Antimicrobial efficacy of two commercially available herbal products with and without ultrasonic activation in primary endodontic infections: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: Effective irrigation is crucial for successful endodontic treatment. Traditional irrigants like sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) have been widely used, but there is a growing interest in exploring natural alternatives for their potential antimicrobial properties. Objective: The study aims to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of Neem, Bitter Gourd, and NaOCl, with and without ultrasonic activation in managing primary endodontic infections. Materials and Methods: Ninety patients were randomly assigned six groups (n = 15) Group 1: NaOCl, Group 2: NaOCl with passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), Group 3: Neem juice, Group 4: Neem juice with PUI, Group 5: Bitter gourd juice, and Group 6: Bitter gourd juice with PUI. Bacteriological samples were collected before (S1) and after (S2) shaping, plated on brain heart infusion agar, and colony counting was done after 24 h. Statistical Analysis Used: Shapiro-Wilk test, one-way ANOVA, post hoc Tukey analysis, and paired t-test. Results: All the groups demonstrated a significant reduction in bacterial count. Groups with PUI (2, 4, 6) demonstrated higher mean bacterial reduction than their counterparts without PUI (1, 3, 5). Conclusion: Neem and Bitter gourd juices, particularly when used with PUI, demonstrated antimicrobial efficacy comparable to NaOCl with PUI.

Comparative evaluation of different surface treatments of the salivary contaminated dentin on the shear bond strength of self-etch adhesives: An in vitro study.

Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effect of different surface treatments of the salivary contaminated dentin on the shear bond strength of one-step self-etch adhesives. Materials and Methods: The coronal buccal surfaces of 50 human mandibular molars were ground to expose dentin. The specimens were randomly divided into five groups. Ten teeth were left uncontaminated and served as control group. Rest of the teeth were then divided based on the decontamination method used as follows: Group II (no decontamination done), Group III (decontamination with rinsing), and Group IV (decontamination with etching), Group V (decontamination with ethanol). Composite resin cylinders of 4 mm diameter and 4 mm length were fabricated on the surfaces. Shear bond strength testing was done in a universal testing machine, and the data were subjected to a one-way analysis of variance and KruskalWallis test. Intergroup comparison was made using MannWhitney U-test. Results: The highest bond strength was seen in Group 1, followed by and least in Group II. The difference was found to be statistically significant among all the groups. Group II and Group IV showed lower shear bond strength than Group I (control) and Group III (P < 0.05). The intergroup comparison shows significant differences between Group I with all the other groups. Conclusion: It was concluded that the use of decontaminant improved the bond strength to salivary contaminated dentin in self-etch adhesives.

A comparative evaluation of fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth using four different intraorifice barriers: An in vitro study.

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth using four intraorifice barriers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty extracted single-rooted mandibular premolars were selected, decoronated, and prepared with rotary Protaper universal system and obturated with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer. Samples were divided into five groups (n = 10) on the basis of intraorifice barrier material used. Group 1: Biodentine, Group 2: Conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC), Group 3: Resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC), Group 4: Nanohybrid composite, Group 5: No barrier (control).Except for control specimens, coronal 3-mm gutta-percha was removed and filled with different intraorifice barrier materials in respective groups. Fracture resistance of specimens was tested using universal testing machine. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: One-way analysis of variance test and Post hoc Tukey's test. RESULTS: Mean fracture resistance of all experimental groups (with intraorifice barriers placed) were higher than control group (no intraorifice barrier placed). Biodentine showed the highest mean fracture resistance while RMGIC showed the least and the difference between their mean fracture resistance was statistically significant. There was no statistically significant difference among other experimental groups. CONCLUSION: Placement of intraorifice barriers in endodontically treated teeth can significantly increase fracture resistance and this increase in fracture resistance is material dependent.

A Comparison of Apical Bacterial Extrusion in Manual, ProTaper Rotary, and One Shape Rotary Instrumentation Techniques.

INTRODUCTION: Apical extrusion of irrigants and debris is an inherent limitation associated with cleaning and shaping of root canals and has been studied extensively because of its clinical relevance as a cause of flare-ups. Many factors affect the amount of extruded intracanal materials. The purpose of this study was to assess the bacterial extrusion by using manual, multiple-file continuous rotary system (ProTaper) and single-file continuous rotary system (One Shape). METHODS: Forty-two human mandibular premolars were inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis by using a bacterial extrusion model. The teeth were divided into 3 experimental groups (n = 12) and 1 control group (n = 6). The root canals of experimental groups were instrumented according to the manufacturers' instructions by using manual technique, ProTaper rotary system, or One Shape rotary system. Sterilized saline was used as an irrigant, and bacterial extrusion was quantified as colony-forming units/milliliter. The results obtained were statistically analyzed by using one-way analysis of variance for intergroup comparison and post hoc Tukey test for pair-wise comparison. The level for accepting statistical significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: All the instrumentation techniques resulted in bacterial extrusion, with manual step-back technique exhibiting significantly more bacterial extrusion than the engine-driven systems. Of the 2 engine-driven systems, ProTaper rotary extruded significantly more bacteria than One Shape rotary system (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The engine-driven nickel-titanium systems were associated with less apical extrusion. The instrument design may play a role in amount of extrusion.

MTAD in endodontics: an update review.

The major objective in endodontic therapy is to achieve complete chemomechanical debridement of the entire root canal system. This can be accomplished with biomechanical instrumentation and chemical irrigation. Various endodontic irrigants, such as sodium hypochlorite, chlorhexidene, and iodine potassium iodide, are available, each having its own advantages with some limitations. MTAD, a new endodontic irrigant, has been introduced to fulfill these limitations. MTAD is a mixture of doxycycline, citric acid, and a detergent (Tween 80). Since its introduction, it is a material that has been researched extensively for its properties. This article presents a review on the numerous properties of MTAD, such as antimicrobial activity, smear layer- and pulp-dissolving capability, effect on dentin and adhesion, and biocompatibility.