Aims:The aim of the following study is to evaluate the change in laser fluorescence (LF) values for extracted teeth stored in different solutions over 1 year period, to give cut-off values for different storage media at different time intervals to get them at par with the in vivo conditions and to see which medium gives best results with the least change in LF values and while enhancing the validity of DIAGNOdent in research.Materials and Methods:Ninety extracted teeth selected, from a pool of frozen teeth, were divided into nine groups of 10 each. Specimens in Groups 1-8 were stored in 1% chloramine, 10% formalin, 10% buffered formalin, 0.02% thymol, 0.12% chlorhexidine, 3% sodium hypochlorite, a commercially available saliva substitute-Wet Mouth (ICPA Pharmaceuticals) and normal saline respectively at 4°C. The last group was stored under frozen condition at −20°C without contact with any storage solution. DIAGNOdent was used to measure the change the LF values at day 30, 45, 60, 160 and 365.Statistical Analysis Used:The mean change in LF values in different storage mediums at different time intervals were compared using two-way ANOVA.Results:At the end of 1 year, significant decrease in fluorescence (P < 0.05) was observed in Groups 1-8. Maximum drop in LF values occurred between day 1 and 30. Group 9 (frozen specimens) did not significantly change their fluorescence response.Conclusions:An inevitable change in LF takes place due to various storage media commonly used in dental research at different time intervals. The values obtained from our study can remove the bias caused by the storage media and the values of LF thus obtained can hence be conveniently extrapolated to the in vivo condition.

Introduction The main aim of this study was to compare and evaluate different chemical agents and herbal products in disinfecting gutta-percha (GP) cones through an in vitro study. Materials and Methods For this study, 160 GP cones were taken in test tubes, which were contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis inocula, prepared by dissolving it in Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) broth. The GP cones were then taken from the test tubes and dried on Whatman filter paper no. 1 and were divided into four groups according to the decontaminant used for the study—group 1 (5% sodium hypochlorite [NaOCl]), group 2 (2% chlorhexidine), group 3 (propolis), and group 4 (Aloe vera)—which were further subdivided into subgroups on the basis immersion time periods of 1 and 10 minutes. The GP cones were then again dried and taken in the test tubes containing freshly prepared BHI broth to check the turbidity. Results It was found that 2% chlorhexidine was the most effective disinfectant against E. faecalis, 5% NaOCl was the second best disinfectant followed by propolis, while Aloe vera had not shown any effect as GP disinfectant. Conclusion Since 2% chlorhexidine showed better disinfection efficacy against E. faecalis than 5% NaOCl, it can be recommended for chairside disinfection of GP. One-minute immersion of GP in 2% chlorhexidine is sufficient for elimination of E. faecalis.

Introduction The main aim of this study is in vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial efficacy of different herbal products, that is, propolis, garlic, neem, aloe vera, and rosemary, against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis using agar diffusion test. Materials and Methods In this study, total of 42 plates were prepared, 10 each of B. subtilis, S. aureus, and E. faecalis and 12 as test control (6 as positive and 6 as negative control). The effectiveness of five herbal products was ascertained by agar diffusion method against B. subtilis, S. aureus, and E. faecalis. Cultures of these test organisms were maintained on selective media slants in a test tube to collect sufficient number of microbial colonies for evaluation. The cultures were divided into three groups based upon microbes that were lawn cultured, respectively: In group A, 10 petri plates were having growth of B. subtilis; in group B, 10 petri plates were having growth of S. aureus; and in group C, 10 petri plates were having growth of E. faecalis. In all these 30 petri plates, five different herbal product discs were placed and these discs were designated as A (aloe vera), P (propolis), N (neem), R (rosemary), and G (garlic). Among remaining 12 petri plates, 4 petri plates were used as control (2 for positive and 2 for negative) for each of the bacteria. Results Propolis and rosemary showed maximum zone of inhibition against B. subtilis. Garlic, neem, and aloe vera showed maximum zone of inhibition against S. aureus. Conclusion All the herbal products showed zone of inhibition against S. aureus, B. subtilis, and E. faecalis.

Periapical disease may occur through an inflammatory response in a non-vital tooth. The treatment of choice for most of these periapical lesions may be a conservative non-surgical approach. An accurate diagnosis of the periapical lesion whether it is of endodontic or nonendodontic origin has to be made. Non- surgical endodontic therapy has shown a success rate of 94.4% with complete or partial healing. The present clinical cases show two large periapical lesions in 14 year and 17-year-old male patients respectively which were healed with non- surgical approaches using different formulations of calcium hydroxide. Healing was seen after few months in both the lesion without invasive treatments. As the first case revealed periapical healing within 2 months of calcium hydroxide placement whereas the second case showed a much slower rate of healing over one year.