared to other artificial replacements because of its appearance as natural. This method is favourable when the fractured fragment is intact and available. Utilization of pulp space for retention of fragment is achieved by the insertion of a dentine bonding post. This case report describes a case of tooth reattachment after trauma in which the pulp space is utilized to bond a fibre-reinforced post for retention after periodontal tissue management.

Ocular Hypotensive Effect of Topical Verapamil and Diltiazem in Steroid Induced Glaucoma Model of Rabbits.

Objectives: To evaluate possible ocular hypotensive effect of 0.5% diltiazem and 0.1% verapamil eye drops on intraocular pressure in steroid induced glaucoma model of rabbits. And compare with 0.5% timolol eye drops. Methodology: Glaucoma was induced in rabbits (N=18) by bilateral topical instillation of 1% prednisolone eye drop (10 μl) twice a day for a period of 40 days. Before the induction of glaucoma, baseline intraocular pressure (IOP) in both the eyes of all rabbits was measured under sedation (i.v midazolam) by Schiotz tonometer. At the end of 40 days induced IOP was measured for all rabbits and rabbits were divided into three groups of six rabbits in each. Right eyes of group A, B and C rabbits received 0.5% diltiazem, 0.1% verapamil, and 0.5% timolol eye drops twice daily for 12 days respectively. Whereas, left eyes of all rabbits received distilled water hence represented as control. IOP was measured in all rabbits on every 4th day till 12 days of treatment period. Results: Intra-group comparisons of IOP changes were made by paired‘t’ test. And unpaired‘t’ test for inter group comparisons. One way ANOVA was used for multiple group comparisons followed by post-hoc Tukey’s test for group wise comparisons. In 0.5% diltiazem treated eyes, the mean IOP significantly reduced from 22.9±1.9 mmHg (10%) on 4th day to 16.9±1.1 mmHg(S, P<.001) on 12th day (34%). Similarly, mean IOP in 0.1% verapamil treated eyes significantly reduced from 22.7±1.3 mmHg (7%) on 4th day to 15.5±1.4 mmHg(S, P<.001) on 12th day (37%). Whereas, mean IOP significantly reduced from 22.4±1.9 mmHg (14%) on 4th day to 16.4±1.4 mmHg (S, P=.001) on 12th day (36%) in 0.5% timolol treated eyes. Conclusion: Topical 0.5% diltiazem and 0.1% verapamil significantly reduced the IOP in steroid induced glaucoma model of rabbits. However, Further research has to be carried out both in experimental and clinical subjects to reveal its efficacy and safety profile.