Background: The use of electronic apex locators for working length determination eliminates many of the problems associated with the radiographic measurements (interference of anatomical structures, errors in projection such as elongation or shortening, and lack of three-dimensional representation). Its most important advantage over radiography is that it measures the length of the root canal to the apical constriction, not to the radiographic apex. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of a new fifth generation apex locator (Joypex 5) in recording the apical constriction and comparing it with a third generation apex locator (Root ZX) in vitro. Materials and method: Twenty four single-rooted sound human premolars, extracted for the purpose of orthodontic treatment and with fully-formed roots, were used in this study. Endodontic access cavity was prepared in each tooth and canal patency up to the apical foramen was checked with a #15 stainless steel K-file. No root canal preparation was performed. Root canal length measurement was done directly and electronically using two apex locators (Joypex 5 and Root ZX). Direct measurement of the root canal length was done by introducing a #15 K-file inside the root canal until its tip was just visible at the apical foramen, then removed from the root canal and its length was measured (in mm) and subtracted by 0.5 mm. For electronic measurement, the teeth were fixed in a sponge soaked in saline and the root canals were also filled with saline. The lip electrode was attached to the sponge and the apex locators were used according to the manufacturers' instructions. The file holder was clipped to the metal shaft of a #15 K-file and the file was then inserted inside the root canal and advanced until the display reading on the LCD of the apex locator was "0.5". The file was then removed from the root canal and its length was measured (in mm). The differences between the readings of each apex locator and the actual length of each canal were computed, and the results were analyzed statistically by paired t-test using SPSS Version 13. Results: The results of this study showed that the Joypex 5 apex locator showed a lower mean difference than the Root ZX apex locator as compared with the actual length, which was statistically significant (p<0.05). Concerning the accuracy of the two apex locators, Joypex 5 apex locator recorded the apical constriction exactly in 67%, while the Root ZX apex locator in only 25%. Within ±0.5 mm from the actual length, the accuracy of the Joypex 5 and the Root ZX were 83% and 67%, respectively. Within ±1 mm from the actual length, the accuracy of the Joypex 5 and the Root ZX were 100% and 96%, respectively. Conclusion: The Joypex 5 apex locator which is a fifth generation apex locator was more accurate in recording the apical constriction as compared with the Root ZX apex locator which is a third generation apex locator.
Evaluation of the Antibacterial Efficacy of Electrolyzed Oxidizing Water as an Irrigant against Enterococcus faecalis (An In vitro Study), Noor A Khait*, Muna Saleem Kalaf
ABSTRACT Background: The main goal of chemomechanical endodontic treatment is the reduction or elimination of microorganisms from root canal system. The intracanal medicaments were used to enhance the disinfection process. This study was conducted to evaluate the antibacterial effect of thymus vulgaris, tea tree essential oils and cold pressed black seed oil (BSO) against E.faecalis. Materials and methods: E.faecalis was isolated from ten patients in need for endodontic treatment. The sensitivity of E.faecalis to the tested oils was evaluated in different concentrations in agar well diffusion method and compared with calcium hydroxide. The sensitivity of E.faecalis to vapor of the tested oils was also evaluated, in disk vaporization method
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Background: The formation of white spot lesions around fixed orthodontic attachments is a common complication during and after fixed orthodontic treatment, which hinders the result of a successfully completed orthodontic treatment. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the Caries Infiltrant (ICON®) on prevention of caries on the smooth enamel surface when applied alone or combined with conventional adhesives. Materials and methods: Seventy eight human premolar enamel discs were randomly assigned to six groups (n=13). The discs were etched and treated with resins of different monomer content forming the following groups: (1)Untreated etched samples served as the negative control, (2) ICON® (DMG), (3) Adper™ S
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Background: The bonded orthodontic retainer constructed from multistrand wire and composite is an efficient esthetic retainer, which can be maintained long-term. Clinical failures of bonded orthodontic retainers, most commonly at the wire/composite interface, have been reported. This in vitro investigation aimed to evaluate the tensile forces of selected multistrand wires and composite materials that are available for use in the construction of bonded fixed retainers. Materials and Methods: The study sample includes 120 wires with three types of retainer wires (3 braided strands\ Orthotechnology, 8 braided strands\ G&H Orthodontics, 6 coaxial strands\ Orthoclassic wires), two types of adhesive (flowable\ Orthotechnology, non flowable\ G&H O
... Show MoreBackground: This in vitro study was carried out to evaluate the effect of various endodontic irrigants (sodium hypochlorite, ethylene diaminetetracetic acid and normal saline) on sealing ability of (Biodentine, mineral trioxide aggregate, and amalgam) used to repair furcal perforations. Material and methods: One hundred and twenty extracted human molars with divergent roots were used in this study. A standard root canal access cavity was prepared in each tooth and furcal perforation was made and was standardized by using k file size 100 instrument to get a perforation of (1.32mm) in diameter .The teeth were randomly divided in to three groups of 40 teeth according to the type of material used to repair the perforations (Group A: The furcal
... Show MoreBackground: Ceramic veneers represent the treatment of choice in minimally invasive esthetic dentistry; one of the critical factors in their long term success is marginal adaptation. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the marginal gap of ceramic veneers by using two different fabrication techniques and two different designs of preparation. Material and methods: A typodont maxillary central incisor used in the preparation from which metal dies were fabricated, which were in turn used to make forty stone dies. The dies divided into four experimental groups, each group had ten samples: A1: prepared with butt-joint incisal reduction and restored with IPS e.max CAD, A2: prepared with overlapped incisal reduction and restored with IPS e.
... Show MoreThis study focusses on the effect of using ICA transform on the classification accuracy of satellite images using the maximum likelihood classifier. The study area represents an agricultural area north of the capital Baghdad - Iraq, as it was captured by the Landsat 8 satellite on 12 January 2021, where the bands of the OLI sensor were used. A field visit was made to a variety of classes that represent the landcover of the study area and the geographical location of these classes was recorded. Gaussian, Kurtosis, and LogCosh kernels were used to perform the ICA transform of the OLI Landsat 8 image. Different training sets were made for each of the ICA and Landsat 8 images separately that used in the classification phase, and used to calcula
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Background: One common undesirable side effect of orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances is the development of incipient caries lesions around brackets, particularly in patients with poor oral hygiene. Different methods have been used to prevent demineralization; the recent effort to improve the resistance against the demineralization is by the application of lasers. Materials and method: Thirty human premolars extracted for orthodontic purposes were used to test the effect of two energy level of ER-YAG laser on enamel resistance to demineralization. The brackets were bonded on the teeth and all the labial surface excluding 2 mm area gingival to the brackets were painted with acid resistance varnish. Three groups were generated. The fi
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