Dentists and patients are facing a perplexity between saving a compromised tooth through endodontic treatment and restoration or by extraction and replacement with an implant. The purpose of this paper was to compare the success rates of these two treatments. Success was measured as the longevity of the tooth or implant. Studies which met strict inclusion criteria to ensure best evidence were included. Searches were performed in Ovid Medline, Pubmed, Scopus database, and the Cochrane Library. Evidence-based groups were formed following the assessment of inclusion/exclusion criteria. The overall success rates for primary endodontic, nonsurgical retreatment, and surgical treatment were (86.02%), (78.2%), and (63.4%), respectively, implants was 90.9%. In conclusion, choice between implant and endodontic therapy cannot be exclusively based on outcome as both treatments differ in the biological process, diagnostic modalities, failure patterns, and patients preferences. More research is required with improved study designs before long-term success rates can be compared.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to radiographically evaluate technical quality of root canal fillings performed by dental undergraduates at Libyan International Medical University in Libya.Methods. Root canal cases were treated at university dental clinic from the fall of 2012 to the fall of 2013 by the fourth and fifth year dental students. Students used step-back preparation and cold lateral compaction in the treatment. Radiographs were reviewed over a two-year period from initial procedure to final restoration. Radiographs were evaluated for adequacy or inadequacy by length, density, and taper. Length inadequacy was classified as short or overextended. Overall quality was considered “adequate” based on all three variables. Chi-square tested differences between teeth groupings and adequacy classification. Significantpvalue results were adjusted by Bonferroni correction.Results. Adequate length of root canal fillings were observed in roughly half of all samples (48.6%). Density was adequate in 75.8% of the samples. Taper was observed as adequate in 68.8%. Higher quality was evident in anterior teeth (plus premolars) versus molars (65.6% versus 43.3%, resp.;p<0.04).Conclusion. Overall quality of endodontic treatment performed by undergraduate dental students was adequate in 53.9% of the cases. Significant opportunity exists to improve the quality of root canals provided by dental students.

Objectives This study aimed to compare the intensity of postoperative pain following the final rinse using cold saline compared with room temperature saline and occlusal reduction. Materials and Methods A prospective, parallel, double-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted on 69 first mandibular molars diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis and symptomatic apical periodontitis. Single-visit root canal treatment was performed; access cavity preparations and chemomechanical preparations were carried out using the ProTaper Gold rotary system under copious irrigation using 3% sodium hypochlorite and 17% EDTA. The patients were divided into three groups (n = 23): control group: room temperature saline (25°C) final rinse without occlusal reduction; cryotherapy group: cold saline (2.5–4°C) final rinse without occlusal reduction; and occlusal reduction group: room temperature saline with occlusal reduction. Pain scores were recorded using the visual analog scale preoperatively and postoperatively via telephone at 6, 24, 48, 72 hours, and 7 days intervals. Age data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's post hoc test. Pain score data were analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis' test followed by Dunn's post hoc test for intergroup comparisons and Friedman's test followed by Nemenyi's post hoc test for intragroup comparisons. Correlations were analyzed using Spearman's rank-order correlation coefficient. The significance level was set at p < 0.05 within all tests. Results Cryotherapy reduced postoperative pain compared with the control group with a statistically significant difference at 24 hours only (p = 0.016). At other intervals, no statistically significant difference in pain score was measured between all three groups (p > 0.05). After 7 days, all patients recorded a zero pain score. Conclusion Cryotherapy was as effective as the occlusal reduction in reducing postoperative pain in cases of symptomatic irreversible pulpitis with symptomatic apical periodontitis, significantly more than the control group.

This research investigated the effectiveness of a structured three-attempt formative assessment model combined with instructor feedback in improving clinical competency among first-semester dental assistant diploma students. Ten dental assistant students underwent repeated assessment attempts across eight operative and endodontic procedures during the Fall 2023 semester of the Dental Assistant Diploma program. After each attempt, students were given performance feedback reinforcing elements they performed well, and guiding their improvement in areas that were less well executed. Outcomes across the three attempts were then compared to determine if repeated feedback was associated with improved performance over time. Student progress with this structured feedback approach was associated with significant and consistent improvement of performance scores across the three assessments (F = 577.74; p < 0.000), along with universally high logbook grades across students and a 100% pass rate in the final competency exam. Statistical analysis revealed a strong correlation (Pearson’s r = 0.94, p < 0.000) between logbook scores and final competency exam scores, which is notable given these two assessment types were conducted by independent examiners. These findings suggest that structured feedback-driven assessment plays a pivotal role in competency-based education for dental assistants. In addition, this research highlights specific design elements that may be fundamental in the success of such an approach.

Objective: To compare and evaluate the effect of ProTaper Ultimate root canal instrumentation on postoperative pain level of mandibular first molars showing symptomatic irreversible pulpitis and symptomatic apical periodontitis. Methodology: Forty patients referred to root canal treatment of the mandibular first molar were randomly divided into two equal groups according to the rotary file system used in the chemomechanical preparation: ProTaper Ultimate ( n = 20) and ProTaper Gold ( n = 20). After evaluating the preoperative pain score using the visual analog scale, the root canal treatment was performed in a single visit using a standardized protocol by a single operator. Postoperatively, the pain scores were recorded at 24‐, 72‐h, and 7‐day intervals. Statistical analysis was performed at a significance of 0.05. Results: No significant difference was shown between the ProTaper Ultimate and the ProTaper Gold groups in the intensity of postoperative pain at all time intervals. The postoperative pain score was zero at 7 days postoperatively for both groups. Conclusion: The ProTaper Ultimate files’ effect on postoperative pain is equivalent to that of the ProTaper Gold files. Clinical Relevance: The ProTaper Ultimate files’ effect on postoperative pain is equivalent to that of the ProTaper Gold files. ProTaper Ultimate and ProTaper Gold rotary file systems can be equally and safely used in single‐visit root canal treatment. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05747183

Background/Objectives: In this article, we present a literature review of methods used to measure the shaping ability of endodontic rotary files, including the selection of endodontic sample type (extracted teeth versus simulated blocks) and an imaging evaluation method. This review was conducted as background research to identify concerns that arise when designing research studies in this domain and propose how the field can plan more systematic studies going forward. Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and e B-on databases, including studies published in English from January 2010 to June 2024. Only studies that specified in vitro or ex vivo methods for evaluating the endodontic performance of NiTi rotary files on canal transportation and centering ability were considered. Results: A total of 86 studies met the inclusion criteria from an initial pool of 651. Of these, 67 studies used extracted teeth, while 20 utilized simulated root canals in resin blocks. For evaluation methods, 55 studies employed Micro-Computed Tomography and Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (MCT + CBCT), 30 used Double Digital Images/Radiographs/Photographs (DDIR + DDIP) with software analysis, 1 used both DDIR and MCT, 1 used high-precision nano-CT, and 1 used a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera. Conclusions: The findings indicate that the MCT method and its advanced variations appear superior in many cases for evaluating the quality of root canal instrumentation due to their ability to provide detailed three-dimensional images. We also discuss the pros and cons of other evaluation methods, including CBCT and DDIR. Finally, we identify important factors to consider for optimizing future cross-study comparisons. This work highlights the importance of being familiar with shaping ability assessment methods as new instruments are introduced to the market.