Conclusion Although the sensitivity and specificity for differentiating periapical cysts and periapical granulomas using US were high, taking the quality of evidence into consideration, it can serve as an additional tool in differential diagnosis of periapical lesions.

Aim: The objective was to evaluate the retrievability of bioceramic sealers in comparison with epoxy resin-based sealers assessed using microcomputed tomography. Materials and Methods: Four reviewers independently conducted a systematic literature search in four electronic databases. The risk of bias was assessed using modified Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools for Quasi-Experimental Studies. Results: Ten articles were included in this review and all had a moderate risk of bias. The results across the included articles were inconsistent with some indicating easier/difficult removal of bioceramic sealers, while others indicate no difference. The studies varied in terms of the type of bioceramic sealer used, root canal anatomy, and retreatment techniques followed. Due to heterogeneity, only a qualitative analysis was performed and no meta-analysis was conducted. Conclusion: The quality of evidence is low and no definitive conclusion could be derived regarding the retrievability of bioceramic sealer/AH plus sealer from the root canals during retreatment procedures.

This case report describes the unusual location of the distobuccal root canal in a maxillary second molar with root fusion. On access opening, three distinct root canal orifices, the mesiobuccal canal, palatal canal, and a third orifice closer to the palatal canal, were seen, giving an illusion of an additional palatal canal. An attempt was made to search for the distobuccal canal in its usual position, leading to the gouging of the pulp chamber floor. An intra-operative limited field of view cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) revealed the root orifice adjacent to the palatal canal was the distobuccal canal. CBCT also revealed fusion of both the buccal and palatal roots in the root's coronal and middle third region, but they were not fused apically.

Objective This study investigated the effects of various concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on human whole-blood clotting kinetics, the structure of the blood clots formed, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 release. Materials and Methods Human whole blood was collected from 5 healthy volunteers and divided into 4 groups: CG (control, 0.5 mL of blood), BN 0.5 (0.5 mL of blood with 0.5 mL of 0.5% NaOCl), BN 3 (0.5 mL of blood with 0.5 mL of 3% NaOCl), and BN 5.25 (0.5 mL of blood with 0.5 mL of 5.25% NaOCl). The effects of NaOCl on clotting kinetics, structure of fibrin and cells, and release of TGF-β1 were assessed using thromboelastography (TEG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and enzyme-linked immunosobent assay, respectively. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests, followed by the post hoc Dunn test. A p value < 0.05 indicated statistical significance. Results The blood samples in BN 0.5 and BN 3 did not clot, whereas the TEG of BN 5.25 showed altered clot formation. Samples from the CG and BN 3 groups could only be processed with SEM, which showed that the latter lacked fibrin formation and branching of fibers, as well as clumping of red blood cells with surface roughening and distortion. TGF-β1 release was significantly highest in BN 3 when all groups were compared to CG ( p < 0.05). Conclusions Each concentration of NaOCl affected the release of TGF-β1 from blood clots and altered the clotting mechanism of blood by affecting clotting kinetics and cell structure.