Realization that dental caries is a reversible, dynamic biochemical event at a micron level has changed the way the profession recognizes the caries disease and the caries lesion. The diagnosis of dental caries poses challenges due to the complex interaction of multiple endogenous causal factors. The most appropriate diagnostic aid for this purpose is the risk model of caries risk assessment. The analyses of the biological determinants provide clues to the dominant causal factor. The detection of a carious lesion has undergone a rigorous revision and revolution in order to identify the earliest mineral change so that it can be controlled without resorting to invasive management options. Apart from detection, it became mandatory to assess the extent of the lesion (noncavitated/cavitated), assess the activity status of the lesion (active/arrested), monitor the lesion progress (progression/regression over a period of time), and finally to predict the prognosis of the lesion as well as the disease. The prognosis of the disease can be best assessed by analyzing the predictor factors in caries risk assessment. The ultimate objective of such a meticulous and methodical approach aids in devising a tailor-made treatment plan, using preventing measures precisely and restorative measures minimally. This ensures the best oral health outcome of the patient.

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It is generally agreed that the successful treatment of a badly broken tooth with pulpal disease depends not only on good endodontic therapy, but also on good prosthetic reconstruction of the tooth after the endodontic therapy is complete. Often, we come across an endodontically treated tooth with little or no clinical crown in routine clinical cases. In such cases, additional retention and support of the restoration are difficult to achieve. Two case reports are discussed here where structurally compromised, endodontically treated, posterior teeth were restored using the Richmond crown in the first case, and by the use of two nonparallel cast posts in the second case.

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Aim: This study was conducted to determine the effect of three cavity disinfectants (chlorhexidine gluconate based-Consepsis; benzalkonium chloride-based Tubulicid Red, iodine-potassium iodide/copper-sulphate based Ora-5) on the microleakage of a dentin bonding system, Clearfil SE Bond. Materials and Methods: Class V cavities were prepared on 45 extracted molars. The respective experimentalgroups were treated with cavity disinfectants and Clearfil SE Bond. Preparations without cavity disinfectants served as negative control and those with neither disinfectant nor dentin bonding resin application served as positive controls. After the cavity preparations were restored with resin composite (Clearfil APX), the specimens were subjected to dye penetration. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA (Kruskal-Wallis) test. Results: Unlike Conspesis and Tubulicid Red, Ora-5 exhibited significantly higher microleakage and adversely affected the sealing ability of Clearfil SE bond. Only Consepsis and Tubulicid Red could be used as cavity disinfectants with Clearfil SE bond, without its sealing abilities being adversely affected. Conclusions: 1) Consepsis and Tubulicid Red can be used as cavity disinfectants with Clearfil SE Bond, without the sealing ability of Clearfil SE bond being affected. 2) Ora-5 is not an appropriate disinfectant to be used with this dentin bonding system, because it alters its sealing ability.

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Aims and Objectives : This study was done to characterize the surface chemistry after caries excavation with burs and Carisolv 2, by analyzing the relative amounts of organic and inorganic content, and also to analyze the penetration of the adhesive after etching and bonding using Micro Raman spectroscopy. Materials and Methods : Twenty extracted molars with caries were distributed into the following groups and treated accordingly. Group 1-excavation with bur (10 teeth), and Group 2-excavation using Carisolv 2 (10 teeth). Results and Conclusion : Spectroscopic analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the chemical composition of the tooth between the groups after excavation ( P > 0.05) either with bur or with Carisolv. The penetration of the dentin bonding resin in all samples of the Carisolv group was up to 15μm, whereas, in the bur group it was upto 10μm in few samples. Scanning Electron Microscopic analysis showed the surfaces of the Carisolv-treated dentin to be free of the smear layer, with open tubules, whereas, the dentin surfaces of the bur group showed surfaces covered with a smear layer. In the Carislov group the resin tags were found comparatively deeper than in the bur excavation group. In both the groups the integrity of the remaining dentin surfaces were maintained chemically and morphologically.

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Aim: The purpose of this study is to examine the intensity of light curing units and factors affecting it in dental offices. Materials and Methods: The output intensity of 200 light curing units in dental offices across Maharashtra were examined. The collection of related information (thenumber of months of use of curing unit, the approximate number of times used in a day, and presence or absence of composite build-ups) and measurement of the intensity was performed by two operators. L.E.D Radiometer (Kerr) was used for measuring the output intensity. The average output intensity was divided into three categories (<200 mW/cm ² , 200-400 mW/ cm ² and >400 mW/cm ² ). Results: Among the 200 curing units examined, 81 were LED units and 119 were QTH units. Only 10% LED machines and 2% QTH curing units had good intensities (>400 mW/cm ² ). Conclusion: Most of the examined curing lights had low output intensity ranging from 200 to 400 mW/cm ² , and most of the curing units had composite build-ups on them.

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Aim: Aim of this in vitro study was to compare the tensile bond strength of UniFil Bond (GC America) vs iBond (Heraeus Kulzer) in conjunction with light cure composite resin (Venus, Heraeus Kulzer). Materials and Methods: Sixty mandibular molars were taken and divided into 3 groups which were treated with UniFil Bond, iBond and no adhesive respectively. The tensile test was performed using an Instron machine. Results: The results showed that multibottle systems (UniFil Bond, i.e., two-step)performed 30% better as compared with single bottle systems (all-in-one, i.e., one-step bonding agents). Conclusion: It can be concluded that UniFil Bond (Multibottle system - 6 ^th generation type I) performed better than iBond (Single Bottle system - 7th generation.

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Aim : The present study involved the in vitro comparison of root reinforcing abilities of two sealers, i.e., Ketac-Endo and Acroseal, in endodontically treated teeth in the presence and absence of smear layer. Materials and Methods : Fifty teeth were taken and sectioned at the cementoenamel junction. The teeth with faults were discarded and a total of 36 teeth were used for study. The samples were biomechanically prepared using step-back technique. In 10 teeth, the smear layer was preserved using sodium hypochlorite. Smear layers were removed from 10 teeth using 17% EDTA, and in another 10 samples, the smear layers were eliminated using 17% EGTA. The remaining samples served as controls. Samples were obturated with sealers using the lateral condensation technique. Ketac-Endo (3M) is a glass ionomer based root canal sealer, and Acroseal (Septodont) sealers were used. The teeth were then tested by using an Instron testing machine. Results : Ketac-Endo shows higher fracture resistance values in comparison to Acroseal. Other factors as the amount of tooth structure remaining, the agents used for the removal of smear layer and instrumentation techniques may alter the tooth resistance to fracture. Conclusion : Ketac-Endo shows higher fracture resistance values in comparison to Acroseal.

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