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.
Background:Plant-derived compounds have action alongside Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and numerous compounds, inhibit efflux pumps and hence have become known as efflux pump inhibitors. Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic used to treat pharyngitis, tonsillitis, acute maxillary sinusitis and acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis the antibacterial range is the similar as erythromycin but it is active against Mycobacterium avium complex, M.leprae and atypical mycobacteria. The in vitro antibacterial activity results of different boswellic acid compounds discovered alpha keto-boswellic acid (AKBA) to be the preponderance potent antibacterial compound alongside Gram-positive pathogens, but it showed no significant a
... Show MoreBackground: The marginal seal is essential for sealant success because penetration of bacteria under the sealant might allow caries onset or progression. The aim of the present study was to estimate and compare the microleakage of pit and fissure sealant after various methods of occlusal surface preparation. Materials and methods: Thirty non-carious premolars extracted for orthodontic reasons were equally divided into three groups. In group one, occlusal fissures were opened with round carbide bur, in group two, occlusal surfaces of the teeth were cleaned with a dry pointed bristle brush and samples of group three were cleaned with a slurry of fine flour of pumice in water using rubber cup. Then fissures of all teeth were etched using 35% p
... Show MoreThis prospective study investigates the prevalence of methicillin-resistant S.aureus (MRSA)
in burn unit of Al-Kindy Iraqi hospital, their susceptibility to antibiotics and bactericidal effect of near
infrared light from high powered 1064nm Nd: YAG laser and green light 532nm from SHG Nd: YAG laser
using various energy densities on these bacteria. Twenty four clinical isolates of S.aureus out of sixty
four examined patients with sever burn ulcers.MRSA was associated with 50% of S.aureus infections
.Results of antimicrobial susceptibility revealed that MRSA were multidrug resistant. After laser treatment
of non MRSA with Nd:YAG with wavelength of 1.064nm, 4mm beam diameter, energy density of
0.636 kh/cm2 and 180sec ex
Background: Esthetic treatment is the options of patient seeking orthodontic treatment. Therefore this study was conducted to measure the concentration of Aluminum, Nickel, Chromium and Iron ions released from combination of monocrysralline brackets with different arch wires immersed in artificial saliva at different duration, to evaluate the corrosion point on different parts of the orthodontic appliances before and after immersion in artificial saliva, and to evaluate the corrosion potential of each group of the orthodontic appliances. Material and methods: Eighty orthodontic sets prepared. Each set represents half fixed orthodontic appliance, from the central incisor to the first molar, for the maxillary arch, each set consisted of molar
... Show MoreMoringa oleifera L. and red pomegranate extracts have been reported to inhibit gram-positive facultative anaerobe growth and inhibit the formation of biofilm on tooth surfaces. The current study aimed to assess the antibacterial effect of M. oleifera L. and red pomegranate extracts and their combinations against Porphyromonas gingivalis. The antimicrobial sensitivity, minimum inhibition concentrations (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentrations after treatment with the aqueous extracts of M. oleifera L. and red pomegranate as well as their combination against clinically isolated P. gingivalis were determined using agar well diffusion and two-fold serial dilution. The anti-biofilm activity of the extracts and their combination was evaluat
... Show MoreBackground: Many studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of using a hot material in the root canal and its potential for causing damage to the tooth supporting structure. Materials and methods: thirty permanent premolars were obturated with thermoplasticized Gutta-Percha using three different obturation techniques: soft core, Thermafil, and obtura to evaluate the rise in temperature on the root surface using a multipurpose digital thermometer. Results: temperature increases was significantly greater for Obtura versus Soft core (p<0.003), not significant for Thermafil versus Soft core (p<0.087), and Thermafil versus Obtura (p<0.125). Conclusions: temperatures rise on the root surface were below the critical level and, therefore, s
... Show MoreBackground: Antimicrobial agents have been considered as having potential for the prevention of dental caries. This study aimed to test the effect of different concentrations of cardamom and black tea extracts on the sensitivity and growth of salivary mutans streptococci in comparison to chlorhexidine gluconate (0.2%) in vitro. Materials and methods: In this study. Mutans streptococci were isolated from saliva of 34 healthy people (aged between 22-40yrs). The bacteria was isolated, purifiedand diagnosed according to morphologicalcharacteristic and biochemical tests. Aqueous extracts of cardamom and black tea were prepared. Different concentrations of extracts were prepared and estimated in gm/ 100ml deionized water. The agar diffusion techn
... Show MoreThis study was conducted with the aim to extract and purify a polyphenolic compound “ Resveratrol†from the skin of black grapes Vitis vinifera cultivated in Iraq. The purified resveratrol is obtained after ethanolic extraction with 80% v/v solution for fresh grape skin, followed by acid hydrolysis with 10% HCl solution then the aglycon moiety was taken with organic solvent
( chloroform). Using silica gel G60 packed glass column chromatography with mobile phase benzene: methanol: acetic acid 20:4:1 a
... Show More