Evaluation of CRAFT as a Tool for Caries Risk Assessment in 3- to 6-year-old Children and its Validation against Alban's Test: A Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION: Dental caries is a multifactorial disease and a dynamic process that can be prevented and reversed during the early stage. Risk assessment is an important step in decision-making and treatment planning. There are no valid tools available for the Indian population. Caries risk assessment for treatment (CRAFT) is a chairside tool for caries risk assessment and management. Valid, reliable, economical, and chairside caries risk assessment tool is the need of the hour for general and pediatric dentists. AIM: To evaluate CRAFT as a tool for caries risk prediction among 3-years to 6-years-old children and to validate it against Alban test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A pilot study was conducted, including forty 3-years to 6-years-old children. Salivary samples were collected and inoculated on B.C.G.-Dextrose Agar. Caries activity was assessed using Alban test. Their parents/guardians completed the CRAFT assessment in entirety. RESULTS: The data were tabulated and subjected to suitable statistical analysis. High positive correlation between CRAFT scores and Alban's test (Spearman's Rho = 0.874) was found. CONCLUSION: CRAFT scores were highly correlated with Alban scores in 3- to 6-year-old children. CRAFT could be successfully employed as a reliable, economical, chairside, and clinically feasible risk assessment tool with further research on a larger sample size. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: CRAFT can provide a framework for the clinician for preventive care and enhance patient-participation for CRA. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Thakur JH, Subhadra HN, Jawdekar A. Evaluation of CRAFT as a Tool for Caries Risk Assessment in 3- to 6-year-old Children and its Validation against Alban's Test: A Pilot Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2019;12(6):538-542.

Radicular cyst associated with primary molar: Surgical intervention and space management.

Radicular cysts associated with primary teeth are rare. This case report describes radicular cyst associated with carious primary mandibular second molar in a 5-year-old patient and discusses its surgical intervention, space management, and follow-up for 3½ years.

Sealing ability and thermal diffusivity of cavity lining materials: an in vitro study.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the sealing ability and the thermal insulating capability of four different cavity lining materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty noncarious human mandibular second premolars that were extracted for orthodontic treatment were collected, cleaned, and stored in distilled water. These premolars were randomly divided into four groups of ten teeth each for treatment with the different cavity lining materials. Group I teeth were treated with cavity varnish, group II teeth with amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), group III teeth with dentin bonding agent, and group IV teeth with resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC). Electrical resistance and the difference in the time-temperature curve of the external surface and the pulp side [A D -A P ] of each tooth following heat and cold application for 120 s were measured before and after cavity lining placement to determine the sealing ability and thermal insulating property, respectively. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis. For paired data, paired t-test and Wilcoxon's signed rank test were used. One-way ANOVA was used for comparisons between multiple groups and the Mann-Whitney U test for comparisons between pairs. RESULTS: The mean difference in electrical resistance (in K ohm) of different cavity lining materials were as follows: group I = +3.53, group II = -1.00, group III = +20.43, and group IV = +11.44. The mean differences in the area (A D -A P ) under the time-temperature curve following heat application were as follows: group I = 6.6 mm 2 , group II = 15.3 mm 2 , group III = 130.5 mm 2 , and group IV = 412.0 mm 2 . The mean differences in the area (A D -A P ) under the time-temperature curve following cold application were as follows: group I = 24.5 mm 2 , group II = 3.2 mm 2 , group III = 314.9 mm 2 , and group IV = 480.5 mm 2 . CONCLUSION: Dentin bonding agent and RMGIC provided effective sealing of the dentinal tubules and significant thermal insulation when compared to the other tested cavity lining materials.

Foreign body in the apical portion of a root canal in a tooth with an immature apex: a case report.

AIM: To describe the successful retrieval of a foreign object located in the apical portion of an immature root canal by simple orthograde techniques, avoiding the need for surgery or intentional reimplantation. SUMMARY: A radio-opaque foreign object lodged in the apical portion of an immature root canal was discovered on radiographic examination of a patient with a complicated crown fracture. Attempts to retrieve it resulted in displacement into the periapical area. Eventually, the object was retrieved by a simple technique, followed by successful apexification, root canal filling and jacket crown placement. KEY LEARNING POINTS: Foreign bodies in root canals should be carefully evaluated to determine their nature, position, size and the degree of difficulty that may be encountered during retrieval. Patience, care and appropriate techniques may be helpful in retrieving foreign bodies and avoiding periapical surgery. Complicated crown fractures should be managed promptly, and prolonged open drainage avoided in children if the risks of foreign body impaction are to be minimized.