Comparison of dentinal tubular penetration of Intra-canal heated and Pre-heated sodium hypochlorite through different agitation techniques

INTRODUCTION

The efficacy of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) as an intracanal irrigant is widely debated in endodontic therapy. This study aimed to analyze and compare the penetration abilities of different modes of NaOCl application and assess the impact of various agitation strategies on promoting root canal cleanliness.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 168 single-rooted mandibular premolars that were randomly divided into eight groups. The two modes of application of 5% NaOCl evaluated were intracanal heating and preheating, and the agitation strategies included ultrasonic, sonic, and manual dynamic agitations (MDAs). The samples were sectioned and observed at a magnification of 1000× under a scanning electron microscope.

RESULTS

The analysis of variance test showed a statistically significant difference among the various groups of agitation (P < 0.05). The post hoc Tukey test confirmed that preheated NaOCl with ultrasonic agitation, intracanal-heated NaOCl with sonic agitation, and MDA had significantly higher debris scores of 1, 4, and 5, respectively, in the apical third of the canal.

CONCLUSION

The results indicated that the combination of intracanal-heated NaOCl and ultrasonic agitation is an effective method for reducing debris in the root canal system. These findings highlight the importance of considering both the mode of application and the agitation strategies when optimizing the use of NaOCl as an intracanal irrigant in endodontic therapy.

Association of midline discrepancy with tempromandibular joint disorder. A systematic review

Aim

The aim is to evaluate the association between midline discrepancies and tempromandibular disorders (TMDs).

Methods

Literature search was performed by using various search engines to include human studies in English. TMDs include a wide variety of signs and symptoms such as pain in and around TMJ, jaw muscles, clicking and locking of jaws, pain during mandibular movement and restricted mandibular movements. The etiology is multifactorial, including one or several of the following factors like severe malocclusions (increased overjet, retroclination of incisors, cross bite, CR CO discrepancies etc), stress and psychological factors, structural abnormalities as possible etiology. There are controversies concerning the association between different traits of malocclusion and TMDs. The aim of the present study was to find out any association between signs and symptoms of TMDs with midline discrepancies, which represent an important trait of malocclusion.

Result

Of the seven studies evaluated in this systematic review for investigating the association between midline discrepancy and TMD, six had moderate grade (B) of evidence. Four studies of moderate grade evidence (B) showed a significant association between the presence of midline shift and TMDs, and the remaining studies (two) had non-significant association. Only one study had a strong grade of evidence (A) and interestingly it denies the presence of midline shift to be a causative factor for TMDs. So, it can be concluded that the results are inconclusive regarding the association of midline discrepancies with TMDs. Nonetheless, this requires concrete evidence which necessitates further long term research into this aspect.

Comparison of different irrigation and agitation methods for the removal of two types of calcium hydroxide medicaments from the root canal wall: an in-vitro study

Background and aim

Comparison of different irrigation and agitation methods for the removal of two types of calcium hydroxide medicaments from the root canal walls.

Methods

Fifty extracted single rooted teeth were selected for this study. After decoronation, the root canals of these teeth were prepared to the size F3 (30 no.) using rotary ProTaper file system. These samples were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 (n=20) were filled completely with water based calcium hydroxide (CH), Group 2 (n=20) were filled with oil based CH using lentulo spiral, Group 3 (n=5) - the positive control group received the CH as intracanal medication, but no subsequent removal, Group 4 (n=5) - the negative control did not receive CH placement. Further on, Group 1 and Group 2 were divided into four sub-groups (n=5). In sub-group A we performed conventional syringe irrigation with side-vented needle sub-group B) manual dynamic agitation, sub-group C sonic agitation using endoactivator, sub-group D passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI). Roots were split longitudinally into mesial and distal halves. Digital images of the root canal walls were acquired by a Dental Operating Microscope (DOM) and assessed by using a scoring criteria at different thirds (coronal, middle and apical) of the root canal as follows: score 1, score 2, score 3, and score 4. Data were analyzed applying one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s multiple comparison tests at a 95% confidence interval (P < 0.05).

Results

Statistically significant differences were not found between the experimental groups and the negative group in any one third of the root canal (P>0.05). However, a difference did exist between the experimental groups and the positive control group (P<0.05). None of the experimental groups totally removed CH substances from root canal walls.

Conclusion

Among all experimental groups, removal of CH was best achieved by sonic agitation using endoactivator followed by passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), manual dynamic agitation and conventional syringe irrigation with side-vented needle.

Accidental injection of 2% chlorhexidine gluconate instead of an anesthetic agent: A case report

We report a case where 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) gluconate was mistaken for an anesthetic solution and infiltrated into the buccal vestibule during routine root canal treatment. Accidentally, 2% CHX gluconate solution was injected in the right upper buccal vestibule (16) of a 23-year-old male during routine root canal treatment. The patient experienced pain and a burning sensation over the injected area shortly after injection. Swelling with mild extraoral redness over the right cheek area was observed clinically. The patient was immediately administered dexamethasone intramuscularly, and was prescribed antibiotics, analgesics, and antihistamines. The patient complained of a loss of sensation over the right cheek by the 15^th day. The swelling reduced gradually over a period of 15 days. Reversal of sensation was attained after 35 days.

Successful removal of a 16 mm long pulp stone using ultrasonic tips from maxillary left first molar and its endodontic management

To present a case report describing successful removal of a 16 mm long pulp stone in a single mass from a maxillary left first molar and its endodontic management. In the presented case, the conventional approach of dissecting the pulp stone was not considered, as radiographically the calcification was extending up to the apex of the palatal root canal and the separation of the coronal and radicular pulp stone would have risked the obliteration of its orifice. A new set of ultrasonic endodontic tips were used for the removal of significantly large pulp stone in single mass.

Maxillary right second molar with two palatal root canals

We report a clinical case of maxillary right second molar with two palatal root canals. The morphology is atypical because it is characterized by two palatal roots with two canals with widely separated orifices and canals. Modifications to the normal access opening and examination of the pulpal floor for additional canals are stressed.

Sectional neuroanatomy of the lower limb II: leg and foot

The authors have produced a pair of articles that can be used to rapidly identify back, hip, and lower limb muscles and their innervation(s). This article presents the motor and sensory innervation of the lower limb by color-coding structures to match their peripheral nerves. It provides a companion summary table that allows prediction of unique patterns of denervation from 12 lesions sites.

Sectional neuroanatomy of the lower limb I: lower back and hip

This series of two articles is structured to provide anatomically accurate functional schematics of the motor and sensory innervation of the lower back, hip, and lower limb. This first paper provides radiographically oriented schematic axial sections of the lower back and hip in which the muscles are appropriately color-coded to match the peripheral nerves. A companion color-coded summary table allows prediction of unique patterns of denervation from 25 lesion sites. These are divided into three categories (roots T12 to S4, four plexal quadrants, and 11 sectional levels). Correlation between an imaging abnormality at one of these lesion sites and the predicted denervation pattern ensures the lesion is, in fact, clinically significant. The next article will continue this color-coded approach into the lower limb.