This study aims to compare and evaluate the efficacy of four different irrigating solutions like sodium hypochlorite, ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA), Oxum, and ozonated water with ultrasonic agitation in removing the smear layer in the apical third of root canals using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Materials and methodsFor the study, 50 freshly extracted human mandibular premolars with single well-developed roots without any curvatures were taken. The teeth taken were decoronated to obtain a uniform working length of 15 mm, and the samples were instrumented using a ProTaper Gold rotary file system (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) up to F2 size, along with irrigation of 1 ml of 3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) in between instrumentation. The samples were randomly divided into five groups with 10 samples each, according to the final irrigant used. Group I-EDTA 17%, Group II-NaOCl 5%, Group III-Oxum, Group IV-ozonated water, and Group V-normal saline. In all groups, ultrasonic agitation of the irrigating solution was performed using a size 20 file, held passively inside the root canal. Then the samples were flushed with distilled water, dried with paper points, split into two halves, and subjected to SEM analysis. SEM images of the apical third region of root samples were taken at 5000X resolution and scored on a scale of 1 to 4. ResultsStatistical analysis was done using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test using software version SPSS software version 17.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago). The results showed that the 17% EDTA group showed the least smear layer scores when compared to other groups with statistical significance. This was followed by the Oxum group and 5% NaOCl group, whereas the ozone water group and saline control group showed the highest smear layer scores. ConclusionThe present study reveals that the EDTA is the superior irrigant in the elimination of smear layer in root canal treatment. Newer irrigants, such as Oxum, can be used as an alternative to EDTA for smear layer removal while remaining biocompatible with dentin. Whereas ozone can be combined with other irrigants for synergistic action of enhanced antimicrobial property and smear layer elimination in the future.

The current case report presents a case of a road traffic accident comprising dental avulsion of maxillary incisors. A 30-year-old male reported missing teeth following trauma in his upper front tooth region. The avulsion of maxillary right central and lateral incisors along with laceration in upper and lower lips was evident. The avulsed teeth were stored in milk after a brief extra-oral dry time of one hour and were carried to the department with a one-hour delay. After clinical and radiographic investigations, no mobility or fractures were apparently noticed. The avulsed 11 and 12 had closed apices with intact crown and root surfaces. Following an extra-oral endodontic therapy, immediate replantation was scheduled. Subsequently, the alveolar sockets were irrigated with saline to dislodge the clot and any gross debris that was present. Teeth were reimplanted into the socket after placement of PRF membrane around the root surface. A semirigid wire and composite splinting were done for a span of two weeks and antibiotics were prescribed. An exploratory CBCT taken revealed a cortical bone loss in the buccal region of 12 and 11. An interdisciplinary approach to regenerate the osseous defect was then carried out. A follow-up of two weeks, four weeks, three months, six months, and a year was done. Evaluation performed after a year revealed the absence of clinical symptoms and satisfactory healing with no signs of resorption radiographically.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the antibiotic prescription patterns of endodontists, general dentists, and other dental specialists for endodontic procedures in India by using the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) survey method. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was carried out from February 2022 to May 2022 and involved dentists across India. A self-made questionnaire survey was created to judge the knowledge of various dental practitioners, which includes general dentists, endodontists, other dental specialists, and post-graduates with regard to antibiotic usage guidelines for endodontic purposes. A total of about 310 dental practitioners were surveyed across India. The questionnaire was circulated via social platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger. Statistical analysisData for KAP regarding antibiotic prescription patterns among general dentists, endodontists, other dental specialists, and postgraduates were entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20 (IBM Corp. Released 2011. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.). Descriptive statistics of the study population were examined. The level of statistical significance was determined at p<0.05. ResultsFor the percentage of patients who were prescribed systemic antibiotics every day for endodontic reasons, about 38.6% (119) responded 0-10% and 27.3% (84) responded 10-30%. For the order of antibiotics that they prefer from most to least, about 85.4% (263) responded amoxicillin > metronidazole > doxycycline > azithromycin > clindamycin > ciprofloxacin. For the question of whether they use local antibiotics, about 35% answered yes of which 25% were endodontists, 2% were general dentists, 5% were other dental specialists, and 3% were post-graduates. About 77.3% of the total participants were unaware of the antimicrobial stewardship concept and AwaRe classification from WHO. About 53.2% (164) attended CDE programs with regard to antibiotic usage. ConclusionIt is evident from the results of the present study that there is over-prescription of antibiotics by practitioners especially by general dentists without following proper guidelines for endodontic treatments. More emphasis should be made on the proper prescription pattern of antibiotics, proper understanding of endodontic diagnosis, and the need for antibiotics at the undergraduate level. In addition, proper awareness, as well as proper prescription of antibiotics, should be made for existing dental professionals.

This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of intentional replantation among postgraduate students and endodontists in India, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom. Materials and methodsThe sample size was estimated using G*Power. Based on the pilot study done before with 60 participants, a sample size of 928 was obtained. The survey consisted of 22 questions, which were finalized after content validation by two endodontic experts. It was circulated through multiple online social platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and other online dental communities/channels. The respondents were questioned about the case selection, extraction methods, antibiotic therapy, patient acceptance level, operator preference, prognostic indicator, and various other steps in the intentional replantation treatment modality. The data for this KAP survey were organized in an Excel sheet, and statistical analysis was done using the Chi-squared test. Analysis of descriptive and inferential statistics was conducted using SPSS version 20.0 (IBM Inc., Armonk, New York). A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. ResultsA strong statistical difference was found in the KAP of the practitioners in different countries. The vast majority (72.7%) considered intentional replantation as an adjunct treatment modality rather than a last resort. A total of 76.5% of the respondents preferred replantation of the tooth into the socket within 15 minutes, and 86.4% of the participants regarded replantation as the most cost-effective treatment modality. Ultrasonics (76.8%) was most commonly chosen for retrograde preparation, and Biodentine (60.1%; Septodont, Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, France) as root-end filling material. ConclusionIt can be concluded that a broad majority of practitioners in different countries view intentional replantation as an adjunct treatment modality rather than a last resort. Thus, intentional replantation seems to be a promising option for preserving the natural dentition of teeth with high survival rates and better outcomes.

Background: The depletion of bond strength after the bleaching procedure has resulted in the usage of several antioxidants to get rid of discharging oxygen from residual peroxides before any adhesive restorations. Aim: The in vitro study aimed to compare and evaluate the shear bond strength of composite after application of three over-the-counter natural antioxidants on bleached enamel. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six extracted human anterior teeth were decoronated at the level of cementoenamel junction and implanted into self-cure acrylic resin exposing the labial surface alone. The embedded specimens were categorized into six groups of six teeth each, and the groups were as follows: Group I: unbleached + composite bonding, Group II: bleaching + delayed composite bonding, Groups III, IV, and V: bleaching + antioxidants – olive oil/Vitamin E oil/propolis + immediate composite bonding, and Group VI: bleaching + immediate composite bonding. The shear bond strength analysis was performed with the help of the universal testing machine, and the values obtained were statistically analyzed using IBM SPSS for Windows, v. 21.0. Results: The results obtained from the study reveal that all the three experimental groups showed an increase in the shear bond strength in comparison to Group VI (positive control) and the difference in the bond strength between the experimental groups and positive control is also statistically significant. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, although the bond strength of composite resin after application of the three natural over-the-counter antioxidants falls very closely, the usage of oil-based antioxidants had been found to perform less effectively in improving the shear bond strength.