Aim:This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of smear layer removal and nanostructural and chemical changes caused by chitosan and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on tooth surface using atomic force microscopic analysis and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis.Methodology:Forty single-rooted premolars were decoronated to a standard length of 15 mm and enlarged to Protaper F3 with irrigation of 1 mL 1% NaOCl and deionized water. Specimens were then divided into 4 groups with 10 samples each and subjected to final rinse with 17% EDTA solution, 0.2% and 0.5% chitosan solution for 1 min. Samples were sectioned into 2 halves. One half of sample from each group were subjected to EDX analysis to check the calcium/phosphate (Ca/P) ratio. The second half of sample from each group subjected to atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis to study the smear layer removal and nanostructural changes. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA and Chi-square test.Results:The AFM images showed no difference in the elimination of smear layer. The quantitative analysis using AFM showed EDTA group had significantly higher surface alteration than chitosan. EDX analysis showed that the Ca/P ratio of root dentine in EDTA group is significantly lower than chitosan group.Conclusion:Chitosan is an effective chelating agent with less alteration in radicular dentine.

Aims and Objectives:This study was done to characterize the surface chemistry after caries excavation with burs and Carisolv 2, by analyzing the relative amounts of organic and inorganic content, and also to analyze the penetration of the adhesive after etching and bonding using Micro Raman spectroscopy.Materials and Methods:Twenty extracted molars with caries were distributed into the following groups and treated accordingly. Group 1-excavation with bur (10 teeth), and Group 2-excavation using Carisolv 2 (10 teeth).Results and Conclusion:Spectroscopic analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the chemical composition of the tooth between the groups after excavation (P > 0.05) either with bur or with Carisolv. The penetration of the dentin bonding resin in all samples of the Carisolv group was up to 15μm, whereas, in the bur group it was upto 10μm in few samples. Scanning Electron Microscopic analysis showed the surfaces of the Carisolv-treated dentin to be free of the smear layer, with open tubules, whereas, the dentin surfaces of the bur group showed surfaces covered with a smear layer. In the Carislov group the resin tags were found comparatively deeper than in the bur excavation group. In both the groups the integrity of the remaining dentin surfaces were maintained chemically and morphologically.

Background and objectives This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of different placement techniques (bulk, oblique incremental, centripetal and split horizontal) on marginal microleakage in class II composite restoration. Method Standardized class II preparations were made in 40 caries-free extracted molars and randomly assigned to four groups (n = 10): (1) Bulk technique (2) oblique incremental insertion technique,(3) centripetal incremental insertion technique and (4) split horizontal incremental insertion. The teeth were restored with a total-etch adhesive and nanocomposite resin. The specimens were immersed in a solution of 2% methylene blue for 24 hours, and subsequently evaluated for leakage. The microleakage scores (0 to 4) obtained from the occlusal and cervical walls were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (p < 0.05). Results Microleakage scores indicated that incremental technique was better than bulk for composite placement and among incremental techniques split incremental technique showed best results. Conclusion Incremental placement technique showed lower microleakage compared to bulk, and lower microleakage was seen at occlusal margin compared to gingival margin. Split horizontal incremental technique showed the least microleakage scores among incremental techniques

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AIM: To evaluate and compare the antibacterial effect of AH plus, epiphany root canal sealer - with or without Amoxicillin and Doxycycline against E. faecalis (An in vitro study). METHODOLOGY: Freshly mixed sealers with or without antibiotics were placed in agar plates inoculated with E.faecalis and incubated for 24hrs at 370C under aerobic condition and zone of inhibition measured at 1st, 3rd, 5th& 7th day. RESULTS: Antibacterial action of AH Plus sealer was better than Epiphany with/without antibiotics at all time intervals. The antibacterial action of AH Plus – Doxycycline combination was twice and AH Plus – Amoxicillin combination was thrice compared to AH plus sealer alone. Antibacterial action of Epiphany – Doxycycline combination was thrice and Epiphany - Amoxicillin combination was four times greater compared to Epiphany sealer. CONCLUSION: Sealer – Amoxicillin combination showed better antibacterial action compared to sealer – Doxycycline combination.