Evaluation of the Efficacy of Visual, Tactile Method, Caries Detector Dye, and Laser Fluorescence in Removal of Dental Caries and Confirmation by Culture and Polymerase Chain Reaction: An In Vivo Study.

AIM: To determine the degree of association between visual and tactile methods of caries removal compared with caries detector dye and laser fluorescence device (DIAGNOdent), which detects the degree of demineralization; to determine the presence of Streptococcus mutans via culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques; and to find a suitable method for caries removal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 75 patients were divided into three groups: visual and tactile (Group A), visual and tactile with caries detector dye (Group B), and visual and tactile with caries detector dye along with laser florescence readings (Group C). Caries removal was carried out using visual and tactile methods, caries detector dye, and laser fluorescence, and the samples obtained were subjected to culture and PCR. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using Pearson's chi-square test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Tukey's post hoc test. RESULTS: Visual and tactile along with caries detector dye and laser florescence (Group C) is the most efficient method for caries removal. CONCLUSION: Caries detector dye along with visual, tactile examination and laser fluorescence is a valuable and superior tool for clinicians that aids in better caries removal and can prevent the overzealous removal of tooth structure.

The mandibular first molar with three canals in the mesial root- a case report.

The dynamic concept of the root canal system, which describes a variable morphology of the multiple root canals which are inter-connected by anastomoses, has been established as the prevailing state in the mandibular molars. The aim of this case report was to describe the unusual root canal anatomy that was detected in the mandibular first molar during the routine endodontic treatment. The clinical and the radiographic examinations allowed the detection of the middle mesial root canal between the mesiobuccal and the mesiolingual root canals. This report highlights the importance of such examinations and the need to find and treat the additional canals, to achieve a successful endodontic treatment.

Effect of two different types of fibers on the fracture resistance of endodontically treated molars restored with composite resin.

PURPOSE: To compare the in vitro fracture resistance of endodontically treated molars with mesio-occluso-distal (MOD) cavities restored with two different types of fibers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty extracted human mandibular first molars were selected for the study and randomly assigned to six groups (n = 10). Group 1 served as the control. In groups 2 through 6, endodontic access and standard MOD cavities were prepared. Following root canal treatment, group 2 was left unrestored. In group 3, the teeth were restored with composite resin (Venus, Heraeus Kulzer). In group 4, flowable composite resin (Venus, Heraeus Kulzer) was used before restoring the teeth with composite resin. In group 5, leno-woven ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene ribbon fiber (Ribbond) was inserted in the flowable resin in a buccal to lingual direction, and the teeth were then restored with composite resin. In group 6, translucent glass fiber (Vectris, Ivoclar) was adapted over the flowable resin in the bucco-lingual direction and restored with composite resin. The specimens were stored in 100% humidity at 37°C for 1 day. Compressive loading of the teeth was performed using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The mean load necessary to fracture the samples was recorded in Newtons (N). Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan's post-hoc test, where significance was set at p < 0.001. RESULTS: The highest and the lowest mean fracture strengths were found in sound teeth (1598.8 N) and unrestored teeth (393.7 N), respectively. The mean load necessary to fracture the samples was 958.6 N in the polyethylene ribbon group (group 5), 913.2 N in the glass-fiber group (group 6), 699.7 N in teeth restored with flowable resin and composite (group 4), and 729.3 N in group 3 with composite resin alone. Statistical analysis showed significantly higher fracture resistance of both the fiber groups compared to composite resin alone (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Both polyethylene ribbon and glass fiber under MOD composite restorations significantly increased fracture strength with no statistical difference between the two groups. Therefore, both polyethylene- and glassfiber- reinforced composites can be used for access cavity restorations in teeth with weakened cusps.

The efficacy of pre-operative oral medication of paracetamol, ibuprofen, and aceclofenac on the success of maxillary infiltration anesthesia in patients with irreversible pulpitis: A double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial.

AIM: To determine the effect of preoperative administration of paracetamol (PARA), ibuprofen (IBUP), or aceclofenac (ACEC) on the success of maxillary infiltration anesthesia in patients with irreversible pulpitis in a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients with irreversible pulpitis of a maxillary first molar participated. Patients indicated their pain scores on a Heft Parker visual analog scale, after which they were randomly divided into four groups (n = 30). The subjects received identical capsules containing 1000 mg PARA, 800 mg IBUP, 100 mg ACEC or cellulose powder (placebo, PLAC), 1 h before administration of maxillary infiltration anesthesia with 2% lidocaine containing 1:200,000 epinephrine. Access cavities were then prepared and success of anesthesia was defined as the absence of pain during access preparation and root canal instrumentation. The data were analyzed using chi-squared tests. RESULTS: The success rates in descending order were 93.3% (IBUP), 90% (ACEC), 73.3% (PARA), and 26.5 % (PLAC). A significant (P < 0.001) difference was found between the drug groups and the PLAC group. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-operative administration of PARA, IBUP, and ACEC significantly improved the efficacy of maxillary infiltration anesthesia in patients with irreversible pulpitis.