Rate My Professor Amira Elgawish

Dr. Amira Elgawish is a Lecturer in Endodontics in the School of Medicine and Dentistry at Griffith University, situated on the Gold Coast Campus in the Ian O'Connor Building (G40) 7.67. Her role within the School of Dentistry and Oral Health involves advancing education and research in endodontics, the branch of dentistry concerned with the study and treatment of the dental pulp.

Amira Elgawish's research specialization lies in endodontic irrigation regimens and their effects on root canal dentin properties. She is the lead author of the 2023 publication 'The Impact of Different Irrigation Regimens on the Chemical Structure and Cleanliness of Root Canal Dentin,' published in the Iranian Endodontic Journal (18(4):224–232). This in vitro study utilized 48 extracted single-rooted human maxillary anterior teeth, instrumented using the step-back technique to master apical file size 60, and divided into three groups irrigated with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX), or saline as control. Root canal cleanliness was assessed via stereomicroscopy for debris percentages in coronal, middle, and apical thirds, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Chemical analysis employed SEM energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) for inorganic elements (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, carbon) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for organic components. Statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc tests (P ≤ 0.05) revealed that the NaOCl group had the lowest mean debris percentage at 25.7% (SD 5.3%), significantly lower than CHX at 37.5% (SD 16.7%; P=0.04) and saline at 53.5% (SD 31.5%; P=0.04). In specific sections, coronal third: NaOCl 21.4% vs. CHX 46.2% (P=0.006); middle third: NaOCl 28.1% vs. CHX 49.2% and saline 49.6% (P=0.03); apical third: NaOCl 27.2% vs. saline 75.2% (P<0.001). No significant differences in inorganic content were found across groups. However, NaOCl caused notable organic changes, including disappearance of the amide II band and alterations in carbonate and phosphate peaks, unlike CHX and saline. The study concludes that 5.25% NaOCl is the preferred irrigant for superior cleanliness despite organic impacts, informing clinical endodontic practice. Collaborators included Hossam Tawfik and Abeer El Gendy from Egyptian universities, and Griffith colleagues Roy George and Mahmoud M. Bakr. The paper has garnered 9 citations.