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Herbal extracts have evoked interest owing to the small number of terpenoids and phenolic compounds, which impart antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of four herbal extracts (lemon grass oil, basil oil, peppermint oil, and Obicure tea extract) against endodontic pathogens along with the MIC: MBC/MFC ratio were evaluated. The antimicrobial activity by detecting the MIC of three essential oils and tea extract was evaluated against eight common endodontic pathogens by the broth dilution method, while MBC was detected by subculturing onto blood agar from the first –three to five tubes from the MIC dilution tubes (showing no turbidity), which were plated on blood agar. All herbal extracts proved to be effective antimicrobials against tested endodontic pathogens. Basil oil had a bacteriostatic effect on all the organisms (P < 0.05). Mint oil showed bacteriostatic activity on Enterococcus (E.) faecalis and Peptostreptococcus (P > 0.05). Tea extract had a bacteriostatic effect (P > 0.05) against all tested microbes except Actinomyces, Lactobacilli, Staphylococcus (S.) aureus, and Fusobacterium (F.) nucleatum. Lemon grass oil had a bactericidal effect against all the organisms and a bacteriostatic effect against Peptostreptococcus (P > 0.05). It can be concluded that basil oil showed a strong bactericidal effect on the test organisms. The MIC for the organisms ranged from 0.2 to 50 μg/ml.

Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the surface roughness and microhardness of bulk-fill composite and nanohybrid composite resin after exposure to three different beverages at different time intervals. Methodology: In this study, 60 composite discs each for bulk fill and nanohybrid, of dimensions 10 mm × 2 mm were made. Both composites were randomly divided into four subgroups, i.e., 15 samples each for artificial saliva, tea, coffee, and soft drinks which were further subdivided into five samples for three time intervals. Composite resin discs were immersed in beverages for 4 min in 24 h for 7, 15, and 30 days. All samples were evaluated for surface roughness and microhardness before and after immersion. Results: Both the composites showed a significant increase in surface roughness in all the beverages with maximum change in surface roughness observed in nanohybrid composite resin immersed in soft drinks. Furthermore, the microhardness of both the composites was decreased significantly in all beverages with maximum change in microhardness observed in nanohybrid composite resin immersed in soft drinks. Conclusions: Bulk-fill composite resin has better resistance to surface roughness and higher microhardness as compared to nanohybrid. Furthermore, acidic beverages highly affect the physical properties of both composite resins for longer periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intraligamentary anesthesia (ILA) injection using a single-tooth anesthesia (STA) system has been used as a supplementary technique for pulpal anesthesia in cases of irreversible pulpitis. Aims and Objective: The current clinical trial was undertaken to assess and compare the effectiveness of the conventional inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) and the ILA technique utilizing the STA system for endodontic management of mandibular molars presenting symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis inmandibular molar were allocated into two groups: Group I IANB (n=30) and Group II- STA system (n=30). The onset of anesthesia was evaluated using the electric pulp test, whereas for pain perception the Heft-Parker Visual Analog Scale score was recorded before, during, and after anesthesia. Post-anesthetic pain was recorded at 3 h, 24 h, and 1 week. The collected data was evaluated for effectiveness pain perception, and acceptability of the anesthetic technique, using appropriate statistical tests. Results: The mean time of onset for the Group II STA system (2.93±1.80) was significantly higher (P=0.0001) than Group I IANB (1.40±0.86). Pain at the site of injection was insignificant (P>0.05) between both groups. The severity of pain during the root canal procedure was significantly different (P<0.0001) in both cohorts. For both groups, the patient's acceptance of the anesthetic procedure was statistically insignificant (P=0.21). Conclusions: The STA system reported similar effectiveness in terms of effectiveness, pain perception, and acceptability of anesthetic technique when compared to IANB. Hence, the primary anesthetic treatment for conducting endodontic procedures on molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis appears to be the utilization of the ILA-employing STA system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Class V cavity presents a clinical challenge in the field of restorative dentistry as the margin placement is partially in enamel and partly in cementum, and the trouble associated with this design is the microleakage at the tooth restoration interface.Aims: To evaluate and compare marginal microleakage in Class V cavities when restored with flowable composite and Cention-N restorative material.Methods and Material: This in-vitro study was performed on 30 human maxillary premolars, which were extracted for orthodontic reasons. Class V cavities were prepared on the buccal surfaces of each tooth. After application of seventh-generation bonding agent (3M ESPE, Single Bond Universal Adhesive), the teeth were divided into two groups of 15 each and restored with flowable composite (3M ESPE Filtek Z350 XT) and Cention-N (Ivoclar Vivadent) and were subjected to thermocycling. The teeth were then immersed in 0.1% Rhodamine B dye for 48 h. They were sectioned longitudinally into mesial and distal parts with the help of an isomet diamond saw. The sections were observed under a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM).Statistical Analysis Used: The results were subjected to statistical analysis using the Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson's Chi-square test.Results: The analysis showed statistically significant results among the groups. Cention-N showed lesser microleakage, which was statistically significant when compared to flowable composite (P = 0.005).Conclusions: Cention-N showed significantly lesser leakage and better adaptation than flowable composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A novel technique of sterilization of endodontic files is introduced in this article. Aims: Newly introduced sterilization unit, named "SteriFast" is compared with autoclave and glass bead sterilizer using biological indicator. Materials and Methods: Spore strips of Bacillus pumilus were cultured in nutrient broth. This cultured media was used to contaminate the experimental samples of endodontic files. These contaminated files were sterilized using three different techniques. The sterilized files were transferred into nutrient medium under aseptic condition. The results were observed after 24 h, 48 h, and 7 days. Results: The results showed that autoclave and new sterilization device (SteriFast) showed complete sterilization. The files sterilized using glass bead sterilizer showed bacterial growth (80%). Conclusions: Thus, it proves that autoclave and SteriFast are ideal techniques of sterilization of endodontic files. Glass bead sterilizer does not completely sterilize the files. The article also compares SteriFast and autoclave in other aspects such as its design, basic principle, advantages, and disadvantages. The article also describes features and design of SteriFast, used for all kind of small dental instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The success of endodontic treatment is directly enhanced by elimination of microorganisms in infected root canals. Recently, chitosan, a natural, nontoxic biopolymer, has been introduced as an irrigant that has the capacity to remove the smear layer. The antimicrobial properties of chitosan as an endodontic irrigant have not yet been explored. The purpose of this study was to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of BioPure MTAD, 0.2% chitosan, 1% chitosan, 2% chlorhexidine gluconate, and 3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) against Enterococcus faecalis, which is frequently isolated from persistent root canal infections. The agar well diffusion method was used to measure the antimicrobial activities of these irrigants. Saline was used as a negative control. The order of effectiveness was determined by the measurement of inhibition zones. Data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance and the Duncan multiple range test. BioPure MTAD had a significantly larger mean inhibition zone against E faecalis than the other irrigants (P < 0.001). Although 0.2% chitosan did not show any inhibition zones, 1% chitosan was as effective as 3% NaOCl (P = 0.352), and both irrigants showed significantly greater effectivity than 2% chlorhexidine (P < 0.001). Thus, 1% chitosan can be an effective natural antimicrobial substitute for synthetic irrigants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study evaluated the effect of ultrasonic scaling on surface roughness of four different tooth-colored class V restorations. Materials and Methods: Out of 100 human extracted teeth, 20 were randomly selected for each group, marked with the outline of class V cavity. Class V cavities were prepared on facial surface of teeth of all groups except control group. These cavities were then restored with GC 2, GC 9, GC 2 LC, and Filtek Z 250 XT. All the specimens were stored in artificial saliva at 37°C for 1 month. Initial surface roughness values (Ra in μm) of restorations were evaluated with the surface roughness tester. Ultrasonic instrumentation was then carried out for 60 s on the restoration surface and final roughness values were evaluated. Data were analyzed with Paired t-test, One-way ANOVA, Tukey's test. Results: Mean Pre-instrumentation surface roughness was highest with GC 2, whereas it was least in case of Filtek Z 250 XT. Mean post-instrumentation surface roughness was highest with GC 2, whereas it is least in case of Filtek Z 250 XT. Conclusion: GC 2 LC showed highest and Filtek Z 250 XT showed least susceptibility to ultrasonic scaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Intraoral local anesthesia is essential for delivering dental care. Needless devices have been developed to provide anesthesia without injections. Little controlled research is available on its use in dental restorative procedures in adult patients. The aims of this study were to compare adult patients acceptability and preference for needleless jet injection with classical local infiltration as well as to evaluate the efficacy of the needleless anesthesia. Materials and Methods: Twenty non fearful adults with no previous experience of dental anesthesia were studied using splitmouth design. The first procedure was performed with classical needle infiltration anesthesia. The same amount of anesthetic solution was administered using MADA jet needleless device in a second session one week later, during which a second dental restorative procedure was performed. Patients acceptance was assessed using Universal pain assessment tool while effectiveness was recorded using soft tissue anesthesia and pulpal anesthesia. Patients reported their preference for the anesthetic method at the third visit. The data was evaluated using chi square test and student's t-test. Results: Pressure anesthesia was more accepted and preferred by 70% of the patients than traditional needle anesthesia (20%). Both needle and pressure anesthesia was equally effective for carrying out the dental procedures. Conclusion: Patients experienced significantly less pain and fear (p<0.01) during anesthetic procedure with pressure anesthesia. However, for more invasive procedures needle anesthesia will be more effective [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Class V cavity presents a clinical challenge in the field of restorative dentistry as the margin placement is partially in enamel and partly in cementum, and the trouble associated with this design is the microleakage at the tooth restoration interface., Aims: To evaluate and compare marginal microleakage in Class V cavities when restored with flowable composite and Cention-N restorative material., Methods and Material: This in-vitro study was performed on 30 human maxillary premolars, which were extracted for orthodontic reasons. Class V cavities were prepared on the buccal surfaces of each tooth. After application of seventh-generation bonding agent (3M ESPE, Single Bond Universal Adhesive), the teeth were divided into two groups of 15 each and restored with flowable composite (3M ESPE Filtek Z350 XT) and Cention-N (Ivoclar Vivadent) and were subjected to thermocycling. The teeth were then immersed in 0.1% Rhodamine B dye for 48 h. They were sectioned longitudinally into mesial and distal parts with the help of an isomet diamond saw. The sections were observed under a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM)., Statistical Analysis Used: The results were subjected to statistical analysis using the Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson's Chi-square test., Results: The analysis showed statistically significant results among the groups. Cention-N showed lesser microleakage, which was statistically significant when compared to flowable composite (P = 0.005)., Conclusions: Cention-N showed significantly lesser leakage and better adaptation than flowable composite., Competing Interests: None