This study aimed to investigate the perspectives, preferences, and clinical experiences regarding using electronic apex locator and apex locator integrated instrumentation of dentists and endodontists. A web-based questionnaire consisting of 3 parts and 23 closed-ended questions to achieve the objective of the study was carried out in ethical conditions between August and October 2023. The first part of survey included demographic information, while the second part was about evaluating electronic apex locator usage. In the last part, only participants’ use of apex locator-integrated instrumentation was evaluated. Data were analyzed at a significance level of p < 0.05. A total of 297 clinicians, including 59 endodontists and 34 endodontic residents/Ph.D. students participated in the questionnaire. Endodontists and endodontic residents/Ph.D. students perform statistically significantly more root canal treatments per week on average (p = 0.001). For the working length determination method (multiple option question), 78.5% of participants use an electronic apex locator and 39.7% apex locator-integrated engines. However, the preference rate for electronic apex determination technique was generally 95.6%, with the full rate confirmation of endodontists and endodontic residents/Ph.D. students (100%). A total of 21 endodontists out of 59 prefer apex locator integrated engine-driven instrumentation. Although many of these specialized clinicians use this technique, they stated that they measure electronic working length passively for confirmation of the working length before (90.5%) and after the preparation (66.7%). Dentists, as well as endodontists, are skeptical about apex locator-integrated engine-driven instrumentation. Using this technique as a supporter rather than a primary way for preparation within safe limits may give safer results in terms of treatment outcomes.

This study evaluated the effect of the use of EDTA solution at various intervals to remove intracanal calcium hydroxide medication on fracture resistance. One hundred and one extracted lower premolar teeth were randomly allocated into one control group (n = 5), two main experimental groups (CH(+), with calcium hydroxide dressing, and CH(−), without calcium hydroxide dressing), with four subgroups (EDTA intervals: 1 min, 3 min, 5 min, 10 min, n = 12). Ready-to-use injectable calcium hydroxide was used for the samples in the four CH(+) subgroups, and the samples were kept in an incubator at 37 °C and 100% humidity for seven days. All samples (CH(+), CH(−)) were irrigated with 17% EDTA, which was accompanied by activation with EndoActivator for 1, 3, 5, and 10 min, and then rinsed with 2.5% NaOCl in a standardized manner. The obturation was conducted using the warm obturation technique; experiments were conducted with a universal testing device, and their fracture strength was recorded. Compliance with the normal distribution was examined with ±2 skewness coefficients. Two-way ANOVA, Tukey’s, one-way ANOVA, and Dunnett’s tests were used for statistics (p < 0.050). A statistically significant difference was found between the mean values of the force between the groups (p = 0.009). The mean strength of the tooth at fracture that CH(−) was 401.7, CH(+) was 335.35. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean values of the forces according to time intervals (p = 0.387). While there was no significant difference among the experimental groups (p = 0.229), the mean fracture strength of the negative control group was found to be significantly higher (p < 0.001). The highest fracture resistance was observed in the nonprepared group. Irrigation with EDTA for up to 5 min showed more acceptable fracture resistance results than the other groups. Using calcium hydroxide significantly and negatively affected the root strength.

Objective: This study aimed to measure patients' awareness levels about rubber dam used in endodontic treatments and their opinions about the necessity of its use, to evaluate their endodontic treatment experiences with rubber dam, and to compare the relationship between these opinions and treatment experience. Methods: A survey including 16-questions was designed to access the participants' demographic information and previous rubber dam experiences, their current experience, and their preferences for the use of rubber dams in subsequent treatments. 9 questions aimed to measure the attitude via five-point Likert scale indicating measurements ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. The survey was completed when the number of participants reached 150 patients. Fisher-Freeman-Halton test, Fisher's Exact test and Pearson Chi Square test were used to compare categorical data, and multiple comparisons were examined with the Bonferroni Corrected Z test. p<0.05 was considered sufficient for statistical significance. Results: 27.3% of the participants had previously received dental treatment with rubber dam. It was determined that there were significantly more patients with primary education levels among those who did not know the benefits of rubber dam use before coming to treatment (p=0.013). There was a statistically significant connection between the question "I was informed by my dentist about the reasons for using rubber dam before the treatment" and the question "I think the use of rubber dam is necessary for the dentist/patient" (p<0.001). In this study, only 4 people were observed who did not prefer rubber dam for the next treatment. Conclusion: Before endodontic procedures, the advantages and necessity of rubber dam use should be explained to patients in detail and the questions in the patients' minds should be eliminated. The clinician should improve himself in the use of rubber dam and provide the patient with a more comfortable treatment.

Çoğunlukla anterior bölgede oluşan devital diş renklenmeleri önemli estetik problemler oluşturmaktadır. Devital diş renklenmelerine başlıca travma, pulpa nekrozu ve endodontik tedavi sonrası pulpa odasından temizlenemeyen materyaller neden olmaktadır. Renklenmiş dişlerin tedavi yöntemleri arasında bulunan intrakoronal beyazlatma yöntemi, ucuz, basit ve konservatif bir seçenektir. Bu olgu raporunda Kocaeli Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi Endodonti Anabilim Dalı’na başvuran 3 hastanın renklenmiş anterior dişlerinin walking bleaching tekniği ile intrakoronal beyazlatma tedavileri anlatılmaktadır. Olgu 1 ve Olgu 2’deki dişler travma kaynaklı olup, Olgu 3’teki diş ise endodontik tedavi sonrası renklenmiştir. Tüm olgularda güta perka seviyesi mine sement sınırının 2-3 mm altına indirilerek, koronal bariyer yerleştirilmiştir. Beyazlatma ajanı olarak %35’lik hidrojen peroksit içerikli ajan (Opalescence Endo, Ultradent Products Inc., South Jordan, ABD) kullanılmıştır. Tedavi sonucunda üç olguda da tatmin edici estetik sonuçlar elde edilmiştir. Renklenmiş devital dişlerin tedavisinde walking bleaching yöntemi güvenli bir alternatif olarak önerilebilir.