Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of three different pastes containing 5% NovaMin, 8% arginine, and 15% hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (n-HA) respectively in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity (DH). Materials and Methods: A 4 weeks study was conducted on 45 adult patients with cervical abrasions leading to hypersensitivity of two or more teeth anterior to molars. Patients were divided into three toothpaste groups. Group I: 5% NovaMin, Group II: 8% arginine, Group III: 15% n-HA. Sensitivity was assessed at baseline, immediately after application and after 1-week and 4 weeks. Tactile stimuli response using a visual analog scale and standard cold air blast using Schiff cold air sensitivity scale were used to compare the efficacies of toothpastes after a single application. Statistical Analysis: Two-way analysis of variance and post-hoc Tukey test were used and P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Visual analog scale analysis: Group III and Group II showed statistically significant reduction in DH at all-time intervals when compared with Group I. In SCA analysis there is no statistically significant difference between Group II and Group III immediately after application. Conclusion: Toothpaste containing 15% n-HA was found to be most effective in reduction of DH after a single application up to a period of 4 weeks followed by 8% arginine and 5% NovaMin toothpastes.

Introduction: Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is a sudden short sharp pain best explained by hydrodynamic theory. Several agents are available throughout the market that can treat DH either by blocking the nerves that helps in conducting pain or by blocking the open dentinal tubules. The aim of the present study was to compare the tubule occluding efficacy of four different desensitizing dentifrices under scanning electron microscope (SEM). Materials and Methods: Sixty-two dentin blocks measuring 5 mm × 5 mm × 3 mm were obtained from extracted human molar teeth and were randomly divided into five groups: Group 1 – no treatment (control, n = 2); Group 2 – Pepsodent Pro-sensitive relief and repair (n = 15); Group 3 – Sensodyne repair and protect (n = 15); Group 4 – Remin Pro (n = 15); Group 5 – Test toothpaste containing 15% nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) crystals (n = 15). The specimens were brushed for 2 min/day for 14 days and stored in artificial saliva. After final brushing, specimens were gold sputtered and viewed under SEM at ×2000 magnification. Results obtained were statistically analyzed using nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis test and least significant difference post hoc test. Results: All test groups showed significant increase in dentin tubule occlusion as compared to control group. The highest percentage of tubules occluded was shown by Group 4 and Group 5 which was significantly different from other groups (P ≤ 0.05), and there was no significant difference in tubule occlusion among them. Conclusion: Newer desensitizing dentifrices containing 15% n-HA and Remin Pro can provide effective tubule occlusion and thereby reduce the pain and discomfort caused by DH.

Background: The purpose of this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to compare the effect of the administration of preoperative ibuprofen, ketorolac, combination of etodolac with paracetamol and combination of aceclofenac with paracetamol versus placebo for the potential increased effectiveness of the inferior alveolar nerve block [IANB] anesthesia. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 endodontic emergency patients in moderate to severe pain diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis of a mandibular posterior tooth randomly received, in a double-blind manner, either a drug or placebo 30 minutes before the administration of a conventional IANB. Cold testing was done before administration of anesthesia to determine level of pain using Heft-Parker Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score. Success was defined as no pain or pain (VAS) on access or initial instrumentation. Results: Overall success was 54% for all the groups. Success was highest (70%) for the ketorolac group, 55% for both ibuprofen group and combination of aceclofenac with paracetamol group, 50% for combination of etodolac with paracetamol group, and 40% for the placebo group. Conclusions: Under the conditions of this study, the use of preoperative medication did improve the anesthetic efficacy of IANB for the treatment of teeth diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis but not significantly.

The present research study assessed the cell viability and cytotoxic effect of mineral tri-oxide aggregate (MTA), Tetric N-Bond Universal bonding agent, Theracal PT (pulpotomy treatment), and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) as pulp capping agents on human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). The cells were isolated from the pulp tissue of an extracted healthy permanent third molar. After four passages in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium, the primary cells were employed for the investigation. The test materials and untreated cells (negative control) were subjected to an Methylthiazol-diphenyl-tetrazolium (MTT) cytotoxicity assay and assessed at 24-, 48-, and 72-h intervals. The Wilcoxon matched-paired t-test and Kruskal–Wallis analysis of variance (ANOVA) test were applied (p < 0.05). PRF imparted the highest cell viability at 48 h (p < 0.001), followed by MTA, Theracal PT, and Tetric N-Bond. Similarly, PRF had the highest potential to enhance cell proliferation and differentiation (p < 0.001), followed by Theracal PT, MTA, and the bonding agent at the end of 24 h and 72 h, respectively. Finally, PRF sustained the viability of human primary dental pulp stem cells more effectively than Theracal PT and MTA; however, the application of a Tetric N-Bond as a pulp capping agent was ineffective.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the antifungal efficacy of three endodontic sealers (AH Plus, Apexit Plus, and MTA Fillapex) with and without the incorporation of chitosan nanoparticles against Candida albicans. Materials and Methods: The present study was carried out by the Kirby–Bauer method. C. albicans were cultured in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar plates. Filter papers (n = 10) were placed in the cultured Petri dishes and the sealers were mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions and placed on the top of the filter papers. Group division of sealers is as follows: Group I – AH Plus, Group II – Apexit Plus, and Group III – MTA Fillapex. Group IC, Group IIC, and Group IIIC were the addition of 2% chitosan nanoparticles with respective sealers. Plates were incubated for 18 h, and the zone of inhibition was measured with a measuring scale and values (in millimeter) were recorded. Statistical analysis was done by one-way analysis of variance followed by post hoc multiple pair-wise comparisons. Results: All the tested groups showed statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) from each other. Two percent chitosan-incorporated groups showed superior zone of inhibition compared to sealers used alone. Group IC (16.35 ± 0.71 mm) had the highest zone of inhibition followed by Group I (13.8 ± 0.86 mm). For the remaining groups, the zone of inhibition was in the following order: Group IIC > Group II > Group IIIC > Group III. Conclusion: AH Plus sealer mixed with 2% chitosan showed significantly higher antifungal property. Mixing of 2% chitosan with endodontic sealer provides an added advantage so that endodontic re-infections can be minimized and will be helpful in retreatment cases.