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Aim The aim of this in vitro study was to estimate the penetration depth and fracture resistance of three different sealers and to verify the relationship between the penetration depth and fracture resistance. Materials and methods Sixty single-rooted teeth were selected and root canal preparation was done. After the instrumentation, the teeth were divided into three groups of 20 each. The groups were then obturated with gutta-percha (GP)-AH Plus sealer, Resilon-Real Seal, and propoint-bioceramic sealers, respectively. Ten teeth from each group were sectioned at three different regions (i.e., coronal, middle, and apical thirds of the root canal) and were viewed under a confocal microscope to determine the penetration depth of the sealer. The remaining samples were subjected to fracture resistance under a universal testing machine and the statistical analysis was done by using one-way ANOVA and post hoc Bonferroni tests. Results Propoint-bioceramic group showed the highest fracture resistance values followed by GP-AH Plus sealer and Resilon-Real seal groups with no significant difference noticed between them. Depth of penetration was greater for GP-AH Plus sealer, propoint-bioceramic, with no significant difference followed by the Resilon-Real seal group. Conclusion The newer obturating material propoint-bioceramic group showed a greater fracture resistance. No correlation could be established between the depth of sealer penetration and fracture resistance. Clinical significance Fracture resistance of tooth obturated with propoint-bioceramic sealer combination is significantly greater than GP-AH Plus and Resilon-Real seal combination, thereby showing propoint-bioceramic as a promising obturating material.

Anatomic Endodontic Technology (AET) is a minimally invasive endodontic preparation system. The evolution of reciprocating AET has advanced the efficiency and predictability of the enlargement of root canal system. This new advancement utilizes stainless steel shaping files to anatomically instrument the coronal and middle third of the tooth, followed by nickel titanium files to instrument the critical zone towards the apex. It eliminates or minimizes the degree and types of procedural errors that occur during shaping.

Context: Dental caries remains the most widespread oral disease among all age groups. Hormonal fingerprints (second digit: fourth digit ratio or 2D:4D ratio) are biomarkers displaying sexual dimorphism and diverse human phenotypic traits. A person's genetic makeup may influence the occurrence of dental caries. Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of digit ratio on the incidence of dental caries. Settings and Design: Two hundred patients between 18 and 55 years, reporting for restorations or endodontic therapy, participated in the study. Subjects and Methods: Hormonal fingerprints (2D:4D ratio) were measured with the help of a digital vernier caliper. Caries incidence was recorded using the DMFT index. Statistical Analysis used: Data obtained were tabulated and statistically analyzed using Independent t-test and Chi-square test. Results: Males had a less mean 2D:4D ratio than females, which was statistically significant (p-value = 0.003). Chi-square test was applied, and there was a statistically significant correlation between high digit ratio and caries experience (p-value = 0.002). Females with a high digit ratio and males with a low digit ratio were in the moderate and low caries risk groups with a p-value of 0.029 and 0.001 in the respective risk groups. Conclusion: The present study displayed a correlation between hormonal fingerprints (2D:4D ratio) and dental caries. An indicator of caries risk will help prevent caries by implementing oral hygiene measures, which will reduce its incidence as the most occurring oral disease.

INTRODUCTION: The pandemic caused by novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 is a highly contagious disease. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak of coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) as a global public health emergency. Currently, the research on novel coronavirus is still in the primary stage. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge and awareness on COVID-19 disease and related infection control measures among the dental fraternity in Visakhapatnam – the smart city. METHODS: A total of 808 dentists from the Visakhapatnam region completed a questionnaire-based survey on the knowledge, awareness, and infection control measures related to COVID-19 infection. The questionnaire was tailored from the guidance and information for health-care workers issued by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suitable sampling method was used for the collection of data and the distribution of responses was presented as percentages. Explanatory statistics were performed for all groups and subgroups based on the percentage of correct responses. Individual pair-wise comparisons were done using the Chi-square test for the percentage of correct responses. RESULTS: A total of 825 participated in the survey, of which 808 dentists completely answered the survey, and the response rate was 98%. Among the respondents, males and females are 46.8% and 53.2%, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference for all the questions solicited, among age groups (P = 0.001, 0.001) and occupation (P = 0.001, 0.001, 0.004). Private practitioners seem to more awareness compared to teaching faculty, undergraduates, and postgraduates, as they have answered correctly (>70%) for almost all the questions. CONCLUSION: The inputs from the survey help us throw some light and fill up lacunae where required. There is a strong need to implement periodic educational interventions and training programs on infection control practices for COVID-19 among dentists in particular. The information from this survey helps us to make necessary changes in implementing periodic educational webinars and stress on areas where necessary, which is important for the dental fraternity for protecting themselves and shielding our society from COVID-19.

Perforation is an artificial communication between the root canal system and supporting tissues of the teeth. Root perforation complicates the treatment and deprives the prognosis if not properly managed. A wide variety of materials to seal the perforations have been suggested in literature. There are many comparative studies showing the efficacy of one material over the other. Literature shows many reviews on diagnosis, treatment plan and factors affecting prognosis of perforation repair; but none of these articles elaborated upon various materials available to seal the perforation. The present article aims at describing all the materials used for perforation repair from the past till date; it also offers a literature review of all the articles published over last four decades referred to the treatment of perforation with various root repair materials.

PURPOSE. Numerous methods were used to etch the fiber posts to improve its bonding to root canal dentin. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of 37% phosphoric acid in etching fiber posts in comparison with 24% hydrogen peroxide. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Ninety human maxillary central incisors were taken and post space preparation was done. Ninety fiber posts were taken and divided into three groups (n=30) based on the surface treatment they received (H 3 PO 4 , H 2 O 2 , distilled water) and each group was further divided (n=10) based on the time period of application (15 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds). All the posts were luted into canals using Rely X UniCem-2. Each tooth was then sectioned into six slices and subjected to push out test. Data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis at P