Introduction: Mandibular first premolars are familiar with their varied root canal morphology, causing difficulties and challenges for successful endodontic procedures. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to study the characterization of root and canal morphology of the first mandibular premolar using micro-computed tomography. Methodology: The literature search was conducted using electronic web databases like PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect and Cochrane with the chosen MeSH key words and data was retrieved until May 2023. Further to perform the statistical analysis, R v 4.3.1 software with "meta", 'metafor" "metaviz" " ggplot2" package was used, and results were represented by odds ratios (OR) and the percentage of forest plots along a 95 per cent confidence interval (CI). Results: The total number of studies meeting the inclusion criteria was 13; these studies were conducted on mandibular first premolar using Micro-CT; the total sample size was 1817. To scan the sample, an X-ray micro-focus CT system (Siemens Inveon CT, Erlangen, Germany) was used in four studies and seven different machines were used in the respective studies. Mimics 10.01 software (Materialize, Leuven, Belgium) and NRecon v.1.6.9 software (Bruker, Kontich, Belgium) were commonly operated. The minimum and maximum voxel size ranges between 11.94 and 50 μm. Vertucci’s classification was frequently used (9), while one study applied Ahmed et al. and Vertucci’s classification. Conclusion: This systematic review provides essential information about the root and canal configurations, radicular grooves, accessory canals, and apical foramina through Micro-CT, aiming to improve the accuracy of endodontic treatment and help practitioners.

Background: Dental pulp calcifications or pulp stones are calcified structures found in dental pulp, mostly around or enclosing a blood vessel. The formation of these calcifications begins with concentric layers of calcified tissue within which remnants of necrotic and calcified cells may be present. The calcifications of thrombi in blood vessels, called phleboliths, may also serve as nidi for denticles. In metabolic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension or poor periodontal health, there are obvious changes in blood vessels and vascularization. In our study, we observed histopathological sections of dental pulp and correlated systemic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension with poor periodontal health and dental pulp stones. Aim: The aim of our study was to evaluate the histopathology of dental pulp stones, their distribution among various age groups and sexes and to identify any correlations between pulp stone formation and systemic diseases such as type II diabetes and hypertension. Materials and Methods: Samples from 100 patients with metabolic diseases such as type II diabetes and hypertension were collected. The pulp was extirpated from the teeth that were undergoing root canal treatment, and the teeth were extracted. The collected pulp sample was fixed in 10% formaline neutral buffer, subjected to routine histopathological procedures and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. The pulp of teeth extracted for orthodontic treatment was considered a control for patients with no metabolic disease. Results: There was a definite relationship between increased pulp stones and metabolic diseases such as type II diabetes and hypertension; likewise, poor periodontal health was significantly related to pulp stones.

Image 1 Patients self assessment was a good predictor of patient dental status.

The histopathological examination of mineralized tissues requires decalcification of teeth which is an essential and important step during tissue processing. In the present study we attempted to decalcify teeth using strong and weak acids and a chelating agent with various methods to identify completion of decalcification along with the observance of weight loss percentage of a tooth. To compare decalcification with conventional decalcification method with strong acid, weak acids and a chelating agent with respect to preservation of tissue structure, efficacy of staining in association with weight change. A total of 64 multi-rooted and single rooted teeth were used, with group of 16 teeth, (16 molars, 16 pre-molars, 16 canines and 16 incisors) for each of the solution as Chelating agent (10% EDTA), Strong acid(10%HNO₃), Weak acid (5% Tri Carboxylic acid) and Von Ebner's solution (hydrochloric acid & sodium chloride), were used in the study respectively. The efficacy of decalcifying agents was evaluated by recording the time taken by particular acid to decalcify the tooth completely and the weight change was observed at set intervals till the completion of decalcification. The endpoint of decalcification was also confirmed with radiographic and chemical methods. The decalcified teeth were then routinely processed, sectioned, and stained with haematoxylin and eosin stains. Different methods were used to confirm the completion of decalcification. After decalcification, all the teeth were examined macroscopically and microscopically. At 70–80% of weight change of a tooth decalcification is complete. 10% EDTA was best suited to the soft and hard tissues in comparison to other solutions. 5% TCA was fair in staining quality and maintenance of hard tissue structures was satisfactory to 10%HNO₃ and Von Ebner's solution. The final impression led to the proposition that EDTA was indeed the best decalcifying agent available if the results required are not urgent. For situations where time constraint is there, 5% Tri Carboxylic Acid can be used.

Angiofibroma also called juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma are tumors of adolescence and the commonest site is the nasopharynx. Extra nasopharyngeal sites include upper respiratory and digestive tracts, oral cavity, tonsils, larynx, trachea, and esophagus. Intraosseous angiofibroma is the rarest of a rare entity.

Al Zahrawi, an Arab physician and surgeon, was the one responsible for making surgery as important as medicine in medieval times. He invented many surgical instruments which were later copied and used as standards in surgeries. He contributed to many fields of medicine, including neurology, surgery, orthopedics and gynecology. He recounted his 50 years of hard work in his book, Al Tasreef , which was translated into many languages later. Many of his inventions and surgical instruments have been described in his literature and later served as the foundations for the advanced instrumentation in medical and dental specialties. His immense contribution to dentistry cannot be overlooked. In this review, we attempt to collect and revisit his contributions. In medieval times the Arab and Persian medicine and surgery was at its pinnacle providing deep foundations for modern medicine and surgery. Among the most popular Arab scientists, Al-Zahrawi was the one who made considerable contribution to dental medicine and surgery. As the names of most of the Arab world scientists were Latinized, such as as Al-Zahrawi named “Albucasis” and Abubakr Rabi ibn Ahmad al-Akhawayni al-Bokhari as “Joveini”, often their work and inventions are overlooked in the contemporary literature. This review highlights the need for the documentation of procedures and inventions especially in field of dentistry in modern literature. An extensive search was done and 170 documents and a few books were found on databases as Scopus, Pubmed, Mendeley and Google Scholar with the keywords Albucasis, Al Zahrawi, dentistry, Persian medicine and scientists, ranging from years 1926–2026. A few of the documents were not traceable; for example, a 1987 article on dentistry by J.J. Hershfeld could not be retrieved. Other articles which were not in the English language or whose translations were not available, were also excluded. Articles and books dealing exclusively with dentistry are rare. We tried our best to include all the information we could on Albucasis’ contribution to dentistry. Campbell mentions in his book that the second part of volume 30 deals with dental surgery and other surgical procedures. He describes numerous surgical and dental procedures using Albucasis’s own illustrations.