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Objectives The present study aimed to evaluate the survival rate and clinical performance of class 1 composite restorations restored with the Filtek Bulk Fill composite material using either the bulk fill technique or the incremental technique at baseline (1 week) and at 3, 6 and 12 months of follow-up. Materials and Methods Forty-two patients with at least 2 carious teeth were selected. Following randomization, one tooth was restored with the Filtek Bulk Fill composite using the incremental fill technique, and the other tooth was restored with the same material using the bulk fill technique. Patients were recalled for follow-up at baseline (1 week) and 3, 6, and 12 months and evaluated using the FDI criteria. Results The data were analyzed using the McNemar χ2 test. No statistically significant differences were found between the scores of teeth restored with either technique. At baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up; there were no significant difference in the clinical status of both groups of restorations. Conclusions Within the limitations of this study, using the bulk fill technique for restorations with the Filtek Bulk Fill material seems to be equally efficient to using the incremental fill technique. Trial Registration Clinical Trials Registry-India Identifier: CTRI/2017/07/008961.

Aim: The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the effect of 4% titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4) and 1.23% acidic phosphate fluoride (APF) gel on the microhardness of human coronal dentin. Materials and Methods: Thirty noncarious extracted premolars were collected and sectioned buccolingually with the help of diamond disk. Exposing the sectioned surface, teeth were embedded in self-cure acrylic. Exposed coronal dentin was polished with abrasive papers starting with 220–5000 grit. Microhardness was evaluated by Vickers microhardness evaluator, at four different stages as follows - stage 1: Baseline values, Stage 2: Exposure of specimens to acidic environment at a pH 1 for 5 min, Stage 3: Application of 1.23% APF gel and 4% TiF4 (after dividing the specimens into two groups, i.e., Group A and B, respectively), and Stage 4: Followed by exposure of fluoridated specimens to acidic protocol as mentioned above. Results: Paired t-test was used to compare the readings between Groups A and B. Group B has shown greater resistance to decrease in microhardness of coronal dentin (P < 0.05) on exposure to acidic protocol. Conclusion: Due to acidic pH (1.5) of 4% TiF4, amount of increase in microhardness of dentin is

Introduction Diagnosis of pulpal inflammation is a key to endodontics. Pulse oximetry is a true vitality testing device which relies on oxygen saturation levels of pulp and helps in diagnosis of different pulpal conditions. Aim The aim of the study was to analyse oxygen saturation levels of different pulpally inflamed teeth by using pulse oximetry. Materials and methods Hundred patients were included in the study and categorized into five groups based on pulpal status of the test tooth by using heat test and cold test. Twenty patients were recruited in each of the experimental groups i.e., Reversible Pulpitis (RP), Irreversible Pulpitis (IP), Pulpal Necrosis (PN), Positive Control (PC, healthy teeth), and Negative Control (NC, endodontically treated teeth). Oxygen saturation levels of all the groups were measured along with each patient index finger oxygen saturation readings. Results were analysed by using ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests. Results The mean oxygen saturation levels of RP, IP, PN, PC and NC were 85.4%, 81.6%, 70.7%, 94.6% and 0 respectively. There was significant difference in the oxygen saturation levels between all the groups. Conclusion Pulse oximeter is an effective tool in diagnosing different pulpal pathologies especially PN which was interpreted inaccurately by thermal tests.

Background: Liners play a vital role in minimizing polymerization shrinkage stress by elastic bonding concept and increase the longevity and favorable outcome for composite restorations. Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical performance of nanohybrid composite restorations using resin-modified glass-ionomer and flowable composite liners. Settings and Design: A single-centered, double-blinded randomized clinical trial, with split-mouth design and equal allocation ratio that was conducted in the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics. Materials and Methods: In forty patients, a total of eighty Class I restorations were placed with resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (RMGIC) liner (FUJI II LC, GC America) in one group and flowable composite liner (smart dentin replacement/SDR, Dentsply Caulk, Milford, DE, USA) in another group. All restorations were clinically evaluated by two examiners, immediately (baseline), 3, 6, and 12 months using US Public Health Service modified criteria. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was performed using McNemar's test (P < 0.05). Results: There was no significant difference in the color match, marginal discoloration, surface roughness, and marginal adaptation. Restorations with RMGIC liner group show 20% Bravo scores on anatomic form at 12 months but are still clinically acceptable. Conclusion: Nanohybrid composite restorations with RMGIC (Fuji II LC) and flowable composite liner (SDR) demonstrated clinically acceptable performance after 12 months.

Aim: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of smear layer removal with a newer endodontic irrigation device, i.e., endoactivator system and with hard tissue laser, i.e., erbium, chromium:yttrium, scandium, gallium garnet laser (Er,Cr:YSGG). Materials and Methods: Forty-four mandibular premolars, single-rooted, noncarious teeth were selected. All the canals were prepared by using ProTaper Universal rotary files (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and 3% NaOCl. Teeth were then divided into two control groups and two experimental groups. Group A: Negative control group (N = 11)- without any final irrigation, Group B: Positive control group (N = 11)- final rinse with 1 mL smear clear for 1 min using no. 30 gauge needle, Group C: Endoactivator group (N = 11)-1 mL smear clear + endoactivator, Group D: Er,Cr:YSGG laser group (N = 11). Teeth were sectioned and observed for smear layer removal at apical, middle, and coronal thirds under scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results: Results were interpreted analytically by Kruskal-Wallis test and Wilcoxon signed-ranks test. Conclusion: The two experimental groups were significantly more efficient in smear layer removal than the control groups. There was no significant difference between the endoactivator and laser groups. All groups showed more efficient smear layer and debris removal coronally than in the middle and apical regions.

Actinomycosis is a rare infection caused by filamentous Actinomyces, which form club-shaped filaments arranged in a radiating pattern and rarely infects jawbone. Due to its nonspecificity from its clinical features, it has been considered as a challenging diagnosis. This case report describes a case of periapical cyst which was diagnosed as actinomycosis based on histopathological examination. Periapical actinomycosis is one of the most important reasons for the failure of nonsurgical treatment. Clinically, if the periapical lesion is largely associated with weeping canals, surgical debridement of granulation tissue is mandatory. In this case, surgical intervention and adjunctive platelet rich fibrin with osseograft provided successful healing.

Aim: The aim of the survey was to examine the output intensity of curing units and other related factors in private dental offices across Nellore urban area. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was prepared about the type of curing unit, number of restorations performed in a week, maintenance of curing unit, frequency of changing bulb, measurement of output intensity, presence, or absence of composite build--ups on curing tips. The questionnaire was submitted to 100 private dental offices located in Nellore urban area. Each variable in the questionnaire had an impact on quality of the composite restoration. Each curing unit light tip was also observed for the presence or absence of composite build--up. The output intensity of the curing light was measured using a digital radiometer (Ivoclar). The average of the three readings of the output intensity was obtained for each curing light. The average output intensity was divided into three categories ( Statistical Analysis: The results were statistically analyzed using linear regression analysis. Results: Among the 100 curing units examined, 84 were light emitting diode (LED) units, and 16 were quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) units. Only 22% LED machines and 3% QTH curing units had adequate intensities (>850 mW/cm2). A significant reduction in output intensity is seen with both types of older light curing units. Nearly 50% of practitioners had never checked the light output of their unit. Conclusion: It was concluded that there is a general lack of awareness among dentists of the need for maintenance of these units.