Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of exposure to additional preclinical endodontic training on undergraduate students’ technical quality of root canal treatment and overall confidence levels in endodontics. Methods. Technical quality of root canal treatment performed clinically by fifth-year undergraduate students was evaluated and divided into two groups: Group 1, teeth treated by students who had attended both a preclinical endodontic block course and an elective preclinical course. Group 2: teeth treated by students who had not attended the elective preclinical course. All students were also invited to participate in a survey to rate their undergraduate endodontic training and confidence levels performing endodontic treatment. Statistical analysis of data was performed using Person chi-square test, Fisher Freeman Halton exact test, and t-test. A -value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. There was no significant difference between the two groups in overall obturation quality ( ). However, more teeth treated by attendees were of adequate obturation length ( ) and lacked procedural errors ( ). Significantly more elective course attendees rated their undergraduate endodontic training as adequate ( ), but there was no significant difference in the level of confidence between the attendees and the non-attendees. Conclusion. Within the limitations of this study, additional preclinical training showed minimal effect on overall quality of root canal treatment performed clinically by undergraduate students and did not enhance their confidence levels; however, it was associated with more satisfaction with their undergraduate endodontic education.

This cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of dens invaginatus (DI) and its characteristics in maxillary anterior teeth in a Saudi population. A total of 505 CBCT scans were evaluated, including a total of 2790 maxillary anterior teeth. The patients’ demographic data, including age and sex, were recorded. The presence of DI and the related characteristics including bilateral occurrence; DI type according to Oehlers classification; and presence of periapical radiolucency, open apex, and/or nearby impacted teeth were analyzed. The associations between DI and the other factors were analyzed using the chi-square and fisher exact tests. DI was detected in 7.3% of the patients and 1.6% of the teeth examined. Most of the DI-affected teeth were maxillary lateral incisors (76.1%), followed by mesiodens (19.6%) and maxillary central incisors (4.3%), while no DI was observed in the maxillary canines. Bilateral DI was found in 24.3% of the affected patients. Oehlers type I DI was the most frequent (80%). Periapical radiolucencies, open apices, and nearby impacted teeth were observed in 10.9%, 4.3%, and 30% of the invaginated teeth, respectively. DI was significantly associated with tooth type (P < 0.0001) but not with sex (P > 0.05). Although most of the DI cases are limited to the crown, CBCT imaging is essential for DI evaluation and management.

Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is the most efficient root canal irrigant to date. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of NaOCl used at different temperatures and concentrations on the compressive strength of root dentin. Seventy-two extracted human single-canaled straight roots of comparable size and length were selected and randomly divided into six groups (n = 12): Group (A) served as a control with unprepared canals. The other groups were instrumented with rotary ProTaper Universal files up to size F3. Group (B) was irrigated with 1% NaOCl at room temperature, Group (C) with 1% NaOCl heated to 70 °C, Group (D) with 5.25% NaOCl at room temperature, and Group (E) with 5.25% NaOCl heated to 70 °C. Saline was used in Group (F). The roots were sectioned into 2-mm-thick disks that underwent compression testing using a universal testing machine. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey tests. The significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05. A total of 255 disks were tested. The control group showed the highest compressive strength (p = 0.0112). However, this did not differ significantly from that of heated (p = 0.259) or unheated (p = 0.548) 1% NaOCl. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups of instrumented teeth. Within the conditions of this study, irrigation with NaOCl at different concentrations and temperatures during root canal preparation did not affect the compressive strength of root dentin. Clinical Relevance: This study demonstrates that the use of NaOCl as a root canal irrigant is not associated with a clinically relevant decrease in root compressive strength, especially when compared to saline.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of autoclave sterilization on the resistance to cyclic fatigue of two nickel-titanium (NiTi) endodontic files of identical design and taper, but with different NiTi alloy treatments: the newly introduced heat-treated Race Evo and the electropolished Race files. Materials and methods: Fifteen Race (25/0.06) files and fifteen Race Evo (25/0.06) files (n = 30 in total) were randomly assigned to five sub-groups each consisting of three files of the same NiTi alloy treatment. One group served as a control with files unautoclaved. The four remaining groups were sterilized in a steam sterilizer for 1, 3, 5, and 10 autoclave cycles, respectively. Files then underwent cyclic fatigue testing in a simulated metal canal block. A scanning electron microscope was used to inspect the surface of the fractured instruments. Statistical analysis was conducted using independent t-test and multi-factorial analysis of variance with significance set at a p value of ≤0.05. Results: Both Race Evo and Race files showed no significant difference between the different autoclaving cycles in terms of the number of cycles to fracture (p = 0.232 and p = 0.359). Despite rotating at a higher speed, the number of cycles to fracture of heat-treated Race Evo files was significantly higher than that of Race files (p ≤ 0.0001). Conclusion: Autoclave sterilization has no significant effect on the resistance to cyclic fatigue of heat-treated Race Evo or electropolished Race files. However, Race Evo files showed superior resistance to cyclic fatigue irrespective of autoclaving cycles.

Background/Aim: The knowledge of standardized care guidelines is critical to the confidence of practitioners in managing dental trauma. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the awareness, use and impact of the International Association of Dental Traumatology guidelines, and the online Dental Trauma Guide on general dental practitioners' self‐reported confidence and knowledge in managing traumatic dental injuries in the primary and permanent dentitions.Materials and Methods: A cross‐sectional, pre‐piloted, 27‐item self‐administered questionnaire survey was distributed electronically to general dental practitioners' working within five member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Kingdom of Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar) between September and December 2020. Data were collected and analysed using descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon Signed Rank test analysis for relevant comparisons.Results: A total of 294 respondents completed the survey, with the majority being from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (47.4%) and Qatar (27.3%). A lack of evidence‐based knowledge in managing traumatic dental injuries was evident among more than half of the respondents. Respondents who were cognizant of the recent International Association of Dental Traumatology guidelines (2020) and those who use the Dental Trauma Guide routinely demonstrated a higher self‐reported confidence level in managing both simple and complex primary dentition trauma, as well as simple traumatic dental injuries in the permanent dentition (p < .05).Conclusion: This survey highlights critical deficiencies in the knowledge of a large number of the respondents in the management of dental trauma which is likely to cause irreversible long‐term patient effects.