Introduction: Effective primary root canal obturation comprised steps that would lead to the ideal three-dimensional fill, least number of voids, and microleakage prevention. A novel system of obturation, NaviTip, was suggested to be better than traditional obturation techniques; however, current evidence was contradictory. Aim: This systematic review compared whether NaviTip was better compared to traditional procedures regarding obturation quality. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search found comparative studies of NaviTip with standard obturation methods in primary teeth. Data were retrieved on NaviTip gauge size, obturation material, preparation method, irrigation technique, quality of obturation, void frequency, microleakage, clinical success, and radiographic results. Bias appraisal was done using the JBI checklist. Results: Ten studies were taken into account based on inclusion criteria comparing NaviTip with lentulo spiral, endodontic plugger, pressure syringes, and other traditional methods. NaviTip optimal filling rates varied from 47.8% to 93.5%. Those studies that reported superiority of NaviTip reported optimal filling rates up to 90% and void incidence of 15%. Yet, other studies reported higher void incidences (up to 26.25%) and overfilling complications (36%), questioning NaviTip’s overall consistency and superiority. Conclusion: NaviTip was not consistent in its results, with evidence for its ability to do better than traditional methods in terms of obtaining more ideal obturation and fewer voids, although there were inconsistencies between studies. Standard clinical trials are suggested.
Introduction: The development of fine motor skills and visuospatial coordination is essential in dentistry, where precision and manual dexterity are critical for clinical success. Preclinical dental training incorporates tasks designed to enhance these psychomotor abilities. However, despite uniformity in training and no prior experience, students often exhibit varying levels of manual performance, suggesting that intrinsic or external factors may contribute to skill development. Hence, identifying such predictors of manual skill proficiency is critical in guiding early intervention for students. Using such predictors, it may be possible to identify students who may have difficulty in performing preclinical work at the start itself and can be given additional attention aimed at improving student’s performance. Aim: To evaluate the correlation between participation in extracurricular activities involving fine motor skills and performance in preclinical tasks among undergraduate dental students. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted at ITS Dental College, Hospital and Research Centre, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India, over a period of three months from January to March 2025. The study included a sample of 200 Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students who were willing to participate. A modified, self-administered questionnaire was used to assess students’ self-reported participation in various extracurricular activities, such as playing musical instruments, crafting, and video gaming. The questionnaire was distributed in the form of a Google Form through students’ WhatsApp groups, and regular reminders were sent to improve the response rate. Students’ performance in two preclinical tasks-cavity preparation and basic wire bending (Adam’s clasp fabrication) were evaluated independently by two examiners to ensure reliability and reduce bias. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient to determine the relationship between the extent of participation in extracurricular activities and preclinical performance scores, with a p-value of <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The analysis revealed no significant correlation between engagement in artistic or manual activities and performance in the assessed preclinical tasks. For cavity preparation, most variables showed weak and statistically nonsignificant correlations. The only significant correlation was found with motor driving skills (r=0.157, p=0.026*), indicating a small but statistically significant relationship. Similarly, for the fabrication of Adam’s clasp, none of the examined variables demonstrated statistically significant correlation with the examiner scores. Statistically significant correlation observed was with motor driving (r=0.189, p=0.007), indicating that students who reported having motor vehicle driving skills tended to perform well in Adam’s clasp fabrication. All other activities, including artistic work, crafting, music, video games, and culinary skills, did not show a significant relationship (p>0.05). Conclusion: Participation in extracurricular activities requiring fine motor skills does not appear to be a reliable predictor of preclinical performance. These findings suggest that while such activities may develop certain abilities, such as hand-eye coordination, concentration, attention to detail, and patience, however they do not significantly influence psychomotor outcomes in the context of preclinical hand skills.
Introduction: The bidirectional relationship between periodontitis and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is mediated by inflammatory mechanisms. While both conditions are characterised by systemic inflammation, the relative inflammatory burden in patients with both conditions versus periodontitis alone remains unclear. Salivary biomarkers offer a non invasive method to assess local and systemic inflammation. The present study was done to explore if diabetic patients with periodontitis had a higher inflammatory burden than systemically healthy patients with periodontitis. Aim: To compare salivary levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) between patients, with periodontitis alone and those with both periodontitis and T2DM. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Periodontics at Pushpagiri College of Dental Sciences, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India, over a period of five months from January to May 2024. The present study enrolled periodontitis patients with and without T2DM. A total of 40 patients were recruited, 20 with periodontitis (P group) and 20 with both periodontitis and T2DM (DM+P group). Clinical periodontal parameters were recorded, and unstimulated saliva samples were collected. Salivary IL-6 was measured using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and hs-CRP using nephelometry. Groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test with significance set at p<0.05. Results: The P group showed higher gingival inflammation and percentage of sites with Pocket Depth (PD) >5 mm, while the DM+P group exhibited greater Clinical Attachment Loss (CAL). Mean salivary IL-6 levels were higher in the P group (528.21±492.59 pg/mL) compared to the DM+P group (306.22±307.97 pg/mL; p=0.056). Similarly, hs-CRP levels were higher in the P group (1.0±1.19 mg/L) versus the DM+P group (0.74±0.74 mg/L), though not statistically significant. Conclusion: There were no significant differences in salivary levels of IL-6 and hs-CRP in periodontitis patients with and without Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Interestingly, patients with periodontitis alone demonstrated higher levels of inflammatory markers than those with concomitant diabetes, though differences were not statistically significant. These findings suggest that salivary levels of IL-6 and hs-CRP more reflective of local periodontal inflammation than the systemic diabetic status.
Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant bone tumour which affects children, adolescents and is characterised by malignant osteoid production by mesenchymal cells. It is an aggressive malignancy having early metastatic potential usually to the lungs. Molecular mechanisms underlying OS including genomic instability, Tumor Protein p53 gene (TP53) and RB Transcriptional Corepressor 1 gene (RB1) alterations, dysregulated signalling pathways along with epigenetic abnormalities that further contributes to tumour progression, metastasis. Standard management involves multimodal therapy along with chemotherapy and surgical resection; however, prognosis remains poor in metastatic as well as recurrent disease. Emerging targeted therapies and immunotherapeutic strategies can improve future clinical outcomes in OS. The present narrative review thus aims to summarise current understanding of clinical features, classification, molecular pathogenesis, diagnostic advances including Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based approaches as well as emerging therapeutic strategies in OS.
