Indigenous digital intraoral Gothic arch tracer.

This paper describes indigenously developed digital Gothic arch tracer for the acquisition of centric jaw relation in patient. The developed tracer eliminates disadvantages of intra-oral tracing and makes it more suitable for recording centric relation in patients. The system also makes real-time monitoring of tracing possible in intraoral tracing. This also opens various avenues for research in removable prosthodontics.

Effect of tongue cleaning methods and oral mutans streptococci level.

INTRODUCTION: Tongue scraping and brushing have been appreciated for hundreds of years but are still appreciated or used by the public. Scientific evidence has validated the need to practice habitual and tongue cleaning as part of daily home oral hygiene procedures. OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare the effect of tongue scraping and tongue brushing on oral Mutans streptococci level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 healthy subjects aged 14 to 15 years were randomly selected. Flat plastic tongue scraper and Nylon multitufted small headed toothbrush are the two tongue cleaning devise used. Unstimulated salivary samples were obtained at 4 intervals from each individual. Salivary samples were inoculated on Mitis Salivary Agar Plate and Sorbital Broth was used for identification of Mutans streptococci group. RESULTS: Paired and unpaired 't' test were employed. Reduiction in the Mutans streptococci level from 48.4 × 10(4) CFU and 38.3 × 10(4) CFU at baseline in tongue scraping and tongue brushing group respectively to 0.34 × 10(4) and 0.39 × 104 CFU after 7th day. CONCLUSION: Both tongue coating removal methods evaluated were efficient in reducing mutans streptococci level. This implies that physical removal of the coating on the dorsum of the tongue is important and not the method used for the same.

A comparative evaluation of shear bond strength of different pits and fissure sealants: an in vitro study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine and compare the shear bond strength of three different pits and fssure sealants to enamel namely, Delton, Clinpro and Z350 Filtek fowable composite. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety permanent molars were divided into three groups of 30 each. Their proximal surfaces were prepared and stored in 37°C ± 5°C normal saline for 24 hours. Sealant buttons were prepared. The specimens were tested in a shear mode (Lloyds LR100K) at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The mean and standard deviations were subjected to an analysis of variance. RESULTS: The mean shear bond strength of samples of Delton was 10.33 MPa; Clinpro was 8.51 MPa and Z350 Filtek fowable was 12.17 MPa. The mean strength of Delton was signifcantly higher as compared to Clinpro whereas the mean strength of Z350 Filtek was signifcantly higher as compared to Delton and Clinpro (Student t-test, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Z350 Filtek fowable composite had maximum shear bond strength than Delton FS sealant followed by Clinpro sealant. Clinical signifcance: In this study, we compare the bond strength of three pits and fssure sealant, Clinpro yielded lower bond strength than Delton. This outcome can be described due to the presence of fllers in Delton, since these particles increase the resistance of the material to abrasion and also increase the mechanical resistance of the material.