Objective This study aimed to evaluate adaptation of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), Biodentine, and MTA Plus when used as root-end restorative materials using scanning electron microscope. Materials and Methods Forty-five extracted teeth with one root canal were cleaned and sectioned at cementoenamel junction, maintaining a standardized length of 15 mm. Chemomechanical preparation and obturation was done in all the samples, and access was restored with glass ionomer cement (GIC). Root-end cavities were prepared in all the samples after 3-mm apical root end was resected. Forty-five samples were divided into three groups with 15 samples each. Root apices were filled with ProRoot MTA in group I, Biodentine in group II, and MTA Plus in group III. The sample teeth were sectioned for examination of gaps at the margins using scanning electron microscope. The data collected were put to statistical analysis by one-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) and post hoc tests. Results The minimum margin gap score of 2.44 μm was observed in group II (Biodentine), whereas maximum gap score of 5.63 μm was observed in group I (ProRoot MTA); 4.92 μm mean margin gap score was observed in group III (MTA Plus). Conclusion Biodentine showed least margin gap at the interface, so it can be considered as the best root-end filling material, whereas, MTA Plus can be considered as a substitute to ProRoot MTA as a root-end filling material.

No abstract

Objective To assess the adequacy of various light-curing units to polymerize the posterior composite resin. Materials and Methods Specimens were prepared by placing a single increment of posterior composite resin in split cylindrical metallic mold of dimension (6.0 mm in diameter and 5 mm in depth). Polymerization was done by utilizing one quartztungsten-halogen and three light-emitting diode light-curing units of different powers. The specimens of composite resin were then mounted on metallic molds utilizing autopolymerizing acrylic resin. After polishing, the complete setting of composite resin material was analyzed using Vickers hardness test. Results Showed in each group, hardness reduced as we moved from upper to lower surface of composite resin. Furthermore, hardness increased as intensity of light was increased. The maximum hardness was detected when light-emitting diode lightcuring unit having intensity of 1,250 mW/cm 2 was utilized and least hardness was detected when halogen lamp having intensity 418 mW/cm 2 was utilized and results were found to be highly significant (p < 0.01). Conclusion It was concluded that increased top and bottom hardness can be accomplished by utilizing the light-curing unit of high intensity. AbstractKeywords ► light-curing units ► metallic molds ► hardness values Dent J Adv Stud 2018;6:60-64