MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty single canal extracted human teeth with patent apical foramen were selected. Access cavities were prepared. Anatomic length (AL) was determined by inserting a K-file into the root canal until the file tip was just visible at the most coronal aspect of the apical foramen; subsequently 0.5 mm was deducted from this measured length. Working length by radiographic method (RL) was determined using Ingle's method. Propex II apex locator was used to determine the electronic working length (EL). From these calculated lengths, AL was deducted to obtain D-value. D-value in the range of +/-0.5 mm was considered to be acceptable.
RESULTS: The percentage accuracy of RL and Propex II apex locator was 76.6% and 86.6%, respectively. Paired t-test revealed significant difference between the RL and Propex II apex locator (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION: Under these in vitro conditions, Propex II apex locator has determined working length more accurately than radiographic method.
METHODS AND MATERIALS: Two videos of access cavity preparation were filmed, one showing the occlusal view (OV) and one showing the sectional view (SV). Third-year dental students (n=57) who consented to participate in the study were divided into two groups to watch one of the videos. The perception and performance of both groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher's exact test.
RESULTS: At baseline, group OV (n=29) and group SV (n=28) were not significantly different in terms of operative scores (P=0.330). After watching the videos, the basic understanding of the theories was similar in both groups. However, the SV group responded more positively towards the helpfulness of the video in visualizing the inner anatomy of the tooth and in implementing the procedures (P<0.05). The SV group also completed the exercise within a shorter time (P<0.001). Nevertheless, the quality of the prepared access cavities was not significantly different between groups.
CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, the additional step in sectioning a tooth before demonstration of access cavity preparation seems well worth the effort, offering the novice students advantages in visualizing certain anatomical landmarks and implementing access cavity preparation procedure within a shorter timeframe. Nevertheless, it did not improve the final quality of the preparations.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to three groups. Mandibular molar teeth were prepared using a low-speed round bur. In Group I, no material was applied; in Group II, teeth were treated with Ca(OH)2; and in Group III, teeth were treated with Propolis extract-Ca(OH)2, followed by Cention N filling. Immunohistochemistry was conducted on pulp tissue samples obtained on the third and seventh days post-treatment to assess malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase expression. Statistical analyses included the Shapiro-Wilk test, Levene test, ANOVA, and Tukey's HSD.
RESULTS: The samples treated with propolis extract-Ca(OH)2 combination exhibited significantly lower malondialdehyde expression on both days compared to samples treated with Ca(OH)2 (P<0.05), indicating reduced oxidative stress. Superoxide dismutase expression in the propolis extract-Ca(OH)2 group was higher (P<0.05), suggesting an enhanced antioxidant activity. The control group showed intermediate results. Statistical analyses confirmed significant differences between groups for both malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase expressions (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION: The study suggests that the propolis extract-Ca(OH)2 combination holds promise for direct pulp capping applications by minimizing oxidative stress and promoting antioxidant defense mechanisms in dental pulp.