Objective: We evaluated knowledge of technical aspects of non-surgical root canal treatment among general dentists in private dental clinics in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was distributed randomly to 70 general dental practitioners who were working in private dental centers. The response rate was 88.6%. Results: The results showed that only 3% of dentists were using rubber dams for isolation during endodontic treatment. The majority (59.7%) were using radiographs to determine the length. Also, 37% were using nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments to prepare the root canal. The lateral condensation technique with gutta percha points to fill the root canal was used by most respondents (77.5%). Conclusions: This study provides important data on endodontic treatment by general dental practitioners in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah private dental centers. It shows a general lack of knowledge regarding the importance of using rubber dams as well as the new endodontic materials and methods. Continuing education programs to update their knowledge in the field of endodontics are essential.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of various chelates used alone or in combination with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) in the removal of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂ ) from root canals. Materials and Methods: The root canals of 72 mandibular incisors were prepared up to the ProTaper F2 file. Among these, six randomly selected teeth were used as negative and positive controls, while the root canals of the remaining 66 were filled with Ca(OH)₂ paste for 1 week. Then, the experimental group specimens were divided into six groups (n = 11). The access cavities were reopened and the Ca(OH)₂ paste in each group was removed using the following solutions: 2.5 mL ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA; Group 1), 2.5 mL peracetic acid (PAA; Group 2), 2.5 mL QMix (Group 3), 2.5 mL NaOCl/2.5 mL EDTA (Group 4), 2.5 mL NaOCl/2.5 mL PAA (Group 5), and 2.5 mL NaOCl/2.5 mL QMix (Group 6). Digital photographs of longitudinally split specimens were imported into image analyzer software, and the amount of residual Ca (OH) ₂ was recorded as a percentage of the overall canal surface area. The results were analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis and Conover–Dunn tests. Results: The canal walls in the positive control group were completely covered with Ca(OH) ₂ compared with those in the negative control group. The lowest Ca(OH)₂ removal efficiency was observed for Group 4 (P < 0.001), while Group 6 showed favorable results (P < 0.05). Conclusions: QMix combined with NaOCl can remove Ca(OH)₂ from root canals as effectively as 17% EDTA and 1% PAA. The type and sequence of irrigants are more important than the total irrigant volume for effective Ca(OH) ₂ removal.

Aim: To evaluate the contact angle between epoxy resin sealer and dentin treated with different irrigant solutions both in the presence and absence of smear layer. Materials and Methods: Seventy human mandibularfirst premolars were used and 140 longitudinal dentin slices were obtained from them. Each sample was irrigated with of 3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), simulating the irrigation used during the chemomechanical preparation and then washed with 10ml of distilled water (DW). The samples were then divided into seven groups of 20 samples each. Group 1:NaOCl + DW, Group 2: QMix + DW, Group 3: 0.1% octenidine hydrochloride + DW, Group 4:Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) + DW + NaOCl + DW, Group 5: EDTA + DW + QMix + DW, Group 6: EDTA + DW + 0.1% Octenidine Hydrochloride + DW, and Group 7(control): DW. The contact angle between AH Plus and the samples was measured using Rame Hart Goniometer followed by statistical analysis of data. Results: Values of contact angle was least when samples were treated with QMix followed by treatment with 0.1% Octenidine Hydrochloride followed by 3% NaOCl. Removal of smear layer reduced contact angles in all cases except when samples were treated with 3% NaOCl. Results were statistically significant when 3% NaOCl was compared to 0.1% Octenidine Hydrochloride and QMix (P = 0.034). Statistically significant difference was seen before and after removal of smear layer for 3% NaOCl and 0.1% Octenidine Hydrochloride. (P = 0.003). Conclusion: Qmix is the irrigant of choice, but 0.1% octenidine hydrochloride may be recommended as a useful irrigant after further research.

Objective: To evaluate the practice and knowledge of endodontic radiology as well as assess the knowledge of radiation biology, hazard, and protection among clinical dental students and interns. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study of clinical dental students and interns at University of Benin and University of Benin Teaching hospital respectively. Data was collected using a questionnaire which covered practice and knowledge of endodontic radiography, knowledge of radiation biology, hazard, and protection. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0. Result: Seventy participants were included in the study, 40% were final year students and 24.3% house officers. Majority (95.7%) agreed that they exposed radiographs as part of endodontic treatment. Only 18.6% knew that the apices of teeth should be 3mm from the border of the X-ray film, while 24.3% knew that 3mm of periapical bone should be visible on X-ray. Less than half (31.4%) knew that paralleling technique was the technique of choice for endodontic radiography and this was statistically Significant in relationship to the status of the of the respondents. A few (4.3%) of the respondents had knowledge of new horizons in endodontic imaging. Half of the respondents knew that damage by X-rays is mainly due to formation of free radicals. The most frequently reported radiation hazards was reduced salivary flow, while the least reported was rampant caries. Most knew how to protect patients, themselves, and other persons while exposing radiographs. Conclusion: There is need for inclusion of endodontic radiography in the undergraduate curriculum to ensure proper and correct radiographs during endodontic procedure.

Objective of Study: To evaluate in vitro the efficacy of five different electronic apex locators (Root ZX II, i-Root, Endo Master, Triauto ZX, and Elements apex locator) in locating the minor diameter. Materials and Methods: Thirty freshly extracted single-rooted maxillary central incisors were used for the study. Standard access preparation was carried out and the teeth were glued to three plastic frames containing alginate. Electronic working length measurement was determined using all the five apex locators. Following this, the actual canal length was determined by introducing a size 15 K-file into the canal until the tip of the file became visible at the apical foramen under microscope. The mean values of actual length and electronic working length readings were compared using Student t-test and multiple comparison procedures. Results: The average value for actual root canal length was 22.483 ± 1.8731 mm; and the mean electronic root canal length values for Root ZX II, i-Root, Elements, Endo Master, and Triauto ZX apex locators was 22.483 ± 1.7640 mm, 22.400 ± 1.7390 mm, 22.717 ± 1.9462 mm, 22.767 ± 1.9061 mm, and 22.417 ± 1.7523 mm, respectively. P > 0.05 for all the five tested apex locators. Conclusion: All the five modern apex locators tested in this study can determine the working length with high precision and greater predictability.

Aim: To evaluate and compare the antibacterial efficacy of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil), Curcumalonga (turmeric), 2% chlorhexidine (CHX), and 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) against Enterococcus faecalis. Materials and Methods: Agar plates were prepared using tryptone soya agar. Cultures of E. faecalis were grown in tryptone soya broth. Agar well diffusion method was performed and the plates were incubated at 37΀C for 24 h. The zones of inhibition were recorded. The readings were subjected to statistical analysis using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc test. P-value was considered significant at P < 0.05. Results: Maximum antibacterial efficacy was exhibited by 2% CHX, followed by 5% NaOCl and C. longa with no statistically significant difference between them. It was followed by M. alternifolia (Tea tree oil). Ethanol and saline showed the least antibacterial action. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, C. longa and M. alternifolia can be used as an alternative root canal irrigant, although long-term in vivo studies are warranted.

A careful knowledge of root canals anatomy of different teeth is a corner stone for a successful outcome of root canal therapy. This reported case illustrates root canal therapy of a mandibular second premolar with three separated roots and root canals. An 18-year-old Saudi male presented for non-surgical endodontic treatment of mandibular right second premolar. Radiographic and clinical examinations revealed the presence of three roots and three root canals. The case was successfully managed with the help of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). In conclusion, the clinicians should always suspect the event of anatomical varieties and use all the available tools to diagnose and manage their cases.

This case report presents a successful endodontic management of left maxillaryfirst molar with three palatal canals. This rare root canal morphology was diagnosed using dental operating microscope (DOM) and confirmed with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Axial CBCT images confirmed that the palatal canals merged with each other in the apical third and exited through one apical foramen. This report highlights the importance of magnification (DOM) and advanced imaging techniques (CBCT) in better understanding of complex Root canal anatomy.

Variation in the morphology of the root canal system of mandibular premolars has been demonstrated. This diverse morphology challenges for the clinician to clean, shape, and fill the entire root canal system. A case report of a mandibular second premolar with four root canals separated at the apical third and underwent endodontic treatment is presented.