The scope of dentistry is ever-changing and dynamic in all fields of dentistry including periodontal health and disease. Recent studies show that oral health and systemic health are interdependent, particularly in the way that poor oral hygiene and periodontal health affect the systemic health of an individual and vice versa. Periodontal diseases are multifactorial in nature in which the role of bacterial infections is inevitable. Furthermore, high-throughput sequencing technologies have shed light on the dysregulation of the growth of oral microbial flora and their environment, including those that are associated with periodontitis and other oral and non-oral diseases. Under such circumstances, it becomes important to explore oral microbiota and understand the effects of periodontal pathogens in the pathogenesis of systemic diseases. In addition, it may strengthen our view that a better understanding of oral microbial flora and proper examination of the oral cavity may aid in the early diagnosis and possible treatment of systemic diseases and conditions. This will eventually lead to providing better care to our patients. Therefore, in this research, we attempt to outline the periodontal pathophysiology along with the role of periodontal pathogens in some commonly encountered systemic conditions.

The objective of this paper is to assess the prevalence of a second canal in maxillary and mandibular premolars based on two classification systems of root canal morphology using Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. A total of 286 CBCT scans from the archive of the Radiology department of a hospital were assessed for the presence of a second canal in maxillary and mandibular premolars. The canal configuration and its assessment was undertaken using Vertucci and Ahmed’s classification. A Chi-square test was used to test the significance of the difference between gender and age. A total of 286 premolars were examined (217 mandibular premolars and 69 maxillary premolars); of these, 173 teeth (60.5%) were from males and 113 were from females (39.5%). Some 62% of maxillary left first premolars had two roots, followed by maxillary right first premolars (47%), and then maxillary left second premolars (30%) and maxillary right ones (27%), respectively. Type IV Vertucci were seen in maxillary premolars, while type I were ordinarily seen in the included mandibular premolars. Surprisingly, Vertucci type III was only found in mandibular left first premolars at a frequency of 2%. One orifice with two separate canals and two orifices of two distinct canals with two portals of exit were predominantly noticed with maxillary first premolars (² FP B¹ P¹) in 73% and 81%, respectively, followed by (¹ FP ²) 19%. The prevalence of a second canal in maxillary and mandibular premolars was low in the investigated premolars in comparison to the premolars that had just one root and canal, as assessed based on Vertucci and Ahmed’s root canal system classification.

Despite the widespread use of surgical guides, there is no universal sterilization protocol. Surgical guides are often designed for single use, but can become contaminated, which increases the risks of infection and implant failure. This study evaluates the effects of alcohol immersion, alcohol spray, low temperature, and steam sterilization on the dimensional stability of surgical guides to ensure accurate implant placement and reduce failure. One standard dental model was scanned using a laboratory scanner. Ninety guides were printed and were then divided into six groups allocated as control, alcohol spray, alcohol immersion with ultrasonication, low-temperature dry sterilization, and two autoclave methods. Specimens were stored in dry–dark media and scanned at 0, 3, and 7 days, with dimensional changes assessed using CloudCompare. The Shapiro–Wilk, Levene’s, Repeated measures one-way ANOVA, and Tukey’s post hoc tests were used to determine statistical differences. Time significantly affects stability, with RMS values improving over time. Autoclave 121 °C and low-temperature 54 °C sterilization showed the lowest RMS values, indicating better stability. Within the limitations of the present study, the most effective approach for maintaining the dimensional stability of surgical guides was autoclaving at 121 °C, +1 bar for 20 min, and the second-best technique was low-temperature dry sterilization at 54 °C for 1 h.