The purpose of this study was to determine the current trends in irrigation practice among the practicing dentists in Nellore urban area of Andhra Pradesh, India.

A self-prepared questionnaire comprising 20 questions was given to 150 dentists practicing in Nellore urban area. The information gathered was the individual irrigant selection, irrigant concentration, smear layer removal, and use of adjuncts to irrigation, gauge of needle, tip design of needle, depth of needle penetration, volume of the syringe used, volume of irrigant used, duration of irrigation, choice of irrigant in vital teeth, teeth with radiographic evidence of periapical lesion, and retreatment cases.

Our data indicated that majority of respondents (55.6%) are using saline as primary irrigant at a concentration of 0.9% whereas 44.4% of respondents primarily use sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), with 51.4% of them using it at a concentration of 2.6 to 4%. Twenty-six gauge needle with single-beveled tip design being most preferred for syringe irrigation. Only 59.7% of respondents aimed to remove the smear layer during endodontic treatment with only 11.9% using an adjunct to irrigation.

Regardless of the critical nature of the irrigation step in the endodontic therapy, the results from the study were not satisfying, especially when it comes to the use of primary irrigant, adjuncts, or newer irrigating systems. Thus there is a need to regularly update and check the practices adopted by dental practitioners.

Koppolu M, Paramesh Y, Suneelkumar C, Lavanya A. Current Trends in Irrigation Practice during Endodontic Treatment among Dental Practitioners in Nellore Urban Area: A Survey. J Oper Dent Endod 2016;1(2):47-55.

The aim of this study was to compare in vitro the effect of 5% calcium hypochlorite [Ca(OCl)₂] and 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on flexural strength and modulus of elasticity of root dentin.

The available chlorine concentration of each solution was determined using iodometric titration. Standardized planoparallel dentin bars (n= 20) were divided into two test groups and one control group. The control, group 1, consisted of dentin bars stored in normal saline. The dentin bars in the two test groups were treated by exposure to following solutions: Group 2 to 5% Ca(OCl)₂; and group 3 to 5% NaOCl. All the three test solutions were changed once in 15 minutes for 30 minutes. The dentin bars were then loaded to failure using three-point bend test.

Available chlorine concentration was 64% in both the test solutions. There was a significant reduction in the flexural strength of 5% NaOCl group compared to 5% Ca(OCl)₂-treated ones. A significant difference in modulus of elasticity was observed between the test groups and the control groups and also between the 5% Ca(OCl)₂ and 5% NaOCl groups.

Within the limitations of this study, 5% NaOCl reduced the flexural strength and modulus of elasticity of root dentin bars more when compared to 5% Ca(OCl)₂.

Reddy P, Balla S, Raghu SS, Velmurugan N, Gupta GT, Sahoo HS. Effect of 5% Calcium Hypochlorite on Mechanical Properties of Root Dentin: An in vitro Study. J Oper Dent Endod 2016;1(2):56-59.

Cariogenic microorganisms are the most important cause for occurrence of dental caries. Dentifrices and mouthwashes containing antimicrobial substances are proven to be effective in the eradication of these pathogens from the oral cavity.

To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of fluoride, chlorhexidine (CHX), herbal, and xylitol containing toothpastes and mouthwashes against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Lactobacillus (LB) in subjects within the age group of 18 to 22 years at time intervals of 1, 3, and 6 months.

One hundred subjects were randomly divided into four groups. Group I: fluoride, group II: chlorhexidine, group III: herbal, group IV: xylitol and instructed to use toothpastes and mouthwashes containing the specific agents. Salivary samples were collected to evaluate the levels of S. mutans and LB at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months. Bacterial levels were evaluated using caries risk test (CRT) kit. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and post hoc test.

During intragroup comparison, S. mutans levels in group I showed statistically significant difference among the four time intervals. On intergroup comparison, S. mutans levels after 6 months for groups I, II, III, and IV were 1.12, 1.16, 1.28, and 1.4 respectively.

It can be concluded that fluoride, CHX, and xylitol showed a significant reduction in S. mutans and LB count after a time period of 6 months while herbal group did not show a significant reduction in S. mutans and LB count at any intervals.

Sam JE, Benin P, Beaulah RH, Gnanaseelan, Krishna L, Raja J. Comparative Evaluation of Antibacterial Efficacy of Four Toothpastes and Mouthwashes against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus: An in vivo Study. J Oper Dent Endod 2016;1(2):60-65.

To evaluate the amount of apically extruded debris after the preparation of root canals in extracted human single-rooted teeth using ProTaper Next and Mani Silk rotary systems.

A total of 40 freshly extracted human single-rooted teeth with mature apices and straight root canal were selected and similar length were instrumented with ProTaper Next and Mani Silk rotary systems. Debris and irrigant extruded during instrumentation were collected into preweighed Eppendorf tubes. The Eppendorf tubes were then stored in an incubator at 68°C for 5 days. The weight of the extruded debris was determined by subtracting the initial weight from the final weight.

Data analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Postweights were compared with an independent t test for 2 groups.

Both instruments were associated with apical debris extrusion. There was no significant difference between the ProTaper Next and Mani Silk instruments in terms of mean weight of apically extruded debris.

There was no significant difference among the groups in terms of mean weight of apically extruded debris.

Koppolu M, Basam R, Suneelkumar C, Lavanya A. Apical Debris Extrusion during Root Canal Preparation with ProTaper Next and Mani Silk Rotary Systems: An in vitro Study. J Oper Dent Endod 2016;1(2):66-69.

Nainar DA, Alamelu S, Arun KV, Rajasekaran M. Immunological Profile of Periapical and Periodontal Lesions: Current Concepts in the Role of T Cells. J Oper Dent Endod 2016;1(2):70-75.

Subbiya A, Pradeepkumar AR. Pain Management in Endodontics. J Oper Dent Endod 2016;1(2):76-81.

Plasma is the fourth state of matter and others are liquid, gas, and solid. Plasma occurs as a natural phenomenon in the universe and appears in the form of fire, in the polar aurora borealis and in the nuclear fusion reactions of the sun. It can be produced artificially which has gained importance in the fields of plasma screens or light sources. Plasma is of two types: Thermal and nonthermal or cold atmospheric plasma (CAP). Thermal plasma has electrons and heavy particles (ions and neutral) at the same temperature. Cold atmospheric plasma is said to be nonthermal as it has electron at a hotter temperature than the heavy particles that are at room temperature. Cold atmospheric plasma is a specific type of plasma, i.e., <104°F at the point of application. It could become a new and painless method to prepare cavities for restoration with improved longevity. Also it is capable of bacterial inactivation and noninflammatory tissue alteration, which makes it an attractive tool for the treatment of dental caries and for composite restorations. Plasma can also be used for tooth whitening. This review focuses on some dental application of plasma.

Nair RS, Babu B, Mushtaq E. Cold Atmospheric Plasma in Dentistry. J Oper Dent Endod 2016;1(2):82-86.

Canakapalli V. Invasive Cervical Resorption: A Clinical Case Report demonstrating the Value of CBCT in Diagnosis and Treatment Planning. J Oper Dent Endod 2016;1(2):87-89.

Taurodontism is a morpho-anatomic variation in tooth anatomy that rarely affects mandibular premolars. Literature is replete with mandibular first premolars presenting atypical additional root canals, but concurrent presence of three roots and taurodontism is exceptional.

This case report describes the successful endodontic diagnosis and management of a rare case of taurodontism in a mandibular first premolar with chronic apical periodontitis. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) facilitated the diagnosis of three roots and root canals associated with concurrent taurodontism. The taurodont premolar required exceptional and diligent care in each segment of endodontic treatment for the complex root canal system.

Taurodontism-affected premolars present with challenges in endodontic therapy as they have apically displaced pulp chambers with limited width. Cone beam computed tomography and dental operating microscope can facilitate evaluation for teeth with such complex anatomy and their successful endodontic management.

Wadekar SI, Shah DY, Shah JR, Gathani KM. Endodontic Management of a Three-rooted Mandibular First Premolar associated with Taurodontism. J Oper Dent Endod 2016;1(2):90-92.