Prevalence of Sinus Tract in the Patients Visiting Department of Endodontics, Kermanshah School of Dentistry.

INTRODUCTION: Sinus tract is one of the manifestations of chronic dental infections, which is a path for the drainage of the infection and pus. The present study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of sinus tract with dental origin analyze the correlation between sinus tract and related factors. METHODS: This study was conducted on 1527 patients, visiting Kermanshah school of dentistry, in 2014.The related teeth were examined in terms of vitality test and exact location of sinus tract. Moreover, the causes of this lesion and the needs for root canal treatment were assessed in these teeth. Having obtained the data from the patients, analyzed by Mann-Whitney, Chi-square tests. RESULTS: The frequency of sinus tract was 9.89% patients. There was a significant correlation between the prevalence of sinus tract and factors such as age, general health status, location of sinus tract and history of root canal treatment. The prevalence of sinus tract in maxilla was higher than the mandible (p=0.087). The prevalence of sinus tract in the posterior teeth (69.54%) was significantly higher than that of anterior teeth (30.46%) (p=0.000). From 724 teeth with periapical inflammation and radiolucency, 9.89% teeth had odontogenic sinus tract, and 23.42% teeth with history of root canal treatment had sinus tract. CONCLUSIONS: The most common cause of sinus tract incidence was previous root canal treatment. Therefore, clinicians need to pay a more attention to examining the posterior teeth referred for endodontic treatment.

Intra-canal calcium hydroxide removal by two rotary systems: A comparative study.

AIM: The presence of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) in the root canal interferes with the apical root canal sealing and may result in periapical lesions in the long run. The present study was aimed to compare the efficacy of two rotary systems of Race and Mtwo in the removal of Ca (OH)2 aqueous-based from distobuccal canals of human maxillary molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 44 distobuccal root canals of human maxillary molars were randomly distributed into two groups of 20 canals each and two control groups. Specimens in each group were instrumented with similar master apical rotary (MAR) and flexible files according to the manufacture's guidelines. The Ca (OH)2 paste was placed in canals using # 20 lentulo and radiographs were taken from the two dimensions. The roots were incubated for 1 week at 37°C and 100% humidity and Ca (OH)2 was removed from canals by MAR, afterward. Then, the roots were longitudinally split in halves by diamond disk and chisel without entering the root canals. Photos were taken from the canals' walls by a stereomicroscope with × 10 magnification. Next, according to a defined scoring system, photos were scored by four endodontists, so that scores 1 and 2 (nonvisible remnants or scattered remnants of Ca(OH)2) were considered as acceptable and scores 3 and 4 (distinct mass or densely-packed mass of Ca(OH)2) were regarded as nonacceptable. RESULTS: The obtained findings indicated that in coronal, middle, and apical portions of the root canal, 45, 60, and 65% of Mtwo specimens and 40, 50, and 55% of specimens prepared by the Race system acquired an acceptable score (1 and 2), respectively. Moreover, the results showed no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both Mtwo and Race rotary systems with acceptable removal efficiency (score 1 and 2) were similarly able to remove Ca(OH)2.

Endodontic treatment of fused teeth with talon cusp.

Tooth anomalies are rare phenomena that may be reported by patients as chief complaints or may be discovered by dentists in the oral examination. In a few cases, rare anomalies are found together in one mouth. Decision to treat such anomalies depends on whether or not they interfere with function and esthetics and also the patient's preference. In the present case, a 19-year-old male presented with two right maxillary fused central and lateral incisors and a geminated left maxillary central incisor. A talon-like projection was found at the junction site of the fused teeth. His chief complaint was sensitivity to cold at the site of the giant fused tooth. This report describes the process of diagnosis and treatment of the two anomalies according to patient preference and needs.