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Context:Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is the most widely used endodontic irrigant. Although it fulfills most of the requisites of an ideal irrigant, it has certain drawbacks, chiefly severe soft-tissue damage. Allium sativum (garlic extract) is a proven antimicrobial agent that has the ability to dissolve inorganic tissue with minimal toxicity. However, its ability to remove smear layer (SL) is not known. Conventional hand-held syringe irrigation is ineffective in removing canal debris. The use of newer irrigation systems is limited owing to their high cost. Modified evacuation system (MES) may prove to be an effective yet economical alternative.Aims:This study aims to evaluate the SL removing capacity of garlic extract as an alternative to 5% NaOCl and the use of modified evacuation system for removal of irrigant along with debris from root canals.Settings and Design:Sixty-eight single-rooted mandibular premolars were divided into 8 Groups: Two control Groups A and B (4 samples each) and six experimental Groups C to H (10 samples each). Garlic extract was prepared at a concentration of 64 mg/ml. MES was set up using 21-gauge flat-end needle fixed onto chair side high-volume evacuation system.Subjects and Methods:Control groups were irrigated with normal saline, Groups C and D with 5% NaOCl and 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), Groups E and F with garlic extract and 17% EDTA and Groups G and H with plain garlic extract. MES was used in Groups B, D, F, and H. Scanning electron microscope analysis was done to view SL at coronal, middle, and apical thirds.Statistical Analysis Used:Chi-square test.Results:Groups A and B showed least scores. At coronal and middle thirds, Group D shows better results, followed by Groups F and H. Apically, Group F showed better results. Groups C and H, and E and G showed similar results. All groups with MES showed better results.Conclusions:A. sativum has an SL removal capacity. MES is effective in debris removal.

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate Emblica officinalis (Indian gooseberry or amla) as an acid etchant and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor, and to compare its effect on the microshear bond strength of composite resin with orthophosphoric acid (OPA) and 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) as an acid etchant and MMP inhibitor, respectively. Materials and Methods The etching effect and MMP-inhibiting action of amla on dentin samples were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and gelatin zymography, respectively. Dentinal slabs (3 mm thick) from 80 extracted human molars were divided into 10 and 20 samples to form 2 control groups and 3 experimental groups. Groups 1, 2, and 4 were etched with OPA and groups 3 and 5 with amla juice. An MMP inhibitor was then applied: CHX for group 2 and amla extract for groups 4 and 5. Groups 1 and 3 received no MMP inhibitor. All specimens received a standardized bonding protocol and composite resin build-up, and were subjected to microshear bond strength testing. The force at which the fracture occurred was recorded and statistically analyzed. Results Amla juice had a similar etching effect as a self-etch adhesive in SEM and 100% amla extract was found to inhibit MMP-9 by gelatin zymography. The microshear bond strength values of amla were lower than those obtained for OPA and CHX, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions Amla has a promising role as an acid etchant and MMP inhibitor, but further studies are necessary to substantiate its efficacy.

Dental caries is an irreversible, microbial disease of the tooth which is characterized by demineralisation and dissolution of the hard tissues. Conventional methods such as visual and tactile examination, radiography, laser or light induced fluorescence methods help in the diagnosis of dental caries, though they lack sensitivity. Being an irreversible process, it is important to detect the caries process in its incipient stages. Very recently, intraoral scanners have also found their way through to the detection and diagnosis of dental caries, particularly, the incipient lesions. Use of advanced technology for the detection of dental caries in its incipient stages has enabled a change in the paradigm to minimally invasive dentistry which focuses more on a preventive approach to caries management. This review paper attempts to summarize the available literature on the role of intraoral scanners in caries diagnosis by performing a online search on PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS and MEDLINE databases. Only full text studies authored in English and published in peer reviewed journals between 2010 and 2022 were included in the research. Keywords and terms from both review articles and original research papers were taken. A total of 36 papers were reviewed including full texts and abstracts.