Background and Objectives: Smear layer forms during cleaning and shaping can obstruct the entry of both irrigant and sealant into the dentinal tubules, resulting in the accumulation of the bacteria and their byproducts. To ensure effective adhesion and better periapical healing, it is strongly advised to remove the smear layer before proceeding with root canal obturation. This study was designed to compare the efficiency of laser-activated irrigation (LAI) in removing the smear layer and debriding the most apical third of the root canal. Materials and Methods: Sixty-five extracted human teeth with straight single roots were randomly and equally divided into four laser and one control groups. Root canals in all samples were shaped using prime size TruNatomy rotary files. During preparation, each canal was irrigated with 3 mL of 3% NaOCl and 3 mL of 17% EDTA alternately, followed by the irrigation with 10 mL of distilled water to avoid the prolonged effect of EDTA and NaOCl solutions. Final irrigation of 5 mL of 17% EDTA of the root canal was done to eliminate the smear layer and was subsequently activated by an endodontic ultrasonic tip for 20 s three times (control group), a flat-end laser tip (test groups 1 and 3) or a taper-end laser tip (test groups 2 and 4) for two cycles. The time of each cycle activation was 10 s (groups 1 and 2) or 20 s (groups 3 and 4) in which the Er:YAG laser of 2940 nm was used. The laser operating parameters were 15 Hz and 50 μs pulse duration. The samples were then split longitudinally and subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: The remaining smear layer at the apical part of the root canals was statistically significant between the control group and the laser groups 1 (p = 0.040) and 2 (p = 0.000). Within the laser groups, the exposed tubules count was greater in the laser with the flat tip as compared with the tapered tip (Laser 1 > Laser 2 and Laser 3 > Laser 4). Finally, no significant differences in the count of debris between the laser groups and control group were observed, except for laser 4 (p < 0.05), which had the highest count of debris. Conclusion: LAI to remove debris and smear layer at the apical third of the root canal is inferior to the current ultrasonic technique. However, when using the Er:YAG LAI, it is recommended to use a flat tip design for 10 sec for two cycles to ensure maximum debridement of the apical dentin surface.

Various disinfecting agents showing variable success in disinfecting polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) are available. The aim of our study was to evaluate the antifungal efficacy of sodium perborate (denture cleaning tablet-DC), microwave irradiation, and their combination for eradicating candida albicans (C. albicans) from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) denture base polymer. One hundred and sixty-eight PMMA resin specimens (30 × 30 × 15 mm) were divided into four groups, including control (no disinfection), microwave disinfection in distilled water (MW-DW), sodium perborate with distilled water (DC-DW), and a combination of MW-DC-DW (n = 10). Biofilms of C. albicans were cultured on the PMMA resin denture base specimens for 96 h. The samples were exposed to three different antifungal regimes, i.e., MW, denture cleaning agent-sodium perborate (DC) and DW, and a combination of MW-DC-DW for 1 to 5 min. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to evaluate colony formation. The colony-forming units (CFU) among the experimental groups were assessed using ANOVA, a Kruskal–Wallis test, and a Mann–Whitney test. The mean CFU values were compared with the control for each disinfecting regime at 96 h growth time. For MW-DC-DW, the CFU were significantly low at 2 and 3 min of exposure when compared with the control (DW) (p < 0.05). For the MW-DW treated group, the CFU were significantly low at 3 min of exposure when compared with the control (DW) (p < 0.05). It was also found that for DC-DW, the CFU were significantly low at 5 minutes when compared with the control specimens (DW) (p < 0.05). Microwave disinfection in combination with sodium perborate is a more effective disinfecting regime against C. albicans than that of microwave disinfection and sodium perborate alone.

To Determine the efficiency of wax removal from denture base resin using hot water at a range of temperatures with added detergentand to Study the effects of mechanically modified surfaces of denture base resin on the efficiency of dewaxing using the above techniques.

Aim: To assess the aesthetic satisfaction with the metal-ceramic dental prosthesis in relation to patient education, age and gender. Methods: This prospective longitudinal study was undertaken by selecting 360 adult patients from both genders indicated for single maxillary porcelain fused to metal crowns. These patients were categorized into three groups based on gender, age, and education. Patients were assessed for aesthetic satisfaction for tooth shape; color, angulation, visibility, and shade at the time of insertion and at a follow-up of 12 weeks. At the time of the prosthesis insertion, a self-evaluation questionnaire was provided to each patient to record their satisfaction levels with the prosthesis. Satisfaction levels among the participants were evaluated based on participants' age, gender, and education level (Chi-square). A p-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study enrolled 150(41.67%) males and 210(58.33%) females with the participant age ranging from 19 to 60 years and a mean age of 30.53 (± 10.88 years). 84(23.3%) were uneducated participants, 210(58.3%) were high school graduates, and 66(18.3%) were university graduates. A decrease in the level of satisfaction was observed with increasing years of patient education at insertion. The overall aesthetic satisfaction among patients at PFM crown insertion (65%) and at 12 weeks follow-up (69.2%) was statistically comparable (p>0.05). Practical implication: Aesthetic is the most important consideration for the replacement of anterior teeth. Numerous studies evaluated the aesthetic satisfaction of the patients after providing full ceramic prosthesis, however, data regarding patient satisfaction after the metal ceramic dental prosthesisis scarce in the scientific literature. Conclusion: Satisfaction with the esthetic restoration depends on patient education and awareness. Age and education add to a person's experience and increase awareness with respect to better aesthetics. Keywords: Aesthetics; patient satisfaction; assessment; patient care, metal ceramic prosthesis

The prevalence of edentulism is pandemic and people resort to complete dentures for the restoration of missing teeth and esthetics. However, the determination of the correct occlusal vertical dimensions (OVD) constitutes to play an important role in overall patient satisfaction. The objective of this study was to apply anthropometric methods to correlate the length of index finger (2D) to measure the OVD from base of the nose to the base of the chin (Sn–Me) and to assess satisfaction by comparing both the methods. A total of 80 edentulous patients were randomized and controlled for this trial into experimental and control groups. A correlation was found between Sn–Me and finger measurements, dentures’ satisfaction was assessed after a 1-week follow-up and marked according to the Visual Analog Scale. Our findings established that finger measurements are greater among males, and in both genders, positive, and statistically significant correlations exist between the facial and finger length measurements. Moreover, 97.0% patients from experimental group were satisfied with the use of complete dentures through the new anthropometric method. Hence measuring the length of index finger can be an adjunct method for the restoration of OVD and is a relatively time-effective and simple method with a satisfactory follow-up.Trial registration: ID: NCT05153213 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05153213).