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Introduction: In root canal treatment, chemical debridement of the root canal with the help of irrigants is important due to the complex internal anatomy of the teeth. Biomechanical root canal preparation produces a smear layer. It covers the dentinal tubules, which may interfere with the penetration of various irrigants and intracanal medicaments, so the smear layer has to be removed. The potential side effects and certain limitations of chemical irrigants for smear layer removal have led to a shift toward herbal alternatives. Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the smear layer removal efficacy of Neem leaf extract, Propolis, and Orange oil as endodontic irrigants using the scanning electron microscope. Materials and Methods: Ninety samples were taken and then randomly (simple random sampling method) divided into three experimental groups (n = 30) depending upon different endodontic irrigants used: Group 1-Neem leaf extract, Group 2-Orange oil and Group 3-Propolis and smear layer removal evaluation was done under the scanning electron microscope Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) at all the levels, i.e., coronal, middle, and apical. Results: The collected data were analyzed using the Chi-square test. Group 1 (Neem leaf extract) showed the highest smear layer removal efficacy, which was followed by Group 2 (Orange oil) and the least efficacy of smear layer removal was shown by Group 3 (Propolis) at coronal, middle, and apical levels. Conclusion: Group 1 (Neem leaf extract) performed significantly better in removing the smear layer at coronal, middle, and apical levels as compared to the other two groups.

Aim: The present in vitro study was designed to determine the effect of different access cavity designs on intracoronal bleaching of endodontically treated teeth with two different agents. Materials and Methods: Fifty selected permanent maxillary central incisors were stained. Traditional and contracted access cavity designs and two types of bleaching agents, i.e., 35% carbamide peroxide and 35 percent hydrogen peroxide were used for the study. Color measurements were performed with a spectrophotometer: before staining (T1), after staining (T2), at 7 and 14 days (T3 and T4) post bleaching. The values were calculated and subjected to the statistical analysis. Results: The results of our study showed that teeth in which traditional access cavity (TAC) was prepared had statistically significant better bleaching results with both 35% carbamide peroxide and 35% hydrogen peroxide than contracted access cavity design. Carbamide peroxide showed better results than hydrogen peroxide irrespective of the access cavity design, but difference was statistically nonsignificant. Conclusion: The present study concluded that TAC design showed better results than contracted access with both carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. Whereas, when bleaching agents were compared 35% carbamide peroxide is better than 35% hydrogen peroxide irrespective of access cavity design used.

Aim: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare the push-out bond strength of Adseal and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) Fillapex sealer after using various irrigants and Erbium-Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (Er:YAG) laser irradiation on radicular dentin surface. Materials and Methods: A total of 80 freshly extracted human permanent maxillary anterior teeth were sectioned transversally below the cemento-enamel junction. The remaining root portion was sectioned to get 4-mm thick dentin disc from coronal end of the root, with straight handpiece, and diamond disc. Root canal of specimens was prepared with bur to create space for sealer placement. Specimens were divided into eight groups of 10 samples each, as per irrigants and sealer used. In Group 1, 3, 5, and 7 specimens irrigated with distilled water, NaOCl, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and Er:YAG laser, respectively, and obturated with Adseal sealer. In Group 2, 4, 6, and 8 irrigated with distilled water, NaOCl, EDTA, and Er:YAG laser, respectively, and obturated with MTA Fillapex sealer. After sealer setting, the force used to remove the sealer was evaluated using universal testing machine. Recorded force used to calculate the push-out bond strength in Megapascals and scanning electron microscopy examination was done for specimens. Results: Adseal sealer had significantly higher bond strength than MTA Fillapex sealer, irrespective of irrigant used. The highest bond strength was seen in specimens irrigated with EDTA and obturated with Adseal sealer and least in specimens irrigated with distilled water and obturated with MTA Fillapex sealer. Conclusion: Adseal sealer had significantly higher bond strength than the MTA Fillapex sealer. EDTA irrigation showed better smear layer removal, followed by Er:YAG laser irradiation, then NaOCl, least by distilled water.

Aims and Objectives: The aim was to evaluate the root resorption in pulpectomized deciduous teeth and its correlation with obturation quality using zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE), Metapex and Endoflas at the interval of 6 and 12 months. Materials and Methods: A total of 150 infected primary mandibular molars were randomly and equally divided into three subgroups (n = 50 each): Group 1 (ZoE), Group 2 (Metapex), and Group 3 (Endoflas) based on the obturation material preferred. The teeth were clinically and radiographically evaluated at 6 and 12 months' postoperatively by another investigator who was blinded to the type of filling material that was used in each tooth. Kruskal–Wallis test, Mann–Whitney Test, and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test was used for statistical analysis. Results: When the obturation quality was assessed, the optimal filling was found in 78% of the cases while the rest have underfilling (9%) and overfilling (13%). The incidence of overfilling was higher in the cases with some root resorption. After 12 months, Group 2 showed maximum variation with the highest incidence (70%) of extensive resorption both interradicular and intraradicular (Grade 3 score) followed by Group 1 (26%) and Group 3 (16%), respectively. Conclusion: Among all the materials, Endoflas showed the highest success rate with least incidence of resorption both outside and within the root canal (hollow tube effect) whereas least success rate was observed with Metapex having the hollow tube effect in majority of the cases (70%) after the follow-up of 12 months.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the gutta-percha removal from root canals with diode laser using chloroform and Endosolv E solvents. Materials and Methods: Thirty freshly extracted permanent human maxillary central incisors with single and straight root canals were selected for the study. Teeth were biomechanically prepared and then obturated. Teeth were then stored in 100% humidity at 37°C for 7 days. Then teeth were randomly divided into three groups based on retreatment method used: Group 1-Only diode laser; Group 2-Diode laser along with chloroform as solvent; Group 3-Diode laser along with Endosolv E (Tetrachloroethylene) as solvent. After completion of retreatment, roots were sectioned longitudinally and viewed under stereomicroscope at 10x magnification. The area of the remaining filling material in each half was measured using Image tool for Windows v. 3.00 software. Data were analyzed by using analysis of variance test followed by post hoc test. Results: The results showed that all the laser groups left some filling material inside the root canal. However, the specimens retreated with diode laser along with chloroform (Group 2) left less filling material inside the root canals as compared to other groups. Conclusion: The present study revealed that the diode laser with solvents (Chloroform and Endosolv E) were significantly more effective than only diode laser group in removing gutta-percha during retreatment of the root canal system. Out of these, Group 2 (diode laser along with chloroform as solvent) was more effective than other groups.

Background: This study was carried out to evaluate the sterility and structural integrity of stored primary teeth in artificial saliva over a storage period of 12 weeks (3 months) in human tooth bank (HTB). Materials and Methods: A total of 80 freshly extracted teeth were taken and were categorized into four groups of 20 each. The samples were stored at 4°C for 12 weeks (3 months) in the refrigerator. During their storage time of 3 months, they were repetitively evaluated for their sterility, enamel hardness, calcium and phosphate solubility and color stability at regular intervals of 3 weeks. Observations and Results: That teeth stored in artificial saliva maintained their sterility throughout the storage time of 12 weeks, but changes in their physical and chemical properties occurred with an increase in storage time. Conclusion: Storage time not more than 9 weeks is recommended for deciduous teeth to be stored in artificial saliva in a HTB.

The primary objective of root canal therapy is adequate biomechanical preparation of root canal system followed by 3D obturation.in clinics we are encountered with several anatomical variations, which we need to manage efficiently. One of the major factors responsible for failure of root canal therapy is missed canals. Recent technological advances have given the clinician opportunity to identify anatomical variations and treat them to satisfaction.