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Introduction: The morphology of the roots is variable and complex; hence, a better understanding of the root canal systems is important to provide optimal endodontic treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the number of roots, and root canals' morphology of the first and second premolars in the Syrian subpopulation, and their bilateral symmetry. In addition, it aimed at exploring the effect of gender on the morphological aspects. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and fifty cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images (140 images for females, 110 images for males) were collected and examined by two endodontists. Details of the number of roots, number of canals, and canals' configurations in each root were recorded according to Vertucci classification by inspecting the CBCT images in all levels (axial, coronal, sagittal, oblique, and three dimensional). The Chi-square statistical analysis was performed to compare the canals' morphologies and bilateral symmetry in both genders. Results: While most of the first premolars had two roots (59.2%), the majority of second premolars (80.8%) had one root. The highest proportions within the first and second premolars (41.8 and 36.1%) had Vertucci Type-II configuration. The ratios symmetry of maxillary first and second premolars for the number of roots were 90.4% and 93.6%, respectively, and for the number of canals were 94.4% and 90.4%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the proportion of symmetry for both genders in the first and second premolars regarding the number of roots and the number of canals (P > 0.05). Conclusions: While most maxillary first premolars were two-rooted with two root canals, maxillary second premolars tended to be single-rooted with two root canals; males had a greater number of roots than females. While maxillary second premolars exhibited greater bilateral symmetry in the number of roots than maxillary first premolars, the latter exhibited greater bilateral symmetry than maxillary second premolars in the number of root canals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the pattern of antibiotic prescribing practice among endodontists in Jordan and to evaluate their adherence to internationally accepted guidelines regarding therapeutic and prophylactic use of antibiotics. An online survey instrument was designed, piloted, and pretested to collect information about types, indications, doses, and duration of antibiotic use by specialist endodontists. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi square test at p < 0.05. The response rate was 83.1%. The first-choice antibiotic was amoxicillin with clavulanic acid (49.2%), while clindamycin was the preferred antibiotic for penicillin-allergic patients (83.6%). Respondents routinely prescribed antibiotic for acute apical abscesses with systemic involvement (100%), replantation of avulsed teeth (73.8%), and those at risk of developing infective endocarditis (86.9%). Most endodontists (70.5%) followed the American Association of Endodontists' guidelines on antibiotic prescription. 6.6% followed the regulations of the European Society of Endodontology, while 9.8% did not follow any guidelines. Inappropriate prescription of antibiotics is common among endodontists. Emphasis should be placed on improving the knowledge of endodontists about available guidelines and indications of antibiotic use in the prophylaxis and management of endodontic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the effects of different irrigation protocols, with/without laser activation, on the radicular dentine's micro-hardness., Methods: Eighty-two human extracted premolars were decoronated and divided into 7 groups. Roots were longitudinally split into two halves. The micro-hardness was measured for one half before and after irrigation protocols. The groups were; G1: MTAD without laser-activation, G2: MTAD with laser-activation, G3: sodium-hypochlorite (SH) with laser-activation, G4: SH then EDTA with laser-activation, G5: SH then MTAD with laser-activation, G6: SH without laser-activation. G7: distilled water (control). In the two-irrigants groups G4 and G5), samples were irrigated first with SH then with MTAD or EDTA irrigants, which were activated by the laser. The difference between the before- and after-irrigation micro-hardness was calculated to obtain the micro-hardness difference. Data were analyzed using the Paired Sample-t and Two-ways ANOVA tests at P=0.05., Results: Overall, the mean dentine's micro-hardness after-irrigation (103.1) was lower than before-irrigation (116.1) (P<0.001); except for the distilled-water group, (116.6 and 112.9, respectively) (P=0.075). The micro-hardness reduction of SH without laser-activation group (32.5) was the greatest (P<0.001). The single-irrigant or laser-activation irrigation protocols caused significantly less micro-hardness reduction compared to the two-irrigants or no laser-activation protocols. The mean micro-hardness reduction of SH and MTAD groups (both with laser-activation) (5.8 and 9.3, respectively) were significantly lower than other groups, but not from that of the control group (3.7)., Conclusion: Using irrigants significantly reduced the root-dentine's micro-hardness. Although irrigants agitation by an Er: Yag laser significantly minimized micro-hardness reduction, it did not suppress the adverse effects on dentine micro-hardness when two-irrigants were used., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: None declared., (Copyright: © 2019 European Endodontic Journal.)