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The currently available bioceramic-based sealers still demonstrate low bond strength with a poor seal in root canal despite desirable biological properties. Hence, the present study aimed to determine the dislodgment resistance, adhesive pattern, and dentinal tubule penetration of a novel experimental algin-incorporated bioactive glass 58S calcium silicate-based (Bio-G) sealer and compared it with commercialised bioceramic-based sealers. A total of 112 lower premolars were instrumented to size 30. Four groups (n = 16) were assigned for the dislodgment resistance test: control, gutta-percha + Bio-G, gutta-percha + BioRoot RCS, and gutta-percha + iRoot SP, with exclusion of the control group in adhesive pattern and dentinal tubule penetration tests. Obturation was done, and teeth were placed in an incubator to allow sealer setting. For the dentinal tubule penetration test, sealers were mixed with 0.1% of rhodamine B dye. Subsequently, teeth were cut into a 1 mm-thick cross section at 5 mm and 10 mm levels from the root apex, respectively. Push-out bond strength, adhesive pattern, and dentinal tubule penetration tests were performed. Bio-G showed the highest mean push-out bond strength (p < 0.05), while iRoot SP showed the greatest sealer penetration (p < 0.05). Bio-G demonstrated more favourable adhesive patterns. No significant association was noted between dislodgment resistance and dentinal tubule penetration (p > 0.05).

Objective: To determine the prevalence of hypercementosis in a Saudi Arabian population. Material and methods: A total of 642 CBCT scans from patients comprising 4471 teeth were incorporated in the study sample. All teeth were analyzed for the presence of hypercementosis in sagittal, axial and coronal plains by two qualified and experienced observers. The characteristics of the involved tooth in terms of gender, jaw and location were recorded from the CBCT scans. The obtained data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 21.0. The reliability of measurements was evaluated by kappa statistics. Results: Out of total 642 subjects hypercementosis was observed in 31 patients (4.82%) and 43 teeth (0.96%). Eight (2.68%) maxillary 1 st molars, 6 (1.88%) mandibular 1 st molars, 5 (1.46%) maxillary second molars, 7 (1.95%) mandibular 2 nd molars, 9 (4.76%) maxillary 3 rd molars and 8 (3.58%) mandibular 3 rd molars were observed to have hypercementosis. Among males, 4.76% were affected with hypercementosis as compared to 4.86% of females (p=0.97). Likewise, no significant difference in the occurrence of hypercementosis was observed between maxillary and mandibular arches or between sides (p>0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of hypercementosis in a Saudi population was found to be 4.82% with respect to patients and 0.96% with respect to teeth. No significant propensity for gender, jaw and arch side was noted.

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Objective: To assess the prevalence of pulp stones using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in a Saudi Arabian adolescent population. Material and Methods: CBCT scans of 237 individuals compromising of 1018 teeth were examined. All teeth were analyzed in three dimensions and the presence of pulp stones were identified as a round or oval shaped dense structures in the pulp space. The location of involved tooth in terms of arch, side involved and the status of the tooth were documented. Statistical analysis was carried out by applying Chi-square test. The level of significance was set at 5%. Results: Pulp stones were observed in 119 out of the 237 participants, and in 118 teeth out of 1018 teeth examined, with the patient prevalence of 50.2% and tooth prevalence 10.6%. Pulp stones were observed in 76 (51.3%) of males and 43 (48.3%) of females, with no significant difference (p>0.05). A nonsignificant difference was also noted when maxillary and mandibular arches and the left and right sides were compared. Pulp stones were observed more frequently observed in molars and in carious (8.8%) and restored teeth (17.1%). Conclusion: The prevalence of pulp stones was high in molars and in carious and restored teeth. No significant difference was noticed between gender, arch and side of tooth involved with pulp stones.