Mines of cytokine: A treasure trove in pulpal and periapical diseases.

Pulpitis is a special disease of dental pulp. It causes localized inflammation, due to various inflammatory mediators such as cytokines and chemokines. These inflammatory mediators are responsible for various reparative and resorptive processes in the dental pulp. The balance between these processes ultimately determines the viability of the tooth. Due to the important properties of various inflammatory markers, the correlation of cytokinin gene expression in various stages of inflammation becomes necessary to focus on. Several studies in the past have focused on the importance of such correlation to help in diagnostic applications. The nature of these inflammatory mediators can help us in diagnostic evaluation. Several attempts have been made to focus on these associations so that it can assist in making clinical decisions effectively. The data available are vast but are the most neglected topic. This review article briefly outlines and summarizes the importance of various inflammatory mediators such as cytokinin and chemokines in various pathways of pulpal and periapical inflammation in explanatory and diagrammatic forms. Knowledge gained about pulpal inflammatory response may aid in understanding the molecular level of inflammatory pulpal and periapical diseases, which shall modify our future diagnostic modalities. Several medicaments are used in the treatment of minimal to advanced dental caries which leads to periapical infections. Thorough understanding of these medicaments can resolve secondary infection and can improve the prognosis of the treated tooth.

Effectiveness of lasers in direct pulp capping among permanent teeth - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Laser-assisted direct pulp capping (DPC) has considerable advantages compared to traditional methods such as: decontaminant effect; hemostatic and coagulant effect; reduced rise in pulp temperature; reduction of intracavitary pressure; dentinal melting; and biostimulation effect. Objective: The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of laser as adjuvant therapy in DPC among permanent teeth. Methods: Research question was formulated based on the population, intervention, comparison, and outcomes strategy. A comprehensive electronic literature search was conducted through Cochrane, PubMed, and Google scholar using MeSH words, text words, and Boolean operators, independently by two reviewers. Based on the specified inclusion and exclusion criteria, the selected articles were subjected to quality assessment and the risk of bias (ROB) was evaluated. Cochrane ROB 2.0 and Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies - of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tools were used to assess the ROB. Results: Initially, 45 studies recovered, 9 articles were selected for systematic review and 7 articles could be included in the meta-analysis. Teeth treated with low level laser therapy pulp capping therapy showed lower clinical/radiological failure as compared to nonlaser pulp capping therapy with an odds ratio of 0.24 (95% confidence interval = 0.15-0.38; Z = 6.15); and the difference between two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.00001). Discussion: This systematic review and meta-analysis included both the randomized and nonrandomized controlled trial (RCT). The non-RCTs had low ROB when compared to the RCTs included in the study. All included RCT studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, but some did not adequately describe their methods in detail. Conclusion: Based on the limited evidence, the results of the meta-analysis demonstrated DPC treatment could achieve better clinical outcomes with the aid of lasers.

Prevalence of endodontic flare-up following intracanal medicament placement in permanent teeth undergoing endodontic treatment - A systematic review.

Background: Endodontic flare-up can occur in teeth undergoing root canal treatment. Intracanal medicaments are most commonly used in between appointments to eliminate microbial flora in the canal. However, extrusion of medicaments in the periapical region can cause an inflammatory reaction leading to postoperative pain. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of endodontic flare-up following intracanal medicament placement in permanent teeth undergoing endodontic treatment. Study Design: A comprehensive search was done in MEDLINE through PubMed, Cochrane, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar from July 31, 1999 to July 31, 2019 to identify randomized trials involving the use of intracanal medicaments in teeth undergoing root canal treatment. Methods: The titles and abstracts of all retrieved articles were screened by two independent reviewers, and irrelevant studies were excluded. Full texts of the eligible studies were obtained and thoroughly assessed. Seventeen randomized control trials comprising 2665 subjects were included. Statistical Analysis: Narrative synthesis was provided for the findings obtained from the studies, mainly focusing on the intervention details. Heterogeneity of the previously mentioned characteristics was assessed using the Chi-square test and I2 statistics. Results: Placement of intracanal medicament was not associated with the occurrence of pain. Conclusion: The present review suggests that intracanal medicament do not cause endodontic flare-up rather reduces inter-appointment pain during endodontic treatment.

Comparative evaluation of clinical performance of two self-etch adhesive systems with total-etch adhesive system in noncarious cervical lesions: An in vivo study.

BACKGROUND: The growing demands for esthetic restorations have stimulated intensive research in the field of adhesive dentistry. Dental adhesive systems are used to promote adhesion between composite resins and dental structure. In the fundamental principles of adhesion, the primary mechanism contributing to the formation of adhesion is micromechanical bonding between the restoration and the tooth. The bond strength of self-etching adhesives to dentin was found to be almost equal to that of total-etch adhesives. The aim of the present prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial was to evaluate and compare the clinical performance of two self-etch adhesive systems with total-etch adhesive system in noncarious cervical lesions (NCCLs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In each patient, three teeth were randomly assigned according to the adhesive system used to Group A (total-etch adhesive system), Group B (two-bottle self-etch adhesive system), and Group C (one-bottle self-etch adhesive system). The clinical efficacy of these adhesive systems was determined by evaluating the retention rate, marginal integrity, and postoperative sensitivity at the following three levels: baseline, 6 months, and 18 months by following the Modified USPHS criteria introduced by Vanherle et al. RESULTS: In the present study, the retention rate at 18 month in Group A, Group B, and Group C of 96%, 92%, and 92% was observed, respectively. A marginal integrity at 18 months was 88%, 80%, and 84% for Group A, Group B, and Group C, respectively. Postoperative sensitivity at 18 months was 16%, 12%, and 12% for Group A, Group B, and Group C, respectively. CONCLUSION: The clinical performance of total-etch and self-etch adhesive systems in NCCLs did not differ significantly with regard to the evaluated parameters - retention, marginal integrity, and postoperative sensitivity.

Guided endodontic therapy: Management of pulp canal obliteration in the maxillary central incisor.

This is a case report of the management of pulp canal obliteration of maxillary central incisor using guided endodontic therapy. Patient reported with discolored and proclined 11. Intraoral periapical (IOPA) Radiographs and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) showed periapical radiolucency. The canal was obliterated till the middle third and was patent in the apical 7 mm. Root canal treatment (RCT) was planned using guided endodontics. Information of CBCT and digital surface scan were integrated using Blue Sky Bio software. A transparent three-dimensional (3D) model of the tooth and stent, designed with a sleeve for insertion of bur, was 3D-printed using clear resin. After orientation was found satisfactory on the 3D model, access opening was initiated with the orientation of round bur through the stent. IOPAs were taken after preparation of every 3 mm. The canal was located in the apical third. Cleaning and shaping were performed, and RCT completed successfully. Guided endodontic therapy is useful in the management of calcifications in anterior teeth.

A comparison of human dental pulp response to calcium hydroxide and Biodentine as direct pulp-capping agents.

CONTEXT: Direct pulp capping involves the placement of a biocompatible agent on pulp tissue that has been inadvertently exposed from traumatic injury or by iatrogenic means. AIM: To compare the human pulp response to calcium hydroxide and Biodentine as direct pulp-capping agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pulp exposures were performed on the pulpal floor of forty human permanent premolars. The exposure sites were dressed with either Dycal or Biodentine as pulp-capping materials. After 45 days, teeth were extracted and processed for histological examination. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The histological data were subjected to Wilcoxon rank-sum test. RESULTS: The dentinal bridges in teeth that were capped with Biodentine were significantly thicker (P < 0.0001) and more continuous (P = 0.0001) with less pulpal inflammation (P = 0.0044) in comparison to Dycal. CONCLUSION: Based on the result of this study, Biodentine can be suggested as the material of choice for direct pulp capping procedure instead of Dycal. However, further long-term follow-up in vivo human studies using Biodentine on cariously exposed pulpal teeth are warranted to derive a definite conclusion.

Root canal morphology of mandibular first permanent molars in an Indian population.

An in vitro study was performed to determine the number of roots, root canals per tooth, root canal configurations, and frequency of isthmi and apical deltas in mandibular first permanent molars in an Indian population. Hundred and fifty mandibular first permanent molars were collected and subjected to clearing technique. The cleared teeth were examined in a stereomicroscope under 7.5x magnifications. The canal configurations were categorized using Vertucci's classification. Overall 94.6% of the mandibular first molars had two roots, and 5.3% had extradistal roots (distolingual root). In addition, 64% of the specimens had three root canals, and 36% had four root canals. The most common canal configurations of mesial and distal roots were Vertucci type IV (54%) and type I (65.3%), respectively. Clinician should be aware of the complex root canal morphology of mandibular first molars among the Indian population before and during the root canal treatment.