Context: With the dawn of esthetic dentistry, esthetic restorative materials are the preferred choice for various applications. Because of their limited strength and wear resistance, glass ionomer cement (GIC) is indicated generally for the restoration of low-stress areas where caries activity potential is of significant concern. Therefore, hydroxyapatite (HA) materials were added to improve the consistency, compressive, and bonding strength of GIC. In dentistry, the adhering ability of GIC to HA resulted in variety of clinical applications. Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the effects of incorporation of micro-HA and nano-HA on the bonding strength of conventional GIC to tooth structure. Settings and Design: There was an experimental randomized analytical in vitro study. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one extracted human permanent molars were divided into three groups (n = 7). Each specimen was buried in a cylinder-shaped epoxy resin, and coronal portion was sectioned to expose the dentin surface available for bonding GIC. The smear layer on the exposed dentin was removed by etching with 35% phosphoric acid. Mixed cement was placed on tooth in cylindrical form, and specimens were immersed in artificial saliva for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, shear bond strength was measured using a universal testing machine with 1 mm/min crosshead speed. Statistical Analysis Used: Obtained shear bond strength values were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's Post hoc test. Results: Results showed that there are significant differences between GIC reinforced with HA than conventional GIC. The bonding strength is higher in nano-HA GIC compared to micro-HA and conventional GICs. Conclusions: The addition of 15% HA to conventional GIC increased its bond strength to dentin. Nano-HA added GIC showed the highest bonding strength to tooth structure.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

Background: Endodontic infections require effective removal of microorganisms from the root canal system for long-term prognosis. Chlorhexidine (CHX) is one of the most effective irrigants, but it's few drawbacks warrant search for newer alternatives. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of Calendula officinalis (CO) and 2% CHX against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans). Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial activity of CO extract and 2% CHX against E. faecalis and C. albicans was checked by the agar diffusion method and the zone of inhibition was statistically analyzed. Results: CHX has significantly more antimicrobial activity than CO against E. faecalis and C. albicans. However, CO also possesses reasonable antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis and antifungal activity against C. albicans. Conclusion: Under the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that CO has antimicrobial and antifungal activity against E. faecalis and C. albicans; however, CHX is more potent.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

Damage to the maxillary anteriors secondary to trauma is one of the primary concerns of a patient, attributable to his/her perceivability in the society. The clinical presentations of such a condition may vary vastly according to the extent of the injury. The present article describes the interdisciplinary management of an 18-year-old female with traumatized maxillary incisors and an anterior crossbite on a borderline skeletal Class III base. Orthodontic camouflage by means of fixed mechanotherapy was successfully attempted to produce a correction in the overjet and overbite. The esthetic rehabilitation was carried out using zirconium crowns and veneers placed on the central and lateral incisors, respectively, after crown lengthening. Thus, the interdisciplinary management ensured the restoration of optimal esthetics and function with a conservative approach.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

Appropriate management of anterior tooth fracture not only restores the function and esthetics but also provides a positive psychological impact for the patient. One of the most conservative approaches for such a restoration is reattachment, if fracture fragment is available. This case report provides three cases with varied approaches for the management of complicated and uncomplicated crown fracture using reattachment procedure. First case describes management of a complicated fracture of the upper central incisor which invades the biological width using flap elevation and fiber post cementation. Second case report describes reattachment of complicated fracture of the central incisor managed using fiber post cementation and reattachment after nonsurgical endodontic treatment. Third case report describes management of Ellis Class II fracture. Reattachment of fractured fragment is indeed a cost-effective conservative treatment.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

During any dental treatment, various instruments, dental materials, and appliances come in contact with the tissues of the oral cavity. Inappropriate handling of these instruments and materials can cause both hard tissue and soft tissue damage. Periodontal destruction due to iatrogenesis and foreign body impaction is not uncommon. The present case report describes an unusual case of iatrogenic periodontal destruction due to restorative overhang as well as impacted restorative material into the interdental region and its management.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

Anatomy of the root canal system determines the pathways of the endodontic treatment, which directly affect the success of the therapy. A pulp stone is often located in the pulp chamber and radiographically is viewed as radiopaque structures. This manuscript presents a case report of endodontic treatment performed in two permanent central maxillary incisors with pulp stones in a young female patient. Conclusively, the presence of pulp stones did not interfere in the quality of the endodontic procedures, and the outcome of the treatment was successful.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

Invasive cervical resorption (ICR) is aggressive and expansionist variety of external tooth resorption that commences within the cervical region. The treatment goal must be complete elimination of all resorbing tissues and therefore the reassembling of the resorptive defect by the placement of an acceptable filling material to achieve desired function and esthetics. The restoration of the defect becomes demanding and strenuous if it extends coronally as well as radicular. This case presents the management of a Heithersay's Class 3 ICR in maxillary right central incisor using a surgical approach and restoration of defect with tri-layered combination of biodentine, resin-modified glass ionomer cement, and composite resin.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

The ultimate goal in modern dentistry is to achieve white and pink esthetics. Optimal periodontal health without encroaching biologic width is the foundation upon which reconstruction of teeth is based. This case report presents the multidisciplinary management of an orthodontic patient who reported with fractured fused endodontically treated upper right anterior teeth with periapical lesion. Crown lengthening procedure with apically displaced flap was done to preserve the band of keratinized tissue and to gain access to the apex of the teeth. Apicoectomy and placement of tricalcium silicate (Biodentine) along with platelet-rich fibrin membrane was done. For better esthetic composite, veneer was given and orthodontic treatment continued. One-year examination showed uneventful healing and reduction of the periapical lesion. PRF membrane and Biodentine yielded good benefits for regeneration. Thus, multidisciplinary approach emphasizes the importance and beauty of collaboration between various specialties to provide the best quality of care to the patient.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

[FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) signs and symptoms before and after rapid maxillary expansion (RME), in patients with posterior crossbite. Materials and Methods: The sample was comprised of 22 individuals (13 girls, 9 boys), with ages varying from 7 to 14 years (mean: 9.1 years), with posterior crossbite. They were all treated with RME using the Hyrax appliance. They were submitted to a questionnaire of the European Academy of the Craniomandibular Disorder for evaluation of the presence of signs and symptoms of TMD at five different times: T0, T1, T2, T3, Tf (before treatment starts, 15 days after the beginning of the activations, 4, 8, and 10 months after installation of the Hyrax appliance, respectively). If any of the answers to the questionnaire were YES, research diagnosis criteria for temporomandibular disorders - axis I (RDC/TMD-axis I) was applied. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests were applied. Results: The initial prevalence of TMD signs and symptoms was 18%. At T2, there was statistically significant improvement (P = 0.046) of TMD signs and symptoms in relation to T0. There was no statistically significant association between sex and TMD signs and symptoms in the five stages that were evaluated. Conclusions: RME temporarily influenced the TMD signs and symptoms in T2. However, there was a return of the TMD signs and symptoms 10 months after installation of the Hyrax appliance.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]