Bacterial count comparisons on examination gloves from freshly opened boxes versus nearly empty boxes and from examination gloves before treatment versus after dental dam isolation.

Use of gloves in dentistry is primarily for protection of the healthcare worker, yet little information is available regarding potential patient issues such as microbial contamination of gloves before and during use. The purposes of this study were to compare gloves from newly opened boxes with those from boxes that had been in dental operatories until they were nearly empty and to determine if gloves are contaminated though diagnostic procedures and rubber dam placement. Eight endodontic residents provided samples by streaking gloved fingers on nutrient agar plates.

The effect of insertion rates on fill length and adaptation of a thermoplasticized gutta-percha technique.

The purpose of this in vivo study was to determine the effect of the insertion rate of a thermoplasticized gutta-percha obturation technique (Thermafil Plus) on the quality of the root canal obturation. A calibrated practitioner obturated the tooth in each of three groups with insertion rates of 18, 6, and 3 mm/s, respectively. The quality of the obturation was assessed by measuring the length of fill and the replication of induced canal irregularities, consisting of dimples and grooves.