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Most previous research on academic failure has sought to understand the reasons students failed. The aim of this study was to identify factors that led to academic success for dental students who had previously failed written examinations, using interviews based on Appreciative Inquiry (AI). The AI approach led the investigators to focus on positive aspects of what helped students overcome failure, rather than the reasons for it. Students in this qualitative study, conducted in 2016 at a dental college in India, completed a questionnaire with six open-ended questions and participated in individual semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling identified 25 students as possible participants; 21 volunteered to participate; and data saturation was reached after interviews with 15. Four key themes were identified in the data collected. On the theme of learning strategies, participants mentioned modifying their attitude toward studying and making it learning-oriented. On the theme of resources, participants reported strategies for obtaining books, others' notes, and teachers' guides to help with studying. In the third theme, psychological aspects, students reported methods used to motivate themselves to succeed after failing. The fourth theme, environmental factors, concerned the key means of support provided by parents, teachers, and seniors/peers. All the students reported that the failure had been a turning point and that overcoming it had boosted their self-confidence. One student said he learned to "never give up and keep trying till you succeed," and most spoke of continuing the best practices they learned. These findings suggest that knowledge-oriented studying, conceptual learning, appropriate study material, internal motivation, and support of parents, teachers, and peers may help dental students overcome failure.

This case report describes the management of formocresol osteo-gingival necrosis in a mandibular molar with lingual and furcal perforations using resorbable demineralized bone matrix and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Three-year postoperative follow-up showed a substantial resolution of the osseous defect as well as a clinically and radiographically sound periodontium. Despite an apparently poor prognosis, conservative management of the case using a combination of demineralized bone matrix and MTA led to a successful outcome. Further, this report warrants that formaldehyde-containing medicaments have no role in contemporary endodontics.

The aim of this study was to investigate if a videotaped feedback method enhanced teaching and learning outcomes in a preclinical operative laboratory setting for novice learners. In 2013, 60 dental students at a dental school in India were randomly assigned to two groups: control (n=30) and experimental (n=30). The control group prepared a Class II tooth preparation for amalgam after receiving a video demonstration of the exercise. The experimental group received the same video demonstration as the control group, but they also participated in a discussion and analysis of the control groups' videotaped performance and then performed the same exercise. The self-evaluation scores (SS) and examiner evaluation scores (ES) of the two groups were compared using the unpaired t-test. The experimental group also used a five-point Likert scale to rate each item on the feedback form. The means of SS (13.65±2.43) and ES (14.75±1.97) of the experimental group were statistically higher than the means of SS (11.55±2.09) and ES (11.60±1.82) of the control group. Most students in the experimental group perceived that this technique enhanced their learning experience. Within the limits of this study, the videotaped feedback using both ideal and non-ideal examples enhanced the students' performance.

Tooth related factors such as palatoradicular groove can be one of the causes for localized periodontal destruction. Such pathological process may result in apicomarginal defect along with inflammation of pulp. This creates challenging situation which clinician must be capable of performing advanced periodontal regenerative procedures for the successful management. This case report discusses clinical management of apicomarginal defect associated with extensive periradicular destruction in a maxillary lateral incisor, along with histopathologic aspect of the lesion.

IntroductionTaurodontism is a morpho-anatomic variation in tooth anatomy that rarely affects mandibular premolars. Literature is replete with mandibular first premolars presenting atypical additional root canals, but concurrent presence of three roots and taurodontism is exceptional.Materials and methodsThis case report describes the successful endodontic diagnosis and management of a rare case of taurodontism in a mandibular first premolar with chronic apical periodontitis. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) facilitated the diagnosis of three roots and root canals associated with concurrent taurodontism. The taurodont premolar required exceptional and diligent care in each segment of endodontic treatment for the complex root canal system.ResultsTaurodontism-affected premolars present with challenges in endodontic therapy as they have apically displaced pulp chambers with limited width. Cone beam computed tomography and dental operating microscope can facilitate evaluation for teeth with such complex anatomy and their successful endodontic management.How to cite this articleWadekar SI, Shah DY, Shah JR, Gathani KM. Endodontic Management of a Three-rooted Mandibular First Premolar associated with Taurodontism. J Oper Dent Endod 2016;1(2):90-92.

Intentional replantation has been used as an alternative treatment modality to tooth extraction and prosthetic replacement when conventional endodontic treatment modalities are unfeasible or contraindicated. This case report presents a successful case of intentional replantation for the mandibular first molar with an endodontic mishap. An endodontic instrument was separated in the apical third of the root canal and extended beyond its mesiobuccal root apex. Intentional replantation served as a means to remove the separated instrument. The periodontal ligament (PDL) cells were kept viable throughout the endodontic treatment using a distinctive technique, wherein a preoperative impression is used for continuous wetting with saline. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) was shredded and placed in the alveolar socket to enhance PDL cell reattachment and prevent ankylosis. The 2-year successful follow-up reinforced that intentional replantation can be a viable option for removal of separated instruments that lie beyond the root apex. The use of these techniques to keep PDL cells viable and the use of PRF can aid in prevention of ankylosis.

Context and Aims: The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate the shaping ability of ProTaper (PT) and Self-Adjusting File (SAF) system using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to assess their performance in oval-shaped root canals. Materials and Methods: Sixty-two mandibular premolars with single oval canals were divided into two experimental groups (n = 31) according to the systems used: Group I – PT and Group II – SAF. Canals were evaluated before and after instrumentation using CBCT to assess centering ratio and canal transportation at three levels. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance, post hoc Tukey's test, and t-test. Results: The SAF showed better centering ability and lesser canal transportation than the PT only in the buccolingual plane at 6 and 9 mm levels. The shaping ability of the PT was best in the apical third in both the planes. The SAF had statistically significant better centering and lesser canal transportation in the buccolingual as compared to the mesiodistal plane at the middle and coronal levels. Conclusions: The SAF produced significantly less transportation and remained centered than the PT at the middle and coronal levels in the buccolingual plane of oval canals. In the mesiodistal plane, the performance of both the systems was parallel.

Children have a common habit of exploring carious or traumatically exposed teeth using various foreign objects such as metal screws, staple pins, darning needles, pencil leads, beads, paper clip, and toothpicks, which may sometimes break inside the pulp chamber or root canal. Majority of such cases are asymptomatic and hence diagnosed accidentally on routine radiographic examination. However, embedded foreign objects may sometimes act as a potential source of infection and are convoyed with pain or recurrent swelling. Dentists must be aware of the self-inflicted dental injury, its consequences, and selection of the all-inclusive treatment strategies giving due consideration to cost-benefit ratio of the different treatment options. This case series highlights the possible dental consequences of placing foreign objects in the mouth and various management strategies. Four cases of self-inflicted dental injuries involving patients aged 10–20 years are presented and investigated from the endodontic, pedodontic, and psychiatric viewpoints. In all cases, the cause has been easily identified by clinical appearance corroborated with a good history. This paper discusses a nonsurgical technique to retrieve these objects from the root canal with minimal damage to internal tooth structure.

Caries or trauma induced non-vital immature permanent tooth with blunderbuss, thin root which are very common among childrens are corrected using regenerative endodontic (revascularization) procedures. In the presented case, a 16-year-old boy reported with chief complaint of pain in maxillary left central incisor (Tooth #21). Tooth #21 showed grade III mobility, draining labial sinus, and short blunderbuss root with diffuse periapical radiolucency. Patient was explained the treatment plan and written informed consent was taken. Platelet rich fibrin (PRF) was prepared according to standard protocol. Autologous PRF was carried to the apical portion of the root canal after inducing revascularization. Access opening was double sealed with MTA and resin modified glass ionomer cement (RMGI). Baseline, 12 month and 18 month follow-up intraoral radiographs were taken. Clinically case was asymptomatic with complete resolution of intraoral sinus. Periapical healing, apical closure, root lengthening and dentinal wall thickening were uneventful. Thus PRF supplementation hastens the predictability and rate of revascularization in non-vital immature permanent teeth.

Anatomic variations may be observed in the crown or in the roots of maxillary molars. In rare instances, crown and root morphology, both show variations. Occurrence of paramolar cusp on the occlusal surface as central cusp or on the buccal surface as parastyle has been frequently reported in maxillary molars. However, presence of paramolar cusp on the palatal surface has not been reported. ‘Formation supradentalis’ is a condition in which supernumerary cusp is associated with a supernumerary root in a molar. The occurrence of such concomitant corono-radicular morphology is multifactorial, that is primary polygenic with secondary environmental influences. This case reports the diagnosis and endodontic management of Formation-supradentalis that had six cusps and four roots in the maxillary first molar. The tooth exhibited a prominent paramolar palatal cusp and cusp of Carabelli along with a supernumerary palatal root. To the best of author's knowledge, this is the first documentation of endodontic management of Formation supradentalis.