The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different irrigation solutions used during root canal irrigation in root canal treatment on the microhardness of nickel-titanium (NiTi) files subjected to different heat treated. The pre-preparation microhardness levels of EndoArt Smart Blue and EndoArt Smart Gold (İnci Dental Productions Co, Istanbul, Turkey) file systems were measured at five different points using a microhardness testing device (HMV-2000; Shimadzu, Tokyo, Japan). Microhardness evaluation was performed on thirty-two 30.04 files from each file system. A total of 64 single-rooted and single-canaled mandibular incisor teeth were prepared up to size 30.04 using file systems. The preparation was completed with the irrigation solutions (5.25% NaOCl, 17% EDTA, ozonated water, and distilled water) for an average of 3 min with a 30.04 file. After preparation, the microhardness levels of the 30.04 files were again measured. The differences between the microhardness values were statistically compared. According to the obtained data, the pre-preparation measurement values were higher than the post-preparation values ( p < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found between the microhardness measurement values ( p > 0.05). The highest and lowest microhardness changes were observed in the EndoArt Smart Blue file system, in the ozonated water (195.63 ± 71.04 VHN (Vickers Hardness Number)) and distilled water (152.88 ± 51.10 VHN) groups, respectively. In this study, different irrigation solutions did not have a statistically significant effect on the microhardness of heat-treated NiTi files.

Background/Objectives: Minimally invasive endodontics (MIE) has gained increasing attention as an approach focused on preserving dental tissues while achieving the objectives of endodontic treatment. This study compared self-perceived knowledge, perceived adequacy of education, self-reported clinical use and practices, implementation difficulties, and barriers to routine use of MIE approaches among general dentists and endodontists in Türkiye. Methods: This online cross-sectional survey used non-probability voluntary sampling and included 300 participants (150 general dentists and 150 endodontists). Group comparisons used Pearson’s chi-square test, Yates-corrected Pearson’s chi-square test, or Fisher’s exact test as appropriate. For multiple-response items, option-specific comparisons were adjusted using the Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) procedure. Associated factors were evaluated using binary logistic regression, with professional group, professional experience, institutional setting, and weekly number of root canal treatments included simultaneously in multivariable models. Results: Endodontists reported higher self-perceived knowledge of MIE and more frequent self-reported use of MIE approaches than general dentists (both p < 0.001). In multivariable models, endodontist status was associated with higher odds of reported use of vital pulp therapies (odds ratio (OR) = 5.626) and minimally invasive root canal preparation (OR = 2.238), whereas the association with minimally invasive access cavity use was not statistically significant (OR = 1.668; p = 0.200). General dentist status was associated with higher odds of reporting difficulties during vital pulp therapies (OR = 10.420) and minimally invasive root canal preparation (OR = 2.379), whereas no significant association was detected for minimally invasive access cavity difficulties. The use of magnification systems and specialized endodontic burs for access cavity preparation or refinement was reported more frequently among endodontists. Reduced loss of tooth structure was the most frequently selected reason for using MIE, while inadequate training or lack of knowledge was the most frequently reported barrier to routine implementation. Conclusions: Among the participating dentists, endodontists reported higher self-perceived MIE knowledge and more frequent self-reported clinical use than general dentists. Professional and practice-related characteristics were associated with several MIE-related outcomes. Greater emphasis on practical, case-based training may support the appropriate implementation of MIE; however, the findings should be interpreted in light of the cross-sectional, self-reported design.

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic and treatment approaches of students who received endodontic practical training in the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)-Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) and phantom laboratory in the endodontics clinic. Materials and Methods: The study included 100 dental students from xxx Faculty of Dentistry who had received training in OSCE-OSPE and the phantom laboratory. In our survey study, which included two groups of questions covering 14 questions on diagnosis and treatment, the effects of preclinical education on the ability to diagnose and treat patients in endodontic clinical practice were evaluated. The One-Sample Chi-Square test was used for data analysis (p