Ramesh Bharti

Dental amalgam: An update

Dental amalgam has served as an excellent and versatile restorative material for many years, despite periods of controversy. The authors review its history, summarize the evidence with regard to its performance and offer predictions for the future of this material. The PubMed database was used initially; the reference list for dental amalgam featured 8641 articles and 13 publications dealing with recent advances in dental amalgam. A forward search was undertaken on selected articles and using some author names. For the present, amalgam should remain the material of choice for economic direct restoration of posterior teeth. When esthetic concerns are paramount, tooth-colored materials, placed meticulously, can provide an acceptable alternative. All alternative restorative materials and procedures, however, have certain limitations.

Are full cast crowns mandatory after endodontic treatment in posterior teeth

The success of endodontic treatment is not only measured by the alleviation of pain and formation of healthy bone, replacing the diseased periapical tissue. Concepts for restoring pulpless teeth have been formed more from clinical observation than valid scientific investigation. Endodontically treated posterior teeth present numerous problems because of coronal destruction from dental caries, fractures, and previous restorations or endodontic techniques. The result is loss of tooth structure and a reduction in the capacity of the tooth to resist a myriad of intraoral forces. A summary of this review article suggests that coronal coverage significantly improves the clinical success rate of endodontically treated posterior teeth.

Spectrophotometric evaluation of peroxide penetration into the pulp chamber from whitening strips and gel: An in vitro study.

Aim: To investigate pulp chamber penetration of different concentration of hydrogen peroxide. Materials and Methods: Fifty extracted human maxillary central incisor teeth were taken and grouped into five (n = 10). All teeth were cut approximately 3 mm apical to the cemento-enamel junction. Pulp was removed and the pulp chamber filled with acetate buffer. Buccal crown surfaces of teeth in the experimental groups were subjected to whitening strip and paint on whitener gel. Control group teeth were exposed to distilled water. The acetate buffer solution in each tooth was then transferred to a glass test tube after 30 min. Leuco-crystal violet dye and enzyme horse radish peroxidase were added. The optical density of resultant blue color in the tubes was measured by UV-visible spectrophotometer. The values were converted into microgram equivalents of hydrogen peroxide. Results: The results were evaluated statistically using nonparametric Mann–Whitney U test. Whitening strip showed the lowest pulpal peroxide penetration whereas paint on whitener gel showed highest pulpal peroxide penetration. Conclusion: This study demonstrate that peroxide is readily penetrate into the pulp chamber of teeth.

Role of surface topography of titanium endosseous implants for improved osseointegration

Osseointegration is the basis of successful endosseous implantology. The process itself is complex, and many factors influence the formation and maintenance of bone at the implant surface. Studies have shown that implant-tissue interface can be influenced by different methods of surface treatment that affect the biologic response to the implant. Methods of surface treatment include alteration of the microstructure and physicochemical parameters of the implant surface.

Prevalence of Taurodont molars in a North Indian population.

Background: It is very important for dentists to be familiar with anomalies of teeth not only for the clinical complications but also their management. Taurodontism also provides a valuable clue in detecting its association with various syndromes and other systemic conditions. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of Taurodont molars among a North Indian population. Materials and Methods: A total of 1000 patients′ full-mouth periapical radiographs were screened. The radiographs were evaluated under optimal conditions using double magnifying glasses. A total of 7615 molars (including third molars) were evaluated. The relative incidence and the correlations regarding the location of Taurodont teeth (right versus left side and maxillary versus mandibular) were analyzed using the Chi-square test. Results: Twenty-eight patients were found to have a Taurodont molar (11 women and 17 men [P = 0.250]). The prevalence of Taurodont molar was 2.8%. Males had a higher prevalence rate than females (3.4% vs. 2.2%, respectively). A cluster analysis of total Taurodonts in the mandible (45%) versus maxilla (55%) of both males and females combined showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The occurrence of Taurodontism is basically based on racial expression in different populations. These variations in prevalence between different populations may be due to ethnic variations. The occurrence of Taurodont molars among this Indian population was rare.

Oral care needs, barriers and challenges among elderly in India.

Objective: This paper presents an approach to the assessment of oral health needs of elderly and barriers to receive oral care in the life course. Background: The dental needs of the elderly are changing and growing day by day. The management of older patients requires not only an understanding of the medical and dental aspects of ageing but also provide them good oral health service. In the life course of elderly there are many hurdles to receive proper oral care. The use of an assessment of oral health need will be essential in the development of care pathways to the elderly. Methods: The proportion of older people is growing faster than that of any other age group. There is no sound database regarding the oral disease burden and treatment needs of the elderly in India. Physical and biological barriers with age can also affect oral health care either directly or indirectly. Conclusion: Oral care guidelines designed to assist elderly should consider not only prevention and treatment modalities but also the means of implementing such therapies in varying settings and utilizing the whole dental team.

Management of mucosal fenestration with external root resorption by multidisciplinary approach

Mucosal fenestration is a clinical condition in which the overlying gingiva is denuded and the root is exposed to the oral cavity. Invasive cervical resorption is an entirely uncommon entity and its aetiology is poorly understood. This case presents an invasive cervical resorption of maxillary right central incisor with fenestration at the cervical third of the tooth. The resorption area was chemomechanically debrided. It was then restored with Mineral Trioxide Aggregate over which pink glass ionomer cement (GC Fuji VII) was placed. Lateral pedicle flap was used to cover the fenestration. The resorptive defect was restored using tooth coloured restorative resin after removal of the pink glass ionomer cement. Orthodontic treatment was continued for correction of malocclusion.

An Invitro Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficacy and Flow Characteristics for AH Plus, MTA Fillapex, CRCS and Gutta Flow 2 Root Canal Sealer.

INTRODUCTION Cleaning and shaping of root canal does not guarantee complete disinfection of the canal, regardless of the systems and techniques used for this purpose. Therefore, it becomes mandatory for the endodontic filling materials to have a good antimicrobial potential especially against E. faecalis. This research was aimed therefore to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy and flow properties of different root canal sealers. AIM To study invitro antimicrobial activity and flow characteristics for Resin based (AH Plus), Mineral Trioxide Aggregate based (MTA Fillapex), Calcium hydroxide based (CRCS) and Flowable Gutta-Percha (Gutta Flow 2) endodontic sealers on Enterococcus faecalis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 was used to test antibacterial potential of sealers by Agar diffusion test (ADT) and Direct Contact Test (DCT). ADT was performed by punching the sealers on a well of 4×6mm diameter on Muller Hinton agar plates. These plates were inoculated with standard suspension of E. faecalis and the zone of inhibition was measured at 24 hours and after 7 days. All the sealers were prepared in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations. Flow of sealers was measured according to ADA specification no. 57. RESULTS All sealers showed antibacterial activity against E. faecalis except Gutta Flow 2. At 24 hours, zone of inhibition was highest in Calcibiotic Root Canal Sealer (CRCS) and lowest in AH Plus. After 7 days the zone of inhibition decreased in AH plus, CRCS and MTA Fillapex. DCT showed a significant lower number of organisms in AH Plus, CRCS and MTA than controls at both the time intervals. Gutta Flow 2 did not show any significant antimicrobial action. Maximum and minimum flow was shown by AH Plus and CRCS respectively. CONCLUSION Highest microbial inhibition was shown by (CRCS), followed by MTA Fillapex and AH Plus. Gutta Flow 2 did not show any inhibition of E. faecalis by ADT. Maximum reduction in antibacterial property with time against E. faecalis was seen with AH Plus. Maximum flow was shown by AH Plus and minimum by CRCS.

Role of ultrasound and color doppler in diagnosis of periapical lesions of endodontic origin at varying bone thickness.

Aims: To access the role of ultrasound and color doppler in diagnosing periapical lesions of maxilla and mandible. Settings and Design: This study was conducted in the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics (Faculty of Dental Sciences), Department of Radiotherapy, and Department of Pathology. Materials and Methods: The study group comprised 30 patients with periapical lesions of endodontic origin in maxilla and mandible requiring endodontic surgery. After thorough clinical and radiographic examination patients were subjected to ultrasound and color doppler examination, where the lesions were assessed for their contents as to cystic or solid. Following which periapical surgery was done and the pathological tissue obtained was subjected to histopathological examination. The results of the ultrasound examination were correlated with histopathological features. The diagnostic validity of ultrasound was assessed by calculating the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. Statistical Analysis Used: The statistical analysis was done using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 15.0 statistical analysis software. The values were represented in number (%). Results: Within the limitations of the current study it can be stated that although ultrasound may not establish the definitive diagnosis, it can facilitate the differential diagnosis between cystic and solid granulomatous lesions. However, this technique may have a limited role in detecting periapical lesions present in the region with thick overlying cortical bone. Conclusion: Ultrasound can routinely be recommended as a complimentary method for the diagnosis of periapical lesions of endodontic origin. However, this technique may have a limited role in detecting periapical lesions present in the region with thick overlying cortical bone.

The use of dentascan to diagnose and treat mandibular premolar with multiple canals.

Introduction: For successful endodontic therapy it is vital to have thorough knowledge of morphology of the root canal system and its variations besides proficient aseptic intraoperative condition. Mandibular second premolars are usually single rooted tooth with single root canal system. The incidence of the number of roots and the number of canals varies greatly in the literature. Methods and Results: This case report describes an unusual case of mandibular second premolar with two roots and five root canals. This was confirmed by radiographs, dentascan and dental operating microscope (DOM), and was successfully treated using K files system, guttapercha and AH plus sealer in lateral condensation manner. Conclusion: The clinical significance of this case report is that the precise awareness about the Case Report Yadav et al.; BJMMR, 7(4): 327-331, 2015; Article no.BJMMR.2015.339 328 aberrant morphologies of the root canal system can only be appreciated when advanced radiographic techniques, magnification and illumination are used to treat such type of cases.