UNASSIGNED: The objective of the study was to compare and evaluate the depth of penetration of an epoxy resin-based sealer following a final rinse of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and 18% 1-hydroxyethylidene 1, 1-diphosphonate (HEDP), with diode laser and passive ultrasonic activation (PUI): an in vitro confocal laser scanning microscopy study.
UNASSIGNED: Fifty-two extracted human mandibular premolar teeth with single root and single canal were selected. They were disinfected in 0.1% thymol solution, cleaned of calculus and soft tissues, and stored in 0.1% thymol solution till use. All teeth were radiographed and selected as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The teeth were decoronated using a diamond disk under copious water spray to acquire a standardized root length of 14 mm. Working length was established by inserting a size 10-K file into each root canal until it is visible at the apical foramen and by subtracting 1 mm from the recorded length. Instrumentation of the root canal was done till master apical file size of F3 using ProTaper universal, rotary instruments. The canals were irrigated with 2 mL of 3% sodium hypochlorite between successive files. Teeth were randomly divided into four subgroups n = 12 according to the intervention. Passive ultrasonic irrigation and diode laser were used to activate the irrigants. Final irrigation was performed with distilled water. These specimens were examined using confocal laser scanning microscope (OLYMPUS FLUOVIEW FV 3000) for dentinal tubule penetration of the sealer. Two-way ANOVA test and Tukey\'s multiple post hoc test were used for statistical analysis.
UNASSIGNED: Highly significant difference was seen between the groups with EDTA and HEDP, with HEDP demonstrating the highest penetration. Among the activation techniques used in this study, PUI showed the highest penetration of the sealer. The least penetration was seen with diode laser activation and EDTA.
UNASSIGNED: The irrigation activation techniques significantly influence the penetration of sealer into root dentinal tubules. When penetration of sealer with different irrigation techniques and irrigants was evaluated, significant greater level of sealer penetration was attained with PUI activation of HEDP.

UNASSIGNED: Smear layer clearance and sealer penetration into dentinal tubules play a crucial role in root canal treatment. Hence, efficient irrigation is a crucial component of the root canal debridement. This in vitro study\'s objective was to assess the effectiveness of passive ultrasonic activation and Erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er: YAG) laser-activated irrigation on irrigation solution penetration and sealer penetration into dentinal tubules.
UNASSIGNED: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the dentinal tubule penetration of epoxy resin-based sealer and bioceramic sealer after ultrasonic agitation and Er: YAG laser activation of the irrigant.
UNASSIGNED: This was an in vitro study.
UNASSIGNED: Extracted tooth samples (n = 42) into 06 groups (Group A-F) with 7 samples in each group. Postobturation transverse section was made and assessed under a confocal laser scanning microscope for the total dentinal tubule penetration area and recorded as the mean apical, middle, and coronal penetration.
UNASSIGNED: One-way analysis of variance test, followed by post hoc was used.
UNASSIGNED: The intergroup comparison showed that Group E and Group F have significantly more penetration as compared to the controls and ultrasonic irrigation, P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively.
UNASSIGNED: Er: YAG laser with AH plus sealer has the highest penetration in all the sections of tooth, followed by CeraSeal sealer.

Background: Sealers with antimicrobial properties play an important role in endodontic therapy success especially against Enterococcus faecalis infection found in failed root canal therapy. Addition of antibiotic agents to endodontic sealers may show significant increase in their antibacterial properties both against anaerobic and aerobic microbes. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate antimicrobial efficacy of Kerr pulp canal sealer (EWT) in combination with 10% amoxicillin against E. faecalis and post-root canal treatment viability of Enterococcus faecalis on the first and seventh day. Methods: A total of 60 extracted human mandibular premolar teeth were decoronated after initial decontamination with 1% NaOCl. Root length standardized to 12 mm. Canal instrumentation was done using ProTaper Universal file system till size F2 using 5.25% NaOCl. It was then infected with a pure strain of E. faecalis for a period of four days. Obturation was done using plain sealer, (n=30) and sealer-antibiotic combination, (n=30). Half of the teeth were sectioned at 24 hours (S, SA) and other half were sectioned seven days after obturation (S7, SA7). All samples were stained with SYTO9 and propidium iodide for imaging under Confocal Laser Scanning microscope. Statistical analysis was performed with the statistical software SPSS v. 17.0 (SPSS for Windows; SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL). Data was analysed using One Way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey test to determine statistical significance with p value < 0.01 considered significant. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in green to red ratio between group S (9.561976) and S7 (0.435418) (p < 0.01). There was no difference found between SA (mean of green to red ratio, (0.70431) and SA7 (mean of green to red ratio, 0.85184). Conclusions: Antibiotics added to the sealer effectively eradicated of E. faecalis 24 hours post-obturation. However, after seven days, plain sealer was as effective as sealer-antibiotic combination.

Accurate fit of the abutment to the implant is required for the uniform load distribution throughout the assembly. The study aims to compare the marginal misfit of titanium stock abutments with the cobalt-chromium (CoCr) customized abutments fabricated with the different manufacturing processes in internal hex implant-abutment connection using an appropriate scanning technique.
In vitro comparative study.
A total of 40 abutments were included in the study. Ten titanium stock abutments were used as control (Group CN) and 30 CoCr abutments were fabricated and taken as the test group. Stock abutments were scanned and from obtained images test group abutments were fabricated as follows: Ten cast abutments (Group CA), 10 sintered abutments (Group SA), and 10 milled abutments (Group MA). Endosseous implanst having internal hex connections were matched with 10 stock abutments and 30 customized CoCr abutments. Implants were mounted in a clear epoxy resin block and the abutments were then fitted onto the implants with a torque of 30Ncm. The marginal discrepancy at implant-abutment connections was measured with confocal laser scanning microscope.
One-way ANOVA and Tukey\'s post hoc test was done for statistical analysis.
One-way ANOVA revealed a significant difference in marginal misfit of abutments. The mean marginal misfit was lowest for stock abutments (0.35 ± 0.009 μm). Among the customized abutments, the mean marginal misfit was highest for cast abutments (2.44 ± 0.445 μm) followed by sintered abutments (1.67 ± 0.232 μm) and least for milled abutments (0.65 ± 0.041 μm). A significant difference was found in marginal misfit with cast abutments and sintered abutments when compared to stock abutments (P < 0.001). The difference in marginal misfit was insignificant between stock abutments and milled abutments (P = 0.052).
Difference in marginal misfit exists between the titanium stock abutments and customized CoCr abutments. Among the customized abutments, milled CoCr abutments have the least marginal discrepancy and cast CoCr abutments have a maximum marginal discrepancy. Milled CoCr abutments can be used as an alternative to titanium stock abutments.

UNASSIGNED: The dentinal tubular penetration depth and interfacial adaptation of sealer are important factors for successful root canal treatment.
UNASSIGNED: This study aims to assess and evaluate the sealer penetration depth and interfacial adaptation of AH Plus, Apexit Plus, and GuttaFlow Bioseal sealer to root dentin.
UNASSIGNED: After decoronating sixty extracted single-rooted premolar teeth, preparation was done using ProTaper Gold rotary files until F3. The samples were randomly divided into three groups (n = 20 each) consistent with the sort of sealer used for obturation. After obturation with lateral compaction technique, half of the samples (n = 10 each) were sectioned transversely for measuring tubular depth penetration under a confocal laser scanning microscope. Longitudinal sections were obtained for the rest half the samples to gauge the difference of sealer using the scanning electron microscope.
UNASSIGNED: Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey\'s post hoc tests.
UNASSIGNED: GuttaFlow Bioseal has shown a significantly higher depth of sealer penetration and minimum interfacial adaptation than resin-based sealer and calcium hydroxide-based sealer (P < 0.05).
UNASSIGNED: At all root regions, the GuttaFlow Bioseal sealer exhibited more sealer penetration and minimum interfacial adaptation whereas the Apexit Plus sealer exhibited less sealer penetration and maximum interfacial adaptation.

UNASSIGNED: Three-dimensional seal of the root canal space has always been challenging. The incorporation of gutta-percha and sealer prevents microleakage by bacteria, ensuring a shielded root canal space. However, the penetration of sealer to various depths within the root canal has always been looked with curiosity.
UNASSIGNED: Thus, the present in vitro study was undertaken to evaluate the percentage and average depth of penetration of Endoflas F. S., AH Plus, and Epiphany sealers into dentinal tubules among the coronal, middle, and apical thirds of the roots following obturation with a lateral compaction technique using Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy.
UNASSIGNED: The study is an in vitro randomized control trial.
UNASSIGNED: Thirty sound central incisors were decoronated at the level of the cementoenamel junction. Working length determination was done followed by a meticulous cleaning, shaping, and under copious irrigation. The teeth were then randomly divided into three groups: Endoflas FS sealer, AH Plus sealer, and Epiphany sealer. On fluorescence treatment, the teeth were sectioned at the midpoint of coronal, middle, and apical third of each root and viewed under confocal laser scanning microscope.
UNASSIGNED: The results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, and the significant difference between groups was analyzed with post hoc Tukey test.
UNASSIGNED: Epiphany sealer provided with better percentage and depth penetration in comparison to Endoflas FS and AH Plus sealers. Furthermore, the coronal third of the root had better percentage and sealer penetration than the middle and apical thirds.
UNASSIGNED: Sealers tend to provide a firm bond between the tooth and the gutta-percha. They bind, lubricate, and seal the gutta-percha cones to fill the accessory canals. Within the limitations of this study, the superior flow and enhanced setting time Epihany sealers provide better percentage and depth of penetration than AH Plus and Endoflas FS.

This study aimed to evaluate dentinal tubule penetration of the root canal filling material using various techniques such as cold lateral compaction, new generation thermoplastic core carrier and continuous-wave obturation. The root canals of premolar teeth were instrumented, and the teeth were allocated randomly to three groups (n = 15/group). After the obturation with three different techniques, three sections of 2-mm thickness at 2, 5 and 8-mm from the apex were examined under a confocal laser scanning microscope. The data were analysed of variance with a significance level of P < 0.05. There was no significant difference between techniques when parameters were evaluated in total (penetration depth P = 0.418, penetration area P = 0.701). The mean value of the cold lateral compaction group for maximum penetration depth was obtained higher than continuous wave (P = 0.004), whilst there was no significant difference between the thermoplastic core carrier and the other groups.

UNASSIGNED: This study aims to evaluate and compare the sealing ability of Biodentine™ and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) plus® on root end cavities treated with 17% ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), 0.2% Chitosan and 1% Phytic acid using Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope (CLSM)-An in vitro study.
UNASSIGNED: Sixty extracted single rooted teeth were instrumented and obturated with gutta-percha. The apical 3 mm of each tooth was resected and 3 mm root-end preparation was made using ultrasonic tip. 17% EDTA (n = 20), 0.2% Chitosan (n = 20) and 1% Phytic acid (n = 20) was used as a smear layer removing agent and each above group was further subdivided and restored with a root end filling material, Biodentine (n = 10) and MTA Plus (n = 10). The samples were coated with varnish except at the root end and after drying, they were immersed in Rhodamine B dye for 24 h. The teeth were then rinsed, sectioned longitudinally, and observed under CLSM.
UNASSIGNED: In the present study, MTA Plus® treated with 1% Phytic acid showed the least microleakage followed by Biodentine™ treated with 1% Phytic acid which was statistically not significant. MTA Plus® treated with 17% EDTA showed the highest microleakage when compared to other tested groups. There was a significant difference in microleakage between MTA Plus® and Biodentine™ when treated with 17% EDTA and 0.2% Chitosan. However, more microleakage was seen with Biodentine™ group than MTA plus® group.
UNASSIGNED: Root end cavities restored with MTA plus and treated with Phyitc acid showed superior sealing ability. Furthermore, smear layer removing agents will aid in better adaptability of root end filling material.

OBJECTIVE: To compare and evaluate the caries preventive effectiveness of resin infiltrant (ICON), casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) (GC Tooth Mousse), and nanohydroxyapatite (Aclaim) on incipient enamel lesions.
METHODS: A total of 60 human maxillary incisors extracted for periodontal reasons were included in this study. The sectioning was done at the middle third region of the crown for the 60 samples with approximate dimensions of 5 × 5 × 5 mm). In order to create the artificial enamel lesions, the samples were demineralized by placing in a beaker containing the prepared demineralizing solution for 14 days. The study samples were then divided into four groups that are resin infiltrant (group I), CPP-ACP (group II), nanohydroxyapatite (group III), and control (group IV) with 15 enamel samples in each group. The caries preventive efficacy of each group was evaluated using a confocal laser scanning microscope.
RESULTS: The mean values after demineralization of enamel samples in demineralizing solution are 245 μm for resin infiltrant (group I), 246 μm for CPP-ACP (group II), 250 μm for nanohydroxyapatite (group III), and 247 μm for control (group IV). After remineralizing the enamel samples for a period of 30 days, the results are group I (resin infiltrant) 158 μm > group II (CPP-ACP) 28.8μm ≥ group III (nanohydroxyapatite) 26.3 μm. After subjecting it to demineralizing solution again for 14 days, the amount of material that was resistant to acid attack was group I (resin infiltrant) 114 μm (72%) > group III (CPP-ACP) 16.4 μm (57%) ≥ group III (nanohydroxyapatite) 13.8 μm (50%). The untreated control group showed increased progression of lesion and least resistance to acid challenge.
CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results from this in vitro study, it can be concluded that when compared to the two remineralizing agents the resin infiltrant showed better caries preventive effectiveness.
CONCLUSIONS: Resin infiltrants have a favorable penetration potential in subsurface or incipient enamel lesions.

The effects of different obturation techniques on calcium silicate-based sealer penetration in the presence of apically separated rotary files were evaluated. Forty-eight extracted mandibular incisors were used. ProTaper F2 rotary files were separated at the apical thirds. Samples were divided into four groups (n = 12) according to obturation technique used: (a) cold lateral compaction (CLC); (b) single cone; (c) bulk-fill (BF) without a core material; and (d) thermoplastic injection (TI). Specimens were sectioned horizontally at 1 and 3 mm from the apex and studied using a confocal scanning laser microscope. The maximum tubule penetration depth and percentage of penetration were measured. Data were statistically analyzed using parametric and nonparametric tests with a significance level of 5%. Regarding penetration depth, a significant difference was found at 1 mm (p < .05), while no significant difference was found at 3 mm (p > .05). At the 3 mm level, all of the obturation techniques showed similar penetration depths. Regarding penetration percentage, the values of the CLC and TI groups were statistically less when compared with the BF group at 1 and 3 mm levels, respectively (p < .05). Under the limitations of this in vitro study, results suggest that the obturation technique may present a significant effect on sealer penetration.