Teaching of magnification in the undergraduate curriculum: A position statement from the British Endodontic Society Teachers of Endodontology Group.

This position statement on undergraduate teaching on the use of magnification in endodontics represents the consensus of the British Endodontic Society Teachers of Endodontology Group. Current clinical and scientific evidence, as well as the expertise of the committee, has been used to develop this statement. The contributors to this position statement consider, as a minimum requirement, the use of dental loupes in non-surgical endodontics at undergraduate level.

Effectiveness of D,L-2-hydroxyisocaproic acid (HICA) and alpha-mangostin against endodontopathogenic microorganisms in a multispecies bacterial-fungal biofilm in an ex vivo tooth model.

Aim: To develop a defined multispecies root canal biofilm model ex vivo, and to perform viable compositional analysis following D,L-2-hydroxyisocaproic acid (HICA), alpha-mangostin, Calcicur , and Odontopaste exposure.

Methodology: Time-kill assays were conducted in vitro using HICA, alpha-mangostin, Calcicur , Odontopaste , and saline solution on the planktonic cultures of C. albicans, E.

Magnification in undergraduate endodontic teaching in the UK and Ireland: a survey of teaching leads in Endodontology.

Aim: To investigate the use of magnification in undergraduate endodontic teaching in dental schools within the UK and Ireland and identify factors that may impact on levels of adoption.

Methodology: An electronic questionnaire was distributed to teaching leads in undergraduate endodontics in all UK and Ireland dental schools.

Results: Completed questionnaires were received from 15 of 18 course leads.

WITHDRAWN: Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality.

Background: There is a range of treatment options for the management of the pulp in extensively decayed teeth. These include direct and indirect pulp capping, pulpotomy or pulpectomy. If the tooth is symptomatic or if there are periapical bone changes, then endodontic treatment is required.

Modern Endodontic Principles. Part 8: The Future of Endodontics.

Although the principles of endodontics have remained unchanged for many decades, root canal treatment has been subject to major changes in the past few years. This paper outlines the cutting-edge advances including the materials and techniques used. CPD/Clinical Relevance: This article provides an overview of bioactive materials and insight into regenerative endodontics, vital pulp therapy and intentional replantation.

Modern Endodontic Principles. Part 6: Managing Complex Situations.

Clinicians are often faced with endodontic cases that are significantly more challenging than the primary root canal treatment of mature adult teeth. This paper outlines some of the common treatment modalities which can be employed in situations in which either primary treatment has failed, or there is iatrogenic damage or unusual anatomy. CPD/Clinical Relevance: This paper will provide the reader with advice and techniques for undertaking orthograde endodontic retreatment, hemisection, endodontic surgery and management of teeth with incompletely formed roots.

Modern Endodontic Principles Part 7: The Restorative Interface.

The restoration of endodontically-treated teeth is a topic that has been extensively studied and yet remains controversial. The endodontically-treated tooth can be restored with a wide range of techniques of varying complexity. This article reviews the literature on this topic.

Root Resorption: Simplifying Diagnosis and Improving Outcomes.

Root resorption is a condition resulting in the progressive loss of dental hard tissue. It may occur both within the root and upon the external aspect of the root. Diagnosis can be difficult and management challenging.

Pulp sensibility and vitality tests for diagnosing pulpal health in permanent teeth: a critical review.

The aim of this review was to critically appraise the literature related to pulp vitality and sensibility testing in order to determine the diagnostic accuracy of pulp tests with reference to a gold standard or control group. Implications of the results for research and clinical practice are also explored. The MEDLINE (Ovid), MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase and Cochrane databases were searched for English-language clinical trials in humans in which in vivo studies were designed to evaluate or compare the accuracy of selected pulp sensibility and pulp vitality tests in determining the state of pulpal health in permanent teeth.

Modern Endodontic Planning Part 1: Assessing Complexity and Predicting Success.

Following a diagnosis of irreversible pulpal disease, periapical disease or failed endodontic therapy, the options for the tooth are extraction or root canal treatment. There is increasing evidence that certain factors may allow the clinician to predict the likely outcome of root canal therapy (RCT) and thus better inform the patient of the possible success rates. Should the patient choose root canal treatment, the clinician must also be able to gauge the potential difficulties that may be encountered and consequently determine whether it is within their competency.

Rethinking root canal treatment: understanding the difference between preventing and treating endodontic infection.

Root canal treatment is a frequently performed procedure aimed to address pulpal and peri-radicular disease. It comprises a number of clinical steps regardless of the initial diagnosis. The emphasis of each step varies according to whether there is a vital pulp (non-infected) or if the pulp system contains necrotic, infected tissue and there is peri-apical pathology.

Undergraduate endodontic education: what are the challenges?

To deliver the knowledge and skills required to equip undergraduate students for practice is a significant responsibility; graduates must be familiar with the diagnosis and treatment of pulpal and periradicular diseases and the preservation and restoration of pulpally compromised teeth. A greater understanding of the microbiological processes involved in endodontics and developments in instruments and materials have transformed our approaches to root canal treatment. Information technology has revolutionised certain aspects of education and has had an effect on endodontic teaching.

Micro-CT evaluation of the effectiveness of the combined use of rotary and hand instrumentation in removal of Resilon.

This study compares the effectiveness of ProTaper rotary files with ProTaper retreatment and K-files in the removal of Resilon or gutta percha (GP) from canals filled either by cold lateral condensation or thermal obturation using micro-CT. Ninety-six teeth were prepared using ProTaper files and allocated into four groups (n=24): Group-1 was filled with GP/AH-Plus and Group-2 with Resilon/RealSeal using cold lateral condensation. Group-3 was filled with GP/AH-Plus and Group-4 with Resilon/RealSeal using System B and Obtura II.

The effect of smear layer on the push-out bond strength of root canal calcium silicate cements.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of smear layer removal on the push-out bond strength between radicular dentin and three calcium silicate cements (CSC) in comparison with gutta percha and sealer.

Methods: Eighty human anterior extracted teeth were decoronated, cleaned and shaped to size 50/0.05 apically and randomly divided into 2 major groups: (A) smear layer preserved, and (B) smear layer removed using irrigation with 17% EDTA.

Resorption: part 2. Diagnosis and management.

In this second paper the clinical indicators of root resorption and their diagnosis and management are considered. While the clinical picture can be similar, pathological processes of resorption vary greatly from site to site and this paper proposes appropriate approaches to treatment for teeth that are affected by resorption.

Resorption: part 1. Pathology, classification and aetiology.

This paper will explore the pathological process involved in dental resorption as well as its classifications and aetiology. The second subsequent paper will look at its diagnosis and management.

Resistance to vertical fracture of MTA-filled roots.

Aim: To investigate the effect of MTA root canal fillings on the resistance to vertical root fracture (VRF) over different time intervals.

Material And Methods: Freshly extracted anterior human teeth with single canals and minimal curvatures were decoronated, instrumented to size 50/.05 ProTaper file, irrigated with 1%NaOCl and randomly allocated to one of three groups (n = 36): (i) filled with MTA, (ii) filled with gutta-percha and sealer and (iii) unfilled roots used as a negative control.

A micro-computed tomography evaluation of mineral trioxide aggregate root canal fillings.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of indirect ultrasonic activation on the incidence of voids within mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) root canal fillings and at their interface with the canal walls by using a nondestructive 3-dimensional (3D) micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) analysis.

Methods: Extracted human teeth with single canals and minimal curvatures were decoronated, instrumented to size 50/05 apically, and randomly allocated into 4 groups (n = 12). MTA was compacted manually by using hand pluggers in group A (MC).

Endodontics and the older patient.

Unlabelled: The number of elderly people in the population is rising and there is an increasing trend for tooth preservation. Older patients are more likely to have complex medical histories and/or physical disabilities. They are increasingly likely to retain their teeth, which could be heavily restored or broken down and root treatment may be challenging.

Effect of retained fractured instruments on tooth resistance to vertical fracture with or without attempt at removal.

Aims: To investigate the effect of retained fractured endodontic instruments on root strength and to evaluate the effectiveness of several root filling materials in reinforcing roots that had undergone unsuccessful attempt at removal of fractured instruments.

Methodology: Seventy five mandibular premolar roots were divided into five groups. In group A (control), canals were prepared to a size F5-ProTaper instrument and filled with gutta-percha and TubliSeal sealer fragments.

The impact of different viewing conditions on radiological file and working length measurement.

Aim: To determine the effect of different viewing conditions and observer experience upon the accuracy of file and working length measurements using analogue intra-oral radiographs.

Methodology: Twenty-five observers from a range of clinical backgrounds examined working length analogue periapical radiographs of 30 extracted teeth. Each participant measured both file (FL) and working length (WL) on each of the radiographs using three different viewing conditions consisting of a viewing box, a viewing box with film masking and a viewing box with film masking and x2 magnification.

A laboratory evaluation of the physical and mechanical properties of selected root canal sealers.

Aim: To evaluate and compare the porosity, degree of conversion (DC) and hardness of two resin-based sealers; RealSeal and EndoRez, and a silicon-based sealer; GuttaFlow to that of a traditional zinc oxide-based sealer; TubliSeal.

Methodology: For porosity, four samples from each sealer were prepared and scanned using a SkyScan 1072 Micro-CT. Porosity was then calculated using specialized software.

Vertical fracture resistance of roots after ultrasonic removal of fractured instruments.

Aims: To investigate ex vivo root resistance to vertical fracture after fractured instruments were ultrasonically removed from different locations in the root canal.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-three canine roots were weighed and divided into four groups. Eight roots served as a control group in which canals were instrumented to a size F5-ProTaper instrument.