Comparative Evaluation of Fracture Resistance of Endodontically Treated Bicuspids Instrumented With Hand Files, TruNatomy, ProTaper Next, ProTaper Gold, and WaveOne - An In vitro Study.

Aim: The study aims to compare and evaluate the fracture resistance of endodontically treated bicuspids instrumented with Hand Files, TruNatomy (TRN), ProTaper Next (PTN), ProTaper Gold (PTG), and WaveOne (WO). Materials and Methods: In total, 45 extracted single-rooted human premolar teeth were selected and sectioned at or below the cementoenamel junction to obtain roots 15 mm long. The samples were divided into four experimental groups and one control group (n = 9): instrumentation with nickel-titanium (NiTi) Hand Files (control group), instrumentation with TRN files, instrumentation with PTN files, instrumentation with PTG files, and instrumentation with WO files. The samples were obturated by lateral compaction technique using gutta-percha points and AH Plus sealer. A vertical load was applied to the tooth using the universal testing machine (Tecsol-TSI-BDS-2Kn-Sr No. 170710) for the fracture resistance test. Statistical analysis was performed. Results: The study reported that teeth instrumented with NiTi hand files exhibited the highest fracture resistance when compared to all the rotary and reciprocating file systems. Among rotary and reciprocating instruments, root prepared with TRN files showed the most significant resistance to fracture compared with PTN, PTG, and WO files. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that minimally invasive instrumentation of the system preserves more pericervical dentin, which may increase the resistance to fracture. Results of this study and other studies support the use of minimally tapered instruments to improve the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth.

Effect of Biomineralization Ability on Push-out Strength of Proroot Mineral Trioxide Aggregate, Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Branco, and Calcium Phosphate Cement on Dentin: An In vitro Evaluation.

CONTEXT: Biomineralization is a process which leads to the formation of an interfacial layer with tag-like structures at the cement-dentin interface. It is due to interaction of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Portland cement with dentin in phosphate-buffered solution (PBS). This study is aimed to evaluate the effect of influence of biomineralization process on push-out bond strength of ProRoot MTA (Dentsply Tulsa Dental, Tulsa, OK, USA), MTA Branco (Angelus Soluc¸o˜es Odontolo´gicas, Londrina, PR, Brazil) and calcium phosphate cement (BioGraft CPC). AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of biomineralization process on the push-out strength of ProRoot MTA, MTA Branco, and CPC after mixing with 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate solution (0.2% CHX) and 2% lidocaine solution (2% LA) on the bond strength of MTA-dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dentin discs with uniform cavities were restored with ProRoot MTA, MTA Branco, and calcium phosphate cement after mixing with 0.2% CHX solution and 2% lidocaine solution. The samples were uniformly distributed into two groups. Experimental group being immersed in PBS solution and control group being immersed in saline for 2 months. Instron testing machine (Model 4444; Instron Corp., Canton, MA, USA) was used to determine the bond strength. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: A two-way analysis of variance and post hoc analysis by Bonferroni test. RESULTS: All samples immersed in experimental group displayed a significantly greater resistance to displacement than that observed for the samples in control group (P < 0.05). MTAs displayed a significantly greater resistance to displacement than calcium phosphate cements. CONCLUSION: The main conclusion of this study was that the push-out bond strength of the cements, mainly the MTA groups, was positively influenced by the biomineralization process.

Comparative evaluation of antibacterial activity of total-etch and self-etch adhesive systems: An ex vitro study.

AIM: The aim of this ex vivo study was to compare the antibacterial activity of total-etch and self-etch adhesive systems against Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Actinomyces viscosus through disk diffusion method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antibacterial effects of Single Bond (SB) and Adper Prompt (AP) and aqueous solution of chlorhexidine 0.2% (positive control) were tested against standard strain of S. mutans, L. acidophilus, and A. viscosus using the disk diffusion method. The diameters of inhibition zones were measured in millimeters. Data was analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test. Mann-Whitney U test was used for pairwise comparison. RESULT: Of all the materials tested, AP showed the maximum inhibitory action against S. mutans and L. acidophilus. Aqueous solution of chlorhexidine 0.2% showed the maximum inhibitory action against A. viscosus. Very minimal antibacterial effect was noted for SB. CONCLUSION: The antibacterial effects observed for the tested different dentin bonding systems may be related to the acidic nature of the materials.

Antibacterial efficacy of sodium hypochlorite with a novel sonic agitation device.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of 3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) with sonic agitation devices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty extracted human single-rooted teeth were collected. Canals were prepared up to Profile #35/0.06. Forty teeth were inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis and incubated for 24 hours. The teeth were then divided into five groups based on the agitation device used. Group 1- was agitated with EndoActivator. Group 2 was agitated with Waterpik Power Flosser. In Group 3, Waterpik flosser was used with a nickel-titanium file. Group 4 (positive control) was not subjected to any agitation, and Group 5 -was the negative control. Superficial and deep dentinal shavings were collected from coronal and apical halves and sowed in brain heart infusion (BHI) agar to evaluate colony-forming units (CFU/mL). RESULTS: Krusal Wallis, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Mann-Whitney U test showed that Group 3 showed a smaller number of CFUs/mL Group 2 showed a relatively greater number of CFU/mL. The deep apical dentin areas showed more number of CFUs relative to other sites. CONCLUSION: The nickel-titanium file attached to the Waterpik Power Flosser system was found to be as effective as the EndoActivator in antibacterial efficacy against E.faecalis.

Sealing ability of white and gray mineral trioxide aggregate mixed with distilled water and 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate as a root end filling material: an ex vivo evaluation.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sealing ability of white and gray mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) mixed with distilled water and 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX) gluconate when used as a root-end filling material using the dye-penetration technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 48 single-rooted human teeth were cleaned, shaped, and obturated with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer. The apical 3 mm of each root was resected, and 3-mm deep root-end cavity preparations were made. The teeth were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups, each containing 8 teeth, and 2 negative and positive control groups, each containing 8 teeth. Root-end cavities in the experimental groups were filled with the experimental materials. After application of nail polish, the teeth were exposed to India ink for 72 h and longitudinally sectioned, and the extent of dye penetration was measured with a stereomicroscope. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed in the sealing ability of gray and white MTA mixed with distilled water and 0.12% CHX. CONCLUSION: CHX appears to be a good alternative to replace distilled water, as a solution to be mixed with MTA.

Clinical evaluation of porous hydroxyapatite bone graft (Periobone G) with and without collagen membrane (Periocol) in the treatment of bilateral grade II furcation defects in mandibular first permanent molars.

BACKGROUND: Furcation invasions represent one of the most demanding therapeutic challenges in periodontics. This investigation assessed and compared the clinical efficacy of hydroxyapatite bone graft material when used alone and with collagen membrane in the treatment of grade II furcation defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients with comparable bilateral furcation defects in relation to mandibular first molars were selected and treated in a split-mouth design. After the hygiene phase of therapy was completed, the groups were selected randomly either for treatment with hydroxyapatite bone graft (Periobone G) alone or with a combination of bone graft and guided tissue regeneration (GTR) membrane (Periocol). Clinical parameters like plaque index, gingival index, vertical probing depth, horizontal probing depth, clinical attachment level, position of marginal gingiva, and the amount of bone fill were used at baseline and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: At 6 months, both surgical procedures resulted in statistically significant reduction in vertical and horizontal probing depths and gain in the clinical attachment level. CONCLUSION: The use of combination technique yielded superior results compared to sites treated with bone graft alone. However, the difference was not statistically significant.