Endodontic treatment of the pulpless tooth with an immature root apex poses a special challenge for the clinician due to lack of an apical stop against which to compact an interim dressing of calcium hydroxide, or the final obturation material. A one-visit apexification protocol with MTA (Mineral Trioxide Aggregate) has be seen as an alternative to the traditional treatment practices with calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2]. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of MTA as a 5mm apical barrier by comparing sealing ability of ProRoot MTA to that of MTA-Angelus. 50 freshly extracted Maxillary and Mandibular single canal sound human incisor teeth were used in this study, which were decoronated to standardized 10mm root lengths. The root segments were prepared to simulate the clinical situation of an open apex with Gates Glidden burs # 5-1 and randomly assigned into 2 experimental groups of 20 samples each (Group A: ProRoot MTA, Group B: MTA-Angelus) and 10 root segments were used as control (Group C) where no apical barrier was used. After obturation the coronal portion of all samples were sealed with Glass Ionomer and stored at 37°C and 100% humidity for 4 weeks. The root segments were then double coated with nail varnish except for the apical 1mm and apical ends of all root segments were suspended vertically in methylene blue dye for 48 hours at room temperature. After removal from the dye, the samples were sectioned longitudinally and linear dye penetration was measured using a Grid and stereomicroscope. The measurements were tabulated and statistically analyzed. The mean percentage of dye leakage for Group A was 55.5% and for Group B was 53.25%. The results showed no statistically significant difference in the sealing ability of ProRoot MTA and MTA-Angelus when used as apical barriers.

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Extracted human teeth are routinely used for educational purposes in dental institutions. In recent years infection control guidelines have been revised due to the possibility of cross-contamination from these extracted teeth. This study was done to determine the efficacy of some commonly used methods for disinfection/sterilization of extracted human teeth.

Background Pediatric dental radiography is a field with numerous uses as well as concerns regarding radiation safety. This study was undertaken to assess the knowledge that parents have regarding the same. This questionnaire survey was conducted with the aim of assessing the knowledge, attitude, and practices of parents toward pediatric dental radiography. Material and Methods In total, 280 questionnaires were answered by parents of children visiting the Pediatric Dental Department. The first 10 questions served to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of parents toward pediatric dental radiography. The last three questions were designed to assess the practices of parents in relation to dental radiography and protective gear. The answers were collected and analyzed. Results From the survey it was seen that most parents were aware that the harmful effects from dental radiography were minimal (51%). A fairly significant number of parents lacked the knowledge regarding the harmful effects of dental radiography in children compared to adults (63%), in comparison to the harmful effects from cell phones (66%) and in comparison to harmful effects of medical radiography (42%). A fair number of parents seemed to be aware of the detrimental cumulative nature (47%) of radiation. It was found that a large number of parents do not ask for an explanation regarding the need for the dental radiograph for their children before the dental treatment (50%). Most parents (64%) were not aware of the availability of protective gear and very few (16%) requested for it. Conclusion The parents considered in this study had appreciable knowledge and a positive attitude toward dental radiography. However, a significant lack of knowledge regarding protective gear used for dental radiography among these parents was identified from this study.