Evaluation of root canal cleaning efficacy of selfadjusting files, protaper rotary, and manual K-Files in primary teeth - An In vitro Comparative study.

Background: The success of pulpectomy depends on complete eradication of microbial load by cleaning and shaping the primary root canals that is difficult to achieve because of anatomical intricacy of primary pulp dentin complex. Numerous instruments were tried, however, they proved to be inadequate. Selfadjusting file (SAF) is a newer file system that facilitates less dentin removal with maximal cleansing of root canals. Aim: To evaluate and compare the in vitro root canal cleaning efficacy with SAF, Protaper Universal, and Hand K-files in primary teeth. Materials and Methods: Sixty extracted primary anterior teeth were randomly divided into three groups by lottery method. Access cavity was prepared, the canals were enlarged up to 20 K file, and an Indian ink was injected into each canal. Then the Group I (n = 20) was treated with SAF, Group II (n = 20) with Rotary Protaper Universal and Group III (n = 20) with Hand K-files and the root canal cleaning efficacy was evaluated based on the amount of Indian ink remaining in the canal walls under stereomicroscopy. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis one way ANOVA test and post hoc Tuckey test for intragroup and intergroup comparison, respectively. Results: A statistically highly significant difference was observed with SAF (mean = 1.5), Protaper (mean = 2.5), and Hand K-files (mean = 2.9). However, there was no significant difference in root canal cleaning efficacy with Protaper Universal and Hand K-files. Conclusion: The SAFs had shown superior cleaning efficacy compared with rotary Protaper Universal and manual K files.

In vivo comparison of bioceramic putty and mineral trioxide aggregate as pulpotomy medicament in primary molars. A 12-month follow-up randomized clinical trial.

Background: Pulpotomy is one of the common vital pulp therapy procedures for primary molars. The present trend in pulpotomy materials is to use regenerative materials that promote dentinogenesis. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is a very popular pulpotomy material. However, it has some limitations including difficult handling characteristics and long setting time. Tricalcium silicate cements evolved, in which bioceramic cements came into existence, have better properties than MTA. The aims and objectives of the study are to evaluate the efficacy of bioceramic putty with MTA as a pulp medicament in primary molars. Materials and Methods: In this randomized in vivo study, sixty primary molars in children aged 4-9 years indicated for pulpotomy were selected. They were assigned using nonprobability convenient sampling technique into two groups: test group - bioceramic putty (EndoSequence Root Repair Material) and control group - MTA (Angelus). After pulp therapy, teeth were restored with stainless steel crowns. Recall clinical and radiographic evaluation was done at 3-, 6-, and 12-month interval to assess success rate. The data were statistically analyzed using Chi-square test, and P ≤ 0.05 was set for statistical significance. Results: At 3-month interval, the success rates were 96.7% and 93.1% with bioceramic and MTA groups, respectively. At 6- and 12-month interval, the success rates were 93.3% and 93.1% with bioceramic and MTA groups, respectively. However, the difference in success rate between the groups was statistically not significant at all the time intervals (P = 0.533 at 3 months, P = 0.972 at 6 and 12 months). Conclusion: Bioceramic putty exhibited comparable results to MTA. Hence, it can be considered alternative pulpotomy agent.

Resin Infiltration of Artificial Enamel Lesions: Evaluation of Penetration Depth, Surface Roughness and Color Stability.

AIM: To evaluate the penetration depth, surface roughness, and color stability of resin infiltration restoration of artificial enamel lesions induced in primary and permanent teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary (group I, n = 30) and permanent (group II, n = 30) extracted non-carious human anterior teeth were subjected to demineralization for four days after creating a window of 5 mm × 5 mm on the labial surfaces. Demineralized area was infiltrated with the low viscosity resin. Ten samples from each group were evaluated for penetration depth, surface roughness, and color stability, respectively. Penetration depth was determined using a stereomicroscope at 80× magnification. Surface roughness of sound and infiltrated enamel was recorded using a profilometer. The color stability was assessed at 2, 4, and 8 weeks along with baseline values using vita easy shade spectrophotometer. RESULTS: Data were analyzed using the student "t" test and Friedman test. The degree of resin penetration was observed to be higher in primary teeth (32.6 ± 15.72 µm) compared to permanent teeth (24.23 ± 6.85 µm), but no significant difference was found (p = 0.138). Surface roughness values of resin infiltrated enamel is similar to that of sound enamel in both primary (p = 0.617) and permanent teeth (p = 0.234). The mean color stability scores immediately after resin infiltration at 2, 4, and 8 weeks intervals showed no statistically significant difference in primary (p = 0.998) and permanent teeth (p = 0.213). CONCLUSION: Resin penetration into enamel lesions was more in primary teeth enamel compared to permanent. The early enamel lesions, when treated with resin infiltration, showed surface characteristics similar to sound enamel and also exhibited acceptable color up to 8 weeks duration. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Resin infiltration can be considered as an effective and predictable treatment option for the restoration of early enamel lesions owing to its deeper penetration, provision of better surface characteristics, and reliable masking of white spot lesions in both primary and permanent dentitions. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Aswani R, Chandrappa V, Uloopi KS, et al. Resin Infiltration of Artificial Enamel Lesions: Evaluation of Penetration Depth, Surface Roughness and Color Stability. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2019;12(6):520-523.

Prevalence and Predictors of Early Childhood Caries in 3- to 6-year-old South Indian Children--A Cross-sectional Descriptive Study.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence and potential risk factors of ECC in 3- to 6-year-old preschool children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 477 preschool children aged 3 to 6 years was randomly selected from the schools in the area of study. Caries was recorded according to the WHO criteria from 1997. Information regarding demographic data, socioeconomic status, feeding habits, oral hygiene practices, birthweight and the children's visits to the dentist was obtained through a structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using Student's t-test, the chi-square test and Pearson's correlation analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of early childhood caries in 3- to 6-year-old preschool children was found to be 27.3% with a mean dmft of 2.36. ECC increased significantly with age and is more predominant in girls. The maxillary arch was more affected than mandibular arch and children belonging to the low socioeconomic group showed higher caries prevalence. ECC is more prevalent in children accustomed to on-demand breast feeding, bottle feeding at night, between-meal snacking and sweetened pacifier use. Factors such as increased frequency of toothbrushing, use of toothbrush and fluoridated dentifrice were found to be the protective factors against the risk of ECC. CONCLUSION: A strong correlation between the risk factors studied and ECC was found. Health education, proper guidelines on feeding and oral hygiene practices and access to early oral health care can substantially reduce the risk and prevalence of ECC.

Occlusal Characteristics and Spacing in Primary Dentition: A Gender Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.

Context. Occlusion in primary teeth varies among children of different populations and races. Aim. To assess and compare the occlusal characteristics and spacing in primary dentition among 3-6-year-old Dravidian children. Materials and Methods. The study included 2281 school going children. The primary molar relation, canine relation, overjet, and overbite were assessed using Foster and Hamilton criteria. Spacing conditions were registered according to Kisling and Krebs criteria. Results. The flush terminal plane molar relation (80.3%) was the most common primary molar relation. The distal step molar relation was more frequently found in female children (12.8%) than in males (8.6%). Class 1 canine relation was the most prevalent canine relation (81.3%) among males and females. Ideal overjet (84.3%) and overbite (72.7%) were observed among the majority of the children. Spaced type of arches occurred more frequently than closed arches in this sample. The incidence of primate spaces was more in males than in females. Conclusion. The study population has fewer deviations from normal occlusion which indicates decreased tendency for malocclusion in permanent dentition. However, further longitudinal studies are necessary to identify the potential limitations of a clinical approach relying on early orthodontic diagnosis and intervention.