Recently a new material was made available for dental restoration therapy; the ORMOCER. ORMOCER, the acronym of Organically Modified Ceramic, is a brand new material for all filling indications in the anterior and posterior areas which serves as an optimum and upto data replacement for amalgam, composites and compomers for decades. The matrix of traditional composites and compomers (Bis-GMA, TEGDMA, UDMA) has been based on the dimethacrylate developed by Dr. Bowen. The Ormocer matrix, consisting of ceramic polysiloxane (silicon-oxygen-chains), presents a whole new approach. Instead of organic dimethacryalte monomer, ormocer has a bio-compatible polysiloxane net with lower shrinkage even prior to light curing. Traditional composites and compomers polymerize organic monomers (methacryalte) only during light curing resulting in high shrinkage. In addition, residual monomers remain that are released and may lead to allergic reaction in specific cases.

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Vitapex, a commercial product that is a premixed calcium hydroxide – iodoform paste, was tested in 5 cases in vivo and its effect was studied over a period of six weeks. Short term results (4-6 weeks) after the use of Vitapex seem to be favorable.

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Successful endodontic treatment requires considerable knowledge of various complicated canal patterns, if they are to be debrided and obturated successfully. Even armed with this knowledge, irregularly shaped canals and anatomic variations not apparent on radiographs make treatment difficult at best. Root canal morphology of premolar teeth either maxillary or mandibular and the discrepancies between first and second premolar have been investigated and reported. No single method of instrumentation and obtruation can adequately be applied to these anatomic aberration. The dental practitioner should be able to anticipate variant canal morphology in order to best select treatment modalities. A case report is presented of the root canal treatment of a mandibular 2nd premolar with Type VI canal configuration with various treatment modalities.

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With the increased demand for esthetic restorations, the use of composite resin has shown tremendous growth. The composite resin restoration is technique sensitive. The present study was done to evaluate the variation in the shear bond strength when common errors like over etching, over drying and non removal of solvent were incorporated during the placement of composite resin. The result showed a considerable decrease in the shear bond strength while these errors were incorporated. This decrease in bond strength was statistically significant.

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For successful root canal treatment of any tooth, one should be aware if accurate morphology of root canal system. Variations in length, number and configurations of roots and canals exist in all teeth. Root canal morphology of premolar teeth, either maxillary or mandibular, and discrepancies between first and second premolars have been reported throughout the literature. A case reported is presented of the root canal treatment of mandibular second premolar with two roots and two canals.

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When routine endodontic treatment fails to eliminate periradicular lesion, surgical endodontic treatment has to be undertaken. Retrofilling the root apex then provides the highly desirable hermetic seal. Though many materials are available, none till date fulfils the ideal requirements of a retrograde filling material. Research in this field, has however, culminated in the invention of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate at Loma Linda University. This material due to its various properties has excelled over other materials as a retrofil. The following article attempts to explain the reason behind the remarkable performance of MTA in surgical endodontics.

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Full text not available  [PDF]