Aim: To investigate the pulp chamber penetration of bleaching agent in intact teeth and teeth following restorative procedure.Methodology: Sixty extracted human incisors were selected and divided into 6 Groups. Four Groups were restored with hybrid composite resin and resin modified glass ionomer cement respectively, while 2 Groups were left intact. The Groups were then immersed in the treatment agents for 60 mins at 37°C. The optical density of the resultant blue solution obtained by adding leucocrystal violet and horseradish peroxidise to the acetate buffer solution present in the pulp chamber was measured spectrophotometrically and the data thus obtained was statistically analysed using ANOVA and paired t-test. Results:The amount of pulpal peroxide penetration in restored teeth was significantly higher than intact teeth (p< 0.001). the control Group showed no peroxide penetration. Groups restored with resin modified glass ionomer cement showed higher pulpal peroxide levels than Groups restored with hybrid composites, though the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.52). Conclusion:Peroxide readily penetrates into the pulp through intact and restored teeth, with restored teeth showing higher pulpal peroxide levels than intact teeth. Teeth restored with resin modified glass ionomer cement showed higher pulpal peroxide level than teeth restored with composite resins.

Retention of restoration depends on the surface of the abutment as well as the luting agents used. Incorporation of retentive grooves or particle abrasion can enhance retention especially in situation of short clinical crown.

Purpose and Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of hamular notch-incisive papilla (HIP) plane as an anatomical landmark in establishing occlusal plane in edentulous subjects. Materials and Methods: Seventy subjects were selected from the South Indian population, of which 50 were dentulous and 20 were edentulous. Dental stone casts were fabricated for dentulous and edentulous subjects. Dental stone casts of the dentulous and edentulous subjects, along with occlusal rims were analyzed using the three-dimensional analyzing machines. The angles between the occlusal planes and HIP plane were determined using the reference coordinate system based on characteristic points in the dentition on the cusp tips in dentulous casts and on maxillary occlusal rim on edentulous casts. Results: The HIP plane tends to be parallel to the occlusal plane. There is no statistical difference between sexes. Conclusion: The HIP plane is parallel to the natural occlusal plane and can be used as a reference plane to re-establish the occlusal plane in edentulous patients.

The objective of the present study was to prepare and characterize the microcapsules for the controlled release of Stavudine using cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), ethyl cellulose (EC), hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose phthalate (HPMCP). The microcapsules were prepared by solvent evaporation method using acetone and liquid paraffin as a drug dispersion and liquid manufacturing phase, respectively. The prepared microcapsules were characterized for particle size distribution (PSD), percent drug content, entrapment efficiency, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and in vitro dissolution studies. The prepared microcapsules were filled in hard gelatin capsules and kept for accelerated stability study as per ICH guidelines for about 3 months. The prepared microcapsules were spherical and free flowing. The entrapment efficiency was found to be 25-45%. The release of drug from the microcapsules was extended upto 12 hours and more. FTIR and DSC thermo graphs showed stable character of stavudine. Scanning electron microscopic study revealed that then microcapsules were spherical and porous in nature. The release kinetics study revealed that the prepared microcapsules were best fitted to the Higuchi model, first order and followed by Zero order and indicating that the drug release was diffusion controlled. The release was mainly influenced by the type of polymer and its viscosity. The DSC study revealed that there is no drug to polymer interaction and showed the stable character of the drug which was further confirmed by the assay of accelerated stability of microcapsules.