Restorative dentistry has experienced a shift from the mainly reparative dentistry of the 20th century towards a minimal intervention (MI) approach encompassing up-to-date caries diagnosis and risk assessment before arriving at a treatment decision. In the past, dental caries has been treated by surgical excision. Sound tooth structure had to be sacrificed to make up for the shortcomings of the available operative techniques and restorative materials with more insight into the caries progress, the advent of adhesive dentistry, and currently available techniques, prevention of caries and greater conservation of tooth structure are possible. A shift in philosophy from the traditional surgical model of excision to a more modern medical model of treating caries is occurring so. When operative care is indicated, it should be aimed at “Prevention of extension� rather than Black’s concept of “Extension for prevention�.

Composites have revolutionized the concept in Esthetic Dentistry. To achieve superior esthetics and to meet the patients demand, finishing and polishing of the restorations have now become mandatory. Proper finishing and polishing of composites are important aspects of clinical restorative procedures that enhance both esthetics and the longevity of the restoration. These days the market is flooded with wide variety of finishing and polishing devices, but to choose the best among them puts the clinician in dilemma. The efficacy of various finishing and polishing materials and procedures on contemporary composites is a formidable challenge. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of various finishing and polishing systems on microfilled resin by evaluating the average surface roughness (Ra, mm) using a Profilometer.

Teeth with non-vital pulps demand special restorative consideration. They are more prone to fracture than vital teeth and sacrifice a substantial amount of tooth structure during endodontic therapy. An endodontically treated anterior tooth usually requires a post and core before restoration of its clinical crown. The present article describes various post and core options in restoration of teeth with highly flared canals.

Instrumentation of root canal results in formation of smear layer, which is an amorphous, relatively smooth layer of microcrystalline structure. The clinical impliation of smear layer is not understood. Obturating root canal in the presence of smear layer resulted in microleakage. Hence its removal is becoming unequivocal, which is achieved by root canal irrigants. The irrigant should be able to remove both organic and inorganic components of smear layer along with microbicidal property. The present study was conducted for comparative evaluation of effectiveness of EDTA 17%. Ethylenediamine – 5%, NaOCl – 4% and Saline when used either alone or in combination as intracanal irrigants to remove smear layer and debris. 50 single rooted teeth were selected, access cavities were prepared and working length was established. The teeth were divided into 5 groups of 10 each. Five groups of teeth irrigated with Saline, EDTA – 17%, NaOCl – 4%, EDTA and NaOCl alternatively and mixture of EDTA + ED respectively. The teeth were sectioned longitudinally and examined under scanning electron microscope for removal of smear layer and debris at different levels of root canal system. The intracanal irrigation was found effective when used in combination rather than used alone.

Calcium hydroxide has been used for a variety of purposes since its introduction into dentistry in the early parts of twentieth century. This study evaluated the root canal therapy using calcium hydroxide as a root canal dressing in anterior and posterior teeth. Teeth with acute pulpitis were selected. They were prepared and a dressing of calcium hydroxide mixed with saline was given for a week. 28 teeth could be obturated in 2nd appointment while 2 were obturated in the 3rd appointment. The results, although not statistically significant, showed that incidence of pain was less in anterior teeth as compared to posteriors. This could be attributed to the complex canal morphology in posterior teeth.