Minimal intervention dentistry: conceptual integration in the dental curriculum in cariology

The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and practices of minimal intervention den-tistry [MID] in the teaching hospitals of Lahore. The target population for this cross-sectional study consisted of fresh graduates, house surgeons and demonstrators of Restorative Dentistry in the dental schools of Lahore. The questionnaire was prepared to assess the teaching and concepts of minimal intervention dentistry being taught at the undergraduate level. The results showed that 83% of the respondents believed that MID should replace the age old principles of GV Black. The respondents [90-95%] had sound knowledge about the caries risk assessment. However their concepts about clinical management using these techniques of MID were inadequate. In light of this study it is impervious that, a comprehensive practical training guided by the current principles of MID should be designed and implemented to improve present caries management educational program

Comparative role of radiographs and electronic apex locator in working length determination

The objective of this study was to correlate the measurements of radiographic and electronic methods of working length determination with the directly observed visual length of root canals. It was a Quasi experimental intervention study carried out over a period of one year in the Department of Operative Dentistry, Lahore Medical and Dental College, Lahore. 100 patients who were advised extraction of their premolar teeth with 119 canals were selected by convenience sampling. The Root ZX apex locator was used to measure the root canal length. Reference points were marked and a working length radiograph was also taken. The tooth was extracted. The actual length of the root canal was then determined using the same files and points of reference. Independent samples t-test was applied to compare the actual working length with the length measured by radiograph and electronic apex locator. The Root ZX was 94.1% accurate to within 0.5mm of the apical constriction as compared to 50.4% accuracy given by radiographs