The diagnostic accuracy of single digital periapical radiography was significantly better than single film periapical radiography. The inclusion of two additional horizontal (parallax) angulated periapical radiograph images (mesial and distal horizontal angulations) significantly improved detection of apical periodontitis.
The application of magnification devices in endodontics is mainly meant for visual enhancement and improved ergonomics. This is crucial especially when long hours are spent in a narrow operating space to treat obscure microanatomy. Nevertheless, application of magnification in endodontics has yet to be introduced into the mainstream practice due to various influences in behavioral patterns. By conducting an extensive literature search in the PubMed database, this narrative review paper depicts the present state of magnification devices, their applications within the endodontic practice, factors that influence their usage, the advantages, and shortcomings, as well as the significances of magnification in the field of endodontics. This review paper will encourage clinicians to employ magnification in their practice for improved outcome.
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Aim
Online survey was conducted to investigate the state of undergraduate endodontic clinical training in Malaysian dental schools.
Methods
An online questionnaire and a cover letter were emailed to the deans of 13 Malaysian dental schools. The questionnaire covers various aspects of endodontic clinical training including teaching methods, endodontic clinical procedures, minimum requirements, clinical sessions and teaching staff.
Results
The response rate was 69%. Similarities in teaching methods were observed in all responding schools. All schools taught contemporary root canal treatment procedures, including the utilisation of radiograph and electronic apex locator for working length determination, the crown‐down approach for canal preparation and the cold lateral compaction for obturation. Sodium hypochlorite solution and non‐setting calcium hydroxide medicament were used in most dental schools. Variations were observed in terms of the number of clinical requirements, supervisor: student ratio, and availability of endodontic specialists. The use of engine‐driven instruments was observed mainly in government‐funded dental schools.
Conclusions
The majority of dental schools in Malaysia are adopting the European Society Endodontology recommendation for undergraduate endodontic training, particularly in relation to the surveyed aspects. Most of the government‐funded dental schools have progressed towards engaging contemporary endodontics with their increasing application of engine‐driven Ni‐Ti instruments and 3D imaging techniques. Appointments of full‐time endodontic specialists would further enhance the quality of endodontic teaching and permit the utilisation of contemporary endodontic materials.
It has been established that conventional root canal irrigants cause detrimental effect on the physico-chemical properties of root dentin. This study aims to determine the effect of a novel root irrigant, ginger or Zingiber officinale Roscoe essential oil on root dentin microhardness. Eighty root halves of extracted human teeth were used and prepared by embedding them individually in autopolymerizing acrylic resin. These samples were then divided into four groups (n = 20 each), i.e., i) 0.5% Z. officinale Roscoe oil, ii) 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl, positive control), iii) 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA, positive control) and iv) normal saline (negative control). Dentin microhardness was measured using Vickers Microhardness Tester with a 50 g load and a 10-second dwell time, before and after immersion in respective solutions for 5 minutes. Measurements were taken in Vickers hardness number (VHN). All samples showed reduction in the microhardness reading; with Z. officinale Roscoe: 34.24 to 25.89, NaOCl: 31.47 to 26.34, EDTA: 33.08 to 26.04 and saline: 29.82 to 27.61 VHN. Although there was significant reduction within the Z. officinale Roscoe group (p < 0.001), the change was indifferent when compared among groups (post hoc Tukey's HSD test p > 0.05). Within the limitations of this study, Zingiber officinale Roscoe essential oil does alter dentin microhardness but to a similar extent as NaOCl and EDTA.
This study aimed to detect the presence of enterococci in the root canals of untreated and treated teeth with periapical disease and to compare this to their presence in the saliva and in the immediate surgical environment during root canal treatment.Using an aseptic technique, 33 samples were obtained from 27 untreated and 6 previously treated teeth associated with apical periodontitis. Reduced Transport Fluid (RTF) was used as transport medium. Saliva samples and areas in the surgical environment were also sampled. These were performed prior to chemo-mechanical debrjdement and obturation for every case. The saliva was diluted to 10-J and was plated on Bile Aesculin Azide (BEA) agar whereas the rest of the samples were plated on Bile Aesculin (BE) agar. These plates were then incubated aerobically at 37°C for 48 hours. All the colony types that blackened the agar were sub-cultured to obtain pure isolates and tested on 6.5% sodium chloride (NaCI). Growth on this medium was Gram stained for further confirmation of cell morphology. Gram positive cocci isolated from previous positive test were identified as enterococci. Enterococci were recovered from untreated cases only; from 2 teeth (in 2 patients) prior to chemo-mechanical debridement, from 3 teeth (in 3 patients) prior to obturation and I from saliva sample. A 'total of 5 samples from 5 different patients were positive for enteroco·cci. Sampling in the immediate surgical environment revealed a low occurence in the range of3.0% (1/33) to 15_2% (5/33). In conclusion, the occurence of enterococci in patients and the immediate surgical environment was low number.
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