Aim: To examine the root canal morphology of mandibular second molars in a South Indian population, using spiral computed tomography (CT). Materials and methods: One hundred ten extracted mandibular second molars were scanned by spiral CT scanner and analyzed for number of roots, number of root canals per root and root canal configuration in each root. Results: The total of 91.91% of the molars had two roots and 4.55% were three rooted. Single roots were also found (5.45%) and occurrence of four roots was rare (0.91%). Three root canals were found in 62.73% of the teeth, followed by two canals in 20.02%. C-shaped canals were seen in 4.55% of teeth. Conclusion: In the teeth examined, there was a predominance of two roots and three canals. Type IV canal configuration was common in mesial roots and Type I in distal roots. Three roots and C-shaped canals were also recorded.

Probiotics have been recently introduced in dentistry and is one of the newer approaches in caries management. They have been used successfully for several years mainly for gastrointestinal disorders. Most probiotic strains belong to Lactobacilli or bifidobacteria group. Mechanism of action of probiotics is mainly unknown but may include intermicrobial species interactions and immunostimulatory effects. Randomized controlled trials have shown the inhibitory effect of probiotics against caries. Even though direct recommendations for the use of probiotics cannot yet be given, scientific evidence so far indicates that probiotic therapy may be a reality in dentistry in the future.

Traumatic injuries of the teeth and their structures are complex and require comprehensive examination, accurate diagnosis, consideration of various factors involved and a multidisciplinary approach for successful treatment outcome. Dental trauma, in which the fracture line originates in the crown portion of the tooth, extends apically into the root in an oblique direction is referred to as a crown-root fracture. Subgingival fracture of a tooth presents a challenging restorative problem and needs efficient assessment for treatment. A fractured tooth presents a multifaceted problem which warrants a multidisciplinary treatment. A fractured tooth presents a multifaceted problem which warrants a multidisciplinary treatment. Interdisciplinary treatment approach holds true especially in multifaceted problems like traumatic tooth fracture. Every dental professional must be prepared to assess and treat efficiently.

Taurodontism is a dental anomaly in which the involved tooth has an enlarged and elongated pulp chamber with short roots. Endodontic treatment of a taurodont tooth presents challenges to a clinician for visibility, cleaning and shaping as well as obturation of the root canals. In this case report, a 16-year-old female patient presented with spontaneous pain in relation to mandibular right second molar. On radiographic examination, the tooth had a carious lesion extending to the pulp chamber which was large and elongated with apically located furcation and two short roots. The taurodontic index (TI) for this particular tooth was 34.2, corresponding to mesotaurodontism. Endodontic treatment was successfully completed using lateral condensation technique and postendodontic restoration given.

Foreign objects are often diagnosed unexpectedly during a dental treatment. The occurrence of foreign bodies in teeth is more frequent in children, as they have a tendency to place objects in mouth. Food lodgement in carious involved teeth also lead to object lodgement as patients tends to clean it with sharp objects. The foreign objects act as foci of infection and leads to pulpal pathosis. This case report discusses the foreign body impaction in a tooth, its retrieval and management of the involved teeth.

Intellectual disability (ID) is one of the most common developmental disorders of childhood. Intellectual disability formerly known as mental retardation is a disability characterized by significant limitation in both intellectual function and adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual social and practical adaptive skills. This disability originates before the age of 18. Intellectual disability affects the mind, body and everyday life skills like thinking, talking and self care. People with disability often need extra help to attain and preserve good health which includes oral hygiene. Poor dental health which is prevailing in most of these children may further compromise their mental health; both of which may affect their psychological well being. There are numerous obstacles in delivering quality dental care under local anesthesia (LA) in ID children because of various behavioral problems. So general anesthesia is a safer and preferred option for such patients and currently it is a widely accepted treatment modality in rendering oral care in ID patients. This article describes a unique case of esthetic rehabilitation of maxillary anterior teeth in a 16 years old male patient under general anesthesia who was diagnosed with mild ID and seizure disorder.