Comparison of heat-testing methodology.

Introduction: Patients with irreversible pulpitis occasionally present with a chief complaint of sensitivity to heat. To appropriately diagnose the offending tooth, a variety of techniques have been developed to reproduce this chief complaint. Such techniques cause temperature increases that are potentially damaging to the pulp.

Endodontic diagnostic terminology update.

Determination of the etiology of the patient's chief complaint and a correct diagnosis are paramount prior to a recommendation of endodontic therapy. Reproduction of the patient's chief complaint is critical. If the chief complaint cannot be reproduced, consider consultation with or referral to an endodontist or orofacial pain specialist.

Mandibular first molar with six separate canals.

Introduction: Many anatomical variations can occur within the mandibular first molar. Commonly, 3-4 canals are located, but as many as 6-7 canals have been reported.

Methods: This report describes a case of a mandibular first molar with 6 separate canals (3 mesial and 3 distal) that was instrumented with conventional hand and rotary files and obturated by using a hybrid warm vertical compaction technique.

Evaluation of pretreatment analgesia and endodontic treatment for postoperative endodontic pain.

This study compares single-dose ibuprofen pretreatment for postoperative endodontic pain. Thirty-nine emergent patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups: placebo, ibuprofen tablets, or ibuprofen liquigels. Patients recorded their pain levels before and at the end of treatment, then every 6 hours for 24 hours after administration of the medications and standard endodontic treatment.

Factors affecting outcomes for single-tooth implants and endodontic restorations.

Initial root canal therapy and implant placement are both common treatment modalities, and, as such, prognostic factors that influence the treatment outcomes of these two restorations should be identified. In a retrospective chart review, 196 implant restorations and 196 matched initial nonsurgical root canal treated (NSRCT) teeth in patients were evaluated for four possible outcomes-success, survival, survival with intervention, and failure. Results showed that smokers had fewer successes and more failures in both groups (p = 0.

Cemental tear: a case report of a rare root fracture.

A 79-yr-old female presented to the clinic for endodontic evaluation of an unresolved periodontal defect. The patient's dental history included extraction of tooth #30 with subsequent placement of two dental implants. The patient presented with a localized periodontal defect on the distal of tooth #29.