Effects of eye dominance on shade matching and color perception among the dentist population.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of eye dominance on color perception, and shade matching. Materials and Methods: A total of 104 participants were selected for the study. There were 3 groups: Group I: 3rd and 4th year dental students and interns (n = 40); Group II: postgraduates (n = 34); Group III: senior residents and faculty members (≥ 6 years of clinical experience) (n = 30). All participants were evaluated for congenital color blindness with Ishihara plates, their dominant eye with Mile's test, and their color perception with the Farnsworth-Munsell 100 hue test. The shade guide test was used for shade matching with a second corresponding set of Vitapan classical shade guides. Results: The results of Mile's test revealed that 60.6% were right-eye dominant and 39.4% were left-eye dominant. There was a statistically significant difference among all participants between the dominant eye and the non-dominant eye in shade matching. Conclusions: The dominant eye has a positive effect on shade matching and the ability to match shades becomes better with an increase in clinical experience.

Novel bioactive caries-detecting dye solution: Cytotoxicity, antimicrobial activity, scanning electron microscope, and stereomicroscopic analysis in diagnosis of dental caries.

AIM: The aim was (1) to study the cytotoxicity of novel Bioactive Caries-detecting Dye solution (BCD) and its antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Actinomyces naeslundii, and Candida albicans and (2) comparative assessment of BCD and Carie-Care for efficient removal of caries (stereomicroscope) and dentin tubule occlusion (scanning electron microscope [SEM]). MATERIALS AND METHODS: For BCD cytotoxic study (direct contact method), colorimetric MTT assay, and cell line study(L929 mouse fibroblast NCTC clone 929 strain L) was performed. Xenetix 350, chitosan, nanohydroxyapatite (nHA), BCD, and Carie-Care solutions were subjected to the antimicrobial activity through blood agar well diffusion method, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined. On 20 extracted human carious teeth a comparative pilot study was done for BCD (Group A, n = 10) and Carie-Care (Group B, n = 10), and evaluated visually and radiographically. After mechanical excavation of caries with a spoon excavator, teeth sectioned longitudinally and stereomicroscopically were evaluated (8x-40x) by two observers. The percentage of dentinal tubule occlusion was evaluated with SEM for both solutions. Statistical kappa analysis of agreement was 0.7-0.8 (P < 0.01). Mann-Whitney test ranks and Wilcoxon signed-rank test (P = 0.01) were applied. RESULTS: Cytotoxicity test revealed BCD to be nontoxic and biocompatible. Antimicrobial tests (zone of inhibition) showed BCD > chitosan > chlorhexidine > Carie-Care > Xenetix 350 > nHA. MIC and MBC values suggested chlorhexidine > BCD > Carie-Care. Stereomicroscopic analysis showed effective mechanical removal of caries in BCD without residual dye in the dentinal tubules as compared to Carie-Care. Dentinal tubule occlusion (SEM analysis) was 80%-85% for BCD and 10% for Carie-Care. CONCLUSIONS: Profound synergistic effect for BCD was observed with advantage of radiographic assessment.

In vitro comparative evaluation of antifungal efficacy of three endodontic sealers with and without incorporation of chitosan nanoparticles against Candida albicans.

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the antifungal efficacy of three endodontic sealers (AH Plus, Apexit Plus, and MTA Fillapex) with and without the incorporation of chitosan nanoparticles against Candida albicans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was carried out by the Kirby-Bauer method. C. albicans were cultured in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar plates. Filter papers (n = 10) were placed in the cultured Petri dishes and the sealers were mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions and placed on the top of the filter papers. Group division of sealers is as follows: Group I - AH Plus, Group II - Apexit Plus, and Group III - MTA Fillapex. Group IC, Group IIC, and Group IIIC were the addition of 2% chitosan nanoparticles with respective sealers. Plates were incubated for 18 h, and the zone of inhibition was measured with a measuring scale and values (in millimeter) were recorded. Statistical analysis was done by one-way analysis of variance followed by post hoc multiple pair-wise comparisons. RESULTS: All the tested groups showed statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) from each other. Two percent chitosan-incorporated groups showed superior zone of inhibition compared to sealers used alone. Group IC (16.35 ± 0.71 mm) had the highest zone of inhibition followed by Group I (13.8 ± 0.86 mm). For the remaining groups, the zone of inhibition was in the following order: Group IIC > Group II > Group IIIC > Group III. CONCLUSION: AH Plus sealer mixed with 2% chitosan showed significantly higher antifungal property. Mixing of 2% chitosan with endodontic sealer provides an added advantage so that endodontic re-infections can be minimized and will be helpful in retreatment cases.

Assessment of pain and dissolution of apically extruded sealers and their effect on the periradicular tissues.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the intensity of pain after unintentional extrusion of resin-based and calcium hydroxide (Ca[OH]2)-based endodontic sealers as well as their influence on the periradicular tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 single-rooted teeth exhibiting extrusion of sealer in the postoperative radiographs were included in the study. According to the sealers used, the teeth were divided into four groups (n = 30): Group I - AH Plus®, Group II - Resino Seal, Group III - Sealapex™, and Group IV - Apexit® Plus. Postoperative pain was assessed at 0-6 h, 6-12 h, 12-24 h, and 24-48 h of obturation using Visual Analog Scale. Radiographs were taken at 3, 6, and ≥9 months to 1-year follow-up and compared with baseline radiographs to assess the dissolution of extruded sealers and healing of periradicular tissues. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and Pearson's Chi-square test were used. Statistical significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Postoperative pain intensity was higher in case of AH Plus® sealer followed by Sealapex™ up to 12 h of obturation and was statistically nonsignificant. Apexit® Plus at all time intervals showed statistically significant less pain intensity than AH Plus® and Sealapex™ but not from Resino Seal group. At 9-month follow-up, better healing of periradicular tissues was shown by AH Plus® (48.1%) followed by Apexit® Plus (44.4%) and Sealapex™ (41.2%) with statistically nonsignificant difference. CONCLUSION: In case of periapical extrusion, both resin-based and Ca(OH)2-based sealers caused postoperative pain. Both Ca(OH)2- and resin-based sealers did not influence the treatment outcome.

Comparing the effectiveness of four desensitizing toothpastes on dentinal tubule occlusion: A scanning electron microscope analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is a sudden short sharp pain best explained by hydrodynamic theory. Several agents are available throughout the market that can treat DH either by blocking the nerves that helps in conducting pain or by blocking the open dentinal tubules. The aim of the present study was to compare the tubule occluding efficacy of four different desensitizing dentifrices under scanning electron microscope (SEM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two dentin blocks measuring 5 mm × 5 mm × 3 mm were obtained from extracted human molar teeth and were randomly divided into five groups: Group 1 - no treatment (control, n = 2); Group 2 - Pepsodent Pro-sensitive relief and repair (n = 15); Group 3 - Sensodyne repair and protect (n = 15); Group 4 - Remin Pro (n = 15); Group 5 - Test toothpaste containing 15% nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) crystals (n = 15). The specimens were brushed for 2 min/day for 14 days and stored in artificial saliva. After final brushing, specimens were gold sputtered and viewed under SEM at ×2000 magnification. Results obtained were statistically analyzed using nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test and least significant difference post hoc test. RESULTS: All test groups showed significant increase in dentin tubule occlusion as compared to control group. The highest percentage of tubules occluded was shown by Group 4 and Group 5 which was significantly different from other groups (P ≤ 0.05), and there was no significant difference in tubule occlusion among them. CONCLUSION: Newer desensitizing dentifrices containing 15% n-HA and Remin Pro can provide effective tubule occlusion and thereby reduce the pain and discomfort caused by DH.

Nanotechnology in Dentistry: Clinical Applications, Benefits, and Hazards.

Nanotechnology is emerging as an interdisciplinary field that is undergoing rapid development and has brought about enormous changes in medicine and dentistry. Nanomaterial-based design is able to mimic some of the mechanical and structural properties of native tissue and can promote biointegration. Nanotechnology has various applications in dentistry, including dentition renaturalization, therapy for dentin hypersensitivity, complete orthodontic realignment in a single visit, covalently bonding diamondized enamel, enhancing properties of root canal sealers, and continuous oral health maintenance using mechanical dentifrobots. A range of synthetic nanoparticles such as hydroxyapatite, bioglass, titanium, zirconia, and silver nanoparticles are proposed for dental restoration. This review focuses on the developments in the field of nanomaterials in dentistry in the form of tissue regeneration materials, implantable devices, nanocomposites, endodontic sealers etc. and issues of patient safety.

Comparison of efficacy of three different desensitizing agents for in-office relief of dentin hypersensitivity: A 4 weeks clinical study.

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of three different pastes containing 5% NovaMin, 8% arginine, and 15% hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (n-HA) respectively in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity (DH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 4 weeks study was conducted on 45 adult patients with cervical abrasions leading to hypersensitivity of two or more teeth anterior to molars. Patients were divided into three toothpaste groups. Group I: 5% NovaMin, Group II: 8% arginine, Group III: 15% n-HA. Sensitivity was assessed at baseline, immediately after application and after 1-week and 4 weeks. Tactile stimuli response using a visual analog scale and standard cold air blast using Schiff cold air sensitivity scale were used to compare the efficacies of toothpastes after a single application. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Two-way analysis of variance and post-hoc Tukey test were used and P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Visual analog scale analysis: Group III and Group II showed statistically significant reduction in DH at all-time intervals when compared with Group I. In SCA analysis there is no statistically significant difference between Group II and Group III immediately after application. CONCLUSION: Toothpaste containing 15% n-HA was found to be most effective in reduction of DH after a single application up to a period of 4 weeks followed by 8% arginine and 5% NovaMin toothpastes.

Effect of preoperative medications on the efficacy of inferior alveolar nerve block in patients with irreversible pulpitis: A placebo-controlled clinical study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to compare the effect of the administration of preoperative ibuprofen, ketorolac, combination of etodolac with paracetamol and combination of aceclofenac with paracetamol versus placebo for the potential increased effectiveness of the inferior alveolar nerve block [IANB] anesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 endodontic emergency patients in moderate to severe pain diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis of a mandibular posterior tooth randomly received, in a double-blind manner, either a drug or placebo 30 minutes before the administration of a conventional IANB. Cold testing was done before administration of anesthesia to determine level of pain using Heft-Parker Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score. Success was defined as no pain or pain (VAS) on access or initial instrumentation. RESULTS: Overall success was 54% for all the groups. Success was highest (70%) for the ketorolac group, 55% for both ibuprofen group and combination of aceclofenac with paracetamol group, 50% for combination of etodolac with paracetamol group, and 40% for the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of this study, the use of preoperative medication did improve the anesthetic efficacy of IANB for the treatment of teeth diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis but not significantly.