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Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the correlation of carotid artery calcifications (CACs) and pulp stones with idiopathic osteosclerosis (IO) using digital panoramic radiographs (DPRs) to determine whether pulp stones or IO might be possible indicators of the presence of CACs.Methods: In total, DPRs of 1207 patients (645 females and 562 males) taken within 2018 were retrospectively evaluated to determine the prevalence of CACs, pulp stones and IO according to age and sex. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test and Fisher’s exact chisquare test.Results: In total, 287 (23.8%) patients had at least one pulp stone, and 64 (5.3%) patients had CACs. The negative/negative (-/-) status of CACs/ pulp stones was significantly higher in the 18–29 years age group than in the 30–39, 40–49, 50–59 and ≥60 years age groups (p0.05).Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, pulp stones were not found to be diagnostic indicators of CACs. However, the presence of IO might be a risk factor for CACs.

Objectives: This study aims to analyze the radiographic quality of root canal fillings performed by fourth year dental undergraduate students in the dentistry faculty of Biruni University, Istanbul, Turkey. Materials and Methods: Endodontic records from 505 completed endodontic therapies performed on 337 patients by dentistry students with the same pre-clinical education between 2017 and 2018 were examined. Four variables were analyzed: the length of the root canal filling, the density of the root canal filling, the amount of taper and the cutting level of excess gutta-percha. Iatrogenic errors, including ledges, perforations and fractured instruments were also documented. The samples were defined as “optimum” radiographically, if the obturation material ends 0-2 mm short of the radiological apex with adequate taper, no voids visible and the cutting level of excess gutta-percha is 1 mm below the cementoenamel junction with no iatrogenic error. Radiographs were examined by two experienced endodontists. A chi-square test was used to determine statistical significance between different parameters. Results: There was no significant difference between all examined anterior (27%) and premolar (23%) teeth while there was a statistically significant difference between the “optimum” root canal fillings on maxilla (27.7%) and mandible (18.1%) (p=0.018). Conclusions: Upon consideration of many criteria, the “optimum” cases we defined were found to be low compared to other studies. Therefore, more studies are required, considering multiple criteria., Amaç: bu çalışmanın amacı, Biruni Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi, 4. sınıf öğrencileri tarafından uygulanmış kök kanal dolumlarının radyografik kalitesini değerlendirmektir. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Aynı endodonti preklinik eğitimini tamamlamış diş hekimliği öğrencilerinin, 2017-2018 yıllarında endodonti kliniğinde 337 hastada uyguladığı, 505 adet tamamlanmış endodontik tedavi kayıtları değerlendirilmiştir. Bu çalışmada, kök kanal dolumu uzunluğu ve homojenitesi, preperasyon açısı miktarı ve kuronal bölümdeki fazla gütaperkanın kesim seviyesi olmak üzere dört farklı değişken incelenmiştir. Aynı zamanda, basamak, perforasyon ve alet kırığı gibi iyatrojenik hatalar da kayıt edilmiştir. Örneklerden, obturasyon uzunluğu radyolojik apeksin 0-2 mm gerisinde olan, preparasyon açısı yeterli ve kanal dolumunda boşluk görülmeyen, koronal bölümdeki fazla gütaperkanın kesim seviyesi uygun olan ve iyatrojenik hata içermeyenler radyografik olarak “İdeal” kök kanal dolumu şeklinde nitelendirilmiştir. Radyografileriki tecrübeli endodontist tarafından incelenmiştir. Farklı parametreler arasındaki istatistiksel anlamlılık ki-kare testi ile analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular: “İdeal” olarak tanımlanan örnekler incelendiğinde, anterior (%27) ve premolar (%23) dişler arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir farklılık tespit edilememiştir. buna karşın, üst çene (%27,7) ve alt çenedeki (%18,1) “İdeal” olarak tanımlanan dişler arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark bulunmuştur (P=0,018). Sonuçlar: Tüm değerlendirmelerin doğrultusunda, “İdeal” olarak tanımladığımız vakaların yapılmış benzer çalışmalara kıyasla daha az olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Bu sebeple, endodontik tedavinin kalitesini değerlendirmede daha fazla parametrenin göz önünde bulundurulduğu ileri çalışmalara ihtiyaç vardır.

Objective: To compare patient-related and clinical-related characteristics of endodontic patients, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study population comprised 506 patients (teeth: n=674) aged 13–81 years who attended undergraduate dental clinics in the Endodontics Department of the Faculty of Dentistry at Biruni University for endodontic treatment. Patient-related and clinical-related data were compared at two time intervals: before the first COVID-19 case was reported in Turkey and after the first COVID-19 case was reported in Turkey Results: There were no significant differences in terms of age and sex of the patients attending the clinics before versus during the pandemic. The incidence of reported pain before the pandemic was significantly lower than that reported during the pandemic (p=0.041). Periapical health before the pandemic was significantly better than that during the pandemic (p

The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence, symmetry and configurations of C-shaped canals and radicular groove types in mandibular second molars according to age and sex in a Turkish sub-population using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). In total, 674 CBCT images (368 females and 306 males, aged 18–76 years) of 1348 mandibular second molars were evaluated. The symmetry, configuration of C-shaped root canals, radicular groove types with age and sex were noted. One sample chi-square test and chi-square test were used to determine statistically significant differences. The statistical significance level was set at p

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the presence of pulp stones through an examination of cone beam computed tomography images and correlate their prevalence with age, sex, dental arch and side, tooth type, and restoration type and depth. Materials and Methods: Cone beam computed tomography images obtained from 673 patients and archival data on 11,494 teeth were evaluated. The associations of pulp stones with age, sex, dental arch and side, tooth type, and restoration type and depth were noted. All the measurements were subjected to a χ2 test and one sample χ2 test (p < 0.05). Results: In the study group, 163 (24.2%) patients and 379 (3.3%) teeth had at least one pulp stone. The pulp stone frequency in those aged 30–39 years was significantly greater than in those aged 18–29 and ≥ 60 years, and the frequency was higher in females than in males (p < 0.05). The highest prevalence of pulp stones was found in maxillary dental arches and molar teeth (p < 0.05). Pulp stones were significantly more common in medium-depth restorations (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Maxillary molar teeth, medium-depth restorations, individuals aged 30–39 years and females had a greater percentage of pulp stones.

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of irrigation activation techniques on postoperative pain (PP) in mandibular premolar teeth with irreversible pulpitis after single-visit endodontic treatment. A total of 160 patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis were included in this prospective randomized clinical study. Four different activation methods were used in mandibular premolar teeth. In group 1, teeth were irrigated with side-port endodontic needles (NI) without any agitation; in groups 2 and 3, sonic activation was performed using EDDY and EndoActivator (EA), respectively; and in group 4, passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) was used. Patients' analgesic intake-as well as pain intensity during and after treatment-were recorded at 8, 24, 48 h and 7 days. The data relating to age, sex and analgesic intake was evaluated using the Chi-square test and the preoperative pain and PP intensity at different time intervals was evaluated with the Kruskal-Wallis test at a 5% significance level. Highest PP was recorded at 8 h, pain intensity decreased in all groups by the time. Pain in the NI group was found higher than that of EDDY group at 24 h (P < 0.05). EA and PUI had caused mild pain and had similar pain scores at 24 h. (P > 0.05). No statistically difference was found among the groups with regard to analgesic intake (P > 0.05). Although there were slight differences in PP levels between the groups at 24 h, pain levels decreased in all groups after 24 h. Activation of the irrigation solution did not make any difference in terms of PP after 24 h.

Background: This study aims to assess the effect of root canal disinfection with a 980 µm diode laser following chemomechanical root canal preparation on the severity of pain after root canal treatment (RCT).Methods: In present study, asymptomatic, single-rooted teeth with periapical index (PAI) score 3 or 4 were included. All patients were treated with two visits of root canal treatment including dressing with calcium hydroxide. Patients were randomly divided into two groups (n: 28). ‘Control (no laser)’: The final irrigation was performed using 5ml 2.5% NaOCI, followed by 5 ml 17% EDTA and 5 ml distilled water. ‘Laser Disinfection (LD)’: Root canals were irradiated with 980 µm diode laser after final irrigation at both visits. The pain levels were evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) after 8, 24, 48 hours and 7 days. In addition, analgesic intake and time intervals were recorded by patients. The collected data were statistically analyzed with the Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U test (pResults: The average pain level in the control group after 24 hours was significantly higher than that in the laser group after the first appointment (pConclusions: Root canal disinfection with diode laser may reduce PP in single-rooted teeth with PAI score 3 or 4.Trial registration: Effect of the Diode Laser on Post-operative Pain After Endodontic Treatment in Teeth with Apical Periodontitis: NCT04486196. Registered 24 July 2020 - Retrospectively registered, http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04486196Clinical Trials ID: NCT04486196

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the quality of root canal fillings and their relationship with apical periodontitis (AP) in a selected Turkish population. Material and Methods: The cases in this study was formed of patients attending routine dental treatment at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Birun. 1024 patients were examined with panoramic radiographs and 1780 endodontically treated teeth with present periapical radiographs. Endodontic treatment quality was evaluated by obturation length, density, taper quality and iatrogenic errors. Presence of AP was analysed according to Ørstavik’s periapical index (PAI). The chi-square test was used for statistical analyses. Results: Statistically significant relationship was found between both the tooth type and location with obturation quality (p: 0.000; p < 0.05). Obturation quality of maxillary and mandibular molars are significantly less than the other tooth types in the same location. Apical periodontitis were noticed in 740 teeth (41.6%). Inadequate obturation quality was found to be significantly effective on the periapical status of tooth types both in maxilla and mandible (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The frequency of inadequate root canal obturations of endodontically treated teeth of the selected Turkish population was high, especially in molar teeth and women. Even though radiographic obturation quality is not the only success criteria in endodontic treatment, it is still one of the most important criteria regarding the positive correlation of “inadequate” obturations with AP.KEYWORDSPeriapical periodontitis; Radiography; Root canal obturation; Root canal theraphy.

Introduction: High and wrong antibiotic usage causes Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) which is a worldwide problem. Dental students, as future dentists are likely to provoke this public health issue by inappropriate prescribing choices. There is a need of further education of antibiotic prescription in endodontic infections, as well as prophylaxis. Aim: The aim of this study was to establish the knowledge of dental students on the suitable use of systemic antibiotics for endodontic infections and prophylaxis for medically compromised patients. Materials and Methods: A survey was done on dental students at the end of third, fourth and fifth years, who answered a questionnaire about antibiotic use for endodontic infections and prophylaxis for various immunocompromised patients. Pharmacology and endodontics lectures should be taken by respondents; was the inclusion criterion. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. Statistical significance was fixed at p