Efficacy of Chitosan Scaffolded Calcium Silicate-based Cements for Treating Internal Resorption Defects with Perforation: In Vitro Study.

AIM: The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of chitosan scaffold combined with calcium silicate cements in the management of internal resorption with perforation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Internal resorption cavities were simulated in 20 human permanent maxillary incisors that were then divided into two groups: group I - biodentine and group II - chitosan scaffold combined with biodentine. The samples were evaluated for the mineralization activity at the end of the 7th day and 14th day using scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) analysis. The data were recorded, tabulated, and then statistically analyzed. RESULTS: From the SEM-EDX analysis, the mean score of calcium and phosphorus ion uptake by the material was obtained. Statistical analysis by nonparametric Mann-Whitney test showed that there was statistically significant difference in calcium ion uptake at the end of the 7th day (p = 0.016) and at the end of 14th day (p = 0.043) between the group biodentine and group chitosan scaffold combined with biodentine (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this present study, the use of chitosan scaffolds combined with biodentine showed a statistically significant difference in the mineralization activity when compared with pure biodentine. These scaffolded biomaterials exhibited greater potential for mineralization in vitro which can be efficiently used for the management of teeth with internal resorption with perforation. Further clinical trials are required for the understanding of their behavior in real-world scenarios. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Calcium silicate cements have often exhibited defective hard tissue barrier formation and hence there is a pressing need to search for newer biomaterials that can overcome these shortcomings. Scaffolded biomaterials provide a controlled microcellular environment for bioactivity, and they were found to be efficient in the remineralization of tooth structure. The present study findings indicate that these chitosan scaffolds can be efficiently used in combination with calcium silicate cements for the management of internal resorption with perforation to enhance the treatment outcome.

External Root Surface Temperature Control with 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane Intracanal Cryotherapy during Thermoplastic Obturation: An In Vitro Study.

AIM: The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the effectiveness of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (TFE) intracanal cryotherapy for external root surface temperature control during thermoplastic obturation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty extracted adult single-rooted mandibular incisors were selected for this study. Endodontic shaping was performed until size X3 Protaper Next Rotary endodontic file. The teeth were divided into three groups: Group I-Control group wherein conventional irrigation was done using physiologic saline stored at room temperature, Group II-Irrigational Cryotherapy group using physiologic saline at 2.5°C, and Group III-Intracanal TFE cryotherapy group with intracanal refrigerant TFE application. Temperatures were recorded in the apical 3 mm before and after completion of each intervention and post thermoplastic obturation using a noncontact digital laser infrared thermometer. RESULTS: Intracanal cryotherapy with TFE resulted in a mean decrease of 9.27°C compared with conventional irrigation that exhibited in a mean decrease of 2.13°C. Also, in intracanal cryotherapy group with TFE application, compared with the baseline (24.50°C), no significant differences were observed post obturation (24.61°C) with high-temperature-injectable gutta percha technique indicating good control of temperature rise on the external root surface. CONCLUSION: Intracanal cryotherapy with refrigerant TFE was highly effective in controlling temperature rise on the external root surface during injectable thermoplastic obturation technique. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Minimizing deleterious effects due to high temperatures generated during the thermoplastic obturation is critical. Clinically feasible measures to reduce the transmission of heat generated during thermoplastic obturation have been searched since long. In this regard, intracanal cryotherapy with TFE can be effectively used to control the rise of temperature on the external root surface when employing thermoplastic obturation technique.

Comparative Evaluation of the Anti-bacterial Efficacy of Herbal Medicaments and Synthetic Medicaments Against Enterococcus faecalis using Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction.

Periradicular bacterial infections are the proven cause of the failure of endodontic treatment. When the pulp canal gets infected or becomes necrotic, bacterial growth takes place in the form of biofilms and aggregates. During the endodontic procedure, bacterial colonies are disrupted, and the microbial load is reduced by biomechanical preparation, cleaning with anti-microbial solutions, and placing anti-bacterial medicaments in the root canal. These anti-microbial substances are synthetic, having a cytotoxicity effect. In recent times, herbal medicines are an alternative medicine being used increasingly as an intra-canal medicament to fight or prevent common endodontic infections. Aim The objective of this study is to compare the anti-bacterial efficacy of herbal medicaments and synthetic medicaments against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis). Materials and methods This was an in-vitro study in which a total of 60 teeth specimens (n=60) were inoculated with E. faecalis for 21 days. Specimens were divided into six groups (Group 1: Piper nigrum (Piperaceae); Group 2: Piper longum (Piperaceae); Group 3: Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberaceae); Group 4: Calcium hydroxide; Group 5: 2% chlorhexidine gel (CHX); and Group 6: saline (negative control). The intra-canal medicaments were packed inside the tooth. After five days, the remaining microbial load was determined by using real-time PCR. Results The threshold cycle (Ct) values of Piper nigrum, Piper longum, dried ginger extract, 2% CHX, calcium hydroxide, and saline were found to be 21.36, 20.55, 22.14, 22.51, 23.62, and 17.81, respectively. The obtained mean bacterial load of these products was 8.64, 12.52, 7.23, 0.82, 0.14, and 149.49, respectively. Conclusion Two percent CHX showed high antibacterial activity against E. faecalis followed by calcium hydroxide, Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Piper nigrum, Piper longum, and saline.

A Present Day Approach to Crown Lengthening - Piezosurgery.

Maintaining a healthy periodontium during restorative procedures is an indispensable condition for achieving optimal functioning and esthetics. Thus, the knowledge of anatomy, influence of the restorative material and its complement on periodontium is vital. Difficulty in maintaining adequate biological width (BW) is a frequent problem encountered in this type of reconstruction. Crown lengthening is commonly used to maintain the dentogingival complex in optimal conditions and to correct aesthetic defects through a smile design. Piezosurgery, which uses a modulated ultrasonic frequency, permits highly precise and safe cutting of hard tissue. Because of its highly selective and accurate nature, its use may be extended to more complex surgical and interdisciplinary cases. In this case report, we present the contemporary use of piezosurgery for crown lengthening procedure.