Aims and Objective:To assess the effect of root tilt on the fracture resistance and failure pattern of endodontically-treated premolars restored with different post-core systems.Materials and Methods:Ninety endodontically-treated premolars were mounted in acrylic blocks with 0°, 12°, and 24° axial root tilt. Teeth in each group were restored in three subgroups with cast post-core, readymade metal posts and composite cores, and fiber post and composite cores. Crowns of all teeth were prepared coinciding with the long axis of the acrylic blocks to receive all-ceramic crowns. All restored teeth were stressed to record the maximum load at failure and the associated failure pattern. The collected data were statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVA, Tukey's, and Kruskal–Wallis tests at α = 0.05 on past software to detect any differences between subgroups.Results:Analysis of the collected data indicated significant differences between the tested subgroups (ANOVA, P = 3.86). Further analysis showed significant difference between all test subgroups and the control (Tukey's, P < 0.05). In general, teeth with 0° tilt seemed more resistant to fracture than the tilted ones. For all groups, teeth restored with fiber post and composite cores (SG3) were more resistant to fracture compared to other post-core systems (SG1 and SG2) (Tukey's, P < 0.05). The root fracture was the most commonly seen mode of failure.Conclusions:Root tilting usually affects the fracture resistance of teeth restored with post-core systems. The fiber post and composite cores seemed to be the best choice to restore teeth with different root tilting possibilities.

Aim: This study aims to identify the prevalence of the use of rubber dam (RD) for isolation during resin composite restorations in a clinical scenario. It also aims to evaluate restorations done with and without RD for radiolucencies present postoperatively. Methods: A total of 50 voluntarily participating dentists were asked to do posterior composite restorations for primary caries lesions affecting the occluso-proximal surfaces. The isolation protocols followed were noted, and postoperative bitewing radiographs were evaluated independently by two investigators. The presence of radiolucencies between the tooth-restorative interface and in the body of the restoration was assessed and statistically evaluated using Chi-square test at a significance level of P ≤ 0.05. Results: The results showed that 71.5% of the restorations were not done under RD isolation. There was a statistically significant difference in the number of radiolucent areas seen in restorations done with and without RD. Conclusion: This study shows a low percentage of clinicians use RD for isolation during composite restorations. It also indicates that radiolucent areas are more often associated with restorations done without RD isolation. This study stresses that there is a need to change the clinician's convictions about isolation protocols followed during composite restorations.

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Aim: To compare the shear bond strength of microhybrid and BulkFill composite, when they are placed under three different incremental curing techniques: gingival-occlusal layering (horizontal), wedge-shaped layering (oblique), and bulk technique. Materials and methods:A flat dentinal surface of 60 teeth was prepared by removing 1.5 to 2.0 mm of their occlusal surfaces with the help of single-sided diamond disk for testing. These samples were randomly divided into two groups of 30 samples each: group I for microhybrid composite (Filtek Z250,