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Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of activated charcoal powder on extrinsic stain removal and its effect on surface roughness in stained resin composite in comparison with whitening toothpaste. Materials and methods Sixty-six disk-shaped composite specimens were fabricated using a custom-made ring mold. The specimens were stained using a coffee solution and stored in distilled water at 37 °C. The specimens were divided randomly into two groups, Group 1: Thirty-Three disks were subjected to brushing using whitening toothpaste (Control), and Group 2: Thirty-Three disks were subjected to brushing using charcoal powder. Specimens were evaluated for surface color and surface roughness at baseline after staining protocol and after the brushing process. Results Changes in color and surface roughness were highly significant (p < 0.0001) after brushing with activated charcoal powder and whitening toothpaste. However, no significant differences were found in color (p = 0.90) and surface roughness (p = 0.33) between the two bleaching techniques. Conclusion The changes in the color and surface roughness of resin composite was significant after brushing with activated charcoal powder and whitening toothpaste. However, there were no significant differences between the two techniques.

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Objective This in vitro study was designed to evaluate the influence of an Er,Cr:YSGG laser on the bond strength of zirconia and glass fiber posts with root dentin. Materials and methods Ninety extracted single-rooted human teeth were randomized into 6 groups (n = 15/group) on the basis of different posts (zirconia/glass fiber) and Er,Cr:YSGG laser tips (axial and radial). Specimens were prepared for push-out testing with the help of a cutting machine; six slices (2 on each cervical, middle, and apical) of approximately 1 mm thickness were sectioned for all roots on a plane perpendicular to the long axis of the post. All specimens were placed into a universal testing machine with a defined 0.5 mm/min crosshead speed until the maximum failure load was obtained. Results The highest mean push-out bond strength of the glass fiber and zirconia groups was achieved with laser treatment. The highest push-out bond strength was achieved with the axial fiber tip (7.63 ± 1.22 MPa), and the lowest was achieved with a radial fiber tip of the glass fiber group (6.98 ± 0.96 MPa). ANOVA showed a statistically significant difference between the groups (p = 0.041). The mean push-out bond strength was found to be higher with an axial fiber tip for both cervical and apical segments in the glass fiber and zirconia groups (p < 0.05). The independent t-test resulted in the overall highest mean push-out bond strength in the apical segments (p = 0.026). Conclusion Within the limits of the present in vitro research study, an enhancement in the push-out bond strength of resin cement, mainly in the cervical region of the root canal, was achieved after irradiation with an Er,Cr:YSGG laser using an axial fiber tip.

Background: A perfect balance needs to be maintained between various types of endodontic access cavity preparation designs like - Traditional and conservative designed preparation to have access to the root canal system for proper cleaning and shaping of root canals without compromising the fracture resistance of the tooth structure. Aims and Objectives: We aimed to assess as well as draw comparisons of resistance against fracture of remaining tooth structure post the endodontic treatment after preparing access cavity through a variety of techniques so that we can estimate which type of cavity design technique will help endodontically treated teeth to withstand excessive load without fracture. Methods: Forty-two intact teeth (mandibular molars) were randomly selected and then were assigned to 07 different groups, inclusive of control and test groups. Various designs of access cavity preparation were done on sample teeth. The groups were divided based on different access cavity preparation designs as well as residual walls. The samples were then mounted on a composite cylinder, which was loaded under a mechanical testing machine at 0.5mm/min speed till the tooth structure fractured. This measurement of force was denoted in newton. The later analysis was carried out with the help of two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) as well as Tukey’s post-hoc statistical tests. Results: There was negligible statistically relevant variance in strength towards fracture between traditional and conservative designs in teeth having three remaining walls. However, teeth with only two remaining walls fractured easily. Conclusion: Fracture resistance of teeth with remaining 03 residual walls did not show any significant difference among Traditional (TEC) and Conservative Cavity (CEC) design groups, but increased fracture strength was reported in CEC with 02 residual walls.