BackgroundCurrent technological advances have allowed application of different study designs and techniques for investigation of dental anatomy. Some clinical studies have provided evidence that Cone Beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanning is an important resource in assessment of root canal systems notably to identify MB2 canals in maxillary molars as CBCT scans allow in vivo dental investigation in axial, sagittal and coronal planes simultaneously. The current study was undertaken to detect and evaluate filled/unfilled MB2 canals in endodontically treated, asymptomatic maxillary molars utilizing cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).Material and MethodsA retrospective study of 100 CBCTs of patients were underwent scanning for various treatment modalities, with asymptomatic endodontically treated permanent first and second maxillary molars were selected. History of root canal treatment varied from minimum of 1 year to a maximum of 10 years. Axial and paraxial images obtained were used to assess the presence of MB2 canal. Paraxial images were used to assess the periapical status.ResultsOf the 100 scans, 66 were of permanent maxillary first molar and 34 were of permanent maxillary second molar. The incidence of MB2 canal was 86.36% in maxillary first molars and 29.4% in maxillary second molars. 77.19 % of maxillary first molars and 90% of maxillary second molars had an unfilled MB2 canal. 72.7% of maxillary first molars and 88.8% of maxillary second molars showed significant periapical radiolucencies in unfilled MB2 canals.ConclusionsMB2 canals were present in majority of cases and most of the unfilled MB2 canals showed evidence of periapical radiolucencies. Key words:MB2 Canals, Cone Beam computed Tomography (CBCT), Filled /Unfilled canals, Endodontically treated teeth.

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Background: The importance of oral heath in the general wellbeing of our health is still largely undervalued. The current study was designed to comprehend the details of chief complaints and self-medication of the patients visiting a dental hospital in Mumbai. The level of awareness of the patients and its association with the practice of self-medication was also explored in the study. Methods: 300 randomly selected patients reporting to Nair Hospital Dental College were surveyed to conduct this clinical, observational, cross sectional, single center study. A specially designed and validated questionnaire consisting of 14 close ended questions was provided to the patients in the language of their convenience. Results: The most common chief complaint recorded among the dental patients was dental pain. This was followed by swelling, mobility and tooth replacement. The patients reported that most of them had experienced multiple dental problems before and did not report to the dental healthcare provider. 81% of the patients reported that they had practiced some form of self-medication for dental problems. 56.33% of them used analgesics, the pharmacy and over the counter drugs were the most common sources. A number of reasons were reported for the use of these drugs and the most common reason was to get quick or temporary relief but the patients did not report to the health care provider unless the symptoms got severe. Finally a significant relationship was recorded between the level of awareness of patients about the ill effects of self- medication and the prevalence of its practice among dental patients. Conclusions: More attention should be drawn towards the big impact of dental and oral health on the general well-being of the patients. The ethical use of medication should be encouraged not only by ensuring stringent rules governing the distribution of drugs but also by educating patients about the numerous risks involved with the practice of self-medication.

Aim: The aim of this systematic analysis was to assess the prevalence of dentinal microcracks at various levels (3, 6, and 9mm from the apex) after using instruments made with conventional, R-Phase, and M-Wire NiTi alloys and the SAF system. Materials and Methods: Electronic searches were conducted in the databases Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. To arrange search methods, “MeSH” terms and/or keywords typically associated with the subject were paired with the Boolean operators “AND” and “OR.” Additional searches were conducted on the websites of four separate endodontic journals. After reading the titles and excluding duplicates, 1000 of the 1343 documents originally found were eliminated. Upon reviewing the abstracts, 310 of the remaining 343 experiments were also eliminated. Based on qualifying requirements, only 13 of the remaining 33 articles were included in the qualitative review. Results: All systems triggered dentinal microcracks; however, when chemo-mechanical preparation was performed using Self-Adjusting File (SAF) and systems manufactured with R-phase technology—K3XF and Twisted File Adaptive (TFA)—less of these defects were found when compared to those manufactured with traditional NiTi—ProTaper Universal and Mtwo—and with M-Wire—ProTaper Next, Reciproc, and WaveOne. Conclusions: A lower prevalence of dentinal microcracks was observed after using SAF and endodontic systems manufactured with R-phase.

Objectives This study assessed the shape and anatomical relationship of the mental foramen (MF) to mandibular posterior teeth in an Indian sub-population. Materials and Methods In total, 475 existing cone-beam computed tomography records exhibiting 950 MFs and including the bilateral presence of mandibular premolars and first molars were assessed. Images were evaluated 3-dimensionally to ascertain the position, shape, and anatomical proximity of MFs to mandibular teeth. The position and shape of MFs were measured and calculated. The Pythagorean theorem was used to calculate the distance between the root apex of the mandibular teeth and the MF. Results MFs exhibited a predominantly round shape (left: 67% and right: 65%) followed by oval (left: 30% and right: 31%) in both males and females and in different age groups. The root apices of mandibular second premolars (left: 71% and right: 62%) were closest to the MF, followed by distal to the first premolars and mesial to the second premolars. The mean vertical distance between the MF and the nearest tooth apex calculated on sagittal sections was 2.20 mm on the right side and 2.32 mm on the left side; no significant difference was found according to sex or age. The distance between the apices of the teeth and the MF was ≥ 4 mm (left; 4.09 ± 1.27 mm and right; 4.01 ± 1.15 mm). Conclusions These findings highlight the need for clinicians to be aware of the location of the MF in treatment planning and while performing non-surgical and surgical endodontic procedures.

Introduction: COVID-19 has had a new challenge on dental workers, radically altering clinical and personal management. The crosssectional survey sought to examine and comprehend the influence of COVID-19 on Indian dentistry practitioners. Methods: A 38-item questionnaire-based survey was communicated to Indian dental practitioners through a web-based form (Google form). The questionnaire was categorized into four sections: (i) Personal protective equipment (PPE), (ii) dental treatments, (iii) auxiliary management, and (iv) personal impact. The findings were examined and studied in order to comprehend the repercussions of COVID-19. The questionnaire was completed by 513 of the 1129 dentists to whom it was delivered. Results: For the current questionnaire, a response rate that we received was 45.44%. When compared to the pre-pandemic era, the use of PPE has increased dramatically (95.7%). The use of PPE alleviated dental practitioners' and patients' doubts about viral transmission. The epidemic prompted the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) to issue specific recommendations for dental treatments, which were followed by 92.5% of dentists. The majority of dentists reported a considerable impact on both financial and mental health concerns. Teleconsulting and distant learning gained greater prominence. The COVID-19 epidemic affected the lives of dental professionals both within and outside of the dental setting, as well as the auxiliary. Conclusion: COVID-19 has left a trail of devastation in its aftermath. Dentists were affected both emotionally and professionally. Dentists rapidly and uniformly followed the revised recommendations.

Purpose:The aim of present study was to evaluate the color stability of calcium-silicate based cements (CSC) Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) and BiodentineTM when exposed to endodontic irrigating solutions 5% Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) or 2% Chlorhexidine (CHX).Materials and methods:A total of 60 (n=30) cylindrical samples (10 mm diameter, 2 mm height) were prepared by manipulating white MTA Angelus (Angelus, Londrina, PR, Brazil) and BiodentineTM (Septodent, Saint Maur, France) according to manufacturer's instructions. These samples were immersed in 5% sodium hypochlorite (Prime Dental Products Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India), 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (Dentochlor, Saronno VA, Italia), or distilled water for 24 hours. Color changes were measured using UV spectrophotometer (UV-1650, Shimadzu, Europe) and the values were tabulated.Results:A significant difference was observed between group I and II with respect to both parameters A & B (p<0.05). Both the calcium-silicate-based materials exhibited significant discoloration when immersed in NaOCl and CHX. Distilled water did not cause clinically perceptible discoloration of any material.Conclusion:A significant discoloration was observed with a specific combination of calciumsilicate- based cement and irrigant. BiodentineTM exhibited significant discoloration with CHX whereas, MTA showed more discoloration with NaOCl.

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