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Background and Objective: Despite a plethora of studies conducted to date, researchers continue to investigate the best sealer and obturation technique combinations. The aim of this study is to compare the apical seal provided by two bioceramic sealers (Endoseal and Endosequence) with that provided by a calcium hydroxide sealer (Sealapex), and to evaluate the effect of different obturation techniques (cold lateral condensation, continuous wave compaction and single cone) on the apical seal under a stereomicroscope. Materials and Methods: A total of 110 single-rooted mandibular premolar teeth were decoronated, cleaned and shaped using the Endosequence filing system to tip size 30/0.04 taper. Canals were irrigated with 5.25% NaOCl and 17% EDTA. The samples were randomly divided into 11 groups (9 experimental and 2 control groups) according to the designated sealer and technique. Samples were stored in an incubator for 7 days at 37 °C under 100% humidity. Samples were coated with nail varnish except for apical 2 mm and vertically placed in 0.2% rhodamine B dye solution for 48 h. Samples were split longitudinally and viewed under a stereomicroscope at 40× magnification. Results: Insignificant results were obtained between obturation techniques (p = 0.499) whereas statistically significant results were attained based on the type of endodontic sealer (p < 0.001). The overall lowest mean apical microleakage and best sealing ability was demonstrated by Sealapex (2.59 ± 1.20 mm) and amongst techniques by continuous wave compaction (3.90 ± 2.51 mm). Conclusions: Endosequence produced the best apical seal with the continuous wave compaction technique, whereas Endoseal did so with the bioceramic-coated single-cone technique. For the Sealapex sealer, the most effective apical seal was observed using cold lateral condensation. The quality and effectiveness of apical seal differed with the type of endodontic sealer and obturation technique used, and vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of premedication drugs including single dose Piroxicam and Prednisolone in regard to post endodontic pain at different time intervals (24, 48, 72 and 96 hours) after single visit root canal treatment. Methods: This randomized clinical trial (registration no. NCT04124822) was performed in operative dentistry department of a private clinical institute. One hundred twenty patients identified with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis were included in the study. The pain intensity levels were marked through the use of visual analog scale (VAS) before the commencement of treatment. The participants were randomly allocated in three groups, Group I (n=40) received no medication (control), Group II (n=40) received Piroxicam (20 mg) and Group III (n=40) received Prednisolone (20 mg). The drugs were administered thirty minutes before the endodontic procedure was initiated. Root canal treatmentwas carried out followed by placement of provisional restoration in a single appointment. The patients were instructed to continue marking their pain intensity levels after 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours using VAS. All patients were called for follow up after 4 days for clinical evaluation and the placement of permanent restoration. The effectiveness of each drug over different time interval was studied employing ANOVA test. The significance level was set at P=0.05. Results: The results of the present study revealed that a higher percentage of patients in all 3 groups, reported no post-operative pain at all evaluated time durations (24, 48, 72, and 96 hours). However, the long term effectiveness (96 hours) of both drugs to reduce post-endodontic pain was observed to be statistically insignificant. There was no significant difference in demographic data in terms of age (P=0.14), gender (P=0.12), whilst tooth type (P≤0.05) showed statistically significant value. Conclusion: Pre-medication with either single dose piroxicam or prednisolone was able to prevent post-endodontic pain in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to find out the frequency and related factors of dentine hypersensitivity among patients seen at Ishrat-ul-Ebad Institute of Health Sciences, Karachi. The present cross sectional study was conducted from 15th February to 15th April 2016 at Periodontology Department. Three hundred-sixty patients were examined after taking written consent. Interview based questionnaire was used to investigate and diagnosis of dental hypersensitivity was made using air blast from triple syringe. SPSS version 16.0 (SPSS Inc Chicago, IL, USA) was used to analyze the data. Variable differences were analyzed using Chi- squared tests. P<0.05 was considered significant. One hundred thirty-one patients were found to have Dentine Hypersensitivity. It was more common in females with a male to female ratio of 1: 1.7. Age group of 25- 34 years had highest frequency and patients aged 55 years and above had the lowest frequency. Patients educated higher than 12th standard had the highest frequency. Lower incisors were most commonly affected followed by upper incisors and predominantly affected site was buccal surface. Cold was the most common stimulus. Patients who did not have any habit of smoking and betel nut chewers were more affected than smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dental anxiety is a fear of visiting a dental health care provider for preventive or therapeutic care that leads to deterioration in oral health. The aim of this study was to measure the dental anxiety levels of patients presenting to the Operative dentistry department of Dental Section Dow International Medical College. It was a cross sectional study conducted between December 2014 and February 2015. Norman Corah's dental anxiety scale was used to measure the anxiety levels of patients.1 A questionnaire was developed based on this scale and a valid record of 383 forms was obtained. Amongst 383 patients, 125 were male patients (32%) while 258(67%) were female. Descriptive analysis was performed. Frequencies and cross tab calculations were carried out using SPSS version 20. Among other stressors, dental handpiece stood out as the most frightening. 12% of the respondents replied that they would get extremely anxious, making them feel physically sick while anticipating the use of a dental drill. Result showed that most of the patients (49%) had moderate dental anxiety that could be managed by simple non pharmacological means and counselling. While only 5% and 8% of the patients had high and severe (phobia) dental anxiety respectively. The mean dental anxiety level was 9.35 with Standard Deviation of ±3.06. More females had severe dental anxiety as compared to males (9% as compared to 5%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]