Résumé
Statement of the Problem: Root canal therapy should not simply be the extirpation of the pulp and widening of the canal. But one should also focus on how to completely remove the loosely-attached smear layer because it has adverse effects on the final outcome of the treatment
Purpose: This study compared the efficacy of Etidronic acid, SmearClear and MTAD to remove the smear layer created during instrumentation in different regions of the root canal
Materials and Method: Fifty single-rooted mandibular premolars were decoronated from the cementoenamel junction and instrumented using the ProTaper universal rotary file system along with copious irrigation by 1.0% sodium hypochlorite and distilled water. On the basis of the type of chelating agent used for irrigation, samples [n=10] were then randomized into five groups as: Group I- 9% etidronic acid, Group II- 18% etidronic acid, Group III- SmearClear, Group IV- MTAD and Group V- normal saline. Subsequent to irrigation, all samples were rinsed, dried and sectioned longitudinally for evaluation of the smear layer removal under scanning electron microscope [2000X]. Data were statistically analyzed by two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test with statistical significance set at p< 0.5
Results: The result showed that SmearClear was the most efficient in removing the smear layer. However, etidronic acid was found inferior than both SmearClear and MTAD
Conclusion: Chelators are essential for complete smear layer removal in association with organic solvent
Résumé
<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>We aimed to assess the efficacy of fixed dose combination of atorvastatin plus ezetimibe in Indian patients with dyslipidaemia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A double-blind study was conducted to assess the effect of fixed dose combination of ezetimibe 10 mg plus atorvastatin 10 mg on lipid profile, oxidised low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and soluble intercellular cell adhesion molecule (sICAM) in dyslipidaemic patients with or at high risk of coronary artery disease, and compare it with atorvastatin 10 mg monotherapy. 30 patients were randomised to receive ezetimibe plus atorvastatin or atorvastatin once daily for four weeks.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 30 patients, 10 men and 5 women (mean age 54.3 ± 1.6 years) received ezetimibe plus atorvastatin, while 13 men and 2 women (mean age 53.7 ± 2.8 years) received only atorvastatin. The combination treatment significantly reduced total cholesterol (percentage treatment difference -14.4 ± 6.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.0 to -27.7; p = 0.041) and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C; percentage treatment difference -19.9 ± 6.1, 95% CI -7.4 to -32.4; p = 0.003) compared to atorvastatin monotherapy. 13 patients on combination treament achieved the National Cholesterol Education Program target for LDL-C as compared to 9 patients on atorvastatin monotherapy (p = 0.032). Significant reductions in very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, ox-LDL and sICAM were observed with combination treatment compared to atorvastatin monotherapy. However, no significant change was seen in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or hsCRP levels between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Combination treatment with atorvastatin and ezetimibe had relatively better lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory efficacy than atorvastatin monotherapy.</p>