Vital pulp therapy preserves and maintains the integrity and the health of dental pulp tissue that has been injured by trauma, caries or restorative procedures. The enhancement of cells viability and formation of reparative dentine and new blood vessels are vital determinants of the success of direct pulp capping. Therefore, the aims of this study was to evaluate and compare the in vitro osteogenic, odontogenic and angiogenic effects of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2], Biodentine and Emdogain on dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and examine the effects of the tested materials on cell viability. DPSCs were treated with MTA, Ca(OH)2, Biodentine or Emdogain. Untreated cells were used as control. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay on day 3. Real-Time PCR with SYBR green was used to quantify the gene expression levels of osteogenic markers (alkaline phosphatase and osteopontin), odontogenic marker (dentin sialophosphoprotein) and angiogenic factor (vascular endothelial growth factor) on day 7 and day 14. All capping materials showed variable cytotoxicity against DPSCs (77% for Emdogain, 53% for MTA, 26% for Biodentine and 16% for Ca(OH)2 compared to control (P value < 0.0001). Osteopontin (OPN) and dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) gene expression was increased by all four materials. However, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was upregulated by all materials except Emdogain. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was upregulated by all four tested materials except Ca(OH)2. Our results suggest MTA, Biodentine and Emdogain exhibit similar attributes and may score better than Ca(OH)2. Emdogain could be a promising alternative to MTA and Biodentine in enhancing pulp repair capacity following dental pulp injury. However, further future research is required to assess the clinical outcomes and compare it with the in vitro findings.

To evaluate the effect of cold and room-temperature normal saline as a final irrigation on post-endodontic pain and to compare the post-endodontic pain level between the different protocols. A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 105 patients who underwent RCT and were distributed blindly and randomly into three equal groups (n = 35): Group 1, Cryotherapy group; Group 2, Room- temperature normal saline group; and Group 3, Control group. The patients were asked to fill out the VAS questionnaire and register their post-endodontic pain at 6, 24, and 48 h. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and was used to determine statistical difference (α = 0.05) among the groups. Tuckey's test was used to calculate P-value (α = 0.05) between two each group. The highest post-endodontic pain was in Group 3. There was no significance difference between Group 1 and Group 2. Final flushing of the canal with saline either cold or at room temperature was effective for post-endodontic pain control. This can be promising as an essential step in endodontic treatment to reduce post-endodontic pain. The room-temperature saline as final irrigation showed comparable results to intra-canal cryotherapy.

This study aimed to evaluate the biological and mechanical effect of different irrigation methods on the bond strength of Bioceramic (BC) sealer to root canal dentin walls. Forty-Five single-rooted teeth were decoronated and then prepared using rotary instrumentation. Teeth were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1: using the conventional syringe method; Group 2: using the ultrasonic (US) activation method; and Group 3: using the Nd:YAG laser activation method. The BC sealer (TotalFill^® BC Sealer™, FKG Dentaire, Switzerland) was used for obturation according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. The bond strength was evaluated using the push-out test, and the adaptation of the sealer/dentin interface was assessed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Data were analyzed by Welch’s ANOVA analysis of variance and Games-Howell for pairwise comparison. The level of statistical significance was set at 95% (p-value ≤ 0.05). The push-out bond strength values of the Nd:YAG (6.46 ± 0.5) laser group were statistically significant than both conventional (3.33 ± 1.8) and US groups (4.21 ± 2.2). The mean gaps that were formed between the root walls and GP/BS sealer interface were statistically significant only between the Nd:YAG laser group (25.54 ± 13.8) compared to both conventional (62.00 ± 15.3) and US groups (58.82 ± 23.8) (p ≤0.05). No significant difference was found between the conventional and US groups in both rested parameters (p >0.05). The method protocol of RC system irrigation affects the adhesion and bond strength of BS sealers to the root canal dentin walls.

Regenerative Endodontic Procedure on an Immature Necrotic Molar: A Case Report with a 5-Year Review - Article abstract #944179

To identify the models and levels of integration of the undergraduate dental curriculum in Umm Al-Qura University in KSA. This comprehensive evaluation and analysis of the current dental curriculum will facilitate better planning for curriculum reform, thus improving the quality of dental education. All courses were evaluated by three reviewers who independently checked the most recent course specifications forms (2021) to extract data relating to course descriptions and contents. A model of integration was identified for each course (using a modified Harden's integration ladder). Courses and their relative weighting (by credit hours) were mapped to the level of integration by years, departments, course classification, and educational methods. The overall pattern of curriculum integration was then determined. All courses exhibited some level of integration to varying degrees throughout years and across departments. The most frequently used model is the nested model of integration. The overall pattern of curriculum integration is low to moderate. Highly integrated courses are only taught during the second and final years and are managed by the Departments of Basic Oral Sciences and Restorative Dentistry. Clinical courses represent 44.3% of the curriculum although only 26.6% of clinical courses have a high level of integration. Problem-based learning/case-based learning (PBL/CBL) and clinical training strategies are mostly applied in moderately to highly integrated courses, although PBL/CBL is the least used educational method throughout the curriculum. All courses exhibited some level of integration with an overall low to moderate pattern. More collaborative planning and working between departments are recommended to increase the level of integration of courses throughout different academic years. In addition, modern educational strategies such as PBL/CBL and blended learning should be implemented more in our dental curriculum.

Aim The present study was conducted with the aim of evaluating and comparing the shaping ability of two Nickel-titanium rotary instruments, with two disparate design features, on root canal geometry of extracted human maxillary first premolars using microcomputed tomography. Study design Twenty four bifurcated maxillary first premolars were divided into two groups and embedded in a rubber-based impression material. Both groups were submitted to microcomputed tomography before and after canal preparation (buccal and palatal) with either ProFile Vortex or Revo-S rotary instruments. Images were reconstructed and cross-sections corresponding to a distance 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 mm from the anatomical apex were selected for canal transportation analysis. Volume changes were also measured. Results The degree and direction of canal transportation were non-significant for both instruments. Statistically significant differences were observed only between levels in the buccal canal in both groups. There was no significant difference between the two rotary systems in regards to the volume of dentin removed. Conclusion Our findings showed that ProFile Vortex and Revo-S instruments respected the original root canal anatomy and behaved similarly. ProFile Vortex rotary systems produced with innovative process were concluded to shape the upper maxillary premolar by leading minimal canal transportation, similar to Revo-S, rotary systems produced from traditional process. How to cite this article Al-Sudani D, Almalki M, Al-Shahrani S, Ahlquist M. Geometric Analysis of Maxillary First Premolar Prepared by Two Nickel-Titanium Rotary Instruments. J Contemp Dent Pract 2014;15(2):174-180.