Background:The process of cleaning and shaping the canal is not an easy goal to obtain, as canal curvature played a significant role during the instrumentation of the curved canals.Aim:The present in vivo study was conducted to evaluate procedural errors during the preparation of curved root canals using hand Nitiflex and rotary K3XF instruments.Materials and Methods:Procedural errors such as ledge formation, instrument separation, and perforation (apical, furcal, strip) were determined in sixty patients, divided into two groups. In Group I, thirty teeth in thirty patients were prepared using hand Nitiflex system, and in Group II, thirty teeth in thirty patients were prepared using K3XF rotary system. The evaluation was done clinically as well as radiographically. The results recorded from both groups were compiled and put to statistical analysis.Statistical Analysis:Chi-square test was used to compare the procedural errors (instrument separation, ledge formation, and perforation).Results:In the present study, both hand Nitiflex and rotary K3XF showed ledge formation and instrument separation. Although ledge formation and instrument separation by rotary K3XF file system was less as compared to hand Nitiflex. No perforation was seen in both the instrument groups.Conclusion:Canal curvature played a significant role during the instrumentation of the curved canals. Procedural errors such as ledge formation and instrument separation by rotary K3XF file system were less as compared to hand Nitiflex.

Background:Calcifications can occur in the dental pulp as discrete bodies known as pulp stones. Their etiology remains obscure. They were believed to be formed as a result of local irritating factors within the pulp; however, a few authors now suggest that they may be a part of systemic biomineralization process that affects many body parts such as kidneys, gall bladder, joints, arteries as well as pulp leading to formation of stones.Aim:This retrospective case–control study was taken up to (i) determine the prevalence of pulp stones as well as pulp chamber narrowing in patients with gallbladder stones as well as the controls (ii) whether any correlation exists between the prevalence of pulp stones and gallbladder stones so as to test the hypothesis that pulp stones and gallbladder stones may be a part of a common systemic calcification process.Setting and Design:This retrospective case–control study was conducted in the Department of Gastroenterology and Department of Radiodiagnosis, Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Amritsar. A total of 200 individuals were taken up for the study. Group I consisted of 100 patients (cases) with confirmed diagnosis of gallbladder stones. Group II included the control group in which individuals who were the close relatives of the patients with gall bladder stones were taken (n = 100), so as to eliminate the common confounding factors in these two groups such as diet, air, water, environment, genes, and age, which could affect the formation of pulp stones could not be the reason for the formation of pulp stones.Materials and Methods:Standard bitewing radiographs were taken for all the patients in each group and presence or absence of pulp chamber narrowing and pulp stones were observed.Statistical Analysis Used:McNemar's statistical test was used to find the difference between the two groups, and the P value was determined. Coefficient of association using the Phi coefficient was used to determine if there was any association between the two groups.Results:In Group I, 37% of the patients with gallbladder stones showed the presence of pulp stones; whereas in the Group II which was the control, 57% of individuals showed the presence of pulp stones. McNemar's test of significance calculated with one-degree freedom (1-df) showed that P = 0.01, thereby showing that there was a significant difference between these two groups.Conclusion:According to the study, a negative correlation between pulp stones and gallbladder stones was found and they are not related to each other.

Biofilm refers to a group of microbes colonizing together and often adhered to a surface. The adherence is attributed to secretion of polymeric substances comprising of extracellular DNA, proteins, and polysaccharides thereby limiting the access and inhibitory activity of existing antimicrobial agents. Biofilm are a major cause of acute infections and pose immense clinical threat especially in conditions employing the use of invasive devices thus being a major source of mortality and morbidity. Hence there is a dire need to develop alternative treatment against biofilm-related infections. Advances in nanotechnology has opened new horizons. Nanoparticles derived from various metal present promising candidates to ameliorate biofilms owing to their antioxidant potential.

Root canal system acts as an 'affluent sanctuary' for the growth and survival of endodontic microbiota. This is attributed to the special environment which the microbes get inside the root canals. Although variety of microbes such as viruses and fungi have been isolated from the root canal system, bacteria are the most commonly found to be associated with Endodontic infections. These are the first to reach the pulp and initiate the pulpal reaction through direct pulp exposure, lateral/accessory canals or through periodontal membrane and blood stream. The oral cavity is home to multiple anatomic micro niches which may vary from birth to old age due to changes in oral environment however root canal being the closed space harbours different microbiota including gram negative and positive microorganisms. To achieve the best results with root canal therapy it becomes important to have knowledge about the residing microbiota and how to combat them.

Microorganisms are considered as the primary cause for pulpitis and periapical infection which requires endodontic treatment for pain relief and healthy tooth restoration. Root canal treatment is a sensitive process that requires proper and accurate operative steps accompanied by certain other factors affecting its success. The overall goal of root canal treatment is therefore to prevent or treat periapical disease. Non-surgical endodontic therapy should be attempted whenever feasible and is generally preferred over surgical endodontics, tooth extraction, and replacement. The present review highlights and discusses the major factors affecting the success of nonsurgical endodontic treatment. A multitude of factors has been examined impacting the clinical success of non-surgical endodontics. Some factors had a profound impact on success rates, whereas others showed a negligible effect.