Comparative evaluation of the fracture resistances of endodontically treated teeth filled using five different root canal filling systems

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the fracture resistances of teeth filled using different root canal sealers band rials.Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty single rooted mandibular human incisor teeth with single canals were divided into 5 experimental groups of 20 teeth with 2 control groups of 10 teeth each. After root canal shaping using K3 rotary instruments, root canals were filled as follows: Group 1: (−) control, Group 2: (+) control, Group 3: Gutta‑percha/AH Plus, Group 4: Thermafil/AH Plus, Group 5: Resilon/Epiphany self‑etch (Epiphany SE), Group 6: Gutta‑percha/Epiphany SE ve Group 7: EndoREZ sealer/EndoREZ cone. After the root canal sealers set, the apical 4 mm. portions of the specimens were embedded in cold curing acrylic and a fracture resistance test was applied in a universal testing machine. The load at which fracture occurred was recorded for each group and statistically analyzed using one‑way ANOVA and Tukey’s honestly significant difference tests.Results: Resilon/Epiphany SE ve EndoREZ sealer/EndoREZ cone groups had lower fracture resistances compared with the negative control group consisted of teeth without root canal shaping (P < 0.05). Gutta‑percha/AH Plus, Thermafil/AH Plus and Gutta‑percha/Epiphany SE groups showed similar fracture resistances (P > 0.05). The fracture resistance of the instrumented, but unfilled positive control group was significantly lower compared with (−) control, Gutta‑percha/AH Plus, Thermafil/AH Plus (P < 0.01) and Gutta‑percha/Epiphany SE (P < 0.05) groups. There were no significant differences between the fracture resistances of the Resilon/Epiphany SE and EndoREZ sealer/EndoREZ cone and positive control groups (P > 0.05).Conclusions: Root canal shaping procedures decrease the fracture resistance of teeth, and lateral condensation performed with AH Plus sealer and Gutta‑percha and the Thermafil technique were found to be more successful.Keywords: EndoREZ, epiphany self‑etch, fracture resistance, resilon, thermafi

Treatment approaches and antibiotic use for emergency dental treatment in Turkey

Rabia Figen Kaptan,1 Faruk Haznedaroglu,2 Fatima Betul Basturk,3 Mehmet Baybora Kayahan11Department of Endodontics, Yeditepe University, 2Department of Endodontics, Istanbul University, 3Department of Endodontics, Marmara University, Istanbul, TurkeyAbstract: The purpose of this study was to gather information about Turkish general dental practitioners&#39; treatment approaches towards endodontic emergencies, antibiotic-prescribing habits, and their participation in lifelong learning programs. Questionnaires were given to dentists who attended the 16th National Congress organized by the Turkish Dental Association. From 1,400 questionnaires distributed, 589 (43%) were deemed usable in this study. This survey dealt with questions that were subdivided into two main topics: dental emergency treatment approaches, and antibiotic prescription and information on lifelong learning program participation. The statistical analysis was conducted with a &Chi;2 test at a significance level of P<0.05. For irreversible pulpitis cases in vital teeth, most of the dental practitioners (65.3%) preferred single-visit root canal treatments. For teeth presenting a periapical lesion, the preferred treatment approach was root canal treatment (91.5%). The rate of prescription of analgesics and antibiotics was 21.7% in untreated acute apical periodontitis cases and 41% in acute apical abscess cases. Frequently prescribed antibiotics were amoxicillin&ndash;clavulanate (61.8%) and amoxicillin (46.5%). There was a tendency for practitioners to attend congresses as their years of professional practice increased (P<0.0001). There have been discrepancies between taught and observed practice. Educational initiatives are needed to prevent inappropriate prescription of antibiotics.Keywords: antibiotic prescription, endodontic emergency, survey, Turke

The prescribing of antibiotics for endodontic infections by dentists in Turkey: a comprehensive survey

Aim To investigate the antibiotic prescribing patterns for endodontic infections based on the reports of Turkish dentists. Methodology A survey consisting of 20 questions on general information and 13 questions on antibiotic prescribing patterns for endodontic cases was delivered to the e-mail addresses of general dentists and specialists via the database of the Turkish Dental Association. Collected data were analysed using Mc-Nemar-Bowker Test and multivariate ordinal logistic regression tests at the significance level of 0.05. Results A total of 1007 responses were obtained from 17 827 dentists. The majority of the participants were general dental practitioners (GDP, 80%) whilst 8% were Endodontists. Gender, clinical experience, affiliations and speciality were significant risk factors for antibiotic prescription (P < 0.05). GDPs prescribed antibiotics twice as much as all specialists and members of public hospitals prescribed antibiotics three times more than specialists and clinical academics (P < 0.05). Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid was the most prescribed antibiotic (90%), followed by Ornidazole (25%). Clindamycin was the drug of choice for the patients with penicillin allergy (59%). Infection and fever control (76%), prophylaxis (44%) and avoiding swelling and trismus during endodontic treatment (26%) were the most common reasons for antibiotic prescriptions. Completing a course of prescribed antibiotics was recommended by most (75%). Infective endocarditis, immunosuppression, artificial heart valve and mitral valve prolapse were the main causes of prophylaxis in descending order. Uncontrolled and extensive use of antibiotics by patients (62%) was mentioned as the most effective reason for antibiotic resistance. Up to 10% of participants prescribed antibiotics for symptomatic irreversible pulpitis, asymptomatic apical periodontitis with or without endodontic treatment (8, 12 and 11%, respectively). Up to 20% of dentists prescribed antibiotics for symptomatic apical periodontitis when the pulp was vital or necrotic (13 and 23%, respectively). Almost one third of the participants prescribed antibiotics for symptomatic apical periodontitis of previously treated teeth with or without radiographic lesions whilst 34% prescribed antibiotics for acute apical abscess with localized swelling without systemic involvement. Conclusions The majority of dentists reported they prescribed antibiotics inappropriately. It is necessary to improve the knowledge of dentists about antibiotics and their indications in endodontics