Diagnosis of vertical root fracture in an endodontically treated tooth presents with various difficulties. The diagnosis of such a fracture is a challenge to the clinician since it is based on subjective parameters. There are, however, many specific clinical and radiographical signs which, when present, can alert clinicians to the existence of such a fracture. Various methods to clinically diagnose vertical root fracture include conventional methods such as illumination, periodontal probing, staining, direct visual examination and newer techniques such as cone beam computed tomography, optical coherence tomography. The management of a vertical root fracture has always been considered a difficult task for the endodontist. This article provides an insight into the various methods of diagnosis and treatment strategies for the vertical root fracture.

Posts are widely used for restoring endodontically treated teeth with insufficient coronal tooth structure. Custom made cast metal post and core systems have a long history of successful use due to their superior physical properties. Prefabricated post systems have recently become more popular because they can provide satisfactory results, while saving time and reducing costs. Materials and Method: Post spaces were prepared in 60 extracted caries free teeth, and divided into two main groups of 30 teeth each for cast metal and glass fibre posts. These groups were further divided into 3 subgroups of 10 specimens each I) Control group without any surface treatment, II) Specimens treated with 57% ethanol, III) Specimens air abraded with 50um air borne alumina particles. Teeth were mounted in acrylic blocks prepared from a specially fabricated metal device. Posts were luted in the prepared post spaces with glass ionomer luting cement. Retentive strength was tested by Universal testing machine at 2mm/min crosshead speed. Results: Sand blasting of cast metal posts showed more significant improvement in retention compared to both control group and ethyl alcohol treated groups. In case of glass fibre posts, sand blasting significantly improved its retention compared to control group but no significant difference was observed between control and ethyl alcohol treated groups. There was also no significant difference between ethyl alcohol treated and sand blasted group. Conclusion: It was concluded that, sand blasting is an effective method to improve retention of both cast metal and glass fibre posts.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the apical transportation, centering ability and cyclic fatigue resistance of Hero shaper, Twisted file, Hyflex file and RACE rotary file systems. Methods: Mesiobuccal roots of eighty maxillary molars were divided into four groups and instrumented with Hero shaper, Twisted file, Hyflex file and RACE rotary file systems with a final apical size being 25/.04. Apical deviation was assessed by the radiographic platform method that enables obtaining superimposed images of the first and last instrument used in root canal preparation in the same radiograph. Apical transportation was measured in millimeters with the aid of the AUTOCAD 2008 software. Forty canals were sectioned at 7mm from the apex and stereomicroscopic Images were taken at 6x magnification before and after instrumentation for evaluation of centering ability. The cyclic fatigue testing was conducted with the instrumentrotating freely at angles of curvature of 45 degree. Total 10 instruments were tested in each group. The instruments were rotated at 400rpm using the X-smart motor (Dentsply, Maillefer) until fracture occurred. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the four groups in apical transportation and centering ability whereas twisted files showed the maximum cyclic fatigue resistance. Conclusion: The different rotary file systems provided minimum canal transportation and the twisted file performed significantly better in terms of cyclic fatigue resistance.

Aims and Objectives: Viability and health of the pulpal tissue after an exposure can be stimulated with biocompatible pulp capping materials. Mineral trioxide aggregate(MTA), though biocompatible with excellent sealing ability, has clinical disadvantages like poor handling properties and long setting time. New pulp capping agents- Biodentine and Theracal have proven to overcome MTA's shortcomings. This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the sealing ability of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate(Angelus), Biodentine (Septodont) and Theracal(Bisco) when used as pulp capping agents. Materials and Methods: Occlusal cavities were prepared in extracted human third molars. The cavities were divided into 3 groups containing 12 samples each. Pulp capping in samples of group I, II and III was done with MTA, Biodentine and Theracal respectively. All samples were kept in a damp environment for 24 hrs. In each tooth, the root was cut just below the cementum-enamel junction. An aqueous 0.25% solution of Rhodamine-B was put in the open pulp chambers of all the samples and placed upside-down in a damp environment. The dye was left for 3 hrs to permeate toward the interface. After being stained, all samples were rinsed with distilled water and sectioned vertically. A Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope was used to image the samples. Results: No significant difference was found in interfacial microleakage between MTA and Biodentine. Theracal exhibited less interfacial microleakage than the two. Conclusion: Biodentine and MTA exhibit an efficient and durable protection of pulp. Theracal exhibits better sealing ability as a pulp capping agent than MTA and Biodentine.

Introduction: This study was conducted to evaluate clinical and radiographic findings induced by revascularization with and without platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Methods: Twenty patients with nonvital, immature anterior teeth were randomly categorized into 2 groups. Subsequent to minimal instrumentation of the root canal, disinfection was achieved with ledermix paste and followed by revascularization with and without PRP in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The cases were followed up clinically and radiographically at 6- and 12-month intervals. Results: Clinically, all cases were asymptomatic with complete resolution of signs and symptoms (except four cases which were considered as dropout). Radiographically, there was no significant difference in periapical healing, apical closure, and dentinal wall thickening in group I in comparison with group II. However, root lengthening was comparable for both of the procedures. Conclusions: Revascularization is a conservative and an effective method for inducing maturogenesis in nonvital, immature teeth. Supplementations with PRP can potentially improve the desired biological outcome of this regenerative procedure.

Aim: Light units used for polymerization of resin composites are subject to deterioration with age, and frequent maintenance is required to maintain optimal efficacy. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of LED units in private dental offices in Baddi (H.P) for polymerization of resin composites. Materials and Methods: Twenty dental offices met all selection criteria and agreedto participate in the study. To measure light intensity, an analogue radiometer was used. The probe of each LED unit was placed and then measurements of light intensities were recorded for each light unit and the data was statistically analysed. Results: The light intensity of the individual units varied widely. The results revealed that there was error of 35% and a standard deviation of 155.76 among the intensities of various LED Units checked in the study. Conclusions: Light polymerization units in private dental offices displayed a wide rangein light intensity, and many had below-recommended levels. A positive linear relationship was found between light intensity and photoactivation effectiveness. Dentists should regularly monitor the condition of light units and replace deteriorating parts.

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the sealing ability to obturate oval canals with three thermoplasticizedguttaperchaobturation techniques taking lateral condensation technique as the control. Ninety-five freshly extracted teeth were decoronated at 2mm coronal to CEJ. Biomechanical preparation was done using step back technique. The teeth were divided into three experimental groups of 30 teeth each and one control group of 5 teeth. The group I (control group) was obturated with lateral condensation technique, group II obturated with injectable thermoplasticizedguttapercha technique, group III obturated with thermoplasticizedguttapercha with downpack and backfill technique andgroup IV obturated with core carrier thermoplasticizedguttapercha technique. The sealability of each technique was assessed by a dye penetration method. The roots were given two full layers of nail polish varnish except apical 2mm. Specimens were then immersed in India ink for 48 hours. Robertson's technique was used to clear the specimens. The linear dye penetration was measured from anatomic apex to the deepest extent of dye penetration in a coronal direction using triocular stereomicroscope at 10 x magnification. The mean dye leakage of group I was 2.6700mm;group II 0.1713mm;group III 3.3977mm; group IV 2.3210mm. When the means of all the four groups were compared using Kruskal Wallis test the difference was found to be very highly significant with the value<.001**, meaning there by that group II is significantly better than the other three groups as far as sealing ability is concerned.

Salivary gland tumors account for less than 3% of the head and neck tumors. Among various salivary gland tumors, pleomorphic adenoma is most common and accounts for 60- 70% of the benign tumors of salivary glands. However, the involvement of minor salivary glands of buccal mucosa is extremely uncommon and reported to be 4% only. Salivary glands may present with a diverse range of lesions presenting a challenge to even the most experienced clinician. We report two rare cases of pleomorphic adenoma of minor salivary glands of buccal mucosa in a 45 year old female and 70 years old male respectively. It includes clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of the tumor.

Trauma induced maxillofacial injuries may affect function as well as estheticsin children. In hospitalized paediatric trauma patients, mandibular fractures are the most common. Boys are affected twice than girls. In children, management of mandibular fractures differ somewhat from that in adults. The objective of treatment is to restore the underlying bony architecture in a stable and non invasive fashion to pre injury position. Closed reduction method is preferred in most paediatric cases. This case report demonstrates the use of fabricated acrylic splint in the stabilization and fixation of a mandibular body fracture in a 5 yr old patient.

Impacted teeth present numerous problems to the patient. The management of such cases require a multidisciplinary approach. This case series describes the surgical and orthodontic management of 3 cases with impacted permanent anterior teeth. The paper briefly summarizes the etiology, complications etc, associated with the impacted teeth. It also discusses the different surgical treatment options for the exposure of impacted teeth i.e open and the closed technique. The cases were followed up for varied time period.