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Background: High resolution micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is pioneering, nondestructive, and reproducible equipment that produces very thin sections and an accurate three dimensional reconstruction of the object with cubic voxels and isotropic resolution. To the best of our understanding, no research has so far tested the removal efficacy of XP-F and XP-FR in obturated oval canals using micro-computed tomography. Aim: This study aimed to assess and relate the efficacy of XP-F and XP-FR as a supplementary step during re-treatment in apical third area of oval canals through micro-CT analysis. Materials and methods: Root canals of forty human extracted maxillary premolars were prepared with ProTaper Universal (PTU) and obturated using F3 ProTaper single cone and AH Plus Sealer. The surface area and volume was analyzed using micro CT imaging. The canals were re-treated with ProTaper Universal retreatment files (PTUR). Post re-treatment surface area and volume were evaluated with micro CT imaging. Supplementary re-treatment was done with XP-endo Finisher (XPF) and XP-endo Finisher R (XP-FR). The roots were scanned again in the micro CT device and the remaining volumes of the filling material were quantified. Data was analyzed by means of Mann-Whitney test with a significance threshold of 5%. Results: The remaining filling material after re-treatment with PTR files in both the groups was not statistically significant for both volume and surface area (p > 0.05). For XP-F group, the elimination of filling material was 83.2% in volume and 89.4% in surface area in apical 5 mm. For XP-FR group, the elimination of filling material was 72.3% in volume and 78.7% in surface area in apical 5 mm. The percentage of filling material removed by XP-F was statistically significant as compared to the XP-FR group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In the apical 5 mm of oval shaped canals XP-F showed better re-treatment efficiency than XP-FR. However, neither of both instruments could eliminate all remaining filling material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The present study was aimed to explore new irrigating solutions, which would probably be as effective as sodium hypochlorite. Aims: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the antibacterial effectiveness of 0.1% octenidine, SmearOFF, 1% alexidine and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite against E. faecalis biofilm formed on tooth substrate. Materials and methods: Eighty extracted human teeth were decoronated, biomechanically prepared, vertically sectioned, placed in the tissue culture wells exposing the root canal surface to E. faecalis strain (ATCC 29212) to establish 3-week-old biofilm. At the end of the 3rd week all groups were treated for 10 minutes with 3 ml of test solutions. Samples exposed to 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) were used as control. All the samples were evaluated for E. faecalis growth and number of colony forming units. Statistical analysis was performed by using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to measure the mean values. The intergroup comparison was done by Tukey HSD post hoc test (p<0.05). Results: Maximum inhibition was observed with 0.1% OCT (group 1) followed by NaOCl (group 4) and ALX (group 3). SmearOFF (group 2) showed the least inhibitory effect. NaOCl (group 4) and ALX (group 3) showed no statistically significant difference (p>0.05), whereas all the other intergroup differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: 0.1% OCT showed significantly higher antibiofilm effects. No significant differences were observed between 1% ALX and 5.25% NaOCl. SmearOFF showed significantly lower antibiofilm effects (p<0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During endodontic intervention, major efforts are made to eliminate bacteria from the infected root canal system. Along these lines, keeping up the chain of asepsis is critical to anticipate sterile root canal system. Currently, gutta-percha (GP) is the most commonly used root canal core filling material. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of 1% Alexidine, 2% Chlorhexidine, 5.25% Sodium Hypochlorite and saline against E.faecalis in disinfecting gutta-percha cones and to analyze the surface topography of gutta-percha cones after the rapid chemical disinfection procedure. Materials and methods: Gutta-percha cones were contaminated with E.faecalis and immersed in 1% ALX, 2% CHX, 5.25% NaOCl and 0.9% saline for 30 and 60 sec. The disinfected cones were immersed in test tubes and incubated at 37°C for 72 hours. Bacterial growth was evaluated by the presence of turbidity in the broth. Results were confirmed by sub culturing the bacterial colony. For topographical examination, the gutta-percha cones were analyzed under Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data was statistically analyzed using one way ANOVA. Results: ALX and NaOCl did not show growth of the tested microorganism for any observed period. CHX completely eliminated E. faecalis after 60 sec. Saline showed no antimicrobial activity. The results of SEM showed some deposits after disinfection procedure by NaOCl and CHX test solutions used. Conclusion: ALX and NaOCl were found to be the most efficient disinfecting agent in eliminating E.faecalis at different time intervals tested. The topographical examination revealed that ALX and CHX left little residue than as compared to NaOCl after 1 minute. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exact estimation of root canal length is imperative for the achievement of root canal treatment. Working length (WL) has been defined as "the distance from a coronal reference point to the point at which canal preparation and obturation should terminate". Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the accuracy of two generations of apex locators in teeth with simulated apical root resorption using stainless steel and nickel titanium hand files. Materials and methods: Eighty single-rooted, maxillary anterior teeth were selected. The extracted teeth were soaked in 5% sodium hypochlorite for 6 hours and then in sterile 0.9% saline until use. An oblique cut of 45 degree was made from facial to palatal wall. Access cavities were prepared and the Visual Working Length (VWL) was measured. The samples were then embedded in alginate and the electronic measurements were recorded using stainless steel and nickel titanium hand files. Statistical analysis was done by Analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey HSD test were used for statistical analysis. Results: There was no statistically significant difference seen with DentaPort ZX and i-Root along with the use of stainless steel and NiTi hand files. Conclusion: In the present study, DentaPort ZX and i-Root apex locators showed similar efficacy in determining working length with the use of both stainless steel and NiTi hand files under present study conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical supervision is a professional relationship and is much crucial and demanding at clinical workplaces. Effective clinical supervision provides direction to ethical practice in clinical setting which benefits the organization and clinician. This article outlines evidence-based real-world advices related to reflective practice, effective feedback and evaluation of supervision which are collected from various literatures that will empower health professionals to efficiently and effectively perform clinical supervision at workplaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]