Regenerative Endodontic Procedures in Teeth with Root Resorption: A Systematic Review.

The purpose of this systematic review was to critically evaluate the available clinical literature on the use of regenerative endodontic therapy (RET) for the treatment of root resorption. All case reports, case series and clinical studies documenting the management of root resorption in mature or immature permanent teeth using RET were included. Review articles, animal studies, and RET in teeth showing developmental anomalies were excluded. A literature search was conducted in electronic databases MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane, and Google Scholar from 2001 to January 2022. The JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist Quality was used to appraise the included case reports and case series. The Methodological item for non-randomised studies (MINORS) tool was used to appraise the clinical study critically. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the search resulted in 14 studies (12 case reports, 1 case series, and 1 clinical study) accounting for root resorption in 34 teeth from 29 patients treated with RET. Despite the wide variation in RET protocols, the arrest of root resorption and resolution of symptoms was seen in all teeth except one (failure after 27 months). The clinical study's cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging evalu- ation documented a significant volumetric decrease in resorptive and periapical lesions after RET. The clinical study was deemed as good quality using the MINORS scale. The JBI critical appraisal tool showed that the case series was of poor quality; 11 of the case reports were of good quality, while 1 case report was of fair quality. This systematic review revealed a low-to-moderate level of evidence for the use of RET in resorption cases. However, further well-designed, long-term clinical studies are required to recommend it as an alternative treatment option for root resorption management. Funding: None. The systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021274569). (EEJ-2022-11-136).

Factors Facilitating Academic Success in Dental Students After Initial Failure: A Qualitative Study.

Most previous research on academic failure has sought to understand the reasons students failed. The aim of this study was to identify factors that led to academic success for dental students who had previously failed written examinations, using interviews based on Appreciative Inquiry (AI). The AI approach led the investigators to focus on positive aspects of what helped students overcome failure, rather than the reasons for it. Students in this qualitative study, conducted in 2016 at a dental college in India, completed a questionnaire with six open-ended questions and participated in individual semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling identified 25 students as possible participants; 21 volunteered to participate; and data saturation was reached after interviews with 15. Four key themes were identified in the data collected. On the theme of learning strategies, participants mentioned modifying their attitude toward studying and making it learning-oriented. On the theme of resources, participants reported strategies for obtaining books, others' notes, and teachers' guides to help with studying. In the third theme, psychological aspects, students reported methods used to motivate themselves to succeed after failing. The fourth theme, environmental factors, concerned the key means of support provided by parents, teachers, and seniors/peers. All the students reported that the failure had been a turning point and that overcoming it had boosted their self-confidence. One student said he learned to "never give up and keep trying till you succeed," and most spoke of continuing the best practices they learned. These findings suggest that knowledge-oriented studying, conceptual learning, appropriate study material, internal motivation, and support of parents, teachers, and peers may help dental students overcome failure.

Canal transportation and centering ability of protaper and self-adjusting file system in long oval canals: An ex-vivo cone-beam computed tomography analysis.

CONTEXT AND AIMS: The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate the shaping ability of ProTaper (PT) and Self-Adjusting File (SAF) system using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to assess their performance in oval-shaped root canals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two mandibular premolars with single oval canals were divided into two experimental groups (n = 31) according to the systems used: Group I - PT and Group II - SAF. Canals were evaluated before and after instrumentation using CBCT to assess centering ratio and canal transportation at three levels. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance, post hoc Tukey's test, and t-test. RESULTS: The SAF showed better centering ability and lesser canal transportation than the PT only in the buccolingual plane at 6 and 9 mm levels. The shaping ability of the PT was best in the apical third in both the planes. The SAF had statistically significant better centering and lesser canal transportation in the buccolingual as compared to the mesiodistal plane at the middle and coronal levels. CONCLUSIONS: The SAF produced significantly less transportation and remained centered than the PT at the middle and coronal levels in the buccolingual plane of oval canals. In the mesiodistal plane, the performance of both the systems was parallel.

Videotaped Feedback Method to Enhance Learning in Preclinical Operative Dentistry: An Experimental Study.

The aim of this study was to investigate if a videotaped feedback method enhanced teaching and learning outcomes in a preclinical operative laboratory setting for novice learners. In 2013, 60 dental students at a dental school in India were randomly assigned to two groups: control (n=30) and experimental (n=30). The control group prepared a Class II tooth preparation for amalgam after receiving a video demonstration of the exercise. The experimental group received the same video demonstration as the control group, but they also participated in a discussion and analysis of the control groups' videotaped performance and then performed the same exercise. The self-evaluation scores (SS) and examiner evaluation scores (ES) of the two groups were compared using the unpaired t-test. The experimental group also used a five-point Likert scale to rate each item on the feedback form. The means of SS (13.65±2.43) and ES (14.75±1.97) of the experimental group were statistically higher than the means of SS (11.55±2.09) and ES (11.60±1.82) of the control group. Most students in the experimental group perceived that this technique enhanced their learning experience. Within the limits of this study, the videotaped feedback using both ideal and non-ideal examples enhanced the students' performance.

Management of apicomarginal defect in esthetic region associated with a tooth with anomalies.

Tooth related factors such as palatoradicular groove can be one of the causes for localized periodontal destruction. Such pathological process may result in apicomarginal defect along with inflammation of pulp. This creates challenging situation which clinician must be capable of performing advanced periodontal regenerative procedures for the successful management. This case report discusses clinical management of apicomarginal defect associated with extensive periradicular destruction in a maxillary lateral incisor, along with histopathologic aspect of the lesion.