To evaluate the bacterial contamination of different brands of Gutta-Percha (GP) points routinely used in clinical practice and the efficacy of a chairside disinfection protocol with sodium hypochlorite.
 
  GP points (n=240), in sizes A, B, C, D, K15, K20, K25, K30, K35, K40, F1, F2, F3 (Dentsply®, Proclinic®, ProTaper® and R&S®), were randomly sampled from commercial packages already in use.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/sb225002.html  These were added directly to Fluid Thioglycolate Medium (one GP point per tube) and incubated at 37ºC for 21 days. During this period, the presence/absence of turbidity was evaluated. To evaluate the efficacy of a chairside disinfection protocol, all detected contaminated GP points were immersed for 1 minute in 10 mL of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, followed by 5 minutes in 10 mL of detergent solution (3% Tween 80 and 5% sodium thiosulfate) and a final rinse with 10 mL of sterile distilled water and incubated. The data was analysed using the chi-square test and differences between characteristics of dichotomic variables were performed using the binomial test. The significance level was set at P<0.05.
 
  Bacterial growth was observed in 22.9% of the total study samples. Dentsply® and R&S® showed the highest level of contamination, 47.3% each, although without significant differences to the other commercial brands. The most contaminated GP point size was K30 (16.4%). The chairside disinfection protocol was effective in disinfection of 76.4% of GP points (P<0.001).
 
  A real small number of GP points in clinical use harboured bacteria, including after the Chairside Disinfection Protocol that, anyway, proved to be effective. No significant difference was observed between tested commercial brands.
 A real small number of GP points in clinical use harboured bacteria, including after the Chairside Disinfection Protocol that, anyway, proved to be effective. No significant difference was observed between tested commercial brands.
  The traditional face-to-face or on-site lecturing methods are still among the most common forms of delivering knowledge to students in dental education. However, other innovative learning methodologies have the potential to complement, or even improve, the effectiveness and quality of teaching. The aim of this online survey was to analyze the receptivity of endodontics practitioners to a specific online teaching format of a multi-day congress, mimicking an on-site conference, and perceive whether the participants regarded it as an effective way of acquiring knowledge with application in their clinical practice activity.
 
  An online questionnaire, composed of 17 items, was sent during the last day of a multi-day online congress. Four strands of information were taken into account demographics; previous online formation experience; personal involvement in the underway online congress; and overview of the online congress concept. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. Total counts, frequencies and descript, the present results suggest that online learning may be used successfully to improve student's knowledge and enhance their abilities to apply acquired content in clinical situations. Moreover, the participants felt online learning to be effective, engaging and with a favourable cost-benefit ratio.
  To study the root and root canal morphology of mandibular premolars in a Kuwaiti subpopulation using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).
 
  152 CBCT images were obtained from the radiology department archives of four dental centers in Kuwait. A total of 476 mandibular premolar teeth were analyzed by two observers. The number of roots, root canal configuration types and canal curvature measurements were examined. The relationship between sex, tooth position, and incidence of an additional canal were compared using the chi-square test, and the level of significance was set at 0.05 (P=0.05).
 
  The number of roots in mandibular first premolars was one in 73.9%, two in 24.9%, three and four in 1.2%. On the other hand, the number of roots in mandibular second premolars was one in 79.2% and two in 20.8%. Based on Vertucci's classification system, 18.7% of the teeth were type II followed by type VI (14.3%). The majority of the examined teeth were straight (74.8%) and the incidence of distal root angulation was about 21%. Canal configurations not included in the Vertucci classification were reported in 102 teeth (21.4%). Variability was significantly higher in the second premolars compared to first premolar (P<0.05).
 
  The Kuwaiti population has complex root canal morphology in mandibular premolar teeth.
 The Kuwaiti population has complex root canal morphology in mandibular premolar teeth.
  The purpose of this randomized trial was to assess the pain perception during intrapulpal anesthesia (IP) using thinner gauge needles and syringes with or without topical anaesthesia as an adjunct.
 
  One hundred patients, on whom the inferior alveolar nerve block and intraligamentary injections failed, were recruited for the trial. Block randomization was performed and the patients were allocated into 4 groups based on the needle gauge and topical application of anaesthesia prior to IP injection. In two groups (27GN, 31GN) the patients received IP injection with 27 gauge or 31 gauge needles. The patients of other two groups received topical lignocaine-prilocaine mixture prior to the IP injection with 27 or 31 gauge needles, respectively (27GT, 31GT). The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the pain immediately after IP injection and after cleaning and shaping by a blinded outcome assessor. The Kruskal-Wallis test for overall comparisons followed by the post-hoc analysis using the Conover's test (reduce pain perceived during IP anaesthesia. Topical anaesthesia with lignocaine-prilocaine acts as an effective adjunct only with 31gauge needle.
  To study the effectiveness of various concentrations of citric acid (CA) added to 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) on smear layer removal from the root canal wall and antimicrobial efficacy against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans).
 
  Fifty-three single-rooted mandibular premolars were decoronate and the root canals underwent mechanical instrumentation using MTwo rotary files to size 40/0.06. The samples were then randomly divided into 5 groups according to the root canal irrigants to be used 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 2% CHX, 1%, 6%, and 10% citric acid-modified 2% chlorhexidine (CAmCHX). Three teeth irrigated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were used as a negative control. The smear layer removal effectiveness was evaluated under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Images were randomly taken at the apical, middle, and coronal third level. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Disc diffusion and direct exposure tests were performed along with three additional control groups consisting of 1%, 6%, and 10% CA groups to assess and compare the antimicrobial efficacy of irrigants against E.