The results of this research show that the 980 nm diode laser can eliminate bacteria that has immigrated into dentin, thus being able to increase the success rate in endodontic therapy.

Aims:To assess the reliability of ultrasound imaging coupled with Color Power Doppler for monitoring the healing after nonsurgical endodontic therapy.Materials and Methods:Ten asymptomatic maxillary anterior teeth with approximately similar-sized periapical radiolucent lesions of average dimension 1.3 – 1.9 cm, as observed on an intraoral periapical radiograph, and confirmed by ultrasound was selected for the study. After confirming the diagnosis all the teeth were subjected to nonsurgical endodontic treatment. Postoperative healing was monitored using postoperative subjective feedback, a radiograph, and an ultrasound with a color power doppler, at intervals of six weeks, three months, and six months.Results:Eight among the ten cases studied showed signs of healing, with an ultrasound, as early as six weeks postoperatively, but the radiographs showed a noticeable change only at the end of three months. At the end of the follow-up period of three months and six months, the findings in terms of change in the lesion size were the same with both the radiograph and ultrasound. Ultrasonography was able to predict the healing very consistently at all recall periods from six weeks onward providing vital information such as changes in vascularity and bone formation as compared to radiographs.Conclusions:Ultrasound with Color Power Doppler is an efficient tool for monitoring bone healing as compared to the conventionally employed radiographic method.

Aims:This in vitro study compared the effects of different layering techniques on the microleakage of silorane-based resin composite using confocal laser scanning microscope.Materials and Methods:Forty caries free premolars extracted for orthodontic reasons were used. A class V cavity was prepared on the buccal surface in each of the premolars, with the gingival margin of the cavity being 1 mm above cementoenamel junction. The cavities were restored with a silorane-based resin composite (Filtek™ P90 Silorane Low Shrink Restorative, 3M ESPE) using two different layering techniques – split incremental and oblique layering technique. All samples were subjected to 1000 thermal cycles of 5°C/55°C in water with a 30 second dwell time, and after the procedure, the teeth were immersed in 0.6% aqueous rhodamine dye for 48 hours. Sectioned samples were examined under a Confocal Fluorescence Imaging Microscope (Leica TCS-SP5, DM6000-CFS) at 10× magnification, and microleakage scores were analyzed statistically using paired “t” test and Mann–Whitney test. Width of interface between the tooth surface and resin composite was measured using a digital scale (Snagit digital scale).Results:Microleakage was seen along the entire perimeter of restoration irrespective of the layering technique used. The microleakage score was same in both the groups. Statistical analysis of width of interface showed significant difference between the two layering techniques. The width was significantly less in split incremental technique, indicating less polymerization shrinkage.Conclusions:This in vitro study showed that the silorane-based resin composite shows microleakage irrespective of the layering technique used for class V cavities. However, this problem can be minimized significantly by using split incremental technique for restoration of class V lesions.

Aim of the Study:Bacteria that persist at the time of obturation increase the possibility of persistent apical periodontitis. An ideal sealer should be able to kill these remaining bacteria that are present on the dentinal walls as well as inside the dentinal tubules. This could be possible if a sealer has antimicrobial properties with optimum flow characteristics. Hence, the aim of this in vitro study was to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of epoxy resin-based sealer: AH Plus and Perma Evolution against Enterococcus faecalis on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th day and also to compare the flow characteristics of both epoxy resin-based sealers.Materials and Methods:E. faecalis ATCC 35550 strain was used to assess the antibacterial efficacy of sealers by agar-diffusion test (ADT) and direct-contact test (DCT). Flow characteristics of sealers were measured according to the ADA specification no. 57.Results:In ADT, Perma Evolution sealer showed larger zone of inhibition than AH plus on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th day, and in DCT, both sealers were equally effective in inhibiting E. faecalis growth on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th day. Flow test showed no significant difference between Perma Evolution and AH Plus sealer.Conclusion:Both the tested sealers were equally effective against E. faecalis up to 7 days of incubation period. Considering flow properties, both the tested sealers showed optimum flow as per the ADA specification no. 57.

Background The aim of the present study is to determine the influence of different enamel shades of various thickness on chroma and value of vita shade of dentin. Materials and methods Three enamel composite resin shades (Enamel white, grey and neutral) and one dentin shade (A2) from Amelogen Plus (Ultradent) was used. Ninety Enamel disk specimens of 0.5, 0.75 and 1 mm thickness and 10 mm in diameter for each shade and 90 dentin disk specimens of 2 mm in thickness and 10 mm in diameter was used for the study. The spectrophotometric values of the dentin shade with and without enamel specimens were recorded and the values were converted to CIE L*a*b values. Results Statistical analysis was done using Pearson correlation coefficients to verify the effect of thickness on Chroma and value, and the significance was evaluated by one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test. Two way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc was done to verify the variation within the groups. Results revealed a significant positive correlation between thickness and chroma and a negative correlation between thickness and value. There was a statistically significant variation in between the groups. Conclusion All groups produced a significant increase in chroma with increase in thickness of enamel shade upto a thickness of 0.75 mm after which the behavior of each shade was erratic. Hence, the optimum thickness would be 0.75 mm. All groups produced a significant decrease in value with increase in thickness of enamel shade. Enamel white produced the greatest reduction in value, enamel neutral the least and enamel grey demonstrated an intermediate result. Clinical significance There is a need to have a knowledge of the effect on chroma and value when dentin is layered with different enamel shades, it is also important to understand the effect of these enamel shades at different thicknesses to better control the color and reproduce esthetic simulating natural teeth. How to cite this article Hajira NSWN, Mehta D, Ashwini P, Meena N, Usha HL. Influence of Different Enamel Shades and Thickness on Chroma and Value of Dentin Vita Shade: An in vitro Comparative Assessment Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2015;16(4):304-309.