Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of disinfectant solutions, namely, the alcoholic extract of Salvadora persicaL. (A1 = 10% and A2 = 15%) and chlorhexidine digluconate (A3 = 2%), on the tear strength and hardness of room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) VST50F and heat temperature vulcanizing (HTV) Cosmesil M511 silicone elastomers before and after reinforcement with nanofillers (TiO₂) and intrinsic pigment. Materials and Methods: A total of 320 specimens were prepared, with 160 specimens each for RTV and HTV silicone. Forty specimens were evaluated before disinfection and divided into two equal groups, namely, control (without additive) and experimental (with additive) groups, for tear strength and hardness tests. The 120 specimens were divided into three equal groups, with two equal subdivisions for tear strength and hardness tests, and were evaluated after disinfection. ANOVA and Tukey's honest significant difference tests were conducted for group comparisons (significance level set atP < 0.05). Results: The tear strength of all groups decreased after disinfection, with the highest values in the experimental group. Most comparisons showed significant differences. A1 exhibited no significant effect on the tear strength and hardness of the HTV control and the hardness of the RTV experimental specimen. The hardness of the HTV control was not significantly affected by A3. A1 with A3 did not significantly affect the tear strength and hardness of the RTV control and the tear strength of the RTV experimental specimen. The results of comparisons between A1 and A2, and A1 and A3 in the HTV tear strength of the experimental group and the A2 and A3 of the control and experimental groups were not significant. Conclusions: S. persicaL. can be used as a natural disinfectant agent. The reinforcement of maxillofacial silicone prosthesis can extend its survival duration.

Aim: This study analyzed the two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) parameters and canal transportation using micro-CT in roots prepared with three instrumentation systems preceded or not by glide path. Materials and Methods: Sixty mesial canals of mandibular molars with severe curvature angles (≥25°) were divided randomly (n= 10): G1-Twisted-file-adaptive (TFA); G2-Reciproc (RC); G3-One-Shape (OS); G4-ProGlider (PG)+TFA; G5-PG+RC; and G6-PG+OS. Area, perimeter, circularity, and major and minor diameters at the apical 5 mm and volume and surface area and canal transportation were evaluated. Data were analyzed using two-way analysis and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). Results: RC showed significantly higher areas and lower perimeters and diameters than TFA (P< 0.001). Increases in root canal volumes promoted by RC and OS were similar (P= 0.979). There was no statistically significant difference in canal transportation (P= 0.083). RC generally promoted major changes in the 2D and 3D parameters. Conclusions: The RC system caused a significantly higher perimeter and area increase than the TFA system. The preceding use of PG in the instrumentation techniques did not influence the evaluated parameters.

Aim: This study sought to evaluate the amount of apical debris extrusion during the removal of filling material (RFM) performed by the ProTaper-Retreatment (ProTaper-R), Mtwo-Retreatment (Mtwo-R), Reciproc, and hand files.Materials and Methods: Sixty lower premolars were prepared using the ProTaper Universal system and filled with thermoplastic technique. Subsequently, the samples were randomly divided into four groups (n= 15) according to the system used for the removal of the filling material: Mtwo-R (R25/.05); ProTaper-R (D1, D2, and D3); Reciproc (R25); and hand file (type K and Hedstroem stainless steel files). The apical debris extrusion was evaluated before and after the RFM from the root canal by weighing Eppendorf tubes on a high-precision balance. Statistical analysis was performed using the ANOVA test followed by the Tukey's test (P< 0.05). Results: All of the systems produced apical debris extrusion; however, the Mtwo-R group demonstrated significantly more extrusion as compared with the ProTaper-R and Reciproc groups (P< 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the Reciproc, ProTaper-R, and hand file groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The Mtwo-R group produced significantly more extrusion than did the ProTaper-R and Reciproc groups. There was no difference between the Reciproc, ProTaper-R, and hand file groups.

Purpose: The study aimed to evaluate the erosive activity of six probiotic drinks (PD) on tooth enamel. Methods: Forty-eight extracted human teeth premolar free of hypocalcification and carious were used in this study. The erosive activity was evaluated by measuring the pH, titratable acidity (TA), tooth weight loss, and the rate of calcium release after 5-min exposure daily over 7 days. Results: The pH of the PD was found to be in acidic range (3.08–4.10) with different TA values depending on the bacterial strain presence. The highest pH value showed minimum TA. The erosion was determined by the rate of calcium release and weight loss from the enamel surface on exposure to PD. Most of the samples showed consistent calcium reabsorption to the tooth enamel after 5 min of exposure daily over 7 days. However, all the samples showed persistent weight loss over 7 days' exposure. Conclusion: Although PD was found to be acidic, it exhibited low erosive activity, most probably due to the presence of high calcium content and certain bacterial strains in the drink. The number and type of bacterial strain in the drink did not significantly contribute to the erosion of the enamel, as no calcium loss was found except for certain drinks of repeated exposure in days 3 and 5. However, consistent weight loss was measured over a period of 7 days. In conclusion, PD does not cause any calcium loss on tooth enamel. Other than beneficial to the gut, it also promotes calcium reabsorption to the tooth enamel.

Background: Several strategies have been developed to reduce collagen degradation in the adhesive interface. Epigallocatechin3gallate (EGCG) has the ability to stabilize collagen, and it is effective in microbial reduction. Aims and Objectives: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antimicrobial potential, water sorption (WS), and solubility of a universal adhesive incorporated with EGCG at concentrations of 0.02%, 0.1%, and 0.5%, respectively. Materials and Methods: Atotal of 40 specimens of composite resin disks, to which the adhesives were applied, were divided into four groups: control (without EGCG), 0.02%, 0.1%, and 0.5%. The specimens were submitted to an in vitrocariogenic challenge, inoculated with Streptococcus mutansfor 3 days for biofilm formation. The generated biofilm was collected, and the colonyforming units were established. For the solubility test, the specimens using the adhesive were divided into the same groups mentioned previously (n= 10). Adhesive models were made following an ISO standard for sorption and solubility tests. Microbiological data were submitted to the analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the Tukey test (P< 0.05). ANOVA was used to evaluate WS and solubility, and comparisons were made by post hocanalysis by the Student–Newman–Keuls method (P< 0.05). Results: A statistical difference was observed regarding the antimicrobial potential between the groups without and with EGCG at 0.5% (P= 0.03). EGCG 0.5% presented the highest values of solubility and WS (P< 0.01 and P= 0.009, respectively). Conclusion: The addition of 0.5% EGCG was capable of inhibiting biofilm formation; however, it caused significant alteration of the solubility and sorption of the adhesive.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the root and canal morphology of permanent maxillary first and second molars using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging. Materials and Methods: This study evaluated the CBCT images of 480 maxillary first molars and 536 maxillary second molars from 268 patients who received CBCT scanning for various procedures. The number of roots, prevalence of the second mesiobuccal (MB2) canal in the mesiobuccal root, its association with gender, and the prevalence of bilateral MB2 canals were evaluated. Descriptive statistics was used to evaluate the prevalence, while Chi-square test was used to assess the association between the prevalence of MB2 canal and gender with a significance level set atP < 0.05 and P < 0.001. Results: Majority of maxillary first (97.7%) and second molars (80.0%) were presented with three roots. MB2 canals were found in 59.9% and 35.2% of maxillary first and second molars, respectively. The prevalence of MB2 canals among male patients was significantly higher in both maxillary first (P< 0.05) and second molars (P< 0.001). Bilateral MB2 canals were seen in 76.2% and 58.3% of maxillary first and second molars, respectively. Conclusions: MB2 canal was common among Malay ethnic with the prevalence of approximately 60% and 35% in maxillary first and second molars, respectively. Our findings will increase the knowledge and awareness of dental clinicians to be more vigilant in identifying the MB2 canal to ensure complete cleaning and obturation of all root canals during root canal treatment.

Objective: To compare the patients' satisfaction between patients treated with single tooth implant (STI) or resin bonded bridge (RBB) for single missing tooth replacement. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). Patients treated using STI (n=26) and RBB (n=26) were prospectively recruited. A validated patient satisfaction questionnaire was given to the participants to assess the aesthetics, masticatory function, phonetics, ease of cleaning and cost satisfaction using 7- point Likert scale. Demographic data (gender and age) and treatment data (site of treatment) were also collected. Differences in various aspects of satisfaction were compared. Results: STI and RBB groups has similar demographic and treatment characteristics. Both groups revealed high satisfaction with most of the aspects in the questionnaire. There was no statistically significant difference in overall satisfaction between the two treatment groups (p= 0.189). However, STI group had a significant higher score in existing appearance (p= 0.010), mastication (p= 0.018) and phonetics (p= 0.029) compared with RBB. Level of satisfaction did not differ by gender, age and site of the prostheses (p>0.05). Almost all of the participants would choose to undergo the same treatment again in UiTM (STI = 96.2%, RBB = 92.3%). Conclusion: Both STI and RBB participants were highly satisfied with the aesthetics, phonetics, cost and found that the treatment fees were justified and reasonable in UiTM. Therefore, both treatment options are good to be indicated for single missing tooth replacement.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in postoperative extraction socket healing, pain, swelling, and bone regeneration after surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars.Materials and Methods: The present split-mouth comparative study was conducted on 20 patients undergoing bilateral identical mandibular third molar extraction. PRF was placed on the right side of the third molar extraction socket, and PRP was placed on the contralateral side. Evaluation of soft tissue healing, pain, and swelling was carried out on immediate postoperative and on the 1^stday, 3^rdday, and 7^thday. Radiological bone density was assessed on the 3^rdand 6^thmonths postoperatively.Results: Soft tissue healing was better in PRF site. The postoperative pain scores in PRF site were less compared with PRP site; however, there was no significant difference between immediate postoperative period (P< 0.15), 1^stday (P< 0.96), 3^rdday (P< 0.58), and 7^thday (P< 0.78). Measurement of swelling on the 1^stday (P< 0.0020) and 3^rdday (P< 0.0010) showed significant difference on PRF site, but it ceases to nonsignificant on the 7^thday (P< 1.00). Postoperative mean bone density at the 3^rdand 6^thmonths was higher in PRF site, which was statistically significant (P< 0.00001).Conclusion: Our results showed a significant improvement in the soft tissue wound healing and increase in bone density in PRF site than PRP site. There was significant reduction of the swelling found on the 1^stand 3^rdday at PRF site as compared to the PRP site. Although the postoperative pain scores were less in PRF site, this was not statistically significant among the two groups.