This study aimed to evaluate and compare two different fiber-reinforced composite materials in class I post-endodontic restoration in molars. A total of 50 patients were randomly assigned into two groups (n = 25 for each group); group A: everX Posterior (packable composite) with a top layer of solareX (nano-hybrid composite) and group B: everX Flow (flowable composite) with a top layer of G-aenial universal injectable (flowable composite). Patients were evaluated immediately after the procedure (baseline), at 6 months, and at 1 year time intervals based on the modified USPHS criteria. The statistical analysis using a chi-square test showed no statistically significant difference in the clinical performance of group A and group B. Clinical performance of the combination of everX Flow with overlying G-aenial universal injectable composite proved to be comparable with everX Posterior with overlying solareX composite as post-endodontic restorations in class I lesions in permanent molars.

The adaptation of a sealer along with the periphery of the dentinal tubules of the root canal is studied. Various techniques have been used for the application of these sealers onto the canal wall for better adaptation but have not been compared to date. The purpose of the study was to comparatively evaluate the sealing ability of a bioceramic sealer with AH plus sealer with root canal dentin using three different techniques for the application of sealer. One hundred twenty extracted maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth were collected, disinfected, and decoronated at the cemento-enamel junction to maintain a standard working length for all samples. The establishment of the working length (40.10) and instrumentation was performed using a rotary instrument, along with a standard irrigation regimen. The teeth were then divided into two main groups according to the sealer used, i.e., Group A (AH Plus) and Group B (iRoot SP). These two main groups were categorized into three sub-groups depending on the technique of sealer placement, i.e., Subgroup 1 (master cone gutta-percha), Subgroup 2 (bidirectional spiral), and Subgroup 3 (passive ultrasonic activation). Out of the 20 samples, 15 samples were randomly allocated for the assessment of sealing ability using the routine dye extraction method, and to verify the results of the dye extraction method, a more advanced evaluation method, i.e., SEM evaluation, was utilized further. To this end, five random samples from each subgroup were allocated for SEM analysis. The obtained scores were then statistically analyzed using an ANOVA test and Post Hoc Tukey’s test. In the current study, statistical significance was seen among the three main groups and six subgroups with p-values < 0.005. Subgroup B3 performed significantly better than the other subgroups in both the dye extraction method as well as in SEM analysis. The highest microleakage was shown by subgroup A1; it also exhibited poor penetration of sealer in SEM evaluation. The bioceramic sealer (iRoot SP), when applied using passive ultrasonic activation, showed the best results in both the dye extraction method and the SEM evaluation.

Purpose: Evaluate the efficacy of transdermal patches containing ketoprofen and diclofenac sodium compared to oral diclofenac tablets in reducing post-endodontic pain after single-visit root canal therapy for teeth with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. Methods: A total of 78 eligible participants with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis and preoperative VAS scores of 4 or above were enrolled after obtaining ethical approval (SVIEC/ON/DENT/SRP/22064) and CTRI registration (CTRI/2022/07/044231). Exclusion criteria included pregnancy, lactation, fractured/cracked teeth, developmental anomalies, tooth pathology, or ongoing analgesic/NSAID use. After root canal treatment, participants were randomized into three groups using computer randomization. Groups A and B received transdermal patches with Ketoprofen and diclofenac sodium, respectively, applied to the right forearm for 24 hours, with an additional patch on the left forearm for the next day. Group C received four diclofenac sodium oral tablets, twice daily for two days. VAS scales were used to assess pain at 4, 8, 24, and 48 hours post-treatment. The VAS scores collected were tabulated and statistically analyzed using SPSS version 21 with (P < 0.05). Shapiro Wilk test and the Related Samples Friedman’s Two-Way Analysis of Variance by Ranks were used for statistical evaluation. Results: Statistically significant reductions in mean postoperative pain scores were observed across all groups at all time points compared to preoperative scores. Notably, the Ketoprofen patch group exhibited superior performance compared to the diclofenac transdermal patch and oral diclofenac tablet groups at 48 hours, with statistical significance (p=0.047). Conclusion: The present evidence substantiates the efficacy of transdermal patches containing diclofenac and ketoprofen in managing postoperative pain arising from symptomatic irreversible pulpitis in single-rooted teeth. By avoiding the use of oral NSAIDs, these patches provide effective pain relief while minimizing the risk of adverse effects, presenting a favorable option for patients.

Aim: The aim of this in vitro study was to comparatively evaluate the effectiveness of XP-endo Finisher and passive ultrasonic (PU) activation on dentinal tubule penetration of irrigation solution: A confocal laser scanning microscopy study. Materials and Methods: Forty extracted single-rooted human mandibular canines and premolars were instrumented up to size 40/06 taper and randomly divided into 2 groups (n = 20) based on the activation technique of final irrigation solution into Group A: PU activation and Group B: XP-endo Finisher activation. In each group, 5 ml of 5% NaOCl labeled with fluorescent dye was used during activation as the final irrigation solution. Specimens were sectioned at 2, 5, and 8 mm from the apex and examined under confocal microscope to calculate the dentinal tubule penetration area. Data were analyzed using Tukey’s post hoc tests (P = 0.05). Results: PU activation exhibited a significantly higher penetration area than XP-endo Finisher activation (P < 0.05). In addition, at coronal, middle, and apical thirds, all regions of PU activation had significantly higher penetration than XP-endo Finisher activation. Statistically significant differences were found between each root canal third (coronal > middle > apical) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The PU activation is more effective than XP-endo Finisher in terms of irrigant penetration into the dentinal tubules.

To assess proximal contact tightness and contour of two different sectional matrix systems in class-II direct composite restoration using newly designed assessment criteria. In a double-blinded randomized clinical trial, 62 class-II direct composite restorations were performed in 62 patients using Composi-Tight 3DXR (n = 31) and Bioclear Biofit HD matrix systems (n = 31). Proximal contact tightness and contour were assessed using a self-designed criterion. Statistical analysis utilized Chi-Square and Independent sample t-test, with P < 0.001 considered significant. The mean ± sd score for clinical and radiographical evaluation of proximal contact tightness of the Bioclear Biofit HD group (1.06 ± 0.25) was statistically significant with a p-value (<0.001) compared to the Composi-Tight 3DXR group (2.39 ± 0.72). The study found that the Bioclear Biofit HD matrix system demonstrated better proximal contact and contour than the Composi-Tight 3DXR Sectional Matrix System in Class-II direct composite restorations.