Background Direct pulp capping is a popular treatment modality among dentists. TheraCal LC is a calcium silicate-based material that is designed as a direct/indirect pulp capping material. The material might be very attractive for clinicians because of its ease of handling. Unlike other calcium silicate-based materials, TheraCal LC is resin-based and does not require any conditioning of the dentine surface. The material can be bonded with different types of adhesives directly after application. There has been considerable research performed on this material since its launching; however, there are no review articles that collates information and data obtained from these studies. This review discusses the various characteristics of the material with the aim of establishing a better understanding for its clinical use. Methods A search was conducted using search engines (PubMed and Cochrane databases) in addition to reference mining of the articles that was used to locate other papers. The process of searching for the relevant studies was performed using the keywords pulp protection, pulp capping, TheraCal, and calcium silicates. Only articles in English published in peer-reviewed journals were included in the review. Conclusion This review underlines the fact that further in vitro and in vivo studies are required before TheraCal LC can be used as a direct pulp capping material.

Objective The aim of this paper was to review the current literature on cavity bases while focusing on the role of zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) and resin-modified glass ionomers (RMGI) as cavity bases. Materials and Methods A thorough literature search between 1970 and 2020 was done using Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. The keywords of the search strategy were as below: cavity liners and bases, pulp protection, zinc oxide eugenol, and resin-modified glass ionomer. No specific inclusion or exclusion criteria were applied as to what articles would be included in this review. Conclusion This review emphasizes that the available literature provides very little evidence to support the routine use of a base under amalgam or composite restorations. This review favors the adoption of “no more lining or bases” in shallow and moderate cavity preparations. However, an exception might be a “protective base” of RMGI following the application of calcium hydroxide (CH) liners in deep cavities. Bonded RMGIs are suitable cavity base materials and should always replace zinc oxide eugenol bases in daily practice.

Objectives: Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) is being seen by many in dentistry as the standard imaging procedure for many dental implants, orthognathic, orthodontic, or endodontic cases. With this understanding, the purpose of this study was to assess the current state of knowledge, attitude and awareness of dentists in Palestine towards the usage of CBCT. Materials and methods: An online questionnaire with 16 items on CBCT was mailed to 300 private practitioners registered with the Palestinian Dental Association. Also, the demographic details of the dentists such as name, gender, qualification, specialty and years of experience were collected. The collected data was analyzed and then subjected to descriptive statistical analysis. Results: 176 dentists responded to this questionnaire, 110 dentists did not respond, and communication could not be established with 14 dentists. All the participants were aware of CBCT and felt that its usage should be increased in dental radiology, and more workshops should be held to provide information related to CBCT. Conclusion: Cone beam computed tomography is a relatively advanced imaging technique with a profound potential in the field of dentistry. This fact is now being realized and accepted by most of the dental specialists. The study results indicate that there is a definite gap in knowledge of CBCT applications amongst the dental specialists.

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Objective: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of impacted maxillary canines using panoramic radiographs. Methods: A sample of 1321 panoramic radiographs were retrospectively examined for the presence of impacted maxillary canines. The radiographs were obtained from the records of a private dental clinic from the year 2009 till 2016. Results: The prevalence of impacted canines among the examined population (n = 1321) was found to be 1.8%. There was a significant association between gender and canine impaction (P < 0.05), indicating that in the study population, the females had higher prevalence of canine impaction than males. Unilateral impaction accounted for 79% of the cases that showed at least one impacted maxillary canine while the bilateral impaction of the maxillary canines accounted for 20% of 24 cases that had at least one impacted maxillary canine. The results reveal significantly (P < 0.05) higher unilateral canine impaction compared to bilateral impaction. Fifty eight percent of the unilateral cases were on the right side while 42% were on the left side. No significant (P > 0.05) difference in the prevalence of right or left canine impaction was found. Conclusion: The prevalence of impacted maxillary canines (1.8%) in this study was within the range reported among other populations.

Aims:The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of dentists in Palestine toward deep dentin caries removal and the associated restorative strategies preferred. Materials and methods:The study was conducted through an online survey among the dentists registered with the Palestinian Dental Association. A total of 300 dentists were administered a structured, self-administered questionnaire to assess their knowledge, attitude, and practice toward deep dentin caries removal. The questionnaire consisted of an eight-item written survey instrument constructed for the survey purpose.Results: Among the 300 dentists, 201 dentists responded to the survey with a response rate of 67%. Hardness of remaining dentin was the most important criterion employed to assess excavation. To treat an exposed pulp, 74% of dentists considered direct capping, whereas 79% refuted partial excavation fearing caries progression or pulp damage. To facilitate restoration longevity, 56.6% reported preferring more invasive treatment. Only 16% reported that they would prefer a step-wise caries excavation. Conclusion:A higher percentage of surveyed dentists were skeptical about leaving caries during excavation, and they did not prefer incomplete caries removal. Direct pulp capping was the preferred treatment strategy when pulp exposure occurred. Clinical significance:The beneficence of partial excavation should be highlighted in under-and postgraduate education in Palestine. It would pave the way to promote minimally invasive techniques in restorative dentistry.