Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a syndrome accompanied with the abnormal secretion or function of insulin, a hormone that plays a vital role in controlling the blood glucose level (BGL). Type 1and 2 DM are most common form and the prevalence of the latter is recently increasing. The aim of this article was to assess whether Type 2 DM could act as a predisposing risk factor on the pulpo-periapical pathogenesis. Previous literature on the pathologic changes of blood vessels in DM was thoroughly reviewed. Furthermore, a histopathologic analysis of artificially-induced periapical specimens obtained from Type 2 diabetic and DM-resistant rats was compared. Histopathologic results demonstrate that the size of periapical bone destruction was larger and the degree of pulpal inflammation was more severe in diabetic rats, indicating that Type 2 DM itself can be a predisposing risk factor that makes the host more susceptible to pulpal infection. The possible reasons may be that in diabetic state the lumen of pulpal blood vessels are thickened by atheromatous deposits, and microcirculation is hindered. The function of polymorphonuclear leukocyte is also impaired and the migration of immune cells is blocked, leading to increased chance of pulpal infection. Also, lack of collateral circulation of pulpal blood vessels makes the pulp more susceptible to infection. These decrease the regeneration capacity of pulpal cells or tissues, delaying the healing process. Therefore, when restorative treatment is needed in Type 2 DM patients, dentists should minimize irritation to the pulpal tissue un der control of BGL.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the marginal and internal gaps in CEREC3 CAD/CAM inlays of three different preparation designs. CEREC3 Inlays of three different preparation designs (n = 10) were fabricated according to Group I-conventional functional cusp capping/shoulder preparation, Group II-horizontal reduction of cusps and Group III-complete reduction of cusps/shoulder preparation. After cementation of inlays, the bucco-lingual cross section was performed through the center of tooth. Cross section images of 20 magnifications were obtained through the stereomicroscope. The gaps were measured using the Leica application suite software at each reference point. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α<0.05).

The marginal gaps ranged from 80.0 to 97.8 µm for Group I, 42.0 to 194.8 µm for Group II, 51.0 to 80.2 µm for Group III. The internal gaps ranged from 90.5 to 304.1 µm for Group I, 80.0 to 274.8 µm for Group II, 79.7 to 296.7 µm for Group III. The gaps of each group were the smallest on the margin and the largest on the horizontal wall. For the CEREC3 CAD/CAM inlays, the simplified designs (groups II and III) did not demonstrate superior results compared to the traditional cusp capping design (group I).

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical properties of different self-adhesive resin cements and their shear bond strength on dentin and lithium disilicate ceramic and compare these result with that of conventional resin cement. For this study, four self-adhesive resin cements (Rely-X Unicem, Embrace Wetbond, Mexcem, BisCem), one conventional resin cement (Rely-X ARC) and one restorative resin composite (Z-350) were used. In order to evaluate the physical properties, compressive strength, diametral tensile strength and flexural strength were measured. To evaluate the shear bond strength on dentin, each cement was adhered to buccal dentinal surface of extracted human lower molars. Dentin bonding agent was applied after acid etching for groups of Rely-X ARC and Z-350. In order to evaluate the shear bond strength on ceramic, lithium disilicate glass ceramic (IPS Empress 2) disks were prepared. Only Rely-X ARC and Z-350 groups were pretreated with hydrofluoric acid and silane. And then each resin cement was adhered to ceramic surface in 2 mm diameter. Physical properties and shear bond strengths were measured using a universal testing machine.

Results were as follows

1. BisCem showed the lowest compressive strength, diametral tensile strength and flexural strength. (P<0.05)

2. Self-adhesive resin cements showed significantly lower shear bond strength on the dentin and lithium disilicate ceramic than Rely-X ARC and Z-350 (P<0.05)

In conclusion, self-adhesive resin cements represent the lower physical properties and shear bond strength than a conventional resin cement.

This study was carried out in order to determine in vitro biocompatibility of white mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), and to compare it with that of the commonly used materials, i. e. calcium hydroxide liner (Dycal), glass ionomer cement (GIC), and Portland cement which has a similar composition of MTA. To assess the biocompatibility of each material, cytotoxicity was examined using MG-63 cells. The degree of cytotoxicity was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a colorimetric method, based on reduction of the tetrazolium salt 2,3 bis {2methoxy 4nitro 5[(sulfenylamino) carbonyl] 2H tetrazolium hydroxide} (XTT) assay.

The results of SEM revealed the cells in contact with GIC, MTA, and Portland cement at 1 and 3 days were apparently healthy. In contrast, cells in the presence of Dycal appeared rounded and detached. In XTT assay, the cellular activities of the cells incubated with all the test materials except Dycal were similar, which corresponded with the SEM observation. The present study supports the view that MTA is a very biocompatible root perforation repair material. It also suggests that cellular response of Portland cement and GIC are very similar to that of MTA.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of color measuring instrument by measuring the color of dental composite resins.

Nine shade light cured composite resin disks were prepared (diameter : 15 mm, thickness : 4 mm). CIE L^*a^*b^* color scale of each disk was measured with 3 different types of spectrophotometer [MiniScan XE plus (Model 4000S, Hunter Lab, USA), CM-3500d (Minolta, Japan) and Specbos 2100 Miniature VIS Reflection spectrometer (Serial No: 319416, JETI Technishe VIS Instrumentic GmbH, Germany)]. Miniscan XE Plus and CM-3500d using identical measuring geometry with different size of viewing aperture. But Specbos 2100 using different measuring geometry.

Within the limitation of this study, there were color difference (ΔE^*) from 2.4 to 7.8 between Miniscan XE Plus and CM-3500d, but L^*, a^*, b^* values showed the high correlation. However, there were great color difference (ΔE^*) in the extent of about 20 between instruments with the different measuring geometry.

Therefore, color scale measured by color measuring instrument should be used as a relative value rather than an absolute value in the field of dentistry.

The purpose of this study was to compare the dye leakage of MTA (mineral trioxide aggregate) apical plug produced by two orthograde placement techniques (hand condensation technique and ultrasonically assisted hand condensation technique).

To simulate straight canal, 60 transparent acrylic blocks with straight canal were fabricated. These transparent acrylic blocks were divided into 2 groups (Group C; hand condensation technique (HC) and Group U; ultrasonically assisted hand condensation technique (UAHC)) of 30 blocks with each MTA application method. Each group was divided into 2 subgroups (n = 15) with different canal size of #70 (subgroup C70 and subgroup U70) and #120 (subgroup C120 and subgroup U120). After apical plug was created, a wet paper point was placed over the MTA plug and specimen was kept in a humid condition at room temperature to allow MTA to set. After 24 hours, remaining canal space was backfilled using Obtura II. All specimens were transferred to floral form socked by 0.2% rhodamine B solution and stored in 100% humidity at room temperature. After 48 hours, resin block specimens were washed and scanned using a scanner. The maximum length of microleakage was measured from the scanned images of four surfaces of each resin block using Photoshop 6.0.

Statistical analysis was performed with Mann-Whitney U test. Group U of UAHC had significantly lower leakage than Group C of HC in #70-size canal (subgroup U70) (p < 0.05).

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the cleaning efficacy of various irrigation methods in the mandibular mesial roots. The forty five mesial root canals were shaped by Profile .06 instruments to apical size #30 and irrigated with 5 ml of 3.5% NaOCl. The teeth were divided into 3 groups and irrigated finally for 1 minute; Group 1: syringe irrigation, Group 2: ultrasonic irrigation, Group 3: RinsEndo irrigation.

After histological processing, the cross sections of apical 1, 3, and 5 mm level were examined with an optical microscope. The cleanliness values of canals and isthmuses were calculated and analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test.

There were no significant differences in both canal and isthmus cleanliness between syringe irrigation and ultrasonic irrigation except 5 mm level of isthmus.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a desensitizer on dentinal bond strength in cementation of composite resin inlay. Fifty four molar teeth were exposed the occlusal dentin. Class I inlay cavities were prepared and randomly divided into six groups. Control group ; no agent, Group 1 ; Isodan, Group 2 ; One-step, Group 3 ; All-Bond SE, Group 4 ; Isodan + One-step, Group 5 ; Isodan + All-Bond SE.

Desensitizing agent and dentin bonding agents were applied immediately after the completion of the preparations. Impressions were then made. The composite resin inlays (Tescera, Bisco) were fabricated according to the manufacturers' guidelines. Cementation procedures followed a standard protocol by using resin cement (Bis-Cem, Bisco). Specimens were stored in distilled water at 37℃ for 24 hours.

All specimens were sectioned to obtained sticks with 1.0 × 1.0 mm² cross sectional area. The microtensile bond strength (µTBS) was tested at crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. The data was analyzed using oneway ANOVA and Tukey's test. Scanning electron microscopy analysis was made to examine the details of the bonding interface.

1. Group 1 showed significantly lower µTBS than other groups (p<0.05).

2. There was no significant difference between the µTBS of Group 3 and Group 5.

3. The µTBS of Group 4 showed significantly lower than that of Group 2 (p<0.05).

In conclusion, a desensitizer (Isodan) might have an adverse effect on the bond strength of composite resin inlay to dentin.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of anticurvature filing with stainless steel k-file versus nickel-titanium ProFile in the shaping of mesial root canals of extracted mandibular molars.

A total of 60 canals from 30 mesial roots of mandibular molar teeth were randomly assigned to three groups with n=20 each. They were prepared with different instruments and methods: The first group with stainless steel k-file and circumferential filing, the second with precurved stainless steel k-file and anticurvature filing and the third with ProFile (.06 taper) and anticurvature filing. Using a micro-computed tomography system (skyscan-1076, SKYSCAN, Antwerpen, Belgium), pre-and post-operative specimens were scanned. Subsequently, canal images were superimposed and changes in root dentin thickness were measured at distal side (danger zone) of the canal. The data was analyzed using a one-way ANOVA and the comparison of means was conducted using a post hoc multiple comparison Tukey test.

There were significant differences in the change of root dentin thickness at the 7.5~8.5mm level between group 1 and 2, 3.5~6mm level between group 1 and 3 and 3.5~6mm level between group 2 and 3(n=20, P<0.05).