The Kamishibai theatre in work with children with intellectual disability.

The Kamishibai theatre is a traditional Japanese method of storytelling using illustrated boards successively taken out of a small wooden chest used as a screen. Although the method has a significant educational and therapeutic potential, researchers devote little attention to it, focusing mainly on its connection with developing language competency and promotion of reading. However, the Kamishibai theatre constitutes an excellent form of working with children with intellectual disability, as we try to demonstrate in this article. The article is devoted to the issues of using Kamishibai theatre in working with children with intellectual disabilities and the role the teacher plays in implementing this stimulation method. Considerations made are based on the results of two previous scientific projects oriented around the epiphanies and key experiences in the biographies of educators and the impact of various forms of communication within the Kamishibai theatre method on the perception of the content presented to children with intellectual disabilities. The article presents the results of our research, supplements the analysis with the indications regarding the role of the teacher conducting art therapy classes and an in-depth reflection on the predispositions a teacher should possess.

Ground-penetrating radar scanning and historical interpretation of the location of the destroyed Epiphany Cathedral in Kyiv Brotherhood Monastery (Ukraine).

Background: The article presents results of a ground penetrating radar (GPR) scanning carried out in a site of the Epiphany Cathedral of Brotherhood Monastery in Kyiv, Ukraine, destroyed in 1936 by the Soviets. The Cathedral is known as a burial site of Hetman Petro Sahaidachnyi (1582-1622), a Ukrainian Cossack political and civic leader, guardian and patron of Kyiv Brotherhood Monastery. The collection of archival documents, blueprints, stock sources, photographs and cartographic materials of the 17th-19th centuries, as well as historical works of the 19th-21st centuries, were thoroughly analyzed and used as a basis for the interpretation of geophysical results. The set of historical data covers the period from 1615, that is, from the beginning of the construction of the wooden Epiphany Church, the predecessor of the cathedral, to the present day. Methods: Summarized information about the construction, restoration after the fire, functioning and destruction of the Cathedral, as well as about the construction on its site in the 20th century, archaeological research in the 20th-21st centuries, was used to clarify possible location of hidden foundations and target GPR measurements. In this context, written testimonies of archaeologists who personally observed the foundations of the cathedral became especially valuable. The shielded GPR antennas, with a central frequency of 300 MHz and 700 MHz, is used for non-invasive investigation. Results: GPR scanning specified the site and showed the best-preserved group of foundations of the western wall of the Epiphany Cathedral. Conclusions: An integrated historical and geophysical study provided the basis to certify the foundation of the Epiphany Cathedral as a protected object of cultural heritage and facilitated its archaeological research.

Uma poética do feminino: considerações sobre uma certa hora perigosa / A poetics of the feminine: reflections on a certain dangerous hour / Una poética de lo femenino: consideraciones sobre cierta hora peligrosa / Une poétique du féminin: réflexions sur une certaine heure dangereuse

Entrelaçando fragmentos de uma experiência clínica com a narrativa de um dia na vida de Ana, personagem de um conto da escritora Clarice Lispector, a autora considera o feminino não como um adjetivo, uma qualidade, mas como um estado mental, algo não definitivo, não adquirido e perdido de forma absoluta; um estado mental fugidio que encarna o constitutivo do ser humano, isto é, o enigma da criação, a vida e a morte, o indizível, o mistério, a falta; o feminino como uma metáfora do sujeito na psicanálise, constituindo-se permanentemente na sustentação e no repúdio ao que espanta, fascina, causa horror e assombro.

Interweaving fragments of a clinical experience with the narrative of a day in the life of Ana, a character in a short story written by Clarice Lispector, the author considers the feminine not an adjective or a quality, but rather a mental state, something that is not definitive, not acquired and altogether lost; it is a fleeting mental state that embodies what constitutes the human being, that is to say, the enigma of creation, life and death, the unsayable, the mysterious, the lack; the feminine as a metaphor for the subject in psychoanalysis, which is permanently constituted in the support and repudiation of what frightens, fascinates, causes horror and dread.

Entrelazando fragmentos de una experiencia clínica con la narrativa de un día en la vida de Ana, personaje de un cuento de la escritora Clarice Lispector, la autora considera lo femenino no como un adjetivo, una cualidad, sino como un estado mental, algo no definitivo, no adquirido y perdido absolutamente; un estado mental fugaz que encarna lo que constituye el ser humano, es decir, el enigma de la creación, la vida y la muerte, lo indecible, el misterio, la carencia; lo femenino como metáfora del sujeto en psicoanálisis, constituyéndose permanentemente en el soporte y el rechazo de lo que asombra, fascina, provoca horror y asombro.

Entrelaçant des fragments d'une expérience clinique avec le récit d'une journée dans la vie d'Ana, le personnage d'une nouvelle de l'écrivaine Clarice Lispector, l'auteure considère que le féminin n'est pas un adjectif, une qualité, mais un état mental, quelque chose de non définitif, pas acquis et absolument perdu ; un état mental fugace qui incarne ce qui constitue l'être humain, c'est-à-dire, l'énigme de la création, la vie et la mort, l'indicible, le mystère, le manque ; le féminin comme métaphore du sujet en psychanalyse, se constituant en permanence dans le support et le rejet de ce qui étonne, fascine, fait horreur et stupéfaction.

A Confocal Microscopic Study on Percentage Penetration of Different Sealers into Dentin.

CONTEXT: Three-dimensional seal of the root canal space has always been challenging. The incorporation of gutta-percha and sealer prevents microleakage by bacteria, ensuring a shielded root canal space. However, the penetration of sealer to various depths within the root canal has always been looked with curiosity. AIMS: Thus, the present in vitro study was undertaken to evaluate the percentage and average depth of penetration of Endoflas F. S., AH Plus, and Epiphany sealers into dentinal tubules among the coronal, middle, and apical thirds of the roots following obturation with a lateral compaction technique using Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study is an in vitro randomized control trial. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty sound central incisors were decoronated at the level of the cementoenamel junction. Working length determination was done followed by a meticulous cleaning, shaping, and under copious irrigation. The teeth were then randomly divided into three groups: Endoflas FS sealer, AH Plus sealer, and Epiphany sealer. On fluorescence treatment, the teeth were sectioned at the midpoint of coronal, middle, and apical third of each root and viewed under confocal laser scanning microscope. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, and the significant difference between groups was analyzed with post hoc Tukey test. RESULTS: Epiphany sealer provided with better percentage and depth penetration in comparison to Endoflas FS and AH Plus sealers. Furthermore, the coronal third of the root had better percentage and sealer penetration than the middle and apical thirds. CONCLUSIONS: Sealers tend to provide a firm bond between the tooth and the gutta-percha. They bind, lubricate, and seal the gutta-percha cones to fill the accessory canals. Within the limitations of this study, the superior flow and enhanced setting time Epihany sealers provide better percentage and depth of penetration than AH Plus and Endoflas FS.

In Vitro comparison of the microbial leakage of obturation systems: Epiphany with resilon, guttaflow, and ah plus with gutta percha.

AIM: To compare the microbial leakage of three root canal filling materials: AH Plus with Gutta-percha, Epiphany with Resilon, and Guttaflow using Enterococcus faecalis as the bacterial marker. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 30 caries free, human maxillary incisors with straight roots were used. The teeth were de-coronated with a diamond disc and the length was standardized for all specimens. Access opening was done through the coronal portion and the working length was determined. All the teeth were prepared to a standardized size apically and coronally. The teeth were then randomly divided into three experimental groups each. After obturation of the root canals, the outer surfaces of the teeth were coated with two layers of nail enamel except the apical 2 mm. The teeth were then subjected for bacterial leakage test using E. faecalis as a bacterial marker in dual chamber bacterial leakage model for a period of 30 days. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Chi-square test. RESULTS: Results showed that Resilon/Epiphany (Group-2) demonstrated less leakage and Gutta-percha/AH Plus (Group-1) showed maximum leakage with the statistically significant difference between the two (P < 0.05). Guttaflow (Group-3) also showed less leakage than Gutta-percha/AH Plus (Group-1) with the statistically significant difference between the two (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between Resilon/Epiphany (Group-2) and Guttaflow (Group-3). CONCLUSION: Resilon/Epiphany and Guttaflow groups demonstrated less microbial leakage than Gutta-percha/AH Plus group.

Comparison of Fracture Resistance of Two Resin-based Sealers to Root Canal Walls: An In Vitro Study.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: In the present study, the prepared roots obturated by gutta-percha/AH plus and Resilon/Epiphany were tested and compared for fracture resistance. The study also does a scanning electron microscope (SEM) evaluation of the adaptability of these obturating materials to root canal walls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred extracted mandibular premolars were decoronated and the dimensions of the roots were standardized. Each root was prepared to a size of #25 with 6% taper. Roots were gauged after preparation and those requiring more preparation were discarded. Seventy-seven prepared roots were finally selected for the study. The samples were then divided into three groups. Group I with 25 specimens was control group in which no obturation was performed, group II with 26 specimens was obturated by gutta-percha/AH plus sealer, and group III with 26 specimens was filled by Resilon/Epiphany. The method for obturation was cold lateral condensation. The samples were then stored at 100% humidity for 2 weeks. One random sample from groups II and III was subjected to SEM analysis. Groups I, II, and III were then subjected to vertical loading in Instron machine. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and Tukey's multiple comparison test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Group III exhibited the maximum fracture resistance as compared to groups I and II. The least mean fracture resistance of 370.05 N was seen in group II and the maximum mean fracture resistance of 481.05 kN was observed in group III. One-way ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison test between groups I, II, and III, group III showed a highly significant resistance to fracture as compared to groups I and II (p < 0.0001). Scanning electron microscope microphotographs showed a better adaptation of Resilon/Epiphany as compared to gutta-percha/AH plus to the root canal. CONCLUSION: The Resilon/Epiphany on obturation of root canals creates a monoblock by penetrating inside the dentinal irregularities, which strengthens the root and provides fracture resistance. This fracture resistance was significantly higher in the present study as compared to groups I and II. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In the present study, Resilon/Epiphany when used to obturate the prepared canals showed a promising result both in terms of fracture resistance and adaptability to root canal walls. This paves a way for the use of this combination of obturating material not only to strengthen the compromised root strength in clinical scenario but also providing an increased sealing ability which will contribute to the success of root canal treatment.

Effect of Distinctive Moisture Conditions on Push-out Bond Strength of Three Root Canal Sealers-An In-Vitro Study.

OBJECTIVE: Endodontic sealer should adhere to both dentin and the core filling material but the moisture conditions of the canals affect the adhesive properties of the sealer. An ideal sealer with perfect moisture conditions will lead to greater strength of the restored tooth, which may provide greater resistance to tooth fracture and clinical longevity of an endodontically treated tooth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of moisture conditions on the push-out bond strength of three root canal sealers: AH Plus® (Dentsply-Tulsa Dental, Tulsa, OK), Epiphany (Pentron Clinical Technologies, Wallingford, CT), and GuttaFlow (Coltene/Whaledent, Altstatten, Switzerland). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 single-rooted, non-carious teeth were collected for the study and were stored in normal saline. The root canals were prepared using step-back technique. Teeth were divided into four groups based on type of drying procedure used and further subdivided into three subgroups based on the type of sealer used. The samples were cut horizontally to produce slices and then tested for push-out bond strength using Universal Testing Machine (Servo Series 50 kN; P S I Sales Private Limited, New Delhi, India). The specimens were examined for mode of fracture under magnification and the results were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Distinctive moisture conditions for all sealers were observed and the highest strength of AH Plus® was evaluated under moist condition, Epiphany under dry condition, and GuttaFlow under normal condition, respectively. CONCLUSION: Distinctive moisture conditions affect the push-out bond strength of the sealers.

An In Vitro Evaluation of Apical Leakage in Gutta-percha/ AH Plus and Resilon/Epiphany-filled Root Canals Using Two Dye Penetration Techniques.

AIM: Aim of the present study was to evaluate the apical leakage in gutta-percha/AH plus and resilon/epiphany filled root canals using two dye penetration techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty freshly extracted human single-rooted teeth were collected. The crown portion of each tooth was sectioned from the cementoenamel junction using a diamond disk. The canals were instrumented using Step back technique up to a caliber of 40. The roots were randomly divided into four experimental groups of 15 sample units each. All the groups are obturated using lateral compaction technique. Samples were placed in India ink and stored in an incubator for 7 days after which they were thoroughly washed under tap water and dried. The roots were divided into longitudinal splitting technique with diamond disks and using clearing technique was checked for linear dye penetration using stereomicroscope. The surfaces were scanned and surfaces with greatest dye penetration were measured by using De winter Biowizard software system. RESULTS: The mean leakage for groups I, II, III, and IV are 2.31980, 2.68140, 4.11567, and 4.21047 respectively. One-way ANOVA was applied to the mean leakage scores of different groups, found a significant difference between mean leakage scores. F value of 3.266 and it was found to be significant with a p value of 0.028. Significant differences were obtained for mean comparisons of groups I and III, groups I and IV and groups III and IV. Further, between groups I and II, groups II and III, and groups III and IV no significant differences were observed. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, gutta-percha/AH Plus sealed root canals showed lesser leakage than the Resilon Epiphany groups and there was no significant difference in the two different methodologies used for dye penetration. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Tightly adapted endodontic filling material is one of the goals in successful clinical endodontics and Improvements in the adhesive technology have fostered attempts to reduce apical and coronal leakage by bonding to the root canal walls to obtain a solid monoblock.

Demystifying Balint culture and its impact: An autoethnographic analysis.

Balint groups are a structured group process designed for physicians and other helping professionals to provide feedback to each other concerning troublesome patient encounters. The process of Balint groups has survived and even thrived for more than a half century since their inception, suggesting their inherent value. However, measuring the impact in order to communicate the nature of that value has been elusive. A recent literature review highlighted the equivocal nature of research results and suggested that well-designed qualitative research may be more effective in selecting target measures which could result in better evidence for this group process. This paper describes such an effort using a qualitative analysis of the author's own reflections about significant moments and learnings while participating in Balint groups.

Computational modeling of epiphany learning.

Models of reinforcement learning (RL) are prevalent in the decision-making literature, but not all behavior seems to conform to the gradual convergence that is a central feature of RL. In some cases learning seems to happen all at once. Limited prior research on these "epiphanies" has shown evidence of sudden changes in behavior, but it remains unclear how such epiphanies occur. We propose a sequential-sampling model of epiphany learning (EL) and test it using an eye-tracking experiment. In the experiment, subjects repeatedly play a strategic game that has an optimal strategy. Subjects can learn over time from feedback but are also allowed to commit to a strategy at any time, eliminating all other options and opportunities to learn. We find that the EL model is consistent with the choices, eye movements, and pupillary responses of subjects who commit to the optimal strategy (correct epiphany) but not always of those who commit to a suboptimal strategy or who do not commit at all. Our findings suggest that EL is driven by a latent evidence accumulation process that can be revealed with eye-tracking data.

Fracture Resistance of Roots after Application of Different Sealers.

INTRODUCTION: Vertical root fracture inevitably leads to tooth extraction. Thus, root filling with obturating materials and sealers that can reinforce the tooth would be an ideal way to reduce fracture in root treated teeth. This study aimed to assess the fracture resistance of roots following the application of different sealers including Epiphany, iRoot sealer and AH-plus. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Fifty extracted human single-canal premolars without caries, curvature or cracks were used in this study. Tooth crowns were cut to yield 13-mm-long roots. Five roots were put in the negative control group and were left unprepared. Forty-five canals were prepared using ProTaper rotary files up to F3 and were then randomly divided into three groups based on the sealer type (n=15). The root canals were filled using cold lateral condensation technique with gutta-percha and AH-Plus sealer, gutta-percha and iRoot sealer and Resilon and Epiphany sealer, in groups one to three, respectively. The roots were then mounted in acrylic molds for fracture resistance testing and subjected to compressive load at a crosshead speed of 1mm/min until fracture. Data were analyzed using the one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: The mean fracture resistance was 673.38±170.42 N in AH-Plus, 562.00±184.68 N in iRoot, 708.03±228.05 N in Resilon and 592.59±117.29 N in the control group. No statistically significant difference was found between the experimental groups and the negative control group (P=0.26). CONCLUSION: Application of AH-Plus, bioceramic and Resilon sealers did not change the fracture resistance of roots compared to that of unprepared root canals.

An in-vitro comparative study for assessment of apical sealing ability of Epiphany/AH Plus sealer with Resilon/gutta-percha root canal filling materials.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Endodontic treatment is directed to eliminate microbial challenges from the root canal system and to create a complete seal. The aim of this study was to assess the apical sealing ability of resin-based Epiphany-Resilon root canal filling system and to compare it with the sealing abilities of different combinations of AH Plus, gutta-percha, Epiphany, and Resilon. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred extracted human maxillary incisor roots were treated endodontically. The samples were divided into groups A, B, C, and D, with each group containing 25 samples. Group A: Canals obturated with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer; Group B: Canals obturated with Resilon and Epiphany; Group C: Canals obturated with gutta-percha and Epiphany; Group D: Control group canals obturated with gutta-percha without a sealer. The sealing ability of each of the obturation techniques was tested using the dye penetration method followed by the clearing method using alcohol. Stereo microscope was used to measure the extent of dye penetration. Statistical data analysis was performed using analysis of variance and Tukey tests. RESULTS: Microleakage was found in all the four groups. Apical extent of mean microleakage was maximum for gutta-percha, followed by Gutta-percha + AH-plus and Gutta-percha + Epiphany, and the least with Resilon + Epiphany. Statistically significant difference (P < 0.01) was seen in the apical leakage. CONCLUSION: All the samples tested showed microleakage. The "Epiphany soft resin endodontic obturation system" showed a superior result compared to other obturation materials.

Evaluation of Fracture Resistance of Endodontically Treated Teeth Filled with Gutta-Percha and Resilon Obturating Material: An In Vitro Study.

BACKGROUND: As per many studies endodontically treated teeth are widely considered to be more susceptible to fracture than vital teeth. Obturation strains and post placement have been a major cause of vertical root fracture. Present study was conducted to compare in vitro fracture resistance after filling with either Gutta-percha or Resilon by lateral condensation techniques in root canals. This study evaluated a new thermoplastic synthetic polymer based on polyester, which contains bioactive and radiopaque filler, Resilon performs every way as Gutta-percha except that it allows the bonding agent to attach to the resin core and the dentin wall thus forming a monoblock. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study 90 freshly extracted single-rooted human mandibular premolar teeth endodontically treated, were cut at the cemento-enamel junction, and were randomly divided into three groups of 30 each as teeth of Group A (Control) received no obturation, Group B teeth were obturated using Gutta-percha/AH26, and Group C teeth were obturated using Resilon/Epiphany obturating kit. Each specimen were mounted in acrylic in a polyvinyl ring and then tested for fracture resistance with the help of an universal testing machine. A compressive force was applied until the root is fractured. The data were subjected to analysis of variance for comparing mean difference of fracture resistance among three groups. Multiple comparisons among these groups were carried out by non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis analysis. A p value of <0.0001 was considered a statistically significant difference. RESULTS: The results obtain after analysis showed no significant differences in the fracture resistance between the two tested groups of endodontic sealers. CONCLUSION: Within the limitation of the present in-vitro study, Resilon/Epiphany sealer performs better than Gutta-percha/AH 26 sealer with lateral condensation technique.

X-ray observation of root canal filling with Resilon/Epiphany Self-Etch / 实用口腔医学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the quality of root filling with Resilon/Epiphany Self-Etch(RESE).Methods:30 recently extrac-ted mandibular premolars were randomly divided into 2 groups.After root canal preparation,the roots in experimental group(n =1 4) were filled with RESE,those in control group(n =1 6)were filled with Gutta-percha/AH plus.The quality of the optical obturation was evaluated by X-ray photography.Results:The buccolingual X-ray scores of the two filling materials were higher than the mesiodistal sores(P 0.05).The mesiodistal X-ray score of RESE group was higher than that of Gutta-percha/AH plus group(P <0.05).Conclusion:The X-ray resistance of the RESE filling system is more favorable than Gutta-percha/AH plus for the evaluation of root filling quality by X-ray examination.

Evaluation of the apical sealing ability of bioceramic sealer, AH plus & epiphany: An in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: This in vitro study evaluated and compared the microleakage of three sealers; Endosequence bioceramic (BC) sealer, AH Plus and Epiphany. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study was done on 75 extracted human single rooted permanent teeth, which were decoronated and the root canals were instrumented. The specimens were randomly divided into three groups (n = 25) and obturated by continuous wave condensation technique. Group A: using Endosequence BC, Group B: using AH Plus sealer, Group C: using Resilon Epiphany system. Microleakage was evaluated using dye penetration method. Teeth were split longitudinally and then horizontally markings were made at 2, 4 and 6 mm from the apex. Dye penetration evaluation was done under stereomicroscope (30X magnification). RESULTS: The dye penetration in Group B was more than in Group A and C in both vertical and horizontal directions, suggesting that newly introduced BC sealer and Epiphany sealer sealed the root canal better compared to AH Plus Sealer. CONCLUSION: Newer root canal sealers seal the root canal better but cannot totally eliminate leakage.

Push-Out Bond Strength of Dorifill, Epiphany and MTA-Fillapex Sealers to Root Canal Dentin with and without Smear Layer.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present experimental study was to evaluate the push-out bond strength of Dorifill, Epiphany and MTA-Fillapex sealers to root canal dentin in presence and absence of smear layer (SL). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Sixty human single-rooted teeth were selected and divided into six groups (n=10). The canal irrigation protocol in groups 1, 3 and 5 consisted of 2.5% NaOCl during instrumentation and normal saline at the end of preparation plus a 5-min irrigation with 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). In the remaining groups, normal saline was used for canal irrigation. The root canals were filled with Epiphany/Resilon (groups 1 and 2), Dorifill/gutta-percha (groups 3 and 4) and MTA-Fillapex/gutta-percha (groups 5 and 6). After two weeks of storage in 95% relative humidity at 37(º)C, 2 mm-thick dentin disks were prepared from coronal third of each root. The push-out bond strength test was carried out using a universal testing machine. Data were analyzed with the two-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey's tests. Statistical significance was defined at 0.05. RESULTS: The highest (3.06±0.38 MPa) and lowest (1.16±0.32 MPa) push-out bond strength values were recorded in Epiphany/Resilon-NaOCl/EDTA and Dorifill/gutta-percha/normal saline groups, respectively. There were significant differences in the bond strength of sealers (P<0.05). In addition, elimination of the SL significantly increased the bond strength of all sealers (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The Epiphany/Resilon group exhibited the highest push-out bond strength in the presence and absence of the SL. Elimination of the SL resulted in a significant increase in the bond strength of all the sealers to dentin.

Residual Antimicrobial Activity of MTAD(®) in Human Dentin After Obturation with Gutta-Percha/AH26 and Resilon/RealSeal SE at Different Time Intervals; An Ex Vivo Study.

OBJECTIVES: To eliminate microorganisms that are responsible for pulpal and periapical infections and to prevent reinfection of the root canal system an effective chemomechanical preparation by irrigants with sustained antimicrobial activity is beneficial. Hereby, we evaluated the residual antibacterial activity of MTAD after canal obturation at different time intervals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 human single-canalled anterior teeth were selected. The root canals were instrumented to a standardized apical size. Among all, 90 teeth received final irrigation with MTAD and were divided into three groups according to their obturation materials; i.e. gutta-percha/AH26, Resilon/RealSeal SE and positive controls. All these groups were divided into three 1-, 3- and 6-week time interval subgroups. Thirty teeth as negative control had no final irrigation with MTAD, but were obturated with gutta-percha/AH26 or Resilon/RealSealSE. Dentin powder was prepared after 1, 3 and 6 weeks. Dentin powder was exposed to Enterococcus faecalis for 24h and then cultured. Colony Forming Unit (CFU) was counted. RESULTS: Residual antimicrobial activity of MTAD in the teeth obturated with guttapercha/AH26 was significantly higher than the teeth obturated with Resilon/RealSeal SE (p<0.001). It also showed a time dependent decrease in MTAD antimicrobial activity for all groups. The highest antimicrobial activity of MTAD was found in the 1-week positive control and 1-week gutta-percha/AH26 specimens. The lowest antimicrobial activity of MTAD was found in 6-week Resilon/RealSeal SE samples and then the negative controls. CONCLUSION: MTAD had antimicrobial activity even at the sixth week, although it had a time-dependent decrease. Resilon/Epiphany SE significantly decreased antimicrobial activity of MTAD at all time points.

Apical sealing ability of resilon/epiphany system.

BACKGROUND: Endodontic leakage research focus mainly on the quality of the apical seal of the root canal system and the newly introduced resilon/epiphany system claim to be superior to Gutta-percha in respect to obturation procedure. The aim of this study is to evaluate the root canal obturation completed by resilon/epiphany system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 42 teeth were selected and were divided into four groups. Two experimental groups consisted of 15 teeth each and positive control group consisted of eight teeth and negative control group consisted of four teeth. In the experimental groups, Group 1 was obturated with resilon/epiphany system and Group 2 was obturated with Gutta-percha and endofil sealer by lateral condensation technique. The teeth were then immersed in Methelene blue solution and were split longitudinally to access the amount of dye penetrated in the canal. The specimens were viewed under scanning electron microscope to evaluate the adhesion of the obturating material to the root canal walls. Data was subjected to statistical analysis by Analysis of Variance and Bonferroni multiple comparison test at 1% level of significance. RESULTS: The resilon/epiphany system showed better adaptation to the root canal walls, but the difference in dye penetration was not statistically significant when compared to specimens obturated with Gutta-percha and endofil sealer. CONCLUSION: Although, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups, but resilon/epiphany system showed better adaptation to the root canal walls.

Comparison of ProTaper and Mtwo retreatment systems in the removal of resin-based root canal obturation materials during retreatment.

To evaluate the effectiveness of the ProTaper and Mtwo retreatment systems for removal of resin-based obturation techniques during retreatment. A total of 160 maxillary anterior teeth were enlarged to size 30 using ProTaper and Mtwo rotary instruments. Teeth were randomly divided into eight groups. Resilon + Epiphany, gutta-percha + Epiphany, gutta-percha + AH Plus and gutta-percha + Kerr Pulp Canal Sealer (PCS) combinations were used for obturation. ProTaper and Mtwo retreatment files were used for removal of root canal treatments. After clearing the roots, the teeth were split vertically into halves, and the cleanliness of the canal walls was determined by scanning electron microscopy. Specimens obturated with gutta-percha and Kerr PCS displayed significantly more remnant obturation material than did specimens filled with resin-based obturation materials. Teeth prepared with Mtwo instruments contained significantly more remnant filling material than did teeth prepared with ProTaper. ProTaper files were significantly faster than Mtwo instruments in terms of the mean time of retreatment and time required to reach working length. The Resilon + Epiphany and AH Plus + gutta-percha obturation materials were removed more easily than were the Epiphany + gutta-percha and Kerr PCS + gutta-percha obturation materials. Although ProTaper retreatment files worked faster than did Mtwo retreatment files in terms of removing root canal obturation materials, both retreatment systems are effective, reliable and fast.

Epiphany sealer penetration into dentinal tubules: Confocal laser scanning microscopic study.

AIMS: The aim of the following study was to evaluate the percentage and average depth of epiphany sealer penetration into dentinal tubules among the coronal, middle and apical thirds of the root using the confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 10 maxillary central incisors were prepared and obturated with Resilon-Epiphany system. Sealer was mixed with fluorescent rhodamine B isothiyocyanate dye for visibility under confocal microscope. Teeth were cross-sectioned into coronal, middle and apical sections-2 mm thick. Sections were observed under CLSM. Images were analyzed for percentage and average depth of sealer penetration into dentinal tubules using the lasso tool in Adobe Photoshop CS3 (Adobe systems incorporated, San jose, CA) and laser scanning microscopy (LSM 5) image analyzer. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: One-way analysis of variance with Student Neuman Keuls post hoc tests, Kruskal-Wallis test and Wilcoxon signed-rank post hoc tests. RESULTS: The results showed that a higher percentage of sealer penetration in coronal section-89.23%, followed by middle section-84.19% and the apical section-64.9%. Average depth of sealer penetration for coronal section was 526.02 µm, middle-385.26 µm and apical-193.49 µm. CONCLUSIONS: Study concluded that there was higher epiphany sealer penetration seen in coronal followed by middle and least at apical third of the roots.