A Micro-Computed Tomography Study of the Root Canal Morphology of Mandibular First Premolars in an Emirati Population.

Objective: To investigate variations in the root canal morphology of mandibular first premolars in a population from the United Arab Emirates using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and conventional radiography.

Materials And Methods: Three-dimensional images of 50 extracted human mandibular first premolars were produced using a micro-CT scanner, and conventional radiography was also used to record the number of roots, the root canal system configuration, the presence of a C-shaped canal system and lateral canals, intercanal communications, and the number and location of apical foramina. The interpretations of micro-CT and conventional radiography were statistically analyzed using Fisher's exact test.

Crestal bone level changes around immediately placed implants: a systematic review and meta-analyses with at least 12 months' follow-up after functional loading.

Background: Immediate implant placement (IIP) is a successful treatment and has the advantages of reducing time and increasing patient satisfaction. However, achieving predictable esthetic results with IIP presents a challenge because of naturally occurring bone loss postextraction. Therefore, the focused question of this systematic review is: What is the effect of IIP on crestal bone level (CBL) changes after at least 12 months of functional loading?

Methods: Extensive literature review of the Cochrane and MEDLINE electronic databases and a manual search up to November 2012 identified eligible studies.

Regenerative endodontics and tissue engineering: what the future holds?

The work performed by researchers in regenerative endodontics and tissue engineering over the last decades has been superb; however, many questions remain to be answered. The basic biologic mechanisms must be elucidated that will allow the development of dental pulp and dentin in situ. Stress must be placed on the many questions that will lead to the design of effective, safe treatment options and therapies.

Regenerative therapy: a periodontal-endodontic perspective.

Periodontal and endodontic diseases are inflammatory responses leading to periodontal and pulpal tissue loss. Regenerative therapies aim to restore the lost structures to vitality and function. Various materials and treatments methods have been used such as bone grafts, guided tissue regeneration, enamel matrix derivatives, growth and differentiation factors, and stem cells.

Pulpal and periradicular response to caries: current management and regenerative options.

The pulp-dentin complex is a strategic and dynamic barrier to various insults that plague the dentition. Researchers have yet to understand the complete potential of this shifting junction and its components. The most common cause of injury to the pulp-dentin complex is carious breakdown of enamel and dentin.

Nanomechanical properties of endodontically treated teeth.

Introduction: Although it is apparent that teeth become more susceptible to fracture after root canal treatment, the contributing factors for this are not completely established. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are changes in nanomechanical properties of dentin in root canal-treated teeth compared with non-root canal-treated control teeth.

Methods: Atomic force microscopy-based nanoindentation testing was performed on root canal-treated teeth and age- and type-matched control teeth.

Identify and determine the metrics, hierarchy, and predictive value of all the parameters and/or methods used during endodontic diagnosis.

A Consensus Conference on Terminology was convened by the American Association of Endodontists in Chicago on Oct 3, 2008 to review solicited papers on focused questions. This paper addressed the question: Identify and determine the metrics, hierarchy, and predictive value of all the parameters and/or methods used during endodontic diagnosis. The best available clinical evidence was used to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of pulpal and periapical testing methods and imaging technologies.

Pulpal effects of enamel ablation with a microsecond pulsed lambda = 9.3-microm CO2 laser.

Background And Objectives: In vitro studies have shown that CO2 lasers operating at the highly absorbed 9.3 and 9.6-microm wavelengths with a pulse duration in the range of 10-20-microsecond are well suited for the efficient ablation of enamel and dentin with minimal peripheral thermal damage.

A novel approach in assessment of coronal leakage of intraorifice barriers: a saliva leakage and micro-computed tomographic evaluation.

The efficacy of amalgam, Fuji-Plus, Geristore, and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as intraorifice barriers was compared in a simulated saliva leakage model. Fifty teeth were divided into 4 experimental (n = 10 each) and 2 control groups (n = 5 each). Two millimeters of the materials was placed as intraorifice barriers and brought into contact with human saliva in a coronal reservoir.

Endodontics and pulp biology: the impact clinically.

Endodontists in clinical practice are uniquely situated to lead the effort of transferring translational laboratory and clinical research to their practices. This paper reviews the investigations presently being conducted around the world. The work presented is an overview of the progress being made to ensure retention of teeth with various forms of pulpal and periradicular diseases.

Pulpal safety of 9.6 microm TEA CO2 laser used for caries prevention.

Background And Objectives: Lasers are used for several procedures involving hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity. A potential future application is the use of the CO2 laser to alter the surface structure of tooth enamel to render it more resistant to caries. A new 9.

Capsaicin-evoked release of immunoreactive calcitonin gene-related peptide from rat trigeminal ganglion: evidence for intraganglionic neurotransmission.

Chemically-mediated cross-excitation has been described between neurons within sensory ganglia. However, the identity and source of the chemical mediators is not known. Ca(2+)-dependent release of neurotransmitters from cultured sensory neurons in vitro has been observed, although neurite outgrowth may confound the ability to extrapolate findings from culture systems to in vivo conditions.