Krishna Prasad Shetty

Ocular health is important in dentistry because the profession relies on visual acuity and has a high risk of splatter, aerosols, and projectiles. There is a great deal of promotion with respect to personal protective equipment (PPE), but little is known about how the awareness is turned into protective behaviour in dental practice in Indian contexts. To assess the extent of knowledge, awareness, and clinical practices related to ocular safety among dental professionals, students, and auxiliary staff in India, and to identify significant discrepancies between their theoretical knowledge and practical implementation. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among 512 dental professionals across various institutions in India by using a 27-item questionnaire that was diligently piloted and validated. The questionnaire serves to assess self-reported awareness, the incidence of ocular injuries, and patterns of eye protection for both clinicians and their patients. Although 86.1% of respondents reported being familiar with eye safety regulations, 62.5% reported eye injuries during clinical procedures, mainly as a result of spatter, aerosol, and removing restorations, which doesn't suggest lack of protection but lack of protective eyewear. Responsive to the conditions mentioned, only 42.6% were compliant overall and consistent in wearing protective eyewear, while 93.6% report acknowledging the need for protective eyewear. Additionally, 13.3% had observed ocular injuries in patients, and 38.35% admitted to not providing eye protection during procedures. There is a significant differential between the high awareness and poor uptake of ocular safety practices in Indian dentistry. This requires enhancing policy in institutions, introducing ocular protection in dental education and establishing standard procedures. Reducing preventable injuries and ensuring the safety of patients and practitioners is justified.

Excellent bioactivity and biocompatibility make bioceramics a popular choice in dentistry, especially in endodontics. The most commonly utilised bioceramic in endodontics is mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Several emerging bioceramics showed promise for endodontic treatment. This study discusses bioceramics and their use in endodontic treatments like as root-end filling, root canal therapy, vital pulp therapy, apexification/regenerative endodontic treatment, perforation repair, and root defect repair. The applicable research from 1990 to 2023 was screened using keywords in PubMed and Web of Science. According to current research, MTA in the management of endodontic disease is well supported. New bioceramics including Biodentine, EndoSequence, and calcium-enriched mixes have demonstrated encouraging clinical results, but additional controlled trials must be conducted to establish their use in endodontics. To address endodontic problems, bioceramics must be improved for their biologic activity, including antibacterial activity, mechanical qualities, and reduced setting time and solubility. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the state of bioceramic technology and to investigate potential avenues for further investigation to improve its regenerative and therapeutic potential in endodontics. Research Question: What developments and potential uses can enhance the endodontic bioceramic-based therapies' regeneration results?

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is unraveling new paths for dentistry by improving diagnostic accuracy. This is streamlining treatment planning and optimizing clinical workflows. Yet, its integration brings forth crucial ethical, legal, and regulatory challenges, which range from safeguarding patient autonomy and data privacy to addressing algorithmic bias, ensuring transparency, and maintaining professional accountability. Objective: This systematic review brings together existing evidence on the ethical and legal aspects of technology‐driven dentistry. Methods: In accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines, five electronic databases, along with official sources (FDA, EU Commission, and FDI) published from 2019 to August 2025. Eligible studies focused on the ethical, legal, or regulatory dimensions of digital technologies in dentistry. Data were extracted and thematically organized into five domains: patient autonomy and informed consent, data privacy and security, bias and fairness, transparency and accountability, and regulatory/legal frameworks. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to evaluate the risk of bias. Results: A total of 16 records met the inclusion criteria, and the findings emphasize the need to protect patient rights, ensure clinician readiness, and align with international and regional regulations (EU AI Act, FDA, and FDI). Policy frameworks offered reliable guidance, while surveys and commentaries carried moderate bias. Conclusion: The use of digital technologies in dentistry requires a balanced approach with clear frameworks, global guidelines, and targeted clinician training that are essential to ensure patient‐centered, fair, and legally compliant adoption in modern dental care.

This ex vivo study aimed to compare the physical and chemical properties of two all-in-one root canal irrigants—Dual Rinse HEDP (DR HEDP) and Triton—with respect to their soft tissue dissolution efficacy, effect on dentin surface roughness, and demineralization potential. Forty extracted human single-rooted teeth were used to evaluate soft tissue dissolution and demineralization, while 40 dentin slices from 20 teeth were used for surface roughness analysis. Irrigants tested included DR HEDP, Triton, NaOCl (positive control) alone, and distilled water (negative control). Soft tissue dissolution was assessed using standardized pulp tissue analogs. Calcium ion release was measured via atomic absorption spectrometry to assess demineralization. Surface roughness was analyzed using atomic force microscopy. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc tests with significance set at p < 0.05. DR HEDP and NaOCl alone showed the highest tissue dissolution (36.49 and 35.57%, respectively, p > 0.05), significantly outperforming Triton (29.50%, p < 0.001). Triton exhibited the greatest dentin surface roughness (191.37 nm), significantly higher than DR HEDP (104.25 nm) and NaOCl (101.24 nm) (p < 0.001). Calcium ion release was highest in the Triton group (135.61 mg/L), followed by DR HEDP (49.66 mg/L) and NaOCl (26.06 mg/L), with all intergroup differences being significant (p < 0.001), except between DR HEDP and NaOCl (p > 0.05). DR HEDP exhibited superior soft tissue dissolution similar to NaOCl, while causing significantly less dentin surface roughness and demineralization than Triton.

Background: In recent years, the application of complementary medicine to treat an array of conditions, including cancer, has surged in prominence. Investigations have indicated that amygdalin, a naturally occurring chemical derived from plants, has anticarcinogenic impacts on several types of cancer. Method: The current work used human oral cancer cell lines, namely the oral cell line SCC-9, to evaluate the anticarcinogenic impact of amygdalin extracted from almonds and apricots. A meticulous extraction method from fresh apricots and almonds was employed to accomplish this. After that, SCC-9 cells were treated with these extracts at different doses ranging from 0 to 100 μg/ml. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test, and neutral red uptake assay (NRU) were used to assess the effectiveness of amygdalin. Conclusion: The findings demonstrated the anti-cancer qualities of amygdalin, which is found in almonds and apricots. This demonstrates that it is a therapeutic strategy which can be helpful in treating oral cancer.

Introduction: This study explores potential application of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to treat periodontal infection using Azadirachta indica leaf extract. The eco-friendly green synthesis process uses Azadirachta indica as a natural stabilizer and reducer, allowing AgNPs to be formed.Methods: Experimental AgNPs were characterized through transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Zeta potential, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) etc. The antimicrobial, antioxidant potential of AgNPs was tested to identify its efficacy against periodontal infections.Results and discussion: AgNPs were found spherical, nanosized (86 nm), with negative surface charge (−26.9 mV). TEM study depicted clear formation of discrete nanosize particles with smooth surface texture. Results showed strong antibacterial and anti-oxidant action of experimental AgNPs, preventing biofilm growth and bacterial viability. A higher binding affinity was observed between Quercetin and the selected protein, which is implicated in bacterial growth and biofilm formation on teeth. The study suggests that Azadirachta indica derived AgNPs could be a safe, efficacious, and eco-friendly alternative in place of conventional therapies to treat periodontal infection. Future in vivo studies are however warranted.

This study aimed to evaluate the dislodgement resistance and structural changes of different mineral trioxide aggregate cements (MTA) like Pro-Root MTA, Ortho MTA, and Retro MTA after exposure to sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), NaOCl-Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 1-hydroxyethylidene-1, 1-bisphosphonate (Dual Rinse HEDP), and NaOCl-Maleic acid (MA). The root canal spaces of 150 dentine slices were obturated using tricalcium silicate cements and divided into 3 groups (n = 50): Group1: ProRoot MTA, Group2: Retro MTA, and Group3: Ortho MTA. The samples in each group were further subdivided into four experimental (n = 10) and one control groups (n = 10): 2.5% NaOCl-17% EDTA, Dual Rinse HEDP, 2.5% NaOCl-7% Maleic acid, 2.5% NaOCl, distilled water (control). The dislodgement resistance and structural changes of cements were measured. Use of DR HEDP resulted in higher dislodgement resistance compared to17% EDTA and 7% MA in the samples obturated with Ortho MTA and Pro-Root MTA (p<0.001). In Retro MTA group, samples treated with DR HEDP and 17% EDTA had higher dislodgment resistance compared to 7% MA (p<0.001). On microstructural and elemental analysis of all the three MTA cements, samples treated with 17% EDTA and 7% MA were more amorphous and granular when compared to DR HEDP, which was pettle shaped. Calcium level was decreased more in samples treated with 17% EDTA and 7% MA when compared to DR HEDP.

Background and Objective: A narrow alveolar ridge is an obstacle to optimal rehabilitation of the dentition. There are several complex and invasive techniques to counter the ridge augmentation dilemma, with most of them exhibiting low feasibility. Hence, this randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a Minimalistic Ridge Augmentation (MRA) technique, in conjunction with low-level laser therapy (LLLT). Materials and Methods: A total of 20 patients (n = 20) were selected, with 10 assigned to the test group (MRA+LLLT) and the other 10 to the control group (MRA). A vertical incision of approximately 10 mm was placed mesial to the defect and tunneled to create a subperiosteal pouch across the entire width of the defect. At the test sites, a diode laser (AnARC Fox^TM Surgical Laser 810 nm) was used to deliver LLLT (parameters: 100 mW, with a maximum energy distribution of 6 J/cm² in the continuous wave mode for 60 s per point) to the exposed bone surface inside the pouch, followed by graft (G-Graft, Surgiwear^TM, Shahjahanpur, India) deposition with a bone graft carrier. The control sites were not irradiated with a laser. Results: A horizontal ridge width gain of >2 mm was observed in both groups. The changes in bone density for the test and control groups were −136 ± 236.08 HU and −44.30 ± 180.89 HU, respectively. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference between the test and control groups in these parameters. Conclusion: The study findings reveal that the MRA technique is relatively simple and feasible for alveolar ridge augmentation. The role of LLLT in the process requires further elucidation.

The aim of endodontic therapy is to use various antimicrobial medications for proper cleaning and shaping to create an environment free of microorganisms by eradicating as many as possible from the root canal space. Even although it is a gold standard irrigant, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is known for its cytotoxic effects on vital periapical tissues, making its higher concentrations inappropriate for use in conditions such as wide, underdeveloped, or damaged apices and in cases of perforations. Consequently, if it is ascertained that a gel form of sodium hypochlorite has equivalent antibacterial activity to the aqueous solution form, it could be employed in such situations. The aim of this study was the microbiologic evaluation of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite gel and aqueous solution as root canal disinfectants in multirooted teeth with primary endodontic lesions. Following ethical approval and CTRI registration, 42 patients who gave their consent and had multirooted teeth with pulpal necrosis and asymptomatic apical periodontitis were considered for the study. Following the opening of the access, pre-endodontic build up in case of class-II cavities and working length determination, a pre-operative sample (S1), which was regarded as the pre-operative microbial load of that canal, was acquired from the largest canal using a sterile paper point while maintaining strict isolation and disinfection. The computer randomization approach was used to divide the teeth into two groups at random just before beginning of chemo-mechanical preparation: Group A (n = 21)—canal disinfection with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite gel; Group B (n = 21)—canal disinfection with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution. Following the canal disinfection, a post-operative (S2) sample which was regarded as the postoperative microbial load of that canal was collected from the same canal using a sterile paper point. The Colony-Forming Units (CFUs) for the S1 and S2 samples were determined after 48 h aerobic incubation on Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) agar plates. The patients and the microbiologist were blinded throughout the procedure. Using SPSS 20.0 software (USA), the Shapiro–Wilk test and the Lilliefors Significance Correction were used for normality, followed by the Mann–Whitney U test which was used to compare the CFU difference (×10⁵) between the two groups. A p value of p = 0.744). In multirooted teeth with primary endodontic lesions, the 5.25% sodium hypochlorite gel and the aqueous solution demonstrated comparable antimicrobial effectiveness when implemented as root canal disinfectants.

Background: Root canal sealers and repair materials should have the desirable physical, chemical, and biological characteristics, and an antibacterial effect if possible. There is little information available on the biocompatibility of new sealers on the market. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) can offer trustworthy data to examine chemical structures; another technique for revealing the elements in the constituents that may contribute to the cytotoxicity of these sealers is scanning electron microscopy (SEM), with the goal of elemental mapping utilizing energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Methodology: All the root canal sealers were mixed as per the manufacturers’ instructions and allowed to set in molds for 24 h. Then, the samples were placed into an incubator (Memmert GmbH + Co. KG, Schwabach, Germany for 72 h, in a moist environment to allow complete chemical setting of the sealers. The organic and inorganic components of the sample were identified using FTIR with the wavelength length in the infra-red region measuring 400–450 nm. The finely crushed samples were coated with gold metal; following that, the sealer samples were examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) at 5000×, 10,000×, and 20,000× magnification, followed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Results: The surfaces of BioRoot and DiaRoot sealers revealed a relatively uniform distribution of irregular micro-sized particles aggregated in clusters, with the particle size ranging from 1 to 65 µm and 0.4 to 55 µm, respectively. OneFill, iRoot, and CeraSeal demonstrated irregularly shaped particles with particle sizes of 0.5 to 105 µm, 0.5 to 195 µm, and 0.3 to 68 µm, respectively. The EDX microanalysis revealed that oxygen, calcium, and carbon were found in all the tested sealer materials. Silicone and zirconium were absent in DiaRoot, but DiaRoot contained fluoride and ytterbium. Moreover, aluminum was noted in DiaRoot, One Fill, and CeraSeal, and chloride was only observed in BioRoot. FTIR analysis revealed strong absorption bands at 666 cm⁻¹ and 709 cm⁻¹ in BioRoot. Bands at 739 cm⁻¹, 804 cm⁻¹, 863 cm⁻¹, 898 cm⁻¹, and 1455 cm⁻¹ were observed in DiaRoot. Bands at 736 cm⁻¹ and 873 cm⁻¹ in OneFill suggested the presence of C-H bending. Similarly, bands were observed at 937 cm⁻¹, 885 cm⁻¹, 743 cm⁻¹, and 1455 cm⁻¹ in iRoot, representing C-H stretching. Conclusions: All root canal sealers had diverse surface morphologies that contained irregular, micro-sized particles that were uniformly distributed, and they lacked heavy metals. All the experimental sealers comprised mainly calcium, oxygen, and carbon.