ABSTRACT
Aim The key to the success of a composite restoration lies in the important final step of finishing and polishing. This survey aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice about finishing and polishing in composite restoration among various dental professionals in India. Materials and methods A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among various dental professionals in India. The participation of dentists was voluntary. A total of 350 responses were received, and the data were converted to Microsoft Excel 2019 program and descriptive statistics were analyzed using SPSS Version 21.0 software. Results Almost 99% of respondents know the importance of finishing and polishing procedures of composite restoration. Overall, 71% of respondents felt it is necessary to remove the surface layer to improve the surface characteristics of the composite restoration, 59.8% of professionals follow the sequential order of abrasives for finishing and polishing of composites, 74.2% use interproximal strips to finish interproximal areas of restoration, and 55.8% of professionals use polishing paste for the final polishing of composite restoration. Only 44.2% are aware of liquid polish/composite glaze, among which 12.4% of practitioners use liquid polish often. Conclusion Most of the respondents were aware of the benefits of proper finishing and polishing of composite restorations. However, still they need to follow proper sequential series of burs, abrasive points, disks, strips, and polishing pastes. The usage of surface sealants should be emphasized for enhanced results.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The success in endodontic therapy is dependent largely on the absolute elimination of pulp tissue remnants and the maximum reduction of pathologic microbial load present within the root canal system. AIM: The aim of this in vitro study was to compare and evaluate the ability of pulp tissue dissolution with and without activation of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pulp tissue samples collected from intact, noncarious extracted third molars were standardized to 8 mg in each group. These samples were placed in conical Eppendorf tubes of 15 ml with 10 ml 5.25% NaOCl for 4 min and were activated suitably according to the group specifications. All the procedures in this study were carried out at room temperature. The preweighed pulp tissue samples were further weighed again after the dissolution phase, and residual weight loss in each group along with its percentage was obtained. The results were then statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc test. RESULTS: The maximum amount of pulp tissue dissolution was found in the laser-assisted irrigation group, i.e., NaOCl with Er, Cr: YSGG (P < 0.05) and showed a statistically significant result in comparison with other groups. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the study, laser-assisted irrigation with a radial firing tip (NaOCl activated by Er, Cr: YSGG) was the most effective in dissolving the pulp tissue in comparison with other groups. The ultrasonic activation also showed a considerable amount of pulp tissue dissolution comparable to laser-activated irrigation in this study.
