Variations in root canal morphology of permanent incisors and canines among Asian population: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review was designed to measure the pooled prevalence of morphological variations in the root canal of permanent incisors and canines among Asian adults. METHODS: An electronic search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO databases, and relevant studies were included. Studies reporting on the Vertucci canal configuration (types I to VIII) were included. A weighted proportion (pooled prevalence) with 95% confidence interval was calculated for each canal type, and the outcome was stratified based on country, technique of assessment, gender, and age. RESULTS: Sixty articles were included in the final review. In all types of maxillary anterior teeth, the pooled prevalence of type I canal configuration was greater than 97%, whereas mandibular central incisor, lateral incisor, and canines had a prevalence of 78.4%, 69.2%, and 91.1%, respectively. Studies considering mandibular anterior teeth as a single entity had a lower prevalence of type I configuration (70.1%). Variations in root canal configurations were also observed between countries. Among gender, males had a significantly lower prevalence of type I and a higher prevalence of type II and III canal configurations in the mandibular anterior teeth. A variation in canal types was also noted with advancing age, with younger age groups showing more variations. CONCLUSION: The majority of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth have type I Vertucci canal configuration, but variations in mandibular anterior teeth, especially lateral incisors, are also common. Variations were also observed among population, gender, age, and prevalence based on the diagnostic techniques used.

COVID-19 Antibody Tests: An Overview.

Novel coronavirus (nCoV) first emerged in Hubei province of China in December 2019. The virus initially known as 2019-nCoV was renamed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. The associated disease is known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As the COVID-19 pandemic has unfolded, interest has grown in antibody testing as a way to measure how far the infection has spread and to identify individuals who may be immune. Molecular diagnostic tests like polymerase chain reaction are developed rapidly, however they are not able to fulfill all the requirements of an epidemic reaction. Hence, to complement molecular diagnostic tests, serology tests emerged as a vital aspect of the overall response by confirming the presence of antibodies during the early stage of the infection. Antibody tests help in assessing herd immunity, data about the ongoing phase of infection, identifying potential donors for convalescent plasma therapy, etc. This review currently focuses on giving an overview about the antibody tests in SARS-CoV-2 infections.

A Comparative Evaluation of Microleakage between Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer, Flowable Composite, and Cention-N in Class V Restorations: A Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope Study.

BACKGROUND: Microleakage is a concern while restoring cervical lesions. Many products have attempted to minimize the interfacial gap between the tooth and restoration, the main pathway of microleakage. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To compare and evaluate the microleakage in Class V cavity restored with nanohybrid flowable composite, Resin modified Glass Ionomer and Cention N. METHOD: Class V cavities were prepared on mandibular premolars on buccal surface with their occlusal margin placed in enamel and the gingival margin in dentin. The teeth were randomly assigned to three groups of 20 teeth each and restored with Flowable composite , Resin Modified GIC and Cention N. Samples were immersed in 0.5% Rhodamine dye, sectioned and microleakage measured using Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy. Statistical analysis was done using Oneway ANOVA Bonferroni's test and Kruskal Waliis test. RESULTS: The average depth of penetration of dye and scoring of depth were noted. On comparing dye penetration values between groups, RMGIC is compared with Flowable composite and Cention N, statistically significant result was obtained suggesting lesser dye penetration in RMGIC group (P < 0.001) where other comparison did not. CONCLUSION: RMGIC showed significantly less microleakage compared to the other two restorative materials used in the study and enamel margin of all restorations showed lesser microleakage than dentin margin.

Comparative Evaluation of Fracture Resistance of Incisor Fragments Using Simple, Bevel, Internal Groove Preparation Designs and Reattached with Nanocomposites: An In Vitro Study.

AIM: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the fracture resistance of anterior crown fragments using three different preparation designs and reattached using two different nanocomposites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 sound human permanent incisors were selected and divided into six groups. The teeth were sectioned and reattached using different preparatory designs and nanocomposites. Group A (simple reattachment with G-aenial Universal Flo), Group A2 (bevel preparation reattached with G-aenial Universal Flo), Group A3 (internal groove preparation reattached with G-aenial Universal Flo), Group B1 (simple reattachment with Polofil NHT Flow), Group B2 (bevel preparation reattached with Polofil NHT Flow), and Group B3 (internal groove preparation reattached with Polofil NHT Flow). The teeth were sectioned and reattached using different preparatory designs and nanocomposites. These teeth were then subjected to thermocycling, and fracture resistance of the reattached fragments was recorded using Instron machine. RESULTS: Group A3 showed the highest fracture resistance. The least fracture resistance was seen in Group B1. CONCLUSION: The fracture resistance of reattached incisor fragments depends mainly on the preparation design incorporated and also the material used to restore. Fragments where internal groove preparatory design was done and reattached with G-aenial Universal Flo, showed greater fracture resistance. Simple reattachment preparatory design showed the least fracture resistance, and hence must be avoided.

Prevalence of Dental Caries in Adult South Indian Population in Association with Dietary Pattern: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Dental caries is considered to be one of the most prevalent dental diseases among humans. It involves cycles of demineralization and remineralization. The etiology and pathogenesis of dental caries are multifactorial. The role of diet plays an important aspect in occurrence and progression of dental caries. Indians have differing dietary habits due to various religious and personal reasons. A substantial number of Indians are vegetarian by choice. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of vegetarian and mixed diet over the prevalence of dental caries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted among 104 individuals. Healthy subjects who were 20-40 years of age, with no systemic disease, and not on any medications were included in this study. A thorough dental examination was performed by a single investigator with the help of mouth mirror and probe. The examination of patients involved the sequential assessment of teeth starting from 1 to 32. All the exposed and accessible surfaces of the teeth were examined for dental caries, and the data were recorded. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The data obtained were statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 11.0, and the results were tabulated. Univariate analysis was performed to find an association between caries and diet. RESULTS: Distribution of the respondents according to dietary practices revealed 51% of the population consuming mixed diet and 49% consuming vegetarian diet. Oral hygiene was measured in terms of frequency of brushing tooth. Among the enrolled subjects, 57% brushed their teeth once a day and 42% brushed twice a day. No significant association was found between vegetarian and mixed dietary habits and dental caries. Two-sample independent t test was carried out to find the mean age. The mean age of caries group was 30.93 ± 12.27 and in without caries group, 27.83 ± 11.58, which is statistically not significant (P = 0.218). CONCLUSION: The study did not show any significant association between dietary habits and prevalence of dental caries.

Comparative Evaluation of Microcrack Formation in Different Kinematics Using Rotary and Reciprocating File Systems: An In Vitro Study.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To compare r oot microcrack formation after r oot canal preparation using ProTaper Next in r otation or forward r eciprocation and Waveone gold in r everse r eciprocating motion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Buccal r oots of 60 maxillary premolars with mature apices were selected, for different instrumentation techniques and divided into three groups. Coronal access was achieved and the canals were confirmed for apical patency. The canals were then instrumented using the following instrumentation techniques: ProTaper Next in r otation or forward r eciprocation or Waveone gold in r everse reciprocation. The tooth was then subjected to sectioning using a diamond saw under water cooling and then was visualized under the stereomicroscope for dentinal microcrack. RESULTS: The results showed that the maximum dentinal microcrack formed at apical 3 and 6 mm was in Waveone gold in reverse reciprocation followed by ProTaper Next in forward reciprocation and rotation. However, the p value was found to be not significant at 3 and 6 mm (p value-0.082 and 0.23). CONCLUSION: Nickle titanium rotary instruments tend to induce varied degrees of root dentinal damage during canal instrumentation. ProTaper Next files in rotation as well as forward reciprocation presented with minimal microcrack defects when compared with Waveone gold. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Root canal preparation, when performed by manual or engine-driven techniques, has shown to produce structural defects in the root dentin. One of the causes of failures in root canal treatment is because of fracture in the dentin that occurs due to these procedures. Though all the motion kinematics caused microcracks in this study, it was seen that rotational motion produced the least structural damage to the dentin.

Effect of Instrumentation Techniques and Kinematics on Apical Extrusion of Debris: An In Vitro Study.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of instrumentation kinematics on debris extrusion by comparing the amount of apically extruded debris after canal preparation using ProTaper next in continuous rotation as well as forward reciprocating motion and WaveOne gold in reverse reciprocating motion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We randomly divided ninety buccal roots of maxillary bicuspids with fully formed apices into three groups. After achieving the coronal access, the patency of the root canals was established with a size 10 K file. The canals were then instrumented using ProTaper next in continuous rotation or in a forward reciprocating motion and WaveOne gold in reverse reciprocating motion. Eppendorf tubes were used to collect the debris extruded through the apical foramen. The tubes were placed in a -80° freezer for 8 hours and then in a lyophilizer for 24 hours. The quantity of the apically extruded debris was assessed by subtracting the weights of Eppendorf tubes before and after instrumentation. The analysis was done using a one-way ANOVA test and the Bonferroni test to compare the groups. RESULTS: The mean weight of extruded debris with WaveOne gold in reverse reciprocation was significantly lower than ProTaper next in forward reciprocation and ProTaper next in continuous rotation (p value = <0.001). CONCLUSION: WaveOne gold in reverse reciprocation was associated with a significantly lower amount of apical extrusion of debris than ProTaper next rotary files in forward reciprocation and continuous rotation. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: According to the results of this study, reciprocating instrumentation technique was associated with a less amount of debris extrusion compared to continuous rotation.